Quick Review Of The Ram 1500

November 18, 2018, 11:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
The trannys they put in all these newer trucks is a real downer for me. All the shifting is moronic.

The 8-speed Chrysler is using in almost all their RWD-based stuff is the best automatic transmission I've ever driven. Especially behind the 5.7. The shifter knob is kinda dumb but otherwise it's an excellent powertrain combo.

November 18, 2018, 11:18 AM

2000Z-71

I've got one as a rental right now while my F-150 is in the shop after a hit and run. I hate it. The transmission dial selector has a huge delay between when a gear is elected and is actually engaged. It likes to hang in R before shifting into P, if my foot isn't firmly on the brake it will jump backwards.

The other thing is driveline bind in four wheel drive is terrible. Driving around town in the snow and ice it pops, bangs and thunks loudly. I know it's part time four wheel drive and to sometimes be expected, but my F-150 isn't nearly as bad.

November 18, 2018, 02:55 PM

92fstech

quote:
Originally posted by Andyb:
Those transmission dials can go straight back to hell where they belong.

This. Whatever girl-pants-wearing, man-bun-sporting, non-driving sob came up with that idea needs to be sent on a one-way trip to North Korea. I never liked Chrysler stuff before they started with that BS, and there's no way in hell I'd own one now.

November 18, 2018, 03:04 PM

bigdeal

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Originally posted by Andyb:
Those transmission dials can go straight back to hell where they belong.

This. Whatever girl-pants-wearing, man-bun-sporting, non-driving sob came up with that idea needs to be sent on a one-way trip to North Korea. I never liked Chrysler stuff before they started with that BS, and there's no way in hell I'd own one now.

Please don't spare us. Tell us exactly what you think.

Its quite funny how some things are viewed. Some hate the tranny dial, some love it. Then there are folks like me who are almost completely ambivalent about it. It wouldn't sell me on the truck or sway me away from buying it.

November 18, 2018, 03:14 PM

Twist

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Originally posted by Andyb:
Those transmission dials can go straight back to hell where they belong.

This. Whatever girl-pants-wearing, man-bun-sporting, non-driving sob came up with that idea needs to be sent on a one-way trip to North Korea. I never liked Chrysler stuff before they started with that BS, and there's no way in hell I'd own one now.
Please don't spare us. Tell us exactly what you think.

Its quite funny how some things are viewed. Some hate the tranny dial, some love it. Then there are folks like me who are almost completely ambivalent about it. It wouldn't sell me on the truck or sway me away from buying it.

For real, and over how to put your vehicle in gear no less.

There’s still steering wheel controls that allow one to go through gears manually if so desired. Pretty sure those have been there on 5 or 6 speed transmissions for a while for most manufacturers so it’s not like a dial on a dash really makes a damn. It’s simply how one selects which gear to start out in.

November 18, 2018, 03:56 PM

SpinZone

I'm liking the dial.

Back in the day when transmissions Were controled by linkages the big arm sticking out of the coluum made sense but with electronically controlled tranmissions the only purpose they serve is to placate people who don't like changing their paradigms.

Not having it gives the dash a cleaner look.

November 18, 2018, 06:45 PM

92fstech

quote:
Please don't spare us. Tell us exactly what you think.

Lol, always, and with pleasure

.

Honestly, as a daily driver, I could probably find a way to live with it. But as a cop, the last thing I want to have to worry about when some dirtbag jumps out of a car on a traffic stop is making sure some goofy dial is turned to the right spot so my car doesn't drive off without me when I bail out. 20 years of muscle memory with a column shifter has worked just fine for me...I have no desire to change now. I'm not really a fan of traditional console-shift vehicles, either (unless its a stick).

I don't like how vehicle manufacturers are implementing more dials and screen-based controls in vehicles. It forces you to take your eyes off the road and look at the dash or console, whereas with levers and buttons you can do everything by feel without having to look down. It's bad enough in a vehicle that is just used as a grocery getter, but in a patrol vehicle it could be life or death, or at the very least make for some really embarrassing youtube footage

November 18, 2018, 07:42 PM

SpinZone

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Please don't spare us. Tell us exactly what you think.

Lol, always, and with pleasure .

