I did this for my 2011 Ranger and got a lot of positive feed back so I will do it here. I regularly update my review as time progresses.
*Truck: 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, Crew Cab, 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, 5 spd auto, Big Horn, 3.55 open diff. White in colour. 98L/26 gallon tank.
*Bought: Used
*Bought date: Feb 24 2013
*Mileage when bought: 60,000 Kms/37,500 miles
*Review date: Apr 14 2013
*Mileage when reviewed 62,000 Kms/38,700 miles
*Mods by previous owner: 2 inch lift, bilstein shocks front and rear, BFG ATKO stock size on 20' rims
*Mods done by me: Roll up tonneau cover, front window tint, K/N drop in air filter
***Initial thought when purchased (first drive home):
Coming from a small '11 Ford Ranger, 2wd, Manual, with the 4L SOHC, my initial thought was how improved the
-interior materials
-design
-the seat comfort
-ride comfort
-power
-luxuries
were in the ram. The Ram is a much nicer and more comfortable place to sit. Once I got the seat adjusted just right (took a few days with the power settings) I never complained about the seats to date. The ride when empty is a much improved and less jumpy then the Ranger was. Power is great and immediate but it took some time to get use to all that power under my foot. Braking performance is about the same but consider the Ram is about 2,000 lbs heavier then the Ranger, the brakes are quite better then I thought. The turning radius and the how wide the truck was prob the thing I liked the least. Fuel consumption was amazing on the ride home on the highway. I was concerned of the standard mirrors size (I wanted the towing mirrors but did not get them).
***After 2,000 Kms, my thoughts:
I love the truck, When I first purchased the Ram I liked it but I still missed the Ranger's size and fun to drive aspect. I also missed the smaller tank when it came to fill ups. The Ram costs about $30 more per fill up.
The Ram is smooth on the highway and once you get used to the throttle and power it merges on the highway effortlessly. I scared my fiance the other day when I gunned the throttle and went from 40 Kmh to 110 kmh in no time. I am still not a fan of the 5 spd auto, it is slow to kick down and the shiftronic (+/-) mode is slow to respond. I also feel like the 5 spd isn't that good for city driving. It gets in top gear to quickly and then when the MDS kicks in, ECO mode on and you hit a small hill, it jerks a little to summon the power and then there's too much power (still getting used to driving the truck so that could be the issue).
As for fuel consumption for those who care. I get worse MPG then the Ranger on average in every condition. I average 15L per 100/km on the highway and about 19L per 100/km in the city. Not bad for a large 4x4, but it makes me drive as conservative as I can (Didn't buy it for MPG, but trying to stretch every MPG without complaining). I still manage better MPG then my brother's 2010 Ram 2wd single cab so I am proud of the truck in that respect.
Headlights are much improved over dodges of old (2001 Ram 1500 and a 2003 Dakota were/are in the family). The foglights and low beams are great, some of the brightest I have experience with but the high are just adequate, not an issue, but I was expecting a little more.
Convenience is amazing, I like how the headlights and puddle lights in the mirror come on to ease entry. Step is a little high, but it doesnt bother me enough. Dials are bright and easy to read. Even the Evic is simple to use. I like the audio control placement and use, plus the evic buttons are easy to use. I am not a fan of the cruise toggle, but they changed it in 2012(?) to have it on the steering wheel. I don't use cruise that much, but the toggle is a bit of a pain.
Stock sound system is amazing. I would have liked the ALPINE set up, but the 6 speaker is great and meets my needs. Storage front and rear is amazing, I was able to stow all my tools away from sight (love the under rear seat storage the most).
Styling is still the best of all fullsize trucks (i even prefer the 2009-2012 Ram styling over the '13 models inside and out) but I wish my interior was all black like the Sport (dash and seats but no leather, I dislike leather). I love the look of the Ram and didn't think I'd like the chrome but if I were to buy new the Big Horn would still be my favourite choice.
I can't review reliability either but will do so over time, I keep thinking about the transmission issues of the past, but Seeing my brother's truck tow regularly with no issues, I will try to be more confident in the tranny's reliability. The interior so far is holding up, although the rubber mat in my center console near the HVAC system is loose but my brother has the same issue (twice he went to dodge and it's still doing it). No rattles or squeaks.
I can't review dealership experience as I have yet to go for maintenance or issues but based on my fiance's experience with her '12 Wrangler at our dealership, my experience should be great.
Overall the Ram is a better truck then the Ranger but that's like comparing low salt magarine to caviar. The Ram is a better performing, more comfortable and better looking truck then the Ranger. My only real issues are the steering feel (lacking a little and vague on center) and the transmission response. Mirrors are a non issue now, I prefer my mirrors over my brother's tow mirrors, they are more then adequate for the size of the truck when not towing. I have reviewed my truck as my DD. I barely use trucks for what they are designed for so I can't review towing, payload, bed space, etc but will when the time comes.
As a truck driven like a car it impresses me, I didn't think I would love it so much. Comparing it to the '13 Sierra 4.8L crew cab 4x4 I drove for a weekend, the Ram is better in every respect. It's still the only full size I see myself driving.
