Initial impressions on your new HD RAM - likes and dislikes, new to RAM Trucks

[Crusty old shellback]

Likes: Just about everything on my '21 75th AE Power wagon. really love the look of the Delmonico red pearl paint. Was a bit worried when I ordered it.
Rides even better once I changed to 35's and lowered my tire pressure. 45/37. The factory 65 PSI sucked.

Dislikes: The tiny 33" good years that came on it. Should have come with 35's from the factory. I swapped out to 35" BFG's at 200 miles.

 

[BCCA]

The coil springs are rough! My leaf spring 2500’s were great, but hated the coils. If you really want a brutal ride, a coil spring 2500 with 20” wheels will knock your fillings out! The 1 ton with 17” wheels, 80 series tires and leaf springs is surprisingly comfortable

My buddies 2500 Laramie hemi on 20” was rough.
My 22 2500 Cummins tradesman on 18” rides really well.

I leave it at 68 psi for empty and camping rides really really well.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

My buddies 2500 Laramie hemi on 20” was rough.
My 22 2500 Cummins tradesman on 18” rides really well.

I leave it at 68 psi for empty and camping rides really really well.

Look up your tires on the tire manufactures website and see what they recomend for tire pressure/weight.
The sticker on the truck for tire pressure is for the truck fully loaded to max carrying capacity.
My door sticker says 60/65 for the OEM tires. It rode stiff. And when under the truck one day, I could see daylight under the tires on the outer edges. So way over inflated. Dropped it to 45/40 and it rode so much nicer and the tire contact patch was way better.

 

[FFL348]

Off the top of my head:

1) Reliability of the Cummins, and what seems to be very conservative engineering changes year to year. This is my second Cummins RAM 3500.
2) Column shifter and manual transfer case lever. It's predictable, shifts in sub-zero temps, and adapts well to rocky forest roads when needed.
3) Solid front axle
4) High Idle feature that doesn't require any wiring to enable.
5) Such great torque and boost for towing from 5k to 10k** ft, and the transmission logic works well. It's not exhausting to pull a trailer long distances, over mountain passes, with headwinds/crosswinds, or for hundreds of miles of long grades like across I-80 in Wyoming, etc. Plus it's just safer in general.

**Part of this is the diesel, but it's also the turbocharging. Normally aspirated engines lose 3% engine power for every 1000 ft in elevation, so at 10k ft a normally-aspirated engine would have a 30% reduction in power.

 

[waveslayer]

So after complaining about the seat, I raised it up and it's a noticeable comfort difference. It improves the cushioning, but now I'm sitting up higher than my old school bus driver!

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

 

[IDK_Ram]

So after complaining about the seat, I raised it up and it's a noticeable comfort difference. It improves the cushioning, but now I'm sitting up higher than my old school bus driver!

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

I moved the seat to it's extremes last week. Was happy to learn they recline almost horizontal.

 

[Blythkd1]

So far I'm pretty happy overall with my '22 CTD Limited dually.

Some key likes:
Overall I think the interior is pretty well appointed. Best leather I've ever seen in a truck.
Ride seems pretty good for a dually. It seems like it has a little flutter momentarily after larger bumps but still pretty good.
I actually like the auto wipers so far. They seem to come on when I need them and kick up speeds very well as needed. Maybe they'll degrade over time, but so far so good.
I like the way it drives. I've always thought GM was the gold standard in handling when it came to HD pickups but this Ram drives just as well.
I like having a gearshift on the column.
Still getting used to the console but I'm pretty sure I like it. They've actually made it pretty versatile.
The Infinity sound is pretty solid. I've had multiple Bose systems and this one is every bit as good, better than some.
Love having the power slide rear window again. Somehow Ram managed to incorporate the sliding window with rear window defog. Imagine that.
Love the dual tanks even more. 74 gallons is almost enough to forget about an aux tank. It's a chassis cab thing.
A real engine brake.
There's more just not coming up with them right now.

