RAM 1500 IS THE 2019 MOTORTREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted by oilpsi2high
Originally Posted by GMBoy
The 2019 RAM is an amazingly nice vehicle. It is the best truck IMO. I own a 2017 RAM 1500 Limited - LOVE it and the 2019 just raised the bar. There is no better interior than the RAM.


You see the 2019 Silverado? The interior looks like 2009 with some extra angles and soft-touch materials. Literally zero innovation there.

The exterior looks like they put the thing into a blender and was like "yeah, that's good."



Absolutely! That's why I bought the RAM, lol. I even showed fellow coworkers and they agreed we (GM) missed the boat AGAIN in the interiors and the exterior is very subjective.

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted by 4WD
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Originally Posted by Kira
I'd rather have an unwashed, outdated artificial heart hacked from the chest of an Al Quida terrorist with a different blood type from me implanted in my chest than own a Dodge/Ram truck.



LOL!!!



Promise her a free phone before something bad happens …



Just tell her she gets 70% off, plus another 20%. She'll never figure it out.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted by KalapanaBlack
.. I've replaced a rear axle on one that failed at 58,000 very easy, senior-driven miles, and we all know about the no-no automatic/radiator/coolant mixing issues that they STILL HAVEN'T FIXED, which is unbelievable. Any number of aftermarket companies have offered guaranteed failure-proof versions for a decade now, and Nissan is still installing defective radiators at the factory.

Shame, too. I've always been a huge fan of the size, power, how they drive, and quite a few other aspects of the Frontier and Xterra.


Not to derail the Ram thread, but can you elaborate on the Nissan Frontier "Still haven't fixed" the coolant/ATF mixing thing? I've been following Frontiers for years since we've had late models in the family and currently have a 2017 Frontier (FIL's truck). I haven't heard of one rupturing it's ATF cooler in many years.

 

[KalapanaBlack]

Originally Posted by JTK
Originally Posted by KalapanaBlack
.. I've replaced a rear axle on one that failed at 58,000 very easy, senior-driven miles, and we all know about the no-no automatic/radiator/coolant mixing issues that they STILL HAVEN'T FIXED, which is unbelievable. Any number of aftermarket companies have offered guaranteed failure-proof versions for a decade now, and Nissan is still installing defective radiators at the factory.

Shame, too. I've always been a huge fan of the size, power, how they drive, and quite a few other aspects of the Frontier and Xterra.


Not to derail the Ram thread, but can you elaborate on the Nissan Frontier "Still haven't fixed" the coolant/ATF mixing thing? I've been following Frontiers for years since we've had late models in the family and currently have a 2017 Frontier (FIL's truck). I haven't heard of one rupturing it's ATF cooler in many years.


I didn't realize it, but supposedly they did offer an updated radiator after 2010. There are still some reports of it happening post-2010, but not to the extend of the previous years.

Now, back to Ram...

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by JTK
Originally Posted by KalapanaBlack
.. I've replaced a rear axle on one that failed at 58,000 very easy, senior-driven miles, and we all know about the no-no automatic/radiator/coolant mixing issues that they STILL HAVEN'T FIXED, which is unbelievable. Any number of aftermarket companies have offered guaranteed failure-proof versions for a decade now, and Nissan is still installing defective radiators at the factory.

Shame, too. I've always been a huge fan of the size, power, how they drive, and quite a few other aspects of the Frontier and Xterra.


Not to derail the Ram thread, but can you elaborate on the Nissan Frontier "Still haven't fixed" the coolant/ATF mixing thing? I've been following Frontiers for years since we've had late models in the family and currently have a 2017 Frontier (FIL's truck). I haven't heard of one rupturing it's ATF cooler in many years.

Don't think it's a Frontier only thing. I think it's been quite in vogue to run trans cooler inside the radiator for everyone. Only that some wind up having fluids mix when something gives out.

It was common enough on the 4Runners that it was known as the strawberry milkshake (at least back in the days of 3.blows and 3.4's). Honda Ridgelines more recently had the problem too. Not sure if domestics avoided it, and how they avoided--maybe they brought the line out of the radiator better?

