I think it has a lot to do with the height of the leveling kit used. A lot of trucks are running 2.5”-3” leveling spacers, since that is what it takes to make the truck level when empty. My truck only has a 1.5” spacer. I did that for 2 reasons: 1) to minimize the strain on the suspension, 2) I like to be able to haul stuff in my bead without it look like the truck is being squared. Any spacer is likely going to had some strain and wear to the suspension, but I’m looking as my suspension, I don’t feel that the 1.5” spacer is cause the angles to be too far out of spec, and I have had no issues to this point.

In my opinion the Range device may extend the life of the factory lifters in some cases, but at the end of the day unless the lifters themselves are replaced with non AFM/DOD lifters (which I believe requires changing more than just the lifters to make it work) then they are probably going to fail at some point.

I still have the truck. I need to do an update video on it. But the short answer is that it just turned 80,000 miles and no issues to report (knocks on wood). I just dropped the transmission pan this past weekend to change fluid and filter. With all of the transmission issues I hear about I was expecting a lot of metal in the pan, but was happy to see that it was really clean. I did install a sure-cool by-pass valve for the trans cooler while I was doing the fluid change and that has made the trans temp run about 30-40 degrees cooler. I did buy a new 2024 Chevy 2500HD (will need to do a video on it as well) that is my daily work truck, so the 2018 1500 is going to hang around at this point for weekend/trip duties, so the mileage will probably slow down on it.

Comparing the 2018 Ram 5.7 Hemi vs. the 2018 Chevy 5.3, the Ram on paper had more power, which you could feel and the fuel economy was typically 1-2 mpg better. One thing to keep in mind was that the Ram was (no longer have) 4x2 and the Chevy is 4x4, so that could be the 1-2 mpg difference between the two. Also, the Ram had a low front air dam, where I had leveled and removed the smaller front air dam extension on the Chevy. So, in reality stock for stock on similarly equipped trucks I would expect the fuel economy to be about the same.

@@andymorton1737 the 5.7 requires mid grade gas. The 5.3 requires regular 87. The dodge is heavier than the GMC so should get worse mpg. Hmmm…thanks for your input bro.

Currently at 74,500 miles. Truck has had nothing done to it except for scheduled maintenance, knocking on wood.

Aka the range you talked about 10 seconds later💀😂😂😂

I did end up getting the Range AFM eliminator not too long after this video, and I have been very happy with the way that it make the truck drive. It didn’t not hurt the fuel economy and if any thing I thing it may have actually improved.

I actually was really interested in the Colorado, so I drove the Silverado and the Colorado back to back on the day I purchased this truck, and obviously you can see the direction that I went. While the driving and parking of the Colorado was nice, the cab and bed space was just too small for my needs.

I have thought about doing an update video, but fortunately at this point I don’t really have much exciting to say about the truck, other than it has been trouble free for 55,000 miles, and I still enjoy driving it just as much today, as the day I brought it home. I did get some of the “Chevy Shake” that some talk about, but a re-torqued my rear axle u-bolts and it immediately went away. They were surprisingly loose in my opinion.

@@andymorton1737 thank you for responding!

It eased my mind too.

Congratulations, and best on the new truck. I am currently @ 55K on mine and no issues so far.

@@andymorton1737could you give an update please & thank you! I’m planning on buying a 2017 1500 z71 with 24k miles & with all the videos I’ve seen im planning on buying the range technology module beforehand so I can pop it right in when I leave the dealership. But I’ve also seen people say to get a thermal bypass aswell? so then the truck can run good and will last how it should

@@jrgyy3681 I am currently at 80K, and knock on wood this truck has never been to the shop for anything. I have had the range module on since about 10K, and I fully recommend it. I have not done the thermal bypass on the transmission, but my transmission stays 190 degrees or less, and I don't tow anything with this truck. All that being said, I expect that I will have transmission and lifter issues at some point if I keep the truck.

@@andymorton1737 any idea what causes the lifter and trans issues? I picked up the truck and love it so far. Also got a warranty that’s good till the trucks at about 110k good for the engine, transmission, and what the dealer man said everything so I’m not really worried

I still have the 2018 Silverado and 2018 Ram both in the driveway, and I have to admit that I have not towed with either of them, but my feeling is that the Hemi with the 8 speed would definitely out pull the Silverado up the hill, but not really sure on which would actually handle the trailer better.

Keep your eye on the tranamission that year had big issues with the tranny

@@kras230 yep my opinion changed it’s a big beautiful piece of junk. Looking to trade in on a tundra 😂

I installed the range AFM disabler a few months after this video, and it improved the drivability issues that I was having. 50K on the truck now, and so far so good, knock on wood.

5’ 8” bed length with a Bakflip Revolver bedcover.

Truck has been good so far, it is not a full time daily driver, so only 39k miles on it, but no issues at this point.

The truck has been good. I just past 36,000 miles on it, so my bumper to bumper warranty has now expired. I had one minor warranty repair that was done just before the warranty expired, and that was to replace the HVAC control panel, due to a burned out backlight bulb on the A/C. Not something that I would have even messed with replacing if it was out of warranty.

Your day will come soon enough. Try to enjoy where you are in life right now as much as possible. Age, bills, and responsibilities are often overrated.

@@mmy595 well said. I didn’t believe that at 19 until now

Lol it is jus trike that here.

Texas baby! 🤠

Texans are not the only people who carry guns.

Here in Alabama I’ve got my pistol and an Ak 😉