The new ride!

78Brougham · Mar 25, 2020

1978 NYB said:
Maybe another Blue Ridge Parkway run when this virus is gone. Probably in the Ram cause I can pullover anywhere and sleep in it. Lo

Bob, when you were on the parkway you didn't run into any crackhead girls with donuts did you? :rofl:

1978 NYB · Mar 25, 2020

78Brougham said:
Bob, when you were on the parkway you didn't run into any crackhead girls with donuts did you?

No, but I was on the lookout. LOL.

I ran into some interesting broads at a BBQ joint in North Carolina. Does BBQ count????

MarPar · Mar 25, 2020

monaco75 said:
It’s a decent cover. The guy said he had it off of his truck for a while, rolled up in his garage. I wish the clamps had a little more tension on the rear. Has a little gap. Might be because of it being rolled up since new basically. It’s dated 10/2019

A couple of dayz in the sun and it will stretch out and settle.

monaco75 said:
View attachment 363287

Different front end, but looks good! Would have to change out a few things....

1978 NYB · Mar 25, 2020

Zac,

I would seriously consider a catch can, heavy duty floor liners from Husky, and mud flaps for your Ram. 3M Tint to protect that beautiful interior.

monaco75 · Mar 25, 2020

MarPar said:
A couple of dayz in the sun and it will stretch out and settle.

View attachment 363290

No?? Think it looks good. But I also like the chrome too.... maybe a set of chrome bumpers? LOL.

1978 NYB said:
Zac,

I would seriously consider a catch can, heavy duty floor liners from Husky, and mud flaps for your Ram. 3M Tint to protect that beautiful interior.

Id like to do a catch can. I’ll keep the current floor mats for now. Maybe a heavy duty set in the future.

I had Sabrina price out a replacement driver seat bottom cover, and foam. After owning several rams for years, I know this is one of the first things to go. Might wait a couple years before ordering a set to put away for when needed, for price to come down, plus don’t want the leather to dry rot sitting for so long. Price wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Im just afraid of this “special” interior pattern, not being able to source it in the future when needed.

Mud flaps for sure! Prolly gonna go with the weather techs.

She does have tint on her from the dealer. May go a little darker with some on the windshield to protect the leather dash.

ayilar · Mar 26, 2020

Dobalovr said:
The big problem we were having as Dave said was compressors but also ran into issues with the position sensors mounted on the frames. You end up squatted down in the rear and high in the front or vice versa

Graham, you are using the past tense. Has the issue been corrected? The Ram 1500's air suspension should be a key selling point IMHO, so knowing that the system's reliability would be important.

mikedrini · Mar 26, 2020

I just rented one last month to drive from NH to Wisconsin and back to pick up the fridge I posted about and that was easily the best rental I've ever had. I don't believe mine had the air suspension option (again, rental) since from the moment I loaded the fridge along with 10 boxes of vinyl albums, I received no notification. On the other hand, there was absolutely no difference under load WITH all of that load whatsoever. This thing effin flew down the interstate.

My buddy works overnights and slept most of the drive as I drove straight through. A trip that should have taken 18 hours give or take, I got done in and around 14. He would wake up and go, "Are we going a hundred?" and I'd say, "No, you're have a wonderful nightmare". I've just never ridden in anything where I was cruising along at 95 and I could still lay the hammer down to pass those two lane cruisers that go the same speed right next to each other, while a line of traffic gathers behind them.

Just incredible. I am a big fan of the 5.7 hemi.

ayilar · Mar 26, 2020

Thank you. What about wind rush / tire?

mikedrini · Mar 26, 2020

ayilar said:
Thank you. What about wind rush / tire?

"what the experience I like on (very) long drives. Noise level from the engine and tires, wind rush (if any), seat comfort (back and thigh support in particular), ergonomics, visibility on the highway and onramps, etc."

As far as the drive went-outstandingly smooth. Smoother than my F150, although the Ford has heavier tread than the rental Ram did. The Ram was pretty stock, white, XM radio, supercrew. Noise level was quieter than the F150 Triton (again, probably mostly due to the tire difference). Engine was quieter than the Triton and quieter than I expected, having never driven a Hemi 5.7.

I have to admit I don't know what wind rush is? Comfort level was quite nice. It wasn't a leather interior, and obviously didn't have anywhere near the options Zac mentions in his, but plenty spacious. My buddy and I weigh over two bills and he was able to stretch out and sleep. As a guy with a lower back problem, I was comfortable driving it. My Saturn used to give me awful back pain after long drives.

