Help me with a 2500 Big Horn build

[jm888]

Yeah..
On the Big Horn it gives you Remote Start, Heated seats and steering wheel, 400w inverter to name a few reasons.
was a no brianer for me. Also made the sport package was more affordable. Lowered the sport upgrade from 800 to 250.

Oh ok, I didn't think to check about it lowering the prices of other packages. I am starting to think maybe the Night Edition is what I might want to exclude to save money. I just don't want a bunch of chrome and the sport package has the painted bumpers so it doesn't look too much different than the night edition (at least I don't think). Maybe I am better off without the 20" wheels too.

 

[kmcoop7]

After owning 10 Rams in the past 10years and just putting in an order for another one today:

4.10 Axle - If you tow, run at altitude, or get bigger tires this is a must. I have never not done all of the above, but I am pretty sure a 3.73 will get you a little better highway fuel economy cruising on the highway in the midwest

Premium lighting - definitely worth it. Ram has some of the worst halogen headlights and some of the best LED

Night Edition - I ordered it. Just know that your painted front bumper will look like some kids sprayed it with a 410 loaded up with buck shot unless you live in the south, and don't have any chip seal near you.

Running boards - If I was to get them I would pay the slight premium for the power units.

Entertainment - I like the 8.4. 12" is way too distracting and hard to use running down the road. I think the alpine sound system is worth it but the sub does take up valuable storage space

Mega - if you have kids and are ok with 6.4' bed, get the mega. It is so worth it. Lots of space behind and under the seat, reclining seat, and RAM now has the smallest crew cab available. Those kids only grow.

 

[jm888]

After owning 10 Rams in the past 10years and just putting in an order for another one today:

4.10 Axle - If you tow, run at altitude, or get bigger tires this is a must. I have never not done all of the above, but I am pretty sure a 3.73 will get you a little better highway fuel economy cruising on the highway in the midwest

Premium lighting - definitely worth it. Ram has some of the worst halogen headlights and some of the best LED

Night Edition - I ordered it. Just know that your painted front bumper will look like some kids sprayed it with a 410 loaded up with buck shot unless you live in the south, and don't have any chip seal near you.

Running boards - If I was to get them I would pay the slight premium for the power units.

Entertainment - I like the 8.4. 12" is way too distracting and hard to use running down the road. I think the alpine sound system is worth it but the sub does take up valuable storage space

Mega - if you have kids and are ok with 6.4' bed, get the mega. It is so worth it. Lots of space behind and under the seat, reclining seat, and RAM now has the smallest crew cab available. Those kids only grow.

Great info. I won't mess with the tires but will tow sometimes so the 4.10 is probably worth it. I was wondering about the painted bumpers and how they last. Is it just the bumpers that get all chipped, or does the grill get bad too? I don't know much about paint protection, but do most people get PPF or something for these front ends?

Where is the sub located and how much room does it take up?

 

[kmcoop7]

PPF is expensive. Pretty sure just the bumper will run you about $400. In my experience the bumper gets 90% of the damage. Grill should be fine. My plan is to linex bumpers and rockers if I keep this truck more than 2yrs

Sub in a crew is under the passenger side back seat. In a mega it is in the storage bin behind the passenger back seat

 

[parsonj]

My Lone Star/Big Horn is a daily driver and working ranch truck. I got the Level 2 (now level B) for the heated seats and steering wheel for those cold winter mornings (even in Texas). . . love them. Techwise, Level 2 includes (at least when I ordered) park assist front/rear, and blind spot/cross traffic (not sure that's currently included). I'm not a big fan of the adaptive cruise, lane control stuff. And, Level 2 comes with the dual zone A/C for my wife. And, I believe it includes the Safety package stuff--basically more controls on the steering wheel. This is my second RAM with the 8" screen. It's great and the knobs get done what I want faster than messing with the 12" screen would. The Bed Utility Group along with wheel to wheel side steps is GREAT for bed access--which I need to do a lot. My old knees can't take that climbing up the wheel and jumping down anymore. And, I use that rear bed light a lot. Likewise, Also look at the center bed camera/light. I use them a lot. I'm not a fan of the current blackout fad especially for the cost??? and definitely don't understand paying all the extra $ for the 20" harsher riding wheel/tire. The standard lights work fine for me--even in the country. Level 2 comes with LED taillights. I'm dealing with farm/equipment trailers a lot. I always check pressure and tire condition every use. I'm so used to pulling and backing trailers, not sure I'd use the new tech stuff if I had them. I use the 8" screen for getting the hitch ball exactly where I need it and getting my bumper as close to whatever as I can. Otherwise, my eyes are on my mirrors.

 

[mpinco]

Picking options is always a challenge. I was looking at the GMC 2500HD and the RAM 2500HD. The RAM fits in your standard garage. The GMC does not. Length is the issue. Review that item and your requirements. The Ford is also too long.

