HEMI RAM 1500: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying!

[@billjamison2877]

I guess I have been lucky. I have owned 3 5th Gen RAMS, all HEMI's and have had ZERO issues with all of them! I do change the oil every 5000 miles or less though.I've owned a 2019 Bighorn, 2022 Rebel and now, a 2023 Limited Longhorn. All great trucks and the Longhorn is the most luxurious comfortable vehicle I ever owned!

[@sstressfl]

Like I said in the video, there are more high mileage success stories than there are fails! My Ram truck is an amazing vehicle to drive and tow with. But I have had early battery failure, early sway bar bushing failure and casting sand in my coolant/stuck radiator cap.

[@slantsixm3]

Hey MIchael- thanks for this, I just purchased a 2024 Ram 1500 Hemi, I researched and knew about all these, except the core sand problem. I'll keep an eye on it. As you say, a great truck! Well done vid.

[@sstressfl]

Thank you so much 🙏 enjoy!!

[@Vineyardedge]

Great video! Thanks for the heads up on all of these issues.

[@sstressfl]

Thank you 🙏

[@TheNovaNorm]

Thanks for the video. I agree with everything you said but I do really like the big screen and the etorque on mine. No other issues yet (knock on wood).

[@sstressfl]

I like those things too 👍 I’ve been in high end fancy cars and I do like the experience. But I would give up all the electronics and gadgets for a simple and solid well engineered platform with a drivetrain that won’t quit.

[@TheNovaNorm]

@@sstressfl, I agree. But, you know, not to the point of having an Amish truck (roll up windows). 😂

[@sstressfl]

@@TheNovaNorm 🤣 We can never go back that far! 😆🤣

[@bobbymudd3142]

I've had all majors brands full size truck besides Nissan. the 07-21 tundra was by far the best, shame on Toyota for ruining the new tundra. My ram was okay, nothing special, had many small electrical bugs and I always worries about lifter tick in the back of my mind so I got rid of it. Thank you for this video.

[@sstressfl]

Thanks for sharing! Truly a shame about the new Tundra. They owned “quality” in the category. Hope they can correct and get back to it.

[@jimperry4420]

Had an 04, 10 and a 17. The 04 and 17 both had failed transmissions before 90k. No towing and never beat on as they were my service trucks bought new and only driven by me. No more Rams for me.

[@sstressfl]

That’s really rough. I dont blame you! The current Ram actually has a solid transmission. But obviously some other issues. Appreciate the feedback. Helpful to anyone shopping and doing research 👍

[@tylerproctor4878]

Pentastar

[@sstressfl]

I have that in my grand caravan. Hadda change out oil cooler and rocker arms. It has very similar vulnerabilities as the hemi. Although, I like the power and gas mileage.

[@tylerproctor4878]

@sstressfl I'm not surprised about the oil cooler. I've heard this but the rocker arms do surprised me. They had some problems above the number 6 cylinder with the lifters and rocker but as I understood it they fixed that 7 years ago. Not getting proper oil in some conditions I believe. What years is yours? I think you are right that both of these engines hate to idle and the both don't do well with abuse. Still under normal demand, they are both 200 to 300k engines. I give the pentastar the edge in stop and go and idling. Idling just kills a hemi but a hemi can take more abuse. IMO.

[@sstressfl]

Chrysler admitted the rocker arms suffered from inconsistent manufacturing. Some of them fail due to bad metal pouring. I have heard they upgraded them in 2017. Mines a 2015.

[@cameronjones1283]

The lifters on the Hemi fail significantly less than GM AFM. Ram has an update manifold design that has a slightly thicker casting and has a better tie bar design. So far I have yet to see any of the updated OEM designs fail. 1/2 ton ram is the worst truck to lift out of the big 3. The knuckle and upper control arm will hit the strut spring. Otherwise the rest is pretty hit or miss. Some years are worse then others but otherwise with a Hemi the technology is still super close to 2014 whereas Chevy and ford are further from their old trucks then new ones.

[@sstressfl]

It’s why I bought the hemi ram. Well established platform/drivetrain. Fewer and less complex issues. Thanks for sharing your insights!