Help a mod be lazy, new truck questions

[Dl5treez]

Hello all,

So I’m supposed to direct everyone to the search feature for things like this but am far away from home at work in the middle of nowhere, and the idea of a “new truck” has popped into my brain.

my signature is correct with owning a 25 yr old 400k mile 1995 and a Ford....I know, I know..

at any rate, looking seriously at a 2019 2500 crew cab short box 4x4 Laramie. Big discounts at a local dealer.

help me understand the overall quality, reliability, is a fully optioned truck a bad idea—my mind is stuck on ‘Chrysler electronics’—or should I be looking more at a Tradesman?

The bells and whistles are fun, while they work. I don’t want a money pit truck. My ‘95 and my Ford have been reasonably good rigs and $55,000 is a bunch chunk of change, although this one has the 12” touchscreen in dash and some other options that basically put it up as a fully equipped Laramie truck.

What say you TDR, what’s the best “new Ram truck” setup to go with?

Im looking at mostly 2500 crew cab but 3500 is not off the radar either. Shortbox preferred. I don’t need a long box anymore.

honesty appreciated, flame away I won’t judge anyone, but you can judge me . Thanks!
Dan

 

[AH64ID]

I ended up with a Laramie when truck shopping last year and so far it's not a regret, and the bells/whistles are comfy!!... thou I would shy away from the 12" screen based on some of the issues presented on here.

I'm not overly concerned with the electronics in general, but time will tell.

 

[TFucili]

I really like my Longhorn interior, but the 12" Uconnect gas been glitchy, and less useful than I anticipated.

I can't speak to the Std output MPG, but the HO is less than stellar in that department. Also, there is an emissions recall VB6 that is in the works, so I hope it is not like the Ecodiesel where it takes performance away. I have not received the letter, but some have.

On Edit: Recall letter arrived in today's mail.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Which ever way you go, from personal experience, I highly recommend an extended warranty.

 

[JR]

From my perspective, FCA electronics are horrendous. Don't count on anything they push out to be viable much past the warranty period. I know alot of people with the 8.0 that have been in the shop for various reasons. My 5.0 radio has had glitches in near zero weather and below for more years than it hasn't. Or if it's been sitting for several days. The newest is the volume won't play. This with batteries that have been individually load tested. Once it warms up it's fine if that's any consolation....
Which all falls back on what you plan on doing on the long haul. Trade in every few years? Option away! Long term ownership, I'd be Tradesman bound, which is what I went with.
I looked hard for a gently used Tradesman with rubber floors and work grade vinyl but to no avail. If I were to do it again and buy new I'd order both. The cloth seats are low grade and require expensive seat covers if you use your truck for what it is. The work grade vinyl is really high quality for what it is. Tough and durable.

The rest of the truck has been phenomenal. Engine, trans, drivetrain are all stellar. Far and above previous gen trucks. 18" wheels are mandatory IMO. 17" wheels on a SRW push the envelope if loaded moderately heavy.

 

[RVTRKN]

Love my 3500 SRW with the 12" screen, no glitches as of yet. The biggest issue is learning it, I still find myself wondering how to do simple things. 3500 SRW/DRW with the HO, is the way I'd go. But for the price you posted, jump on it.

 

[jacknife]

I have a 14 3500 that I have put about 40'000 miles towing 14,000 lb . Outside of a headlight switch rubbing a wire and factory recalls everything works including all the electronics . Been very happy with it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

1989 Ram W350........non lockup torque converter. That’s what you need!

 

[DeansRedRam]

I would go with the 3500 Aisin. Trans is just always in the right gear, 68RFE IMO is a slush box.

Although I can't speak for a 2019 as I've heard they revised the 68RFE for the additonal 50ft/lb torque from a 2018.

