Working on Truck

[mat200]

If anyone is to blame for the compact engine bays, blame those democrats @ the EPA and Congress with all of their mandates.
They are fixing to destroy the automotive industry here in the U.S.A.

Exactly .. thus more plastics replacing more durable metal parts ..

 

[garycrist]

So ya can't get up and are lookin' fer your Life Alert? Fear not you wantabe money-savers!
I purchased 4 12000 Lb wide ramps. Drive the Edge ST up and do my oil and tranny service.
It's EASY to FALL DOWN but the creeper and I fit.

After the kinks and hurts go away, I'll service the PTU and the RDU. guys

Long Live us 70+ guys

 

[David L]

Well finally got a truck again. I have always had trucks pretty much my whole life. My 2000 RAM 1500 I had 20 years, gave it to my son. Well moving out here in The Woods/Country I feel naked without a truck. Anyway, after researching, looks like the RAM is on top. Which is kinda hard to say since the Ford dominated so many years. I got me another 1500, 2025 Lone Star model...crazy pricing since being at the end of the month, best time to buy.

I was looking this week and Friday night looked again at some saved Tabs in my browser, many saved Refreshed them to see another $2-3k reduced price. WOW.

Check out these prices:



What is great about the 2025s is they all have the 8 inch screen, no more 5 inch screen. No NAV in the lower end models I looked at, you have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Key Features:



The one we got has the power rear sliding glass window. Came with bed liner and tint.
We did not go to Orange, Texas for ours, that is a 6 hour round trip , we found one locally that was close to these prices...

 

[SJGUSMC21]

Mine is 10 years old...and I love it. Yes, there have been issues, but I still really enjoy driving it!

 

[David L]

We were wanting to stay under $40k. We ended us at $41k Total since we upgraded from the Tradesman to the Lone Star. The Laramie's are nice but too much for what we need. Our rich Son-in-law got a Longhorn, it listed at $96k. It has real wood interior trim, crazy nice...

We will be adding the mechanical runner step boards. Also a back Kick Down Step for the back bumper/tailgate like this one:

AMP Research BedStep™ | RealTruck

Get the AMP Research BedStep™ from RealTruck fast with free shipping in the lower 48 United States. Our team of product experts, extensive image galleries, and legendary customer service make it easy to get the right part the first time.

realtruck.com

For me it is worth every penny...The bed of these trucks comes up to my hips, I can't jump up in the beds anymore like I did in my youth...The side steps are for my wife, oh and me in the future

 

[SJGUSMC21]

I love my Lone Star and actually the 3.6 Pentastar has done EXACTLY AND EVERYTHING I have ever asked of it! Laramie's are nice, but they have always been more then I would even give 2 seconds of thought to. I paid $25K for my truck, it was 2 years old and had 12K miles on it. I NEVER thought I would PAY THAT MUCH for a vehicle! Now, that's a freak'n oil change. Ha, ha.

Mechanical Steps are nice...really nice. My friends have them, I just have after market side boards that look like factory. My middle name should be 'Scratch and Dent' or 'After Market'! Enjoy your truck! I know you will!

 

[Smilingreen]

Well finally got a truck again. I have always had trucks pretty much my whole life. My 2000 RAM 1500 I had 20 years, gave it to my son. Well moving out here in The Woods/Country I feel naked without a truck. Anyway, after researching, looks like the RAM is on top. Which is kinda hard to say since the Ford dominated so many years. I got me another 1500, 2025 Lone Star model...crazy pricing since being at the end of the month, best time to buy.

I was looking this week and Friday night looked again at some saved Tabs in my browser, many saved Refreshed them to see another $2-3k reduced price. WOW.

Check out these prices:
View attachment 203961
View attachment 203962

What is great about the 2025s is they all have the 8 inch screen, no more 5 inch screen. No NAV in the lower end models I looked at, you have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Key Features:

View attachment 203963

The one we got has the power rear sliding glass window. Came with bed liner and tint.
We did not go to Orange, Texas for ours, that is a 6 hour round trip , we found one locally that was close to these prices...

Wait.....if those prices are too low for you, let me show those prices to a millennial. That way you can get into a bidding war with them and pay 90% over MSRP.

