Sorceress21
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2021
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 20
2021 Ram 1500 Rebel Night Edition, w/ air suspension and the Off-Road package.
5.7l with the 8HP75 Transmission
Bone Stock – No Mods
Loaded to the bone, nearly all available options, no bed accessories and got the basic tow package but not the full bone one with a trailer brake controller. Though I do have a tow/haul mode
So, I’m just about to 10k and my first scheduled service. I wanted to give a good review on this truck as it’s my first foray into the RAM line. For perspective, I’m a 51-year female, been a truck / Jeep owner/enthusiast for years, moderate novice off-road experience, fair mechanical skills but not expert level on any of it. I’m an overland expedition camper and don’t have much interest in any serious rock crawling or extreme “jeep trails” with this truck. I came off a 2018 Tundra TRD Offroad edition which I loved and had zero issues with but I wanted some technology upgrades that Toyota just doesn’t offer yet.
The Review 0 to 5 stars:
My overall rating:
Generally, I’m pleased with the purchase and have no major misgivings thus far.
My one main gripe that’s no one’s fault but mine is after examining the availability of the after-market parts market and post-purchase research on the suspension system I must admit I think it was a mistake to get the truck with the air ride system as it seems many who have lifted earlier year Rebels with the air suspension have had many problems post install. It seems that system just doesn’t like lift kits and lift kit aside, seems to have a 2 to 3 year lifespan before it starts breaking down. Time will tell how this goes with the 2021. I have not been able to determine from any research if the 2021 model year had RAM make any really reliability improvements to the air ride system or not. The jury seems to be out on this. Being I’ll be towing a ski boat I also have to think about the disappointing payload capacity with the Rebel, though according to a MOPAR VIN check my truck can tow just over 11k:
Reliability:
Couldn’t give it 5 stars as I’ve had some glitches that I feel shouldn’t be occurring on a brand new 65k truck.
- Cricket Chirp - My rig has it, though in the last couple of weeks it seems to have gone away. I've read these forums on the issue and despite the "lubricant" spray fix on the caliper clips fix I am unconvinced this is brake issue.
- The automatic day/night mode change on the instrumentation and Infotainment display has been slightly glitchy. I don't like that during the day it switches to night mode if I go under a large overpass then takes up to a full minute to go back to day mode. I've had one instance of the system switching to day mode mode during the night and staying there until I shut down and restarted the truck. This happened one time only.
- The dreaded RAM engine tick has already set in. It started around 5k miles for my truck. Will see if anything can be done on the 10k service
- The driver's heated seat doesn't get very warm at all, not even half as warm as my Tundra's did on full. Will address this with the dealer on the 10k service.
- Had two occurrences of a transmission "clunk" when shifting to Drive from Park. This is usually a non-issue and happens from time to time on 4WD trucks but I'll have it checked on the 10K service.
- The Speed Limit Zone indicator in the NAV system isn't more than 80% accurate in any given area. I noticed the most discrepancies when I was on a work trip in the Dallas area. Seems that RAM needs to get Garmin to force an update or be more fluid about that database. There's also a fair amount of missing streets in the NAV database that have been around for a few years. The Navigation function also is horrendously bad with interstate interchanges that are complex. It often tells you to keep right or left when you need to do the opposite. I have already asked RAM for a map update and there currently isn't one available. I was told to write a complaint to Garmin. The weather Radar display shows precipitation far to dim even when set to the maximum opacity. That's a nitpicky one but still, should have better graphics.
- Not really a reliability issue but the LED lights that surrounds the rim of the headlight assemblies are far too dim for use as real DRLs over the DRL mode for the actual headlights. They really need to be at least 3 or four times brighter. Not an issue with my truck alone, all the other Rebel's I see on the road have the same issue. Being they are LEDs you'd think this could be adjusted.
MPG -
Obviously a 5.7 L V8 isn't gonna be a fuel efficient vehicle, I understood that going into the purchase. Thus I can't really complain but wanted to point out that the actual MPG is a lot lower than advertised for the truck as equipped. RAM is clearly going way beyond the normal MPG embellishment all manufacturers advertise regardless of make or model. I haven't gotten better than 14.5 average (system indication) on the interstate. I don't really care as MPG was never a consideration for me personally but wanted to mention it for the review.