Opportunities for improvement
Pickup truck mirrors just suck for towing. This one is no different. I just leave them up, moose ear style, seems much better to me.
Auto on headlights get left turned off on this truck. I've used auto on headlight feature for years but these do not react to suit me. The dash dims down way to early and makes it tough to see.
I too have the dancing hood. I actually checked the latch to make sure it was holding down as tightly as it should and it was. The center of the hood must be flexing A LOT.
Still waiting for the comfort of the seats to blow me away. Not yet. Hopefully they'll soften up with time. I'm only about 175# so I don't break seats down like some of the big ol boys do.
The lay flat front buckets are awesome. I had that feature in a 2007 GMC then basically the same truck, a 2012 Chevy, had seats that only went about halfway back. I really missed that feature.
Really wish the driver's seat would go lower. I'm 5'9" and with the seat all the way down, I have it slid fwd to the point it's a little tight getting in and out of the truck. I'd really rather be lower and farther back to stretch my legs. This is more of a bummer than most of my bitches.
Really wish it had a key and a tumbler on the column. Why do I have to push my brake pedal to start the truck? Seems like a step backwards. Actually seems like more of a Prius option than a HD truck.
This one is a hit and miss. I like having a real engine brake but I wish I could adjust the level. Set on tow/haul mode and engine brake on, this thing starts knocking off mph too quickly for me at times, even with a load.
Aisin shifts could use a little improvement but I'm optimistic that this transmission will enjoy a long life.
Shift points. There's one shift, not sure which one, 3rd to 4th maybe, that is way too soon. I've switched to tow/haul mode to avoid it but then it's too aggressive when slowing down.
CHANGING THE FREAKING OIL FILTER. HOLY SHTI! Haven't seen an oil filter so ridiculous to change since my '97 Cougar. I'm going to try some different options going forward but have the engineers ever heard of oil filter relocation! The rear of the engine is wide open.

Summing up, I'm happy with the truck overall and do not regret the purchase at all.

 

[waveslayer]

So far I'm pretty happy overall with my '22 CTD Limited dually.

Some key likes:
Overall I think the interior is pretty well appointed. Best leather I've ever seen in a truck.
Ride seems pretty good for a dually. It seems like it has a little flutter momentarily after larger bumps but still pretty good.
I actually like the auto wipers so far. They seem to come on when I need them and kick up speeds very well as needed. Maybe they'll degrade over time, but so far so good.
I like the way it drives. I've always thought GM was the gold standard in handling when it came to HD pickups but this Ram drives just as well.
I like having a gearshift on the column.
Still getting used to the console but I'm pretty sure I like it. They've actually made it pretty versatile.
The Infinity sound is pretty solid. I've had multiple Bose systems and this one is every bit as good, better than some.
Love having the power slide rear window again. Somehow Ram managed to incorporate the sliding window with rear window defog. Imagine that.
Love the dual tanks even more. 74 gallons is almost enough to forget about an aux tank. It's a chassis cab thing.
A real engine brake.
There's more just not coming up with them right now.

Opportunities for improvement
Pickup truck mirrors just suck for towing. This one is no different. I just leave them up, moose ear style, seems much better to me.
Auto on headlights get left turned off on this truck. I've used auto on headlight feature for years but these do not react to suit me. The dash dims down way to early and makes it tough to see.
I too have the dancing hood. I actually checked the latch to make sure it was holding down as tightly as it should and it was. The center of the hood must be flexing A LOT.
Still waiting for the comfort of the seats to blow me away. Not yet. Hopefully they'll soften up with time. I'm only about 175# so I don't break seats down like some of the big ol boys do.
The lay flat front buckets are awesome. I had that feature in a 2007 GMC then basically the same truck, a 2012 Chevy, had seats that only went about halfway back. I really missed that feature.
Really wish the driver's seat would go lower. I'm 5'9" and with the seat all the way down, I have it slid fwd to the point it's a little tight getting in and out of the truck. I'd really rather be lower and farther back to stretch my legs. This is more of a bummer than most of my bitches.
Really wish it had a key and a tumbler on the column. Why do I have to push my brake pedal to start the truck? Seems like a step backwards. Actually seems like more of a Prius option than a HD truck.
This one is a hit and miss. I like having a real engine brake but I wish I could adjust the level. Set on tow/haul mode and engine brake on, this thing starts knocking off mph too quickly for me at times, even with a load.
Aisin shifts could use a little improvement but I'm optimistic that this transmission will enjoy a long life.
Shift points. There's one shift, not sure which one, 3rd to 4th maybe, that is way too soon. I've switched to tow/haul mode to avoid it but then it's too aggressive when slowing down.
CHANGING THE FREAKING OIL FILTER. HOLY SHTI! Haven't seen an oil filter so ridiculous to change since my '97 Cougar. I'm going to try some different options going forward but have the engineers ever heard of oil filter relocation! The rear of the engine is wide open.