 

[Frank]

. I'm so used to pulling and backing trailers, not sure I'd use the new tech stuff if I had them. I use the 8" screen for getting the hitch ball exactly where I need it and getting my bumper as close to whatever as I can. Otherwise, my eyes are on my mirrors.

I don't use any cameras for backing trailers, but a lot of the other tech is helpful. The trailer blind spot monitor is a nice addition to just using mirrors. I'm also a big fan of the sway control and lane assistance.

 

[SAJ]

Ohhh.... that night addition and the bumper — i hadn’t thought of that re: it’s durability. This makes we wonder on my build if I should go chrome. Ugh! Way too many choices here!

 

[megacabby]

Hello again. I have been lurking here for a couple months now and feel like I better make a decision soon before I am unable to order a truck until next year. I plan to go out and drive both a Ram and a GM again next week and then hopefully I can decide. If I do go this route, I want to be more prepared to order and was hoping you guys could help me come up with some options for a build.

To start with, I believe a crew cab 2500 6.5’ bed with a hemi is the way to go. I do not need or want a diesel and I will have plenty of payload with a gas engine in a 2500. I would like to keep the sticker price around $55k or so in hopes of getting around 10-12% off of MSRP like many have posted here. Big Horn is probably the best option as the Laramie is getting up there in price and probably has a bunch of things I don’t need. So, starting off going down the list from the Ram website, I would probably want to add:


4.10 ratio - $145 (since most people here seem to say it is worth it)

Anti-spin rear end - $445 (required with the 4.10)

220 amp alternator - $145 (just because it is only $145…I don’t know if necessary)

Trailer camera wiring - $515 – I don’t know much about this, but it would be nice to have a camera on the rear of the trailer to show up on the screen, but if it is going to cost 515 plus whatever a camera is, maybe this isn’t worth it. Please weigh in on this if you know about it.

Night Edition/Sport Package: I would probably want some dark exterior color and if that is the case, I think there is too much chrome for that so one of these packages would be nice. I really like the black grill and accents and wheels so probably leaning toward the night edition, but how is the ride with those 20” wheels and tires with this? I don’t really know much about tire size/ride, etc.

Bed utility group - $845 I would definitely get a spray in liner anyways so may as well order it with one. Plus the lights and step might be nice and this is probably only a couple hundred more than getting a spray in liner locally, unless you guys think it is best to get this aftermarket.

As far as the other packages, it is hard to tell because it looks like they are messed up and don’t list everything. It looks like some things in the safety group are also included in level B, but it doesn’t really list them right now. I would at least want the Level 1 for sure, but want the 7” EVIC so I don’t know if I should just go with Level B or 1 and the safety group. Hope someone can weigh in here as to which options are really nice to have in these packages.

I don’t see anything in the tech package or the towing group B package that really seems necessary to justify the prices.

Premium lighting group - $ 795 – is it really worth $800 for LED headlights?

Running boards $845 – I would need to get them eventually so may as well get the painted flat wheel to wheel ones, unless an aftermarket one is cheaper and easy to install.

Entertainment: I think the 8.4” screen is probably fine. I do generally like to have all the cool gadgets, but that 12” screen seems like it may be an overkill for an extra $2k . I would probably add the 9 speaker Alpine for $595 though.

Seating: Premium bench seat. I do like the idea of having room for 6 just in case. I don't really think I want to go with leather again. I have leather in my truck now and cloth in the car and I never do anything to the car seats and they look nice and clean. The leather requires maintenance which I have neglected as it got older.

Trailer tire pressure monitoring. $545 – It would be nice to know if one of your trailer tires is losing air.



That’s where I am at so far. I’d love to hear you guys weigh in and let me know if there are any other options you find you can’t live without, or ones I mentioned here that are not worth it.

If you’re not planning to toll heavy nor are you thinking of towing a 5’er, the Biggest Bang for the Buck, I would refer you to the RAM 2500 Power Wagon 75th anniversary inclusive of the Safety and Towing Group along with the optional RAM boxes.

When the math was done here in Ontario, Canada, you get the soft leather interiors of the Headlamps and Tail Lights of the Night Package of the Limited AND the 12” screen.

HOWEVER and if your planning to toll heavy or toll a 5’er, the Power Wagon will not work for you

 

[jm888]

If you’re not planning to toll heavy nor are you thinking of towing a 5’er, the Biggest Bang for the Buck, I would refer you to the RAM 2500 Power Wagon 75th anniversary inclusive of the Safety and Towing Group along with the optional RAM boxes.

When the math was done here in Ontario, Canada, you get the soft leather interiors of the Headlamps and Tail Lights of the Night Package of the Limited AND the 12” screen.