 

[EDankievitch]

Here is my 2 cents worth an the way the market has behaved last few days two penny’s might actually be worth something. I own a 2013 Ram 2500 in my signature. The engine has been flawless. Chrysler electric not so much. My front end the same crap that my o5 had upgrade everything and life should be good right? I think this new heavy duty steering box really got beat up when I was dealing with the death wobble. But that is another story.
Last week I rented a 2020 Ram 2500 from Hertz. I really wanted the F150 as I’m leaning towards getting a diesel one in a few years. Hey Team F never took a bailout and I have yet to read about issues with the diesel. Unlike the Ram 1500 Ecco diesel. But again that is another story.
This 2020 Ram was gas. 6.2ltr holy *#@$ can t had at thing eat fuel. But it ran nice and went like a scolded cat on a hot tin roof. It’s not the same truck as my 13. Not even close. It actually goes straight down the road. Night an day is the ride. I still don’t care for that huge tv screen on the dash. I don’t care how low you set the dash lights it is still way too bright. I almost didn’t see a guy wearing all black walking down the road one evening because of that dam interior light. I run boats at night I BBC want my wheel house dark so I can see and find what doesn’t belong there just like my dad taught me years back on Moriches bay. We used our boats more at night that in the day back then. But that’s another story.
I’m impressed with the new update on the Ram . Will it last? Can’t answer that. If it has the same components my 13 has good luck. After warranty runs out....

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have a 14 3500 that I have put about 40'000 miles towing 14,000 lb . Outside of a headlight switch rubbing a wire and factory recalls everything works including all the electronics . Been very happy with it.

My ‘14 and your ‘14 are NOT related!!

 

[Dl5treez]

Thanks everyone so far! Great info—-another reason I keep hangin out here after almost 19 years!

 

[Ozymandias]

I still don’t care for that huge tv screen on the dash. I don’t care how low you set the dash lights it is still way too bright. I almost didn’t see a guy wearing all black walking down the road one evening because of that dam interior light. I run boats at night I BBC want my wheel house dark so I can see and find what doesn’t belong there just like my dad taught me years back on Moriches bay. We used our boats more at night that in the day back then.

The 12" screen has a switch on the right side to shut it of entirely for exactly that reason, and it comes back on by simply touching it somewhere.

 

[AH64ID]

The 12" screen has a switch on the right side to shut it of entirely for exactly that reason, and it comes back on by simply touching it somewhere.

Does the 12” screen actually shutoff? Or just go black like the 8.4”?

The 8.4” “off” is still very bright.

 

[TFucili]

It goes black, except the backup camera still comes on, and that particular screen seems immune from the dimmer. You can also power the screen off by pressing the center of the volume knob.

 

[Ozymandias]

Does the 12” screen actually shutoff? Or just go black like the 8.4”?

The 8.4” “off” is still very bright.

I can't confirm this as I tried that functionality during daytime.
Maybe @RVTRKN and I can check it out in the evening.

 

[EDankievitch]

Good to know. I only had the truck for 5 days. I got to drive it a full tank. All 200 miles ... Lol that 6.2 was hungry. But I didn’t get to really mess with the settings too much. Took me long enough to figure out how to change the Ac settings and change the radio station. I must be getting old. The push button to start thing also drove me nuts. I kept looking for where to stick the fob. And forget to close the window. How the hell do you turn off the accessories??? Too much modern stuff for me. Get me back to that simple time with Real keys. Back to the 80’s !!! Where did Doc Brown park that Delorian ....

 

[Ozymandias]

Get a Tradesman

They are still old fashioned. I wonder if they still have the manual windows...

Myself i love the push-to-start buttonon my Durango, one tip and everything is executed by itself.
I needed a month back then to figure out that i dont need to keep it pushed till the engine runs.

 

[RVTRKN]

Ya I had that same scenario with my 2016 Tacoma, so the push button start didn’t effect me with my new CTD. Tradesman’s are not plush enough for me, dealer threw in the extended warranty to help in electronics repair if needed.

 

[Timd32]

Yes you can still get window cranks and manual locks, rubber floor, work vinyl.

I love my Tradesman rubber floor and work vinyl is really nice. Have power locks and windows but no FOB. Just use a normal key.