Summing up, I'm happy with the truck overall and do not regret the purchase at all.

On the flutter after bumps, that's your leaf springs. Get a set of Deavers and it will solve that problem.

 

[99mo]

So far I'm pretty happy overall with my '22 CTD Limited dually.

Some key likes:
Overall I think the interior is pretty well appointed. Best leather I've ever seen in a truck.
Ride seems pretty good for a dually. It seems like it has a little flutter momentarily after larger bumps but still pretty good.
I actually like the auto wipers so far. They seem to come on when I need them and kick up speeds very well as needed. Maybe they'll degrade over time, but so far so good.
I like the way it drives. I've always thought GM was the gold standard in handling when it came to HD pickups but this Ram drives just as well.
I like having a gearshift on the column.
Still getting used to the console but I'm pretty sure I like it. They've actually made it pretty versatile.
The Infinity sound is pretty solid. I've had multiple Bose systems and this one is every bit as good, better than some.
Love having the power slide rear window again. Somehow Ram managed to incorporate the sliding window with rear window defog. Imagine that.
Love the dual tanks even more. 74 gallons is almost enough to forget about an aux tank. It's a chassis cab thing.
A real engine brake.
There's more just not coming up with them right now.

Opportunities for improvement
Pickup truck mirrors just suck for towing. This one is no different. I just leave them up, moose ear style, seems much better to me.
Auto on headlights get left turned off on this truck. I've used auto on headlight feature for years but these do not react to suit me. The dash dims down way to early and makes it tough to see.
I too have the dancing hood. I actually checked the latch to make sure it was holding down as tightly as it should and it was. The center of the hood must be flexing A LOT.
Still waiting for the comfort of the seats to blow me away. Not yet. Hopefully they'll soften up with time. I'm only about 175# so I don't break seats down like some of the big ol boys do.
The lay flat front buckets are awesome. I had that feature in a 2007 GMC then basically the same truck, a 2012 Chevy, had seats that only went about halfway back. I really missed that feature.
Really wish the driver's seat would go lower. I'm 5'9" and with the seat all the way down, I have it slid fwd to the point it's a little tight getting in and out of the truck. I'd really rather be lower and farther back to stretch my legs. This is more of a bummer than most of my bitches.
Really wish it had a key and a tumbler on the column. Why do I have to push my brake pedal to start the truck? Seems like a step backwards. Actually seems like more of a Prius option than a HD truck.
This one is a hit and miss. I like having a real engine brake but I wish I could adjust the level. Set on tow/haul mode and engine brake on, this thing starts knocking off mph too quickly for me at times, even with a load.
Aisin shifts could use a little improvement but I'm optimistic that this transmission will enjoy a long life.
Shift points. There's one shift, not sure which one, 3rd to 4th maybe, that is way too soon. I've switched to tow/haul mode to avoid it but then it's too aggressive when slowing down.
CHANGING THE FREAKING OIL FILTER. HOLY SHTI! Haven't seen an oil filter so ridiculous to change since my '97 Cougar. I'm going to try some different options going forward but have the engineers ever heard of oil filter relocation! The rear of the engine is wide open.