Honestly, as a daily driver, I could probably find a way to live with it. But as a cop, the last thing I want to have to worry about when some dirtbag jumps out of a car on a traffic stop is making sure some goofy dial is turned to the right spot so my car doesn't drive off without me when I bail out. 20 years of muscle memory with a column shifter has worked just fine for me...I have no desire to change now. I'm not really a fan of traditional console-shift vehicles, either (unless its a stick).

I don't like how vehicle manufacturers are implementing more dials and screen-based controls in vehicles. It forces you to take your eyes off the road and look at the dash or console, whereas with levers and buttons you can do everything by feel without having to look down. It's bad enough in a vehicle that is just used as a grocery getter, but in a patrol vehicle it could be life or death, or at the very least make for some really embarrassing youtube footage .

I'll give you that the coluum shifter might be better in a situation where you have to bail out in a high stress situation. But for the other 99.99999% of us that really doesn’t apply. My 35 years of muscle memory is already starting to change in less then 2 days of owning this.

I do agree with you about moving controls to touch screens. Due to my vision issues I don't like to have to look away from the road. I am pretty happy with the balance my new dodge has. Basic A/C controls and radio volume are knobs and buttons and I can change the radio channels and answer the phone from the steering wheel buttons. Advance functions like the split zone A/C and media center are controled from the touch screen.

November 19, 2018, 07:55 AM

slabsides45

Chevy owner here.

I sat in one (a '17 model, methinks), and was impressed with the comfort and amenities. I didn't care much one way or another about the shift dial, but would take some getting accustomed to.

My biggest concern is, seems like almost every time I tell a friend or acquaintance that I like the looks of the newest model, I hear them voice concern over the reliability of the transmissions and rear ends. Okay, so it's got a warranty, but I've never had one of my trucks transmissions or rear ends go out on me, and that's Chevys, F150's, and F250's. I'd hate to spend that kind of coin and then have an issue like that. Anyone know if that's just brand bias, or if the reported repair numbers back that up?

November 19, 2018, 08:22 AM

Paten

My 81yo Dad has a 2016 Ram 1500 and he loves it. I'm visiting this week and he says the next time he takes it in for a service, they have a safety upgrade to install that will put the transmission into park when the door is opened so it won't roll away if left in drive or neutral. He doesn't know all the details of it yet but I'm sure there is an option to override the safety feature if necessary.

November 19, 2018, 08:23 AM

Twist

quote:
Originally posted by slabsides45:
Chevy owner here.

I sat in one (a '17 model, methinks), and was impressed with the comfort and amenities. I didn't care much one way or another about the shift dial, but would take some getting accustomed to.

My biggest concern is, seems like almost every time I tell a friend or acquaintance that I like the looks of the newest model, I hear them voice concern over the reliability of the transmissions and rear ends. Okay, so it's got a warranty, but I've never had one of my trucks transmissions or rear ends go out on me, and that's Chevys, F150's, and F250's. I'd hate to spend that kind of coin and then have an issue like that. Anyone know if that's just brand bias, or if the reported repair numbers back that up?

I think the biggest issue was with the 4 speed transmission that hasn't been on the trucks for quite a while. I haven't heard of nor experienced any wide spread issues with the 8 speed that's been at least an option since 2013.

No idea about the rear end issues, that's a new one on me.

FWIW, I was a 25 year GM guy before I bought my 2014 Ram.

November 19, 2018, 08:48 PM

Tailhook 84

quote:
Originally posted by aileron:
I'm waiting for Ram to produce a variant of the new '19 1500 comparable in appearance to my '14 Ram crew cab Sport.

Love my '14; it has the Hemi with the ZF 8-speed, limited slip diff, heated and cooled leather seats, 32 gallon tank, tons of rear seat room, and gives me ~20 mpg in mixed driving if I keep it under 80.

I bought a 2013 Laramie Longhorn (w/ 44k miles) last year that looks like it just left the showroom floor. The nicest truck I've ever owned and probably ever will. Just got back from a 1100 mile trip to Kansas and averaged 19.5 MPG, and as my daily driver it averages 17.5 MPG. After 30 years of owning Ford trucks I'll never own another one again.