alanstahl
Active Member
I have about 5000 miles on my truck which was built in mid July, 2018, delivered on 9/27/18 and is a fully loaded RAMBOX, 22"wheels: 3.92, Etorque Hemi, black, black. First I would like to say that RAM has done one hell of a job in designing and engineering of this truck and to date I only have praise. This is my 3rd RAM 1500 and it is by far the best, and by most magazines and authorities it has been rated the best.
For those of you who are wondering if you should buy, absolutely. For those of you that have had problems I feel for you. But I think certain fundamentals should be brought to everyone's attention as to what can go wrong on a product that has hundreds of thousands of parts. And, today with so much of the truck controlled by electronics, there is always the possibility that there could be an electronic failure as all electronics typically will, if they are going to fail, fail within the first 90 days or so due to a heat breakdown. So if you have a new truck and have experienced an electronic problem, it was likely engineered properly but failed due to overheating of an electronic component. The indentical part replaced might last 20 years or more. So if it's an electronic issue it should be easily fixable. That said, if it is an assembly glitch or mechanical problem, again, the design is likely not flawed but an improper fit or in simple need of an adjustment. Also, when 50,000 trucks a month are built there are going to be some failures, some paint flaws, some misalignements so perfection in unlikely. This is not a hand build coach. But I have been very pleased with this RAM including the HK sound system, quietness, fit and finish overall, quality and detail, general performance, and if there are any issues to note, they are minor and are the following.
1. My front passenger door could be adjusted to be a little more perfect as it is off by about 1/16th of an inch in the middle where it latches. the top and bottom are good.
2. My milage is less than I would like, 13-14 city, 17-18 highway. When I bring it in for the first service I will see if there is a service update as I did expect more with the eTorque upgrade.
3. "IBrake" when in reverse can be a little jarring but it does work so in the end its acceptable. It may save a life. Keep your foot on the brake as you back up on any down grade and you'll be Ok.
I wrote this to give comfort to those wondering and to those who have not had the enjoyment they had hoped and for that I am sorry. But, I think that FCA should be praised for this outstanding product and not have the few who have had bad luck be the voice of RAM. But I do think FCA should listen better and react better toall buyers with any problem and try and help those that put their confidence in FCA, possibly changing brands in this process and then were not happy. FCA has the most to win if they do. It is interesting to note as a sidebar that the Lincoln Blackhawk was never well received yet was an upscale truck with a high end finish. Wrong time, wrong place. I suspect it would do better today with an update. But, RAM has knocked it out of the park with the design, finish, quality and ride. I hope this helps those on the fence.
For those of you who are wondering if you should buy, absolutely. For those of you that have had problems I feel for you. But I think certain fundamentals should be brought to everyone's attention as to what can go wrong on a product that has hundreds of thousands of parts. And, today with so much of the truck controlled by electronics, there is always the possibility that there could be an electronic failure as all electronics typically will, if they are going to fail, fail within the first 90 days or so due to a heat breakdown. So if you have a new truck and have experienced an electronic problem, it was likely engineered properly but failed due to overheating of an electronic component. The indentical part replaced might last 20 years or more. So if it's an electronic issue it should be easily fixable. That said, if it is an assembly glitch or mechanical problem, again, the design is likely not flawed but an improper fit or in simple need of an adjustment. Also, when 50,000 trucks a month are built there are going to be some failures, some paint flaws, some misalignements so perfection in unlikely. This is not a hand build coach. But I have been very pleased with this RAM including the HK sound system, quietness, fit and finish overall, quality and detail, general performance, and if there are any issues to note, they are minor and are the following.
1. My front passenger door could be adjusted to be a little more perfect as it is off by about 1/16th of an inch in the middle where it latches. the top and bottom are good.
2. My milage is less than I would like, 13-14 city, 17-18 highway. When I bring it in for the first service I will see if there is a service update as I did expect more with the eTorque upgrade.
3. "IBrake" when in reverse can be a little jarring but it does work so in the end its acceptable. It may save a life. Keep your foot on the brake as you back up on any down grade and you'll be Ok.
I wrote this to give comfort to those wondering and to those who have not had the enjoyment they had hoped and for that I am sorry. But, I think that FCA should be praised for this outstanding product and not have the few who have had bad luck be the voice of RAM. But I do think FCA should listen better and react better toall buyers with any problem and try and help those that put their confidence in FCA, possibly changing brands in this process and then were not happy. FCA has the most to win if they do. It is interesting to note as a sidebar that the Lincoln Blackhawk was never well received yet was an upscale truck with a high end finish. Wrong time, wrong place. I suspect it would do better today with an update. But, RAM has knocked it out of the park with the design, finish, quality and ride. I hope this helps those on the fence.
