When I test drove some Rams I noticed that 2nd gear had a bit of lug (for lack of a better term), the 3.92's take care of that. I had my 2012 brought to OH from IL because we had a list of options and colors that we could not find locally, not what I really wanted to do (let someone else put the first 300 miles on my new truck) but when we picked it up the avg fuel economy was 17.9 mpg. The remote start kills the fuel economy more than the 3.92's. Plus you get a little more zoom at the stoplight or on ramp.
Looking at a new truck...
- Thread starter lofsfire
- Start date
900kingcat162
New member
"Wow! Thats quite the story. Good thing its on the internet. "
srt20, its all true. honest.
srt20, its all true. honest.
averagejoe074
New member
I'm a ford guy and currently have a 05 F150 4x4 with a 160,000 miles on it and its also been a great truck...owned a couple dodge rams in the past...they were ok...had a few issues...it just seems to me the ford is built way better...one other problem with the dodges if you go that route and plan on keeping it a long time..they seem to start rusting out so much sooner then a ford or gm...maybe things are different with the newer rams now...but it's something to think about..
Have you guys heard anything about new pistons and rings needed on GM 5.3 engines with active fuel management? It cuts down from V-8 to 4 cylinders under light loads.. My Cat sales guy needed new pistons and rings on his '08 Avalanche with the 5.3 at 35,000 miles.. I have an '08 Suburban with the same engine-34,000 miles... I'm a little nervous!!!
indy_500
Well-known member
Totally understandable. What if you looked at a 2012 model with a few miles on it? Or are you that "buy new" kinda guy? If you are I understand my uncle is the SAME way with his stuff.
anonomoose
New member
If you pull all the time and run empty less, then the bigger rear end is your huckleberry. But if you are putting the miles you say on the truck each day, empty and hauling once in awhile...then go with the smallest number you can find. It makes a big difference in gas mileage and REMEMBER the mileage on the window of the truck (sticker) does NOT take the rear end into account when computing mileage....so you will see a 3.92 rear end with same numbers as the 3.55...common sense will tell you that the lower will get better gas mileage...no matter who's truck you buy.
As far as rust is concerned....that is done! Everybody uses galvanizing in all the right places. Save your money when it comes to paint sealants and fabric treatment....they aren't worth the money. Consider extending the warranty with the dough instead.
anonomoose
New member
So what your saying is that should the pistons and rings go bad over the next 66,000 miles, the repair will be covered by GM?
What's your worries?
dont count on it.
my last pos 04z71 with the alloy block started burning 1 qt at every change in 15k mi then by 30k mi it was 2.5qt per change
50k qt every 1000mi gm kept telling me that was with in gm spec 65k 4 qt every 3k mi then they said warranty was up and would not do any thing. it got worse over time but unfortunately that was the least of the issues with that pos.
I cant tell u how glad I was to trade that pile in to the dealer that sold it to me. from what I understand it went straight to auction after they looked in to maintenance history.
I have owned them all GM toy ford Nissan dodge.
the fords have cost me less to own than any.
I think if I was going to buy a GM it would have to be a 03 or older they were rock solid but then somthing bad happend and I think it has allot to do with the percent of USA parts and labor went way way way down
my last pos 04z71 with the alloy block started burning 1 qt at every change in 15k mi then by 30k mi it was 2.5qt per change
50k qt every 1000mi gm kept telling me that was with in gm spec 65k 4 qt every 3k mi then they said warranty was up and would not do any thing. it got worse over time but unfortunately that was the least of the issues with that pos.
I cant tell u how glad I was to trade that pile in to the dealer that sold it to me. from what I understand it went straight to auction after they looked in to maintenance history.
I have owned them all GM toy ford Nissan dodge.
the fords have cost me less to own than any.
I think if I was going to buy a GM it would have to be a 03 or older they were rock solid but then somthing bad happend and I think it has allot to do with the percent of USA parts and labor went way way way down
lofsfire
Active member
New used does not matter but when I can get new cheaper than used, I will buy new. When I bought my current F150 it had 22,000 miles on it. My wife's Acadia was a dealer demo the owners wife's car 3,200 miles on it, but I know I got a good deal b/c They showed me the GM employee discount price and I paid less. I got lucky and found it at the right time.
Thanks for the info on the rear end, that is kinda what I thought, but I had someone tell me that the final ratios were the same so it would not mater at highway speeds. Maybe they were talking between the 6 speed and 8 speed tranys...
anonomoose
New member
The bigger rear ends are for hauling things. The rear end is completely unrelated to the tranny and they do not change the ratios in light duty trucks to adjust for different rear ends. The drive shaft turns one revolution which can mean more revolutions for the ring and pinion gear or less with a lower ratio for every revolution of the tire. If you haul a bunch, a wider ratio rear end puts less pressure on the ring and pinion because of the better reduction. It stresses the drive train less with a bigger ratio.
But for most folks who drive the machine to work everyday, the 3.3 or even 3.1 rear end will get them better mileage. You will suffer a bit more if and when you haul something tho with less gitty up and slightly less mpg.
But for most folks who drive the machine to work everyday, the 3.3 or even 3.1 rear end will get them better mileage. You will suffer a bit more if and when you haul something tho with less gitty up and slightly less mpg.
M
Mattarsc
Guest
My buddy bought a brand new crew dodge half ton.....has the air suspension......I would DEFFINATELY hook a 4 place enclosed sled trailer even empty to it before you drop any money on it. That rear end dropped down a ton to the point that you worried about the rear end and rubbing from the front end of the trailer. Was stupid when trying to pull it. I salesman with an over amount of pride will probably let you put a hitch on the truck and drop the trailer on it. Just saying. Check it out. I know the tow specs say one thing but......
skidoodoug
Member
Laughed openly...thanks
I have had 4 Rams, a 96, a 99, an 02 and now a 2010. Bought all 4 new and the 02 I had for 8 years and 160,000. Still would pass anything on the road except for a gas station. I love my Hemi with a 32 gallon tank, all kinds of power when towing the enclosed 2 place and gas mileage is good driving it back and forth to work. My brother just bought a F150 with an ecoboost but he doesnt tow much but loves the fuel mileage. Was raised in a Ford for life family but have bought Toyota, Chev and now Dodge trucks never buying a Ford again but when I bought them they were used and buying them in the early 80's I found they would let me down. No complaints or concerns on the last 4 Dodge trucks and they werent just for running to Cub foods. All of them were and get worked as trucks whether pulling 4 place trailers or manure spreaders full of wood. I would say buy what suits your needs and makes you smile when you get behind the wheel I think no matter what you buy the warranty's will keep you happy.
5 year warranty over end of march!! I don't want to get stranded in the U P like I was with my '04 diesel 6.0 Excursion!! Of course that would be a great excuse to snowmobile more!!
stormbringr1
New member
If reliability, cost of ownership and a vehicles ability to retain it's value mean anything to you--you really only have two options: Tunda and Silverado. There's a reason they give away the Ram. Look at JD Power and the other quality surveys. You get what you pay for.
It wont strand you but may burn some oil. If you havent noticed it yet prob wont
anybody running a ford expedition as tow vehicle? out of snowmobiling for a spell but i do have a ranger 620vs (5,000lbs) that i pull around all over the midwest and up to canada. musky fishing is my passion! thinking about an expedition for new vehicle. running an F150 now... thinkin about getting out of the pickup gig now.
anonomoose
New member
In my opinion, you would be better off going with a crew cab pickup and pick your engine and towing package. The pickup has more room than the Expedition, and the mileage is actually better because the technology has moved it along whereas the Expedition is unchanged....meaning the mileage sucks. Resale would be better too.