RAM truck loaner vehicle

[svtrit]

My 2020 Wrangler was in to get warranty work (corrosion, so 4 new doors, new hood, and repainted tailgate) and I got a 2024 RAM pickup as the loaner.

It was 2 wheel drive and sounded like a Hemi, though I never popped the hood. It was FAST!

The seats were very comfortable and a long road trip would be nice in this seat.

What I could not stand was the massive iPad in the middle of the dashboard. Thankfully I brought a cord for my phone, as I could not figure out how to get to a radio selector to save my soul, but CarPlay activated automatically once my phone was plugged in.

There was WAY too much info on that screen. Thankfully there were still manual buttons and dials for all of the HVAC and seat heater controls. Even the dashboard was info overload with lots of small areas reporting some form of data.

I have a company provided 2017 F150 that is an XL (301 interior package, so not the work truck trim), so somewhat barebones. I hope to get to keep driving that as long as possible. I hit the point where all the do-dads are not anything I desire. RAM can keep their truck. I’m no longer a potential buyer unless I could really strip it down, like my F150.

My Wrangler turned out great. It’s a barebones Willy’s Sport with manual locks, manual windows, and push button start. The radio is a radio and not much more. It’s as close to basic transportation as you can get.

48 year old guy here, I guess!

 

[meep]

I totally get it. I drove a newer bmw for a few days a couple weeks ago and frankly found that it provided so many displays and data that distracted from just driving the car. Thankfully, it had good configurability - turned off HUD, turned off all the high data stuff on the dash, and they had a shortcut to black out the infotainment screen at night.

 

[BrianF]

The Mach e I cruise in the summer is based around some God awful big screen tablet. It's truly a great way to add complexity to what could be a simple system. It does a fantastic job of taking your eyes and concentration off the road. There is no feedback such as a button or something to reference with your hand. Mind you, Ford does a great job of making a mess of something simple.

 

[Lyman]

I too like a bare-bones type of vehicle. My daily is a 24 year old Jeep XJ. The most modern things are power windows and a BT stereo.
That's it. There are no power seats, No outside temp, and No MPG display. Nothing to distract me and that's the way I like it.

 

[Skippy722]

Yes you can get them stripped down… cloth seats and carpeted flooring were extras I paid for on my Tradesman, rubber and vinyl are standard. The radio is also the old school monochrome LCD type that doesn’t show graphics.

 

[Boomer]

All of your complaints about screens, etc is why I intend to keep both my VWs as long as I possibly can!

 

[MParr]

I would like the automotive manufacturers go back to producing more stripped down models. I don't like the large infotainment centers protruding above the dash. I don't like sun roofs being standard on mid tier and up vehicles. I would like to see more manual transmissions offered.

 

[jeepman3071]

I would like the automotive manufacturers go back to producing more stripped down models. I don't like the large infotainment centers protruding above the dash. I don't like sun roofs being standard on mid tier and up vehicles. I would like to see more manual transmissions offered.

That will never happen. Most of the consumers want the extra features and the manufacturers enjoy selling the higher profit margin vehicles. A lot of the dealers around me don't even have base model trucks on the lot, you need to special order it, and unless you are buying a fleet of them they will heavily sway you into buying something on their lot.

 

[racer12306]

Don't worry you can still get the 8.4" screen in a Tradesman or Big Horn. I have not used the 12" but it looks to me like it controls everything, HVAC, etc. Having used the 8.4 in a Pacifica, I believe it's very easy to navigate.

My 2019 seats are very nice for a long road trip. We've taken several, Maryland to Orlando, Maryland to NYC to Niagara, Maryland to Charlotte, and it's our family vehicle, even when we had a Pacifica.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I know what you are saying about all the screens and gadgets but if you own the vehicle after a while you figure it out just like the first cell phone or computer. I drove a Mercedes a while back at the car dealership I work at and couldn't even figure out how to put it in gear. The automatic transmission selector was on the right stalk where most cars have the windshield wiper switch. My 14 F-150 doesn't really have too many gadgets and I am totally fine with that. My Civic is almost too bare bones but it works for me.

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

It probably had the 3.0L inline 6 turbo engine that RAM calls the Hurricane. I got to experience it in a loaner Grand Wagoneer a few months back; very quick for a huge vehicle but also very thirsty.

 

[Skippy722]

That will never happen. Most of the consumers want the extra features and the manufacturers enjoy selling the higher profit margin vehicles. A lot of the dealers around me don't even have base model trucks on the lot, you need to special order it, and unless you are buying a fleet of them they will heavily sway you into buying something on their lot.

Heck even if they have base models on their lot they will ask you repeatedly “are you sure?”

 

[svtrit]

It probably had the 3.0L inline 6 turbo engine that RAM calls the Hurricane. I got to experience it in a loaner Grand Wagoneer a few months back; very quick for a huge vehicle but also very thirsty.

I sounded like a V8 and I never heard a turbo whine. It’s very possible though. If it was the 3.0, it was AWESOME…..

 

[harbor]

Doors and hood replaced under warranty -Wow.
Was it Iowa salt or defective paint from the factory?

 

[svtrit]

Doors and hood replaced under warranty -Wow.
Was it Iowa salt or defective paint from the factory?

The JL wrangler door/hood hinges are a different metal than the Aluminum doors, which corrodes due to the differing metals. Add to the fact that the bare doors and hinges are mated together prior to paint at the factory, and you have a mess.

The dealer body shop painted the replacement doors and hinges separately and put a zinc plate between the two as the sacrificial metal, in case actually being painted isn’t enough.

I’m a tad disappointed in the paint work, as it didn’t buff out as good as it could have, but, it had lots of trail rash and the new paint is a major improvement, even if a little flawed. I can tell the dealer was in a hurry. No runs, but not wiped clean of the final buffing paste.

I managed to get it to the body shop and home on dry roads, so it didn’t get salted. It has not driven on wet salt roads much in its life (originally from CO), and I hope to keep it that way. It’s on the battery tender now, napping for the rest of winter, unless my wife’s minivan has a major problem. I have an F150 company vehicle as a daily driver.

 

[4WD]

The JL wrangler door/hood hinges are a different metal than the Aluminum doors, which corrodes due to the differing metals. Add to the fact that the bare doors and hinges are mated together prior to paint at the factory, and you have a mess.

The dealer body shop painted the replacement doors and hinges separately and put a zinc plate between the two as the sacrificial metal, in case actually being painted isn’t enough.

I’m a tad disappointed in the paint work, as it didn’t buff out as good as it could have, but, it had lots of trail rash and the new paint is a major improvement, even if a little flawed. I can tell the dealer was in a hurry. No runs, but not wiped clean of the final buffing paste.

I managed to get it to the body shop and home on dry roads, so it didn’t get salted. It has not driven on wet salt roads much in its life (originally from CO), and I hope to keep it that way. It’s on the battery tender now, napping for the rest of winter, unless my wife’s minivan has a major problem. I have an F150 company vehicle as a daily driver.
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Mine are chipped/peeled from rocks and shell … need to deal with them soon