On road ride and handling -
On wet or dry roads is the best I personally have had in a 4WD vehicle. This truck is extremely comfortable to drive on long road trips. The ride even with the 33" Duratracs is, for me, luxury SUV equivalent. Combined with the steering assist function holding a lane is effortless. I find I can drive a lot farther in this truck without getting tired than I could in the 18' Tundra I owned. On wet roads the traction is excellent and for me hydroplaning has been non-existent even going through heavy puddles at highway speeds.
Traction in 8 inches of snow was exceptionally good. I never even had to use 4WD when making a run to the store during our only big snowfall here in Northern Kentucky. I took the truck behind the strip mall and tried to make it slip in 2WD to understand the threshold and the rig wouldn't break traction no matter what I did under 25 mph.
Torque and Acceleration -
This was disappointing for a 5.7 L Hemi. I was expecting the truck to do a bit better. Both in the 0 to 60 standard as well as torque. My guess is that the issue here is all the optioned equipment I have results in the truck being slightly underpowered for its weight. I have yet to test the truck with towing or any moderate off-road use so if those test well I may up my rating here. But despite the truck sounding aggressive I feel the acceleration falls a little flat. It's not unacceptable, but just a bit less than I feel it should.
Planned Mods:
I'm going to ready the truck for the Tuk Road in late summer. Me and friend have a trip planned to run the whole road up from the states to Tuktoyatuk Canada in the Arctic Circle. My mods plan is gonna have to be a weight watchers tactic as my available payload is not on the good side.
Lift kit - Undecided
I’m waiting for BDS to certify their lift kit for 2021 fitment and once that’s done I may wait another few months for the reviews to come on to see how it’s going. I’m undecided there as I’m not sure how long I’ll keep this truck as I’m considering going back to Toyota or upgrading to the TRX in a year or two. I’m not really sure this truck needs a lift at all as for me performance is far more important than look. With the Off Road height mode, 4WD Low and rear diff lock all engaged I think this truck’s light to moderate off road capability with the stock suspension is pretty good thus far for use on Forest Service backroads. I have no intention on using this truck for any kind of intentionally challenging off-road driving and will actively avoid back country roads or trails that require substantial suspension enhancements to successfully navigate with reduced damage risk.
Now if I don't lift the truck I will be doing some upgrades on the existing suspension where I can without tearing into the air suspension system. Still researching this.
Siderail Rock Sliders
Another undecided mod as of right now, there's next to zero 2021 fitment options out there for true load bearing side rails. There's a few available but I don't care for the look of them and they seem to be untested and un-reviewed beyond how well they install. Additionally any back country roads that make rock sliders relevant I'll probably never go on.
Front and Rear Bumpers
I'm definitely ditching the stock bumpers as I want recovery winches on both ends as well as a swing out tire carrier and Jerry Can Rack. Still too few options on market for the 21' so this will wait a bit especially as I'll need bumpers with the parking sensor cutouts.
Tires and Wheels
Wheels and tires change have to wait for the BDS lift to get certified for 21' As my decision to or not to lift the truck will heavily impact tire/wheel choices.
Changing out the stock wheels is definitely happening regardless of the lift as I want beadlock capable tires for those muddy forest road air downs. I also want a splash of color in the truck and though I like the all black body I'm think bronze or anodize blue wheels to break it up a bit. As for tires, I'd like to upsize to 35's however without the lift that's a no go. Had a local off-road pro shop run a check and do some measurements and 35's will rub without a lift without question. Also, being I'm not gonna do intensive trail running 35's are probably unnecessary anyway.
Overland Bed Rack / Rooftop Tent
Looking at several manufactures I'm definitely adding an expedition rack system. I love the ease of access of hanging tools and gear off the rack. Considering the Leitner Active Cargo System but don't like that you have to drill into the bed for the install. I'm leaning heavily now towards the Addictive Desert Designs Rack.
COMMS
Still trying to figure out where to mount my CB radio and how/where I'll mount the antennas. I'm likely gonna mount the co-phase whips on the rack I get. Will eventually add a 10 Meter Mobile radio as I m working on a Ham lic.
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. Didn’t think of the break in period when I negotiated this and the dealer didn’t mention anything.