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted by supton

It was common enough on the 4Runners that it was known as the strawberry milkshake (at least back in the days of 3.blows and 3.4's). Honda Ridgelines more recently had the problem too. Not sure if domestics avoided it, and how they avoided--maybe they brought the line out of the radiator better?


I think it was only common, because lots of people rarely maintained their 4Runner. They'd buy one based on the reliability reputation, and then NEVER do anything else to it, except maybe the very occasional oil change. The original factory coolant would still be in place years and hundreds of thousands of miles after it should've been changed. It eventually becomes acidic, and starts to corrode the most vulnerable parts in the cooling system: Headgaskets, A/T cooler, etc.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted by KalapanaBlack
I fully agree, but Nissan quality is highly suspect. It's almost a third-world choice at this point. I've taken delivery of three brand new Frontiers that had nothing holding the radiators in place (factory just... forgot?). I've replaced a rear axle on one that failed at 58,000 very easy, senior-driven miles, and we all know about the no-no automatic/radiator/coolant mixing issues that they STILL HAVEN'T FIXED, which is unbelievable. Any number of aftermarket companies have offered guaranteed failure-proof versions for a decade now, and Nissan is still installing defective radiators at the factory.

They never update the platform unless something is legally required.

 

[dogememe]

Frontiers aren't that great. We have one at work and it is constantly in need of repairs. We don't drive it particularly gently but it gets oil changes every 3k and atf change every 30k. It's on the 3rd set of shocks, the rack and pinion has been replaced twice, and various interior bits haven't held up well. It's a 2011 or 2013 or something, about 90k miles.

 

[Kira]

Friend bought a 2008 Frontier so I gave 'em a slight look.
Actually, a 2WD 4 cyl. caught my eye.
Frontier board posts suggested the transmission cooler thing was said to have been "cured" around 2008.....don't know.
I did brakes on it and things seemed real beefy and @ 86K the rust seemed acceptable compared to American appliances.
Worldwide they're available with 7 engines.

I wish there were more posts like dogememe's regarding Dodge / Ram trucks. What breaks on them?

The majority of times you see a truck with a FOR SALE sign on it around here it's a Ram. Makes me thing people dump 'em or the dealership employees are parking them for people to see as if they're private sales.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by PimTac
Originally Posted by Kjmack
JD Power comes to mind , I received one for my ability to jump start my golf cart from my lawn tractor while putting a cat .




I have no idea what you said here.



Don't worry. I doubt anyone else does.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by Kira
Friend bought a 2008 Frontier so I gave 'em a slight look.
Actually, a 2WD 4 cyl. caught my eye.
Frontier board posts suggested the transmission cooler thing was said to have been "cured" around 2008.....don't know.
I did brakes on it and things seemed real beefy and @ 86K the rust seemed acceptable compared to American appliances.
Worldwide they're available with 7 engines.

I wish there were more posts like dogememe's regarding Dodge / Ram trucks. What breaks on them?

The majority of times you see a truck with a FOR SALE sign on it around here it's a Ram. Makes me thing people dump 'em or the dealership employees are parking them for people to see as if they're private sales.



It's the demographic which buys Ram trucks. It's a more liberal buyer compaired to Ford and GM truck buyers and does not keep the truck as long in general. This is FCA's quote not mine.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by Kira
Friend bought a 2008 Frontier so I gave 'em a slight look.
Actually, a 2WD 4 cyl. caught my eye.
Frontier board posts suggested the transmission cooler thing was said to have been "cured" around 2008.....don't know.
I did brakes on it and things seemed real beefy and @ 86K the rust seemed acceptable compared to American appliances.
Worldwide they're available with 7 engines.

I wish there were more posts like dogememe's regarding Dodge / Ram trucks. What breaks on them?

The majority of times you see a truck with a FOR SALE sign on it around here it's a Ram. Makes me thing people dump 'em or the dealership employees are parking them for people to see as if they're private sales.



It's the demographic which buys Ram trucks. It's a more liberal buyer compaired to Ford and GM truck buyers and does not keep the truck as long in general. This is FCA's quote not mine.
Originally Posted by GMBoy
Originally Posted by oilpsi2high
Originally Posted by GMBoy
The 2019 RAM is an amazingly nice vehicle. It is the best truck IMO. I own a 2017 RAM 1500 Limited - LOVE it and the 2019 just raised the bar. There is no better interior than the RAM.


