Ram 1500 - a few questions
Discussion
Hi all,
I quite fancy getting a 2009-14 shape Ram 1500 at some point to replace my old Range Rover V8.
I'd look to import a 5.7 Hemi and have it converted to LPG by a specialist I know who looks after the system on the RR. Ideally I'd go for a Longhorn edition as I love the special interior.
I've got a few questions however that I'm struggling to find answers for, can anyone help please?
Firstly, there seems to be a bewildering array of auto transmissions available, according to Wikipedia. Do any of them have the option of a shift lock on them? This would be a great bonus as I do a lot of towing tall, draggy trailers that has my current gearbox hunting between gears until it gets very hot indeed. Also, what is the actual towing capacity for a 4-door V8? I wouldn't really want to drop from the 3500kg UK maximum that I've enjoyed thus far with Land Rover products.
Secondly, how well do the engines take to lpg? Do they require additions like flashlube? Do they have cylinder deactivation and does this make a big difference to the economy? I currently get 12-15 English mpg from the RR on gas with mud tyres, I wouldn't really want to drop lower.
Thirdly, what's the rustproofing like? If I went for an arizona or texas car, would it actually have any underseal? On a related note, what's the general build quality like? I'm told the previous generation Ram was appalling, but I haven't heard anything on this shape.
Fourthly, I've grown accustomed to the marvels and comfort of air suspension on my RR. I've seen Rams for sale with all conventional, coil front/air rear and all air suspension. Are these simply build options on an individual basis, or are they improved standard fit from a certain upgrade date?
Finally, I've never had a LHD vehicle before. How do you manage at toll booths, drive thrus etc if you don't have any passengers?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
I quite fancy getting a 2009-14 shape Ram 1500 at some point to replace my old Range Rover V8.
I'd look to import a 5.7 Hemi and have it converted to LPG by a specialist I know who looks after the system on the RR. Ideally I'd go for a Longhorn edition as I love the special interior.
I've got a few questions however that I'm struggling to find answers for, can anyone help please?
Firstly, there seems to be a bewildering array of auto transmissions available, according to Wikipedia. Do any of them have the option of a shift lock on them? This would be a great bonus as I do a lot of towing tall, draggy trailers that has my current gearbox hunting between gears until it gets very hot indeed. Also, what is the actual towing capacity for a 4-door V8? I wouldn't really want to drop from the 3500kg UK maximum that I've enjoyed thus far with Land Rover products.
Secondly, how well do the engines take to lpg? Do they require additions like flashlube? Do they have cylinder deactivation and does this make a big difference to the economy? I currently get 12-15 English mpg from the RR on gas with mud tyres, I wouldn't really want to drop lower.
Thirdly, what's the rustproofing like? If I went for an arizona or texas car, would it actually have any underseal? On a related note, what's the general build quality like? I'm told the previous generation Ram was appalling, but I haven't heard anything on this shape.
Fourthly, I've grown accustomed to the marvels and comfort of air suspension on my RR. I've seen Rams for sale with all conventional, coil front/air rear and all air suspension. Are these simply build options on an individual basis, or are they improved standard fit from a certain upgrade date?
Finally, I've never had a LHD vehicle before. How do you manage at toll booths, drive thrus etc if you don't have any passengers?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
I have a 2013 Ram 1500 Longhorn and I'll give you some replies based on my experience:
I'm not sure about the axle options, but a 5.7 can tow up to 10,000 LBS. That's more than the 3.5 metric tonnes you can legally tow. Conversion to LPG is readily available. I haven't done it, as we regularly use the Channel Tunnel, where it's banned. I would recomend you speak to experts like the David Boatwright Partnership (I bought my Ram from them). They can install the Prinz system, which users state is very good.
My car spends 50% of it's time in Spain and Portugal and I've got small signs of rust now on the exhaust and small part of the chassis. Very simple to sandblast and add some protective paint. The build quality is OK and I'm really impressed with the reliability. The air suspension is very smooth and is height adjustable. As for toll booths, I rarely pass them in UK, in Europe you can use tags on the toll roads.
Hope this helps.
I'm not sure about the axle options, but a 5.7 can tow up to 10,000 LBS. That's more than the 3.5 metric tonnes you can legally tow. Conversion to LPG is readily available. I haven't done it, as we regularly use the Channel Tunnel, where it's banned. I would recomend you speak to experts like the David Boatwright Partnership (I bought my Ram from them). They can install the Prinz system, which users state is very good.
My car spends 50% of it's time in Spain and Portugal and I've got small signs of rust now on the exhaust and small part of the chassis. Very simple to sandblast and add some protective paint. The build quality is OK and I'm really impressed with the reliability. The air suspension is very smooth and is height adjustable. As for toll booths, I rarely pass them in UK, in Europe you can use tags on the toll roads.
Hope this helps.
Something else to consider is the bed and cab lengths. It always amazes me that most of them in the UK are often the most inappropriate configurations.
Also if you plan on doing a lot of towing and or off roading. Then you might want to consider tithe 2500 models as well.
Best thing to do is spend some time on Google and just learning up on the various options and configs. Might even be worth joining a Ram or truck based US forum too. As you'll get more specific info.
Also remember not all Rams are 4wd either. And often ads don't say and don't always have pics to make it easy to tell.
I've wanted a Ram for ages. But as a rules the ones for sale in the U.K. Are expensive and just really odd configs and usually the wrong spec for use in the U.K.
Also if you plan on doing a lot of towing and or off roading. Then you might want to consider tithe 2500 models as well.