 

[David L]

I love my Lone Star and actually the 3.6 Pentastar has done EXACTLY AND EVERYTHING I have ever asked of it! Laramie's are nice, but they have always been more then I would even give 2 seconds of thought to. I paid $25K for my truck, it was 2 years old and had 12K miles on it. I NEVER thought I would PAY THAT MUCH for a vehicle! Now, that's a freak'n oil change. Ha, ha.

Mechanical Steps are nice...really nice. My friends have them, I just have after market side boards that look like factory. My middle name should be 'Scratch and Dent' or 'After Market'! Enjoy your truck! I know you will!

So we have most always bought at the 2 year mark used vehicles, low mileage and warranty left are a must for us. I have not had a new vehicle in more than a couple of decades. What we did on this buy is get the Mopar 8 year bumper to bumper warranty. When we bought the Highlander in 2021 it is a 2019, had 13k mileage, one thing the Pandemic did is lower everyone's mileage , anyway we bought a 7 year bumper to bumper warranty for it. Funny but the new Highlanders only came with 5 years so we did good. Price was high but we got a great price on two trade-ins so it pretty much evened out the score.

In no way am I ok with the high prices, especially trucks. Why? Nor the high prices of housing either. We paid more for this truck than we did for our second house. It was a 10 year old Freddie Mac forecloser.

 

[David L]

Wait.....if those prices are too low for you, let me show those prices to a millennial. That way you can get into a bidding war with them and pay 90% over MSRP.

During the pandemic, when chips were backordered and new car inventory was held back, we were looking for a SUV, the Kia Telluride was the hottest 3 row SUV at the time. People were paying $10-15k Over MSRP, which as you stated...is CRAZY. Just think of the Off the lot depreciation plus paying over MSRP, they probably lost half the value.

I know we lost a certain amount too buying new. Main reason I don't buy new, but buy at 2 years which use to be the halfway point in value of a vehicle, some vehicles that is. You still normally have warranty left (if mileage is low) or the Dealer will Certify it. Noticed only 3 month / 3k mileage Certified warranties now, use to get a year bumper to bumper for certified.

So back to why I bought new this time. 2025 for a new RAM was a pretty big improvement, as mentioned the 8 inch screens but all the key features, that alot of older people hate, I have learned to like and except the help, Lane Assist (Lane Departure Warning), no I do not like it jerking the wheel back into lane but you can adjust the sensitivity, I don't mind a lite jerk, you can turn off the audio alert, I am one who does look at my phone too much and can cross the line every once in awhile. Yes I admit it. (Have to add, I cross lanes at times when no cars are around, out where we live there can be no traffic for half a mile on our freeway)

Blind Spot Monitor seems to be on all newer vehicles these days, I almost don't notice the warning flash on the mirrors, we can turn on audio but, no way on a freeway. Forward Collision Warning, guessing it will (help) brake too like our Highlander does. Parking Sensors / Assist, don't mind help there.

Adaptive Cruise Control, now this one I like. Adjusting 1, 2 or 3 car lengths (on our Highlander) assuming similar on this truck, really helps. Our other car did not have it and I would forget it didn't . Man this feature for our highway driving will almost put you asleep at the wheel, haha, bad statement

Only problem with all these sensors is if you ever get into a wreak they have to calibrate them in the repair, another added cost of repair.

 

[SJGUSMC21]

Wait.....if those prices are too low for you, let me show those prices to a millennial. That way you can get into a bidding war with them and pay 90% over MSRP.

No clue as to what you are talking about, but as for us ever buying new cars again, not going to happen. My wife's 2017 Nissan Rogue was the last new vehicle we will ever purchase. One daughter is 1.5 years away from A&M, the other 4 years behind her. To those that can afford them, hat's off to you and 'Life is good!'. You earned it!

 

[Flintstone61]

Been having some overheating issues with my 2014 RAM

I wonder if the water pump could be a suspect. Sometimes the impeller blades deteriorate and reduce water flow.

 

[David L]

I am kinda of a data collector nut, one day I tried to list all the vehicles I have owned in my life. I think there is at least a half of dozen more that could be added on this list, some I remember, some work trucks that I had for a short time but don't remember the years.



