What do you drive for a truck?

[Darth_DMack]

I have a 2020 Ram 3500 DRW (Dual Rear Wheel). I bought it brand new off the lot. It has the "Max Tow" package... 6.7L Cummins HO / Aisin Transmission / 4.10 gears and the Ram Air Ride suspension with 5th wheel package.

I have just over 55k miles on it, and the only thing Ram has done is replace the CP4 fuel pump with a CP3 due to the recall. My truck has never given me a single issue, and I tow heavy with it.

I wanted a Laramie, but got this one in Big Horn trim. The only thing it is missing that I would change, is to have a heated steering wheel.

It is the Walnut Metallic color, and I love it, because I don't see many this color.

 

[sd455dan]

Wow have our trucks held their value. Wife got a call from the local RAM dealer. Then again a dollar does not buy what it used to.

They fixed a key FOB issue last summer.

Flat out offered her more than her 2004 2500 4x4 Cummins sold for new. Truck has 80K miles on it now but has been garaged since new.
She politely declined the offer and told them I like my unicorn no emissions diesel truck.
Thanks but no thanks.

 

[DK35vince]

Those are easy enough to convert as I recall.

I guess if adding a transfer case (possibly the tail shaft assembly on the transmission to fit the transfer case), adding/altering the drive shafts, replacing the front axle, steering and suspension is considered easy

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I guess if adding a transfer case (possibly the tail shaft assembly on the transmission to fit the transfer case), adding/altering the drive shafts, replacing the front axle, steering and suspension is considered easy

There's no front axle to replace on GMs since '88. They went to IFS (unless including the Blazer, Suburban, and Crew Cab, which had real axles up to '91).

Yes, the tail shaft generally has to be replaced when adding a transfer case, and new/modified driveshafts will be needed. But like many other IFS vehicles available in 2WD and 4WD versions, the main difference between them is the missing parts in the 2WDs.

Some straight axle vehicles are also quite simple to convert, such as Postal Jeeps, XJ Cherokees, and some years of Rams. On those the axle shafts and the diff itself are missing, and a normal live axle bolts right in.

Of course, what's considered easy by some may be deemed insurmountable by others. We're all different, thankfully.

 

[deezler]

When I wanted to replace my little 1998 Mazda b3000 (Ford Ranger), about 13 years ago, I was really disappointed to find how hard it was to find a good American built truck. After about a year of looking I had to settle for this old truck. Glad I did. I liked the body style 30 years ago and still like it today. 118.000 miles and will last another 118k easily. I know most of you are probably laughing now, but I really like this old truck.View attachment 854602View attachment 854603

Very clean! Nice to look at, too bad you also have to drive it and sit inside the Chrysler interior also. Lol, I kid, I kid.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Very clean! Nice to look at, too bad you also have to drive it and sit inside the Chrysler interior also. Lol, I kid, I kid.

When I think about it, seems like all the American trucks were great thru the 90s. Seems like after 2000 the quality started dropping as the prices starting going up and up. Unless the big 3 improve quality, my next truck will be a Tundra.

 

[deezler]

Last year I finally bit the bullet and plunked down what felt like a LOT of money for a newer pickup.

After 7.5 years of supreme reliability, I said goodbye to my '03 Sierra 2500HD (6.0L LQ4 gas). An absolutely bullet proof truck; not very fast but plenty of power to tow 10k lbs with ease. But the 12-14 mpg in daily driving was not awesome, and the cab corners were starting to rot.

So I grabbed a '19 F150, 3.5 EcoBoost. 6.5' bed plus full crew cab means it's pretty long, but still livable as a daily driver. Crazy powerful, easy to tune for more, and still returns 18mpg winter and 21+mpg in summer. Tows as much as my 2500HD, but carries a little less in the bed. Love it.

 

[5030]

Last year I finally bit the bullet and plunked down what felt like a LOT of money for a newer pickup.

After 7.5 years of supreme reliability, I said goodbye to my '03 Sierra 2500HD (6.0L LQ4 gas). An absolutely bullet proof truck; not very fast but plenty of power to tow 10k lbs with ease. But the 12-14 mpg in daily driving was not awesome, and the cab corners were starting to rot.

So I grabbed a '19 F150, 3.5 EcoBoost. 6.5' bed plus full crew cab means it's pretty long, but still livable as a daily driver. Crazy powerful, easy to tune for more, and still returns 18mpg winter and 21+mpg in summer. Tows as much as my 2500HD, but carries a little less in the bed. Love it.

Be sure you keep up on the oil changes and I don't mean every 10K miles either. Change it at 5. That motor is noted for having issues with the variable valve timing and dirty oil increases the likely hood of failure. new trucks with 4 doors and short beds don't work for me and my big F350 diesel gets 21 anyway.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Last year I finally bit the bullet and plunked down what felt like a LOT of money for a newer pickup.

After 7.5 years of supreme reliability, I said goodbye to my '03 Sierra 2500HD (6.0L LQ4 gas). An absolutely bullet proof truck; not very fast but plenty of power to tow 10k lbs with ease. But the 12-14 mpg in daily driving was not awesome, and the cab corners were starting to rot.

So I grabbed a '19 F150, 3.5 EcoBoost. 6.5' bed plus full crew cab means it's pretty long, but still livable as a daily driver. Crazy powerful, easy to tune for more, and still returns 18mpg winter and 21+mpg in summer. Tows as much as my 2500HD, but carries a little less in the bed. Love it.