Best thing to do is spend some time on Google and just learning up on the various options and configs. Might even be worth joining a Ram or truck based US forum too. As you'll get more specific info.
Also remember not all Rams are 4wd either. And often ads don't say and don't always have pics to make it easy to tell.
I've wanted a Ram for ages. But as a rules the ones for sale in the U.K. Are expensive and just really odd configs and usually the wrong spec for use in the U.K.
Hi Chemical
I've owned an '04 1500 Laramie 4x4 for 13 years. It has the tow group option (no hunting for gears) and a Prinz LPG conversion from new. It's been the best (apart from parking!) and most reliable vehicle I've ever had.
I'm not that knowledgable about the newer models but I'm happy to help where I can.
P.S. LHD,Tolls,etc. have never been a problem at all.
I've owned an '04 1500 Laramie 4x4 for 13 years. It has the tow group option (no hunting for gears) and a Prinz LPG conversion from new. It's been the best (apart from parking!) and most reliable vehicle I've ever had.
I'm not that knowledgable about the newer models but I'm happy to help where I can.
P.S. LHD,Tolls,etc. have never been a problem at all.
SantaBarbara said:
Have a look for DRMO that is a branch of US DoD
Going back twenty years now, but the US forces had a disposal site at Molesworth. Where I saw army surplus RAMs for sale
Don suppose you can find a link with vehicles for sale. I've found some mention after a Google, but couldn't actually find anything other than info pages. Going back twenty years now, but the US forces had a disposal site at Molesworth. Where I saw army surplus RAMs for sale
300bhp/ton said:
Don suppose you can find a link with vehicles for sale. I've found some mention after a Google, but couldn't actually find anything other than info pages.
It is about twenty years since I last went to Molesworth. I think they have changed the way they dispose of stuff now?But they may still be selling stuff in Europe or Germany.
It used to be called DRMO. Defense reutilisation US department of defence
It was impressive when I went
A big concrete hard standing with all sorts of stuff, aircraft tow tractors, aircraft steps mounted on trucks
ChemicalChaos said:
Hi all,
I quite fancy getting a 2009-14 shape Ram 1500 at some point to replace my old Range Rover V8.
I'd look to import a 5.7 Hemi and have it converted to LPG by a specialist I know who looks after the system on the RR. Ideally I'd go for a Longhorn edition as I love the special interior.
I've got a few questions however that I'm struggling to find answers for, can anyone help please?
Firstly, there seems to be a bewildering array of auto transmissions available, according to Wikipedia. Do any of them have the option of a shift lock on them? This would be a great bonus as I do a lot of towing tall, draggy trailers that has my current gearbox hunting between gears until it gets very hot indeed. Also, what is the actual towing capacity for a 4-door V8? I wouldn't really want to drop from the 3500kg UK maximum that I've enjoyed thus far with Land Rover products.
Secondly, how well do the engines take to lpg? Do they require additions like flashlube? Do they have cylinder deactivation and does this make a big difference to the economy? I currently get 12-15 English mpg from the RR on gas with mud tyres, I wouldn't really want to drop lower.
Thirdly, what's the rustproofing like? If I went for an arizona or texas car, would it actually have any underseal? On a related note, what's the general build quality like? I'm told the previous generation Ram was appalling, but I haven't heard anything on this shape.
Fourthly, I've grown accustomed to the marvels and comfort of air suspension on my RR. I've seen Rams for sale with all conventional, coil front/air rear and all air suspension. Are these simply build options on an individual basis, or are they improved standard fit from a certain upgrade date?
Finally, I've never had a LHD vehicle before. How do you manage at toll booths, drive thrus etc if you don't have any passengers?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
I've had Rams since 1995 including the one your after. Excellent trucks. I'm selling mine with lpg but its an x registration. Drive one as it does not drive like a RR. Remember they are a truck and meant to be abused. I quite fancy getting a 2009-14 shape Ram 1500 at some point to replace my old Range Rover V8.
I'd look to import a 5.7 Hemi and have it converted to LPG by a specialist I know who looks after the system on the RR. Ideally I'd go for a Longhorn edition as I love the special interior.
I've got a few questions however that I'm struggling to find answers for, can anyone help please?
Firstly, there seems to be a bewildering array of auto transmissions available, according to Wikipedia. Do any of them have the option of a shift lock on them? This would be a great bonus as I do a lot of towing tall, draggy trailers that has my current gearbox hunting between gears until it gets very hot indeed. Also, what is the actual towing capacity for a 4-door V8? I wouldn't really want to drop from the 3500kg UK maximum that I've enjoyed thus far with Land Rover products.
Secondly, how well do the engines take to lpg? Do they require additions like flashlube? Do they have cylinder deactivation and does this make a big difference to the economy? I currently get 12-15 English mpg from the RR on gas with mud tyres, I wouldn't really want to drop lower.
Thirdly, what's the rustproofing like? If I went for an arizona or texas car, would it actually have any underseal? On a related note, what's the general build quality like? I'm told the previous generation Ram was appalling, but I haven't heard anything on this shape.
Fourthly, I've grown accustomed to the marvels and comfort of air suspension on my RR. I've seen Rams for sale with all conventional, coil front/air rear and all air suspension. Are these simply build options on an individual basis, or are they improved standard fit from a certain upgrade date?
Finally, I've never had a LHD vehicle before. How do you manage at toll booths, drive thrus etc if you don't have any passengers?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
Edited by testosteronefuelledmeathead on Wednesday 24th January 20:26
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