Visibility was stout, no issues there whatsoever. I have to climb into it like my F150, but not to a ridiculous point, just a big step up. I can't understate how smooth the ride and quick the acceleration was though. Probably the easier drive I've done.

ayilar · Mar 26, 2020

Thanks a lot. I have read in all reviews that the Ram is much more comfortable than all of its competitors, but most of the reviews are based on air-suspension units. Having your experience is thus very helpful. Did you by any chance drive it when not loaded, I wonder about the bases suspension in that case?

PS: By wind rush, I mean the noise of the wind around the mirrors, air that seeps into the cabin through less than tight weather stripping, etc.

Dobalovr · Mar 26, 2020

ayilar said:
Graham, you are using the past tense. Has the issue been corrected? The Ram 1500's air suspension should be a key selling point IMHO, so knowing that the system's reliability would be important.

Well recent models have proven to be more reliable but overall the system design is unchanged. The problem seems to be more prevalent in cold climates like ours. The benefits outweigh the issues in my opinion especially if you go into it with the working knowledge of the system and how to maintain it like I am sure you would.

commando1 · Mar 26, 2020

Just another complicated answer to a question that didn't need to be answered.
More sensors, plumbing, wiring, gremlins, moving parts, blah, blah, blah.
Leaf springs work harder with less complexity.

70bigblockdodge · Mar 26, 2020

commando1 said:
Just another complicated answer to a question that didn't need to be answered.
More sensors, plumbing, wiring, gremlins, moving parts, blah, blah, blah.
Leaf springs work harder with less complexity.

But they do ride nice loaded or not.
For the record, except for air bags blowing out (should have been changed earlier) all the problems with leveling valves, plumbing etc. have all been in the winter

mikedrini · Mar 26, 2020

ayilar said:
Thanks a lot. I have read in all reviews that the Ram is much more comfortable than all of its competitors, but most of the reviews are based on air-suspension units. Having your experience is thus very helpful. Did you by any chance drive it when not loaded, I wonder about the bases suspension in that case?

PS: By wind rush, I mean the noise of the wind around the mirrors, air that seeps into the cabin through less than tight weather stripping, etc.

Yes, driving it out there, it was just my buddy and I with nothing in it and it coasted. The transition in and out of gear were smooth, seamless, not jurky. There was no hesitation at all. I noticed zero wind rush at all, it felt tight to me. Probably the most comfortable ride I've been in outside of my New Yorker Black Betty and her bench seats.

monaco75 · Mar 26, 2020

After driving both, I wouldn’t shy away from a model without the air suspension (obviously).... The air ride is nice for sure! But the standard suspension is quite nice as well. Still rides excellent, and doesn’t ride like a “truck”.

Factory tires are quite soft, so no road noise. I’m sure I’ll be lucky to get 30k miles out of them though. Will get a nicer set when that happens, although will probably get a lil more road noise then.

They have built in noise cancellation. So no real noticeable wind noise to me. I haven’t taken it on any road trips yet. My sister is planning on coming down in a couple weeks. We will take a couple hour ride down to Daytona. It’s already been extremely comfortable. I can’t imagine it not being comfy on a long trip.

Only “complaint” from me so far is, it doesn’t feel like it’s mine! LOL It feels too nice to be “mine” if that makes any sense. Coming from a loud and obnoxious 25 year old straight piped 12 valve Cummins, to this complete opposite refined brand new truck is weird lol. I love it for sure though!

monaco75 · Apr 1, 2020

Well I’ve been quarantined yesterday and today. A co worker at Sabrina’s work may have a family member with the virus, which would expose Sabrina to it. We are all waiting to hear the test results today. Joy......

Its at least gave me some time to lavish the new comer to the fleet.

Gave her another full detail yesterday and removed the dealer

“Paint Protection”

From the surface. It was already pretty much gone.

I kicked the other kids out of the garage for the day/night. Got her completely coated in some Turtle Wax Shine N Seal. Watched a lot of reviews and this cheap stuff has been kicking the pants off of even the high dollar DIY ceramic coatings. Stuff seems nice!! Paint is smooth as silk now. Hopefully it’ll last as long as it has been portrayed.

Sorry Stan, feel like I’m part of the Vette forums now LOL