SolidAxleorBust
Well-Known Member
Now that I have 1600 mixed miles on my new 2026, here are my thoughts so far. Will add more as I think about it.
Game Changers:
1. ZF transmission -- The 68RFE was barely a 60-100K transmission if lucky and not able to handle the abuse of a PW. As we know ZF is the best mass produced unit currently. Delivers 5% more seat of the pants performance, and 10% better towing at least.
2. Ram Boxes -- Dealer forgot them on my 2018, wow now I have usable tie downs and tools and recovery gear stowed, and tools plugged in and charging. Not the solution for everyone, but for me its perfect. Oh, and the bed divider is GOD LIKE. Ever haul a tire for repair? Always ends up against the cab. Propane tanks to refill? Carry chemicals? Water cans? brilliant design. Way better then say Nissans bed divider.
3. Front Locker -- Appears to work unlike on 2018. In general the slow engagement and endless flashing lights seem over.
4. Front Sway Bar -- Appears to work so far, did not work 2018 and prior
5. Garage Door Opener -- Will set up and test new one today finally. 2018 did not work 40% of the time.
6. Wireless chargers -- No more shredding endless cords and outlets.
7. Blue tooth Android Auto connection -- So much easier
8. Adaptive Cruise control -- Wow, long trips are a breeze. You can keep the other junk for now like lane keeping ( which I did not order) But Adaptive cruise is the bomb.
Things I Like:
1. New Interior- Fantastic as the 2018 was, and greatly improved. Center console is amazing
2. 360 Cameras -- Fantastic, more useable then I expected.
3. Hemi Tick -- So far did not start from day 1 like the 2018
4. Synthetic Line -- Of course
5. Rear step -- About time
6. New Head Lights -- Very good
7. Real Power - Can actually run a tool. Still limited due to modern Hemi lifter reliability
8. Brakes -- So much better. Then again, 2018 has been recalled for years with a failing module, no parts. Random brake failures. But still, they feel soooo much better.
9. Rear LSD -- Seems much tighter. Granted, the clutches in my 2018 are worn probably, but still seems much tighter. Maybe that's a fluke.
10. Some Manual Things -- Like Manual parking brake. Please dont ever do the electric brake only crap Ram
Not Game Changers:
1. 14.5" screen -- Does not do much for me, and not as easy to use
2. Passenger screen -- For a few road trip uses a year?
3. Spot Lights -- Don't really do much
New Things I dislike:
1. Giant Hood-- It may look cool, but visibility is greatly effected by that monstrosity. Bad idea. Probably needed to balance the silly grill. Grill I can live with...but that hood.
2. No bed outlets still? No one overlands and plugs in a fridge?
3. Same terrible, small, glass tires.
4. Exhaust still ridiculously poorly designed at back.
5. New mirror turn signals provide less visibility. I like it for recoveries. The old ones lit up the world.
6. Lower rear bumper with sensors -- Asking for trouble
7. Factory Rock Sliders -- You got to be F ing kidding me! They might as well not even be there. I wont even insult a future buyer of my 2018 by swapping them on when I transfer the white knuckles over to the 2026
8. Electric Brake Nanny -- It plops on when you dont need it. Like trying to move forward a slight bit with the door open. This might be a Federal reg, but ugh.
Wish they would have done: ( not above)
1. More Power -- Possibly Cummins Octane
2. Wireless winch remote
3. Improved front bumper design -- For off road use
4. Some fuel efficiency increase -- Not expecting miracles, but something. ZF surprisingly does not seem to change much. Will see in a few thousand more miles of break in.
5. Barn Door Option for tail gate on heavy duty
Problems so far:
1. Glitch with 14.5" uconnect -- Dropping Blue tooth connection, not showing Sirius stations. One hard reset and no more repeats so far.
Game Changers:
1. ZF transmission -- The 68RFE was barely a 60-100K transmission if lucky and not able to handle the abuse of a PW. As we know ZF is the best mass produced unit currently. Delivers 5% more seat of the pants performance, and 10% better towing at least.
2. Ram Boxes -- Dealer forgot them on my 2018, wow now I have usable tie downs and tools and recovery gear stowed, and tools plugged in and charging. Not the solution for everyone, but for me its perfect. Oh, and the bed divider is GOD LIKE. Ever haul a tire for repair? Always ends up against the cab. Propane tanks to refill? Carry chemicals? Water cans? brilliant design. Way better then say Nissans bed divider.
3. Front Locker -- Appears to work unlike on 2018. In general the slow engagement and endless flashing lights seem over.
4. Front Sway Bar -- Appears to work so far, did not work 2018 and prior
5. Garage Door Opener -- Will set up and test new one today finally. 2018 did not work 40% of the time.
6. Wireless chargers -- No more shredding endless cords and outlets.
7. Blue tooth Android Auto connection -- So much easier
8. Adaptive Cruise control -- Wow, long trips are a breeze. You can keep the other junk for now like lane keeping ( which I did not order) But Adaptive cruise is the bomb.
Things I Like:
1. New Interior- Fantastic as the 2018 was, and greatly improved. Center console is amazing
2. 360 Cameras -- Fantastic, more useable then I expected.
3. Hemi Tick -- So far did not start from day 1 like the 2018
4. Synthetic Line -- Of course
5. Rear step -- About time
6. New Head Lights -- Very good
7. Real Power - Can actually run a tool. Still limited due to modern Hemi lifter reliability
8. Brakes -- So much better. Then again, 2018 has been recalled for years with a failing module, no parts. Random brake failures. But still, they feel soooo much better.
9. Rear LSD -- Seems much tighter. Granted, the clutches in my 2018 are worn probably, but still seems much tighter. Maybe that's a fluke.
10. Some Manual Things -- Like Manual parking brake. Please dont ever do the electric brake only crap Ram
Not Game Changers:
1. 14.5" screen -- Does not do much for me, and not as easy to use
2. Passenger screen -- For a few road trip uses a year?
3. Spot Lights -- Don't really do much
New Things I dislike:
1. Giant Hood-- It may look cool, but visibility is greatly effected by that monstrosity. Bad idea. Probably needed to balance the silly grill. Grill I can live with...but that hood.
2. No bed outlets still? No one overlands and plugs in a fridge?
3. Same terrible, small, glass tires.
4. Exhaust still ridiculously poorly designed at back.
5. New mirror turn signals provide less visibility. I like it for recoveries. The old ones lit up the world.
6. Lower rear bumper with sensors -- Asking for trouble
7. Factory Rock Sliders -- You got to be F ing kidding me! They might as well not even be there. I wont even insult a future buyer of my 2018 by swapping them on when I transfer the white knuckles over to the 2026
8. Electric Brake Nanny -- It plops on when you dont need it. Like trying to move forward a slight bit with the door open. This might be a Federal reg, but ugh.
Wish they would have done: ( not above)
1. More Power -- Possibly Cummins Octane
2. Wireless winch remote
3. Improved front bumper design -- For off road use
4. Some fuel efficiency increase -- Not expecting miracles, but something. ZF surprisingly does not seem to change much. Will see in a few thousand more miles of break in.
5. Barn Door Option for tail gate on heavy duty
Problems so far:
1. Glitch with 14.5" uconnect -- Dropping Blue tooth connection, not showing Sirius stations. One hard reset and no more repeats so far.
But you know, you got to be safe. Remember if you kid nap a kid and stuff him in a Ram Box there is an escape release!