plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
Have you researched front locker options for the new superdutys? Kinda want one but I have only had 1 time so far I would have actually used it.
Chevrolet offering serious off-road performance parts for the ZR2 in 2019, never seen this kind of OEM support
- Thread starter emulous74
- Start date
Todd780
OverCamper
I'm curious to see what the tow ratings are for the various drive train combinations. See how it compares to the Taco, Colorado and Ranger.
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
Super Dana 60. Same or similar to all other SD's going back more than 10 years now. Detroit Locker, Trutrac, Yukon Grizz, Yukon Zip, ARB, Eaton E locker, Yukon Spartan, Ox, Torq, there's even an Aussie locker for the 60 now. I'd only use the ones in bold. I recommend the Yukon Grizz or Yukon Zip.
I'm considering testing a Torq lunchbox locker in my front axle on the 2017 F250, as soon as I can confirm that the diff pin will clear the 3.73 ring gear still in that truck.
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Clutch
<---Pass
annnnnd a diesel, manual trans, coil sprung solid axles, removable roof. Off-roaders wet dream.
Gonna sell like hotcakes.
plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
Well a zr2 is 5k lbs. I assume the the 7650lb rating will be the ecodiesel and auto trans. Does anyone know if FCA fixed the issue with the timing gear slipping on the cams on ecodiesels?
Clutch
<---Pass
No idea, was looking on the Ram website...they show the Ecodiesel, but you can't option a build with it yet. Not sure what is going on.
Part of me wants a 1/2 Ton diesel. And the other part reads about all the problems...and think I'll stick with gas.
plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
The 2018 current body style is selling dirt cheap. Local dealer is advertising 17k off sticker on ecodiesel models...……...
Clutch
<---Pass
They can’t even give them away, can they...
I don't know if FCA differentiates between their 1/2 ton sales and 3/4 ton sales (I don't know if any OEM does actually), but I've always gotten the sense that FCA's 1/2 tons haven't sold as well as the other brands, while their HD's seem to sell comparatively well. I'm basing this purely off of my observations while on the road, so it's more a hunch than it is an empirical observation.
I personally have never been that thrilled with FCA's 1/2 ton offerings. Maybe their newest generation will give me a reason to change my mind, but a cursory glance still leaves me with doubt: putting 4-corner air suspension on your premier offroad variant (Ram Rebel) just doesn't seem like a smart move in my view. Air suspension makes sense for road-going heavy haulers, but not on a offroad-focused truck. Dial knob transmission shifter? It's perhaps a small and trivial aspect in the grand scheme of things, but why do that? This is the same company that is producing some of the most old-school, and arguably the most capable, offroaders on the market (Power Wagon and Jeep). So why is FCA fiddling around with dial knob shifters and air suspension for the Rebel or the 1500 in general?
Some of their design decisions with the 1500 just seem inconsistent with how their other trucks/4x4's are perceived.
plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
The air suspension is an option on the Rebel. TFL truck just bought a new one w/o air for a long term tester.
Clutch
<---Pass
They have been one of the first for innovations. 1/2 ton diesel and rear coil suspension. Air is an option, yeah? My buddy has one with the 5.7...it is a damn nice truck. That said...don't think I could pull the trigger on one from a company with such horrible reliability reputation. Think the universe might implode if a "Toyota Guy" went out and bought a Ram.
Might do one of their 3/4-1 Tons though. Ford would be my first choice though.Knob shifters don't bother me, but prefer levers from a repair and or maintenance stand point.
locrwln
Expedition Leader
They have been one of the first for innovations. 1/2 ton diesel and rear coil suspension. Air is an option, yeah? My buddy has one with the 5.7...it is a damn nice truck. That said...don't think I could pull the trigger on one from a company with such horrible reliability reputation. Think the universe might implode if a "Toyota Guy" went out and bought a Ram.
Knob shifters don't bother me, but prefer levers from a repair and or maintenance stand point.
You sure about that?
In a 4wd I will give you that, but far from the first in a pickup.
Jack
Todd780
OverCamper
Even that depends on the climate. Up here in the winter months the compressors have been seizing up. A guy I know has one and like clockwork every year...
Just one example....
https://www.ramforumz.com/archive/index.php/t-233902.html
I think I would pass on air suspension on any make / model. They've been problematic since the '59 Caddy, lol.
They have been one of the first for innovations. 1/2 ton diesel and rear coil suspension. Air is an option, yeah? My buddy has one with the 5.7...it is a damn nice truck. That said...don't think I could pull the trigger on one from a company with such horrible reliability reputation. Think the universe might implode if a "Toyota Guy" went out and bought a Ram.
Knob shifters don't bother me, but prefer levers from a repair and or maintenance stand point.
Well I certainly give credit where credit is due. FCA was the first to offer a diesel 1/2 ton (though it doesn't exactly have the best of reputations). They are also among the first to offer hybrid gasoline engines (of sorts) in their trucks. Not sure on the rear coil springs; I thought someone else had already done that, certainly within the 4x4 realm (Landcruisers, Land Rovers).
I'm not saying FCA's 1/2 tons are total junk, but I do not view them in the same light as I view their other 4x4 offerings (Jeep, Ram2500/3500)...but that may be my personal bias/perception at work. The air-ride for the Rebel is an option, but it just seems foolish to even offer that as an option on an offroad oriented truck.
I don't doubt that. There is certainly plenty of room for improvement with the current air suspension technology. My point is that if you are going to take a design risk and incorporate it into a 4x4 or truck, it would make sense for towing applications, not offroad applications. I think FCA secretly understands the risks with such a technology, and that's likely why their Jeep and Power Wagon still rely on old-fashioned, but proven, suspension set-up's.
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