Summing up, I'm happy with the truck overall and do not regret the purchase at all.

Read quite a few posts about the flexing hood. Is there anything that will resolve it that someone has found? Wonder if the new hood that has been reported on certain MY23 trucks will address it.

 

[Cseybert]

Read quite a few posts about the flexing hood. Is there anything that will resolve it that someone has found? Wonder if the new hood that has been reported on certain MY23 trucks will address it.

No problem with mine 3500 CTD DRW

 

[Firebird]

Read quite a few posts about the flexing hood. Is there anything that will resolve it that someone has found? Wonder if the new hood that has been reported on certain MY23 trucks will address it.

My 2019 fluttered like crazy, my 2021 doesn't flutter at all. Don't know why

 

[99mo]

Thanks. Sounds like it may be a smaller percentage of trucks.

 

[Jsboening]

I thought the exhaust brake had two selectable levels. I’m a Hemi guy, but I swear I’ve red about being able to change the exhaust brake.

 

[AMDPSU]

Read quite a few posts about the flexing hood. Is there anything that will resolve it that someone has found? Wonder if the new hood that has been reported on certain MY23 trucks will address it.

Adjust the hood stops on each front corner. They simply screw in/out. It seems as if the key is getting equal upward pressure on each corner with the hood closed.

 

[BubbaWilkins]

I thought the exhaust brake had two selectable levels. I’m a Hemi guy, but I swear I’ve red about being able to change the exhaust brake.

It has an "On" and an "Auto" setting. "On" engages the engine brake the moment you let off the skinny pedal. "Auto" engages the engine brake if you apply slight pressure to the brake pedal, but otherwise will just allow the truck to coast. If cruise is engaged, Auto will also kick in on down grades to keep the speed from creeping up. "Tow Mode" also makes the engine brake hit harder in "Auto". Might do the same in the "On" setting, but mine is almost always in "Auto" mode, so not sure on that point.

 

[tchur1]

It has an "On" and an "Auto" setting. "On" engages the engine brake the moment you let off the skinny pedal. "Auto" engages the engine brake if you apply slight pressure to the brake pedal, but otherwise will just allow the truck to coast. If cruise is engaged, Auto will also kick in on down grades to keep the speed from creeping up. "Tow Mode" also makes the engine brake hit harder in "Auto". Might do the same in the "On" setting, but mine is almost always in "Auto" mode, so not sure on that point.

When in auto mode, you dont need to hit the brake or have cruise turned on to engage the exhaust brake. When you are going down a hill, the truck will work to maintain whatever speed you are going when you let off the throttle. IE I crest a hit and start to descend, I lift off at 65, the exhaust brake will kick in automatically to maintain 65 without having cruise turned on.

 

[BubbaWilkins]

When in auto mode, you dont need to hit the brake or have cruise turned on to engage the exhaust brake. When you are going down a hill, the truck will work to maintain whatever speed you are going when you let off the throttle. IE I crest a hit and start to descend, I lift off at 65, the exhaust brake will kick in automatically to maintain 65 without having cruise turned on.

Not many hills around me, so I haven't had any experience with that actually happening. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[tchur1]

Not many hills around me, so I haven't had any experience with that actually happening. Thanks for clarifying!

All hills around me and its one of my favorite parts of this truck. The EB and tranny combo do an awesome job controlling loads going down steep grades. I rarely have to use my brakes which I absolutely love.

 

[sstoner911]

What's ECO mode? That a Hemi thing dropping you to 4 cylinder?

 

[Nick]

I just don't understand the passenger mirrior problem . I guess because I spent a Trucking career looking behind me with flat mirrors . I never noticed a problem backing up or looking at the other lane . Why would anyone want a mirror that says objects may appear closer than they really are as their backing up mirror . You have a convex mirror to get blind spot view . At least they move which is more than I can say for the truck mirrors in the early days of my driving career . Thought I died and went to heaven when I got an electric mirror for the passenger side .