But out of this list and the ones not on it, only 3 were new vehicles and those three I worked out of so I was able to depreciate them in my businesses...

 

[SJGUSMC21]

I wonder if the water pump could be a suspect. Sometimes the impeller blades deteriorate and reduce water flow.

Trucks been great since I replaced all the crap I did. No leaks (banging the shit our of some wood right now!). One of the best things I did was to replace that craptastic plastic oil housing unit with a Dorman Aftermarket one. Been bone dry in the valley ever since.

Next, I need to drain the transmission...so not for sure if I am going to go Dorman Plastic or spend a little extra and get a metal one. The metal ones have their own issues.

 

[looney2ns]

You guys are brave. I just read that 60% of ram trucks need repairs as soon as it leaves the line at the factory.

My daughter has been fighting with stellantis/jeep over her problems with her jeep and Jeeps ineptitude at being able to fix problems.

Couple of mechanic friends of mine is always saying, "not sure why anyone is still buying anything owned by Stellantis, as the quality has gone completely to heck."

 

[samplenhold]

I have had two Ram pups over the years. Bought specifically to tow camping trailers. Both were 2500s. First one was gas 5.7L Hemi. Sold that when we went to Nigeria for five years. When we cam back bought the turbo diesel 2500 4WD. Loved that truck. Sold it when we bought the motorcoach. Should have kept it to tow behind the RV.

 

[David L]

You guys are brave. I just read that 60% of ram trucks need repairs as soon as it leaves the line at the factory.

My daughter has been fighting with stellantis/jeep over her problems with her jeep and Jeeps ineptitude at being able to fix problems.

Couple of mechanic friends of mine is always saying, "not sure why anyone is still buying anything owned by Stellantis, as the quality has gone completely to heck."

I must be one of the lucky ones, had my 2008 Jeep till trade-in 2021, zero problems. Had my 2000 RAM 1500 for 20 years, no major problems, mechanical that is, only my dash cracked up like crazy like so many others.

@looney2ns Now you tell me after buying a new one

 

[David L]

I have had two Ram pups over the years. Bought specifically to tow camping trailers. Both were 2500s. First one was gas 5.7L Hemi. Sold that when we went to Nigeria for five years. When we cam back bought the turbo diesel 2500 4WD. Loved that truck. Sold it when we bought the motorcoach. Should have kept it to tow behind the RV.

View attachment 204009

Yeah, found out 2025 first year, no more Hemis. Hurricane gas engine replaced it, son-in-law said it was designed after Cummins? Not sure how being a Diesel but if it can perform like the Cummins, awesome...

 

[samplenhold]

No problems with either of those pups, but they were a 2003 and a 2012. My 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been great. Tow it behind the coach. JGC has over 70k driven on it, plus another 111k towed behind the coach. No problems. Well only once...had a rock chip the headlight. Put a hole in the lens. Went through a car wash and it shorted out the canbus. Wipers would run on their own, sunroof would open and close, horn would beep, and windows would go up and down. But not all at once or all the time.

 

[David L]

No problems with either of those pups, but they were a 2003 and a 2012. My 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been great. Tow it behind the coach. JGC has over 70k driven on it, plus another 111k towed behind the coach. No problems. Well only once...had a rock chip the headlight. Put a hole in the lens. Went through a car wash and it shorted out the canbus. Wipers would run on their own, sunroof would open and close, horn would beep, and windows would go up and down. But not all at once or all the time.

Funny, you had a ghost, lol So I say no major issue with the Jeep, did have the Wiring Harness issue many others reported, where the dashboard would flash and sometimes go out for a few seconds. Was told wiring harness was the problem. Glad it never happened during Inspection, lol For me it did not justify the expense in replacing it. But it was in the later years of that 2008, way out of warranty...Oh and it did not do it at Trade-In either, lol

Officer, my dashboard went out, was I really driving that fast? lol

 

[Flintstone61]

My Buddy owns 2 2500 Rams for his lawn service/plowing. first one was a 2000. then every 3 years he started trading them before warranty expired...As a business,,,it's the smart move. for him. You have to be reliable when it comes to plowing commercially.
They have had some good years and bad years, his best move is to trade them in near the end of the factory warranty......and get the newest ones.