Pitfalls? Gotcha's? things that typically go bad at certain mileage levels? relatively reasonable to fix when things do go bad? or stupid expensive? Talking typical wear parts here... cooling system, tune up, belts, hoses, etc.
What am I getting into by getting a truck with a Hemi? I am very used to 318s and 360s, both LA and Magnums. so that's what I'm using to compare to.

looking again to get out of my Dakota rut (last 4 trucks in a row have been Dakotas, want a full size again.
looking for a needle in a haystack. About a ''08-ish to ~'16-ish Dodge (OK, "Ram") reg cab with 8' bed. open to 1500,or 2500, def not a dually. no 4 doors. no ridiculously short bed. also open to 2wd or 4wd. though all I "need," is 2wd haha also don't want a 6 cylinder.
reg cab, 8' bed. why is that so hard to find?
how are suspensions/front ends on these newer Dodges?
I ain't worried about my tools rusting, I am a fleet mechanic for a state that loves their F-150's.. I hate em, and every one I work on solidifies my desire to never own a Ford. and I will not consider Honduh, Toyota, Nissan, etc. No way in He11!!!!!

don, i just sold my 08 hemi 4dr for 6500.00. it had 212k on it. i bought it at 45k. used approx 1 qt of oil in 3-4k. and i think that was due to not ever changing the pcv. 09 and up have the worst record as they have those hp heads and the roller lifters go bad and eat the cam up. in the time i had it, summer of 2010 to last friday, i put a radiator,1 set spark plugs, 2 sets of tires, 1 set of frt and rear pads and rotors, new water pump and t-stat, 1 new serp belt and 4 wheel hub brgs. last set of tires was 10 ply. it was and mds truck that i put a diablo sport tuner program in and got 17 mpg. a big problem is the mode doors breaking. i only had vent and defrost. kit to put alum doors in it is 350.00 to the door plus labor. bed side rust is another thing that is bad. everything has its bad and good but i had better luck than a lot out there.

I Currently have an 04 Ram GTX ,2wd I had a 14 RCSB 2wd , I'm in the market now for a tow hauler for the 1320 Challenger and the 04 GTX RAM , would love a 04 RCLB myself...... My brother has one of each 03-06 an 09 and a 2020 RCLB 2wd. one 4wd in his toy box. it's an 04 3500 Hemi RCLB ..my uncle has a few 03-05s and a 14 , his In-laws have a pair of 650k 3500 Hemi trucks , one is an 03 the other an 05 ... the 03+ rams have some quirks , late 05-07 have some valve seat issues mostly caused by slight over heating, the 09-16 have Cam/lifter issues, that can be linked back to the MDS and Long periods of Idling or the truck going in to ECO mode a lot. 02-08s have some heater core issues and TIPM issues (totally integrated power module) The 545 trans is notoriously weak , drive it like a car you'll be fine tow a lot of heavy crap, remember tow/haul is your friend, forget tow haul.....trans could take a dump after a awhile.......want to treat your Hemi truck like a Race car....forget the 545/65rfe trans ...it'll take a crap faster then a ax15 5 speed. once you get up to the 8sp trucks , 2014+ the trans issues go away.....my 04 has a 46RH in it now, both of my brothers "fast trucks" have 727s in them.,
Long beds are like an honest politician ....very hard to come by especially Hemi 1500s, it's been my experience that 2500/3500s RCLB are mostly Cummings trucks .....this Mopar girl wants a hemi ..I'm not in to that whole "rolling coal" look ,
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Try Fastenal for a RCLB truck, most of their fleet trucks were 1500 4x2 and least here on the east coast .



the thing about those 02-08 trucks is for every one that took a dump @ 110k you'll find 4 or 5 that have 200k, no issues.

All I can add is the Eagle heads came in 2009 and are big improvement.