I am looking at a 2014 Ram quad cab 5.7 Auto 4WD with 65K miles on it. Truck is clean, one owner etc. This would be my first venture into later model offerings by whomever owned them at the time.
I've tried researching online and have come up with a mixed bag of answers (Go figure). Everything from brake, electrical, valvetrain