That 6.0 was a workhorse. It will be interesting to see how the EcoBoost will hold up.

 

[deezler]

Be sure you keep up on the oil changes and I don't mean every 10K miles either. Change it at 5. That motor is noted for having issues with the variable valve timing and dirty oil increases the likely hood of failure. new trucks with 4 doors and short beds don't work for me and my big F350 diesel gets 21 anyway.

Yes sir, 5-6k oil changes for life. I also typically do the Ford "flood-start" if it has been sitting for more than 6 hours (extra cranking before it fires to build oil pressure). And always disable start/stop.

 

[deezler]

That 6.0 was a workhorse. It will be interesting to see how the EcoBoost will hold up.

For real. That 6.0L was a great engine, zero problems ever. I just wish it had been given more than 4 lousy gears behind it in the trans. I bet with the newer 8-spd it could have picked up a couple more mpg.

 

[5030]

Only 'new' vehicle I own (and it's not all that new) is my paid for in cash Ford Focus RS Turbo which is basically a way over powered roller skate. Bought it off lease in 2017 and it's a hoot and it gets it's oil changed every 5 or even less as well. I love the 6 speed box and I never worry about it getting stolen as most car thieves today only know PRNDL and it gets 40 average even with the air on.

I use 5-40 Rotella T6 in it (and everything else) as well.

Far as I'm concerned, oil and filters are the cheapest insurance against failure you can have today.

Only thing I don't like about it is, it's a GDI engine with a dry intake tract so I have to give it regular cleanings with Sea Foam injected straight into the intake behind the MAF sensor as the Sea Foam will destroy the MAF sensor. Little inconveinent but not too bad actually.

Having a 2 liter engine with 320 horses in a roller skate is always a hoot, especially for this old man. Don't hot rod it ever, but I could....lol

 

[oldrustysteel]

Only 'new' vehicle I own (and it's not all that new) is my paid for in cash Ford Focus RS Turbo which is basically a way over powered roller skate. Bought it off lease in 2017 and it's a hoot and it gets it's oil changed every 5 or even less as well. I love the 6 speed box and I never worry about it getting stolen as most car thieves today only know PRNDL and it gets 40 average even with the air on.

I use 5-40 Rotella T6 in it (and everything else) as well.

Far as I'm concerned, oil and filters are the cheapest insurance against failure you can have today.

Only thing I don't like about it is, it's a GDI engine with a dry intake tract so I have to give it regular cleanings with Sea Foam injected straight into the intake behind the MAF sensor as the Sea Foam will destroy the MAF sensor. Little inconveinent but not too bad actually.

Having a 2 liter engine with 320 horses in a roller skate is always a hoot, especially for this old man. Don't hot rod it ever, but I could....lol

Sounds like a fun little car to drive occasionally. I think there are a few issues with carbon in the gdi engines, but it sounds like you are on top of it.

 

[Hay Dude]

When I think about it, seems like all the American trucks were great thru the 90s. Seems like after 2000 the quality started dropping as the prices starting going up and up. Unless the big 3 improve quality, my next truck will be a Tundra.

I have found just the opposite.
My 90’s trucks had weak engines, tissue paper transmissions, and low tow ratings.
If you rode with me in my Ram/Cummins, you’d think you were in a luxury vehicle with the ability to tow 40,000lbs.

 

[5030]

Hopefully those who have RAM diesel pickup trucks didn't modify them in any way. I see the states are now moving towards not allowing owners of modified RAM diesel pickup trucks to get them license plates. or register them if modified in any way. That will be interesting to say the least.

 

[paulsharvey]

Hopefully those who have RAM diesel pickup trucks didn't modify them in any way. I see the states are now moving towards not allowing owners of modified RAM diesel pickup trucks to get them license plates. or register them if modified in any way. That will be interesting to say the least.

How would your state know you modified your vehicle, in order to not issue a registration? Sure, in sale, you sign a thing claiming "I have not modified, removed, or caused to be removed, any emissions devices or equipment"; but thats just a signature; doesn't mean anything, just sign it and move on. Are they planning on having cops pull people over to check for emissions equip?

I know some states do inspections of some sort every year/fee years; but that's the minority of states, and no idea what they actually inspect to get your registration.

 

[Eagle1]

Even a lot of states that have inspections, there are varying inspection rules throughout the state. In MO we have no emissions testing outside of the cities, in my county I just need tires, brakes, muffler and lights. No windshield required, not any sort of testing.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Here is my 2004 Chevy 1500 with 105k miles(Frank) he has seen trees fall on him and deer being tossed at him.

And this is my 2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax Frank D. (220k miles LLY Diesel).

 

[ultrarunner]

Hopefully those who have RAM diesel pickup trucks didn't modify them in any way. I see the states are now moving towards not allowing owners of modified RAM diesel pickup trucks to get them license plates. or register them if modified in any way. That will be interesting to say the least.

Sounds like California... emission inspection/pass required to renew registration printed on renewal...

Not passing emissions is one thing... tampering is a crime.

 

[Hay Dude]

How would your state know you modified your vehicle, in order to not issue a registration? Sure, in sale, you sign a thing claiming "I have not modified, removed, or caused to be removed, any emissions devices or equipment"; but thats just a signature; doesn't mean anything, just sign it and move on. Are they planning on having cops pull people over to check for emissions equip?

I know some states do inspections of some sort every year/fee years; but that's the minority of states, and no idea what they actually inspect to get your registration.

And like that doesn’t apply to other brands of trucks?

Just Ram?