You see the 2019 Silverado? The interior looks like 2009 with some extra angles and soft-touch materials. Literally zero innovation there.

The exterior looks like they put the thing into a blender and was like "yeah, that's good."



Absolutely! That's why I bought the RAM, lol. I even showed fellow coworkers and they agreed we (GM) missed the boat AGAIN in the interiors and the exterior is very subjective.



The interior is still better than the F150. It looks and feels like 2004. But F150 buyers swear it's modern.

The interior looks like a 2014 only cheaper in the GM trucks. Not to mention GM trucks had a lower stance which made them unique. This current turd looks like a cheap concept drawing. Glad I have a 2018.

 

[4WD]

The new designs have become so bold that they are color sensitive … for example I'd take this GM in black or dark grey … the Ram in silver or dark grey and the grill would not be so in your face …

 

[JTK]

Yep. Thinner, lighter panels with more fancy bends and curves stamped into them to keep them "rigid".

I liked reading Motortrend's write up's decades ago. Today none of it applies to me.

All 1/2 ton pickups are nice, regardless of manufacturer. To argue on is better is pointless. They're all good. They're all overly complex, complicated and fragile machines. More like huge, high off the ground RWD/4x4 sedans with an open bed, with no more toughness or towing capacity than a big sedan or station wagon off the lot eons ago.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by JTK
Yep. Thinner, lighter panels with more fancy bends and curves stamped into them to keep them "rigid".

I liked reading Motortrend's write up's decades ago. Today none of it applies to me.

All 1/2 ton pickups are nice, regardless of manufacturer. To argue on is better is pointless. They're all good. They're all overly complex, complicated and fragile machines. More like huge, high off the ground RWD/4x4 sedans with an open bed, with no more toughness or towing capacity than a big sedan or station wagon off the lot eons ago.



I don't know any big sedan which was rated tow 5+ tons while carring one. Let alone obtain mileage in the teens while doing it. Must have been using the GM 3.8 V6.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dave1251


I don't know any big sedan which was rated tow 5+ tons while carring one. Let alone obtain mileage in the teens while doing it. Must have been using the GM 3.8 V6.


I don't of many standard, stock 1500's that can tow 5+ tons. Sure they can, but have to be equipped to do so and a lot of the equipment is on the item being towed..

My poor man Ram 1500 4x4, quad cab with the pentastar and 3.21 gears is only rated to tow around 4500lbs.

 

[4WD]

The 400+ CID Pontiac tow cars I recall had a 16' trailer behind them and still needed an equalizer ... lots of bigger RV's on the road these days ...

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by JTK
Originally Posted by dave1251


I don't know any big sedan which was rated tow 5+ tons while carring one. Let alone obtain mileage in the teens while doing it. Must have been using the GM 3.8 V6.


I don't of many standard, stock 1500's that can tow 5+ tons. Sure they can, but have to be equipped to do so and a lot of the equipment is on the item being towed..

My poor man Ram 1500 4x4, quad cab with the pentastar and 3.21 gears is only rated to tow around 4500lbs.


My Jeep is rated to tow 7,400lbs, the deez is rated to tow 8,560lbs.

 

[SeaJay]

My sense based on observations on the street is that the number of RAM trucks as a percentage of total trucks is creeping up the past year or two. Maybe pricing, maybe features or a combination of the two. But something is going on.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted by SeaJay
My sense based on observations on the street is that the number of RAM trucks as a percentage of total trucks is creeping up the past year or two. Maybe pricing, maybe features or a combination of the two. But something is going on.


I've noticed it too, so much that I bought one LOL. For one - the interiors are the nicest of the truck world. Secondly, featurewise and details they are ahead. I mean I almost passed out in joy to see an under hood light in my new RAM. Even my Denali pickup doesn't have that little touch. The Hemi/8-speed combo is flawless. It is always in the right gear and I am averaging 18.6mpg according to the MPG gauge. RAM's 5.7 might not be the most powerful, but it is silky smooth and with 395hp (only 25hp less than a GM 6.2L) it is plenty good for me. Lastly, they do have better pricing it seems. I just love my RAM 1500 Limited!