I found the truck...now I need some advice...

[A4Owner]

Finally...

'24 Ram 1500 Rebel with no pano sunroof, coil spring suspension, Night Package, the Alpine not HK stereo and the plain black interior. Price is right but I can tell from pictures and without even looking at the VIN that it has been sitting on the lot since Feb/March. Is it too late to get a truck like that rust proofed? I heard once you gotta rust proof from factory new. That just doesn't sound right to me. Next up is where do you guys stand on bras vs XPEL or other ceramic front end protection solutions? I personally like a bra but then I personally REALLY like the front end of these Rebels. Next is how handy do you have to be to DIY the exhaust manifold job when the bolts crack? Like on a scale of 1 to 10 is that job a 2 or more like an 8?
Only final question is oil changes and oil product. Is the prevailing view that Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic changed every 10,000Km on the dot makes the likelihood of lifter failure in these 5.7s zero?

 

[vincentw56]

Finally...

'24 Ram 1500 Rebel with no pano sunroof, coil spring suspension, Night Package, the Alpine not HK stereo and the plain black interior. Price is right but I can tell from pictures and without even looking at the VIN that it has been sitting on the lot since Feb/March. Is it too late to get a truck like that rust proofed? I heard once you gotta rust proof from factory new. That just doesn't sound right to me. Next up is where do you guys stand on bras vs XPEL or other ceramic front end protection solutions? I personally like a bra but then I personally REALLY like the front end of these Rebels. Next is how handy do you have to be to DIY the exhaust manifold job when the bolts crack? Like on a scale of 1 to 10 is that job a 2 or more like an 8?
Only final question is oil changes and oil product. Is the prevailing view that Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic changed every 10,000Km on the dot makes the likelihood of lifter failure in these 5.7s zero?

You shouldn't have a single issue on rust proofing. Just go to a reputable place.

No bras. This isn't the 80s. Get the PPF. And ceramic on the paint.

I can't speak to the other 2 except I doubt one synth oil is better at that than others. I run Mobil1 and have for almost 30 years and my 1998 Dakota (bought new) was 17 years old and over 250,000 miles on it when I sold it. It ran Mobil1 from the first oil change with an extended oil change.

 

[CSPCRX]

I am a big fan of XPEL on the front of the vehicle and ceramic coatings. we just got our 2024 1500 Limited and two of the first modifications were both of these items. We live in AZ so rock chips are a huge issue and the sun is tough on paint.

 

[OCD Solutions]

If you have ever replaced your spark plugs, shocks or brakes, then you have demonstrated more than enough mechanical ability to replace a cracked manifold. Broken studs is going to be more complicated and may require more than your basic tools.

 

[A4Owner]

Amazing thanks guys.

 

[mikeru82]

Congrats on finally making a decision. Now I will scold you for making a thread like this without including pics!

Next is how handy do you have to be to DIY the exhaust manifold job when the bolts crack? Like on a scale of 1 to 10 is that job a 2 or more like an 8?

Your question on the exhaust manifolds is kind of combining two separate issues. On 4th gens it was common for the manifold bolts to break. On 5th gens it seems to be more common for the manifolds to crack and/or break. But I don't remember ever reading about someone complaining about cracked manifold bolts.

 

[A4Owner]

If you have ever replaced your spark plugs, shocks or brakes, then you have demonstrated more than enough mechanical ability to replace a cracked manifold. Broken studs is going to be more complicated and may require more than your basic tools.

The front wheels I know come off but do you need to lose the brake discs and lower control arm assembly to do the exhaust manifold??? That engine is actually quite far back in the engine bay when you think about it.

 

[dajogejr]

There are dozens of threads on oil… and they all contain one truth.
Each’s posters personal opinion. There is no oil that will guarantee lifter life.
Zero. People will tell you why they change their oil every 1,000 to 10,000 miles and why they’re right.
Short story on my 4 RAM trucks, all with Hemi(06, 08, 15 and 23), about 300K miles between the 4, never used Synthetic oil, used factory weight conventional oil and changed it within 10% of when the EVIC said to, zero engine or lifter issues.
It’s mechanical, it can fail.. and it’s luck/karma/good or bad juju.

So, for the other stuff.
I agree, I’m a big fan of Xpel PPF on the front, but I did my whole front, front quarter panels, a pillars up about 3 inches past the curve and the front 5 inches above the windshield and my side view mirrors.
When I traded my 15 in, I had more stone chips/rust starting above the windshield than anywhere else believe it or not.
Ceramic coat over the PPF. I also strongly suggest buy once/cry once… and have the paint corrected prior to any coatings.
There is a newer product making it way around. Ikon Rock Clear. It’s not as good as PPF, but it is better than traditional ceramic, and it’s priced inbetween PPF and professional ceramic. Take a look. I had my paint corrected before PPF and ceramic and it’s A HUGE difference in a dark colored truck, even dirty you can see the shine. 13K miles later (had it done just after 2K miles, bought a dealer demo) and it’s still very hyperbolic and cleans up very easy.

I had both my manifolds replaced on my 2015 limited under warranty (lifetime max care at the time) at 100K or somewhere close to that. Can’t say how difficult they are to do.

Congrats on the new ride.

 

[OCD Solutions]

The front wheels I know come off but do you need to lose the brake discs and lower control arm assembly to do the exhaust manifold??? That engine is actually quite far back in the engine bay when you think about it.

I took the front wheel off and the plastic wheel liner and had all the access I needed.

I replaced mine with the latest design from Mopar that does have some minor changes in the areas that usually crack so hopefully your 2024 model comes with the updated units. The jury is still out on the new design.