Next review will come at a later date.
*Truck: 2011 Dodge Ram 1500, Crew Cab, 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, 5 spd auto, Big Horn, 3.55 open diff. White in colour. 98L/26 gallon tank.
*Bought: Used
*Bought date: Feb 24 2013
*Mileage when bought: 60,000 Kms/37,500 miles
*Review date: Apr 14 2013
*Mileage when reviewed 62,000 Kms/38,700 miles
*Mods by previous owner: 2 inch lift, bilstein shocks front and rear, BFG ATKO stock size on 20' rims
*Mods done by me: Roll up tonneau cover, front window tint, K/N drop in air filter
***Initial thought when purchased (first drive home):
Coming from a small '11 Ford Ranger, 2wd, Manual, with the 4L SOHC, my initial thought was how improved the
-interior materials
-design
-the seat comfort
-ride comfort
-power
-luxuries
were in the ram. The Ram is a much nicer and more comfortable place to sit. Once I got the seat adjusted just right (took a few days with the power settings) I never complained about the seats to date. The ride when empty is a much improved and less jumpy then the Ranger was. Power is great and immediate but it took some time to get use to all that power under my foot. Braking performance is about the same but consider the Ram is about 2,000 lbs heavier then the Ranger, the brakes are quite better then I thought. The turning radius and the how wide the truck was prob the thing I liked the least. Fuel consumption was amazing on the ride home on the highway. I was concerned of the standard mirrors size (I wanted the towing mirrors but did not get them).
***After 2,000 Kms, my thoughts:
I love the truck, When I first purchased the Ram I liked it but I still missed the Ranger's size and fun to drive aspect. I also missed the smaller tank when it came to fill ups. The Ram costs about $30 more per fill up.
The Ram is smooth on the highway and once you get used to the throttle and power it merges on the highway effortlessly. I scared my fiance the other day when I gunned the throttle and went from 40 Kmh to 110 kmh in no time. I am still not a fan of the 5 spd auto, it is slow to kick down and the shiftronic (+/-) mode is slow to respond. I also feel like the 5 spd isn't that good for city driving. It gets in top gear to quickly and then when the MDS kicks in, ECO mode on and you hit a small hill, it jerks a little to summon the power and then there's too much power (still getting used to driving the truck so that could be the issue).
As for fuel consumption for those who care. I get worse MPG then the Ranger on average in every condition. I average 15L per 100/km on the highway and about 19L per 100/km in the city. Not bad for a large 4x4, but it makes me drive as conservative as I can (Didn't buy it for MPG, but trying to stretch every MPG without complaining). I still manage better MPG then my brother's 2010 Ram 2wd single cab so I am proud of the truck in that respect.
Headlights are much improved over dodges of old (2001 Ram 1500 and a 2003 Dakota were/are in the family). The foglights and low beams are great, some of the brightest I have experience with but the high are just adequate, not an issue, but I was expecting a little more.
Convenience is amazing, I like how the headlights and puddle lights in the mirror come on to ease entry. Step is a little high, but it doesnt bother me enough. Dials are bright and easy to read. Even the Evic is simple to use. I like the audio control placement and use, plus the evic buttons are easy to use. I am not a fan of the cruise toggle, but they changed it in 2012(?) to have it on the steering wheel. I don't use cruise that much, but the toggle is a bit of a pain.
Stock sound system is amazing. I would have liked the ALPINE set up, but the 6 speaker is great and meets my needs. Storage front and rear is amazing, I was able to stow all my tools away from sight (love the under rear seat storage the most).
Styling is still the best of all fullsize trucks (i even prefer the 2009-2012 Ram styling over the '13 models inside and out) but I wish my interior was all black like the Sport (dash and seats but no leather, I dislike leather). I love the look of the Ram and didn't think I'd like the chrome but if I were to buy new the Big Horn would still be my favourite choice.
I can't review reliability either but will do so over time, I keep thinking about the transmission issues of the past, but Seeing my brother's truck tow regularly with no issues, I will try to be more confident in the tranny's reliability. The interior so far is holding up, although the rubber mat in my center console near the HVAC system is loose but my brother has the same issue (twice he went to dodge and it's still doing it). No rattles or squeaks.
I can't review dealership experience as I have yet to go for maintenance or issues but based on my fiance's experience with her '12 Wrangler at our dealership, my experience should be great.
Overall the Ram is a better truck then the Ranger but that's like comparing low salt magarine to caviar. The Ram is a better performing, more comfortable and better looking truck then the Ranger. My only real issues are the steering feel (lacking a little and vague on center) and the transmission response. Mirrors are a non issue now, I prefer my mirrors over my brother's tow mirrors, they are more then adequate for the size of the truck when not towing. I have reviewed my truck as my DD. I barely use trucks for what they are designed for so I can't review towing, payload, bed space, etc but will when the time comes.
As a truck driven like a car it impresses me, I didn't think I would love it so much. Comparing it to the '13 Sierra 4.8L crew cab 4x4 I drove for a weekend, the Ram is better in every respect. It's still the only full size I see myself driving.
Next review will come at a later date.