HOWEVER and if your planning to toll heavy or toll a 5’er, the Power Wagon will not work for you

Yeah, that won't work for me because I noticed the payload on those is worse than a 1500.

 

[jm888]

Ok, I think I am narrowing it down here and came up with this latest Big Horn Build. It seems to run about $3,000 less than a Laramie with comparable options. Do you see anything that stands out that I left off that you consider a must have? This will eventually be used to pull a travel trailer in the 26'-30' range.

 

[gimmie11s]

After owning 10 Rams in the past 10years and just putting in an order for another one today:

4.10 Axle - If you tow, run at altitude, or get bigger tires this is a must. I have never not done all of the above, but I am pretty sure a 3.73 will get you a little better highway fuel economy cruising on the highway in the midwest

Premium lighting - definitely worth it. Ram has some of the worst halogen headlights and some of the best LED

Night Edition - I ordered it. Just know that your painted front bumper will look like some kids sprayed it with a 410 loaded up with buck shot unless you live in the south, and don't have any chip seal near you.

Running boards - If I was to get them I would pay the slight premium for the power units.

Entertainment - I like the 8.4. 12" is way too distracting and hard to use running down the road. I think the alpine sound system is worth it but the sub does take up valuable storage space

Mega - if you have kids and are ok with 6.4' bed, get the mega. It is so worth it. Lots of space behind and under the seat, reclining seat, and RAM now has the smallest crew cab available. Those kids only grow.

Pretty much exactly what i ordered, except i got the 12" screen with wifi. Kids are going to love the connectivity on long vacations!

 

[jm888]

Pretty much exactly what i ordered, except i got the 12" screen with wifi. Kids are going to love the connectivity on long vacations!

So how does that LTE Hotspot work? Do you have to link it to your own wireless account, or is it a subscription you pay for as an option on the truck?

 

[gimmie11s]

So how does that LTE Hotspot work? Do you have to link it to your own wireless account, or is it a subscription you pay for as an option on the truck?

I believe there is a limited free trial similar to Sirius ... 90 days or 6 months or whatever. This is a completely separate service from your existing cell phone service.

After that, you pay for the service through ATT which appears to be VERY affordable. It was a must-have for me.

For a non ATT customer, the $200 annual prepaid UNLIMITED data plan seems pretty amazing.... equals out to under $17/month.

 

[jm888]

I believe there is a limited free trial similar to Sirius ... 90 days or 6 months or whatever. This is a completely separate service from your existing cell phone service.

After that, you pay for the service through ATT which appears to be VERY affordable. It was a must-have for me.

For a non ATT customer, the $200 annual prepaid UNLIMITED data plan seems pretty amazing.... equals out to under $17/month.

Whoa, why is that so cheap?? You can get unlimited data for $200 for the year?!? Where is this screen shot from?

 

[gimmie11s]

ATT's website... scroll towards the bottom. https://myvehicle.att.com/#/ram/learn?country=US&language=en

 

[jm888]

ATT's website... scroll towards the bottom. https://myvehicle.att.com/#/ram/learn?country=US&language=en

I am glad you mentioned this. The idea of a hotspot in the car did not even cross my mind because I just assumed it would be some ridiculous monthly fee and that you'd have to watch your usage but now I might have to consider it. I was going to ask you how far away it works from the vehicle but read on the website that it works 50' away. That gives me an idea...when we have a trailer someday, it would definitely be parked within the range of the truck and if it can pick up the hotspot, the kids would sure love to watch movies. Or at least for the ride. I don't necessarily know if I like that 12" screen though, but it looks like you can get the 8.4 with NAV and it has the hotspot in it.

 

[gimmie11s]

Exactly! The 50' perimeter is icing on the cake. We do a lot of camping out in the middle of the desert and this is going to be a great feature.

And yes... you can also get wifi with the 8.4.

 

[jm888]

Exactly! The 50' perimeter is icing on the cake. We do a lot of camping out in the middle of the desert and this is going to be a great feature.

And yes... you can also get wifi with the 8.4.

First I wanted to keep this around $55k, then it slowly crept up so I figured just keep it under $60k. Now you have to tell me about this! Thanks a lot Well, I guess it is still under $60k even with that.

 

[jm888]

First I wanted to keep this around $55k, then it slowly crept up so I figured just keep it under $60k. Now you have to tell me about this! Thanks a lot Well, I guess it is still under $60k even with that.

Now when I add that 8.4 screen with NAV, it goes to $59,595. Then if I add the Tech group, since I already have the LED lights and Alpine system added, it only goes up $800 more from that to $60,400 and has all the extra cameras and stuff from the tow group and the 12" screen. Maybe I will have to look at that 12" screen again in person. I still like some actual physical buttons and was afraid I would lose some with that. And there I am, over $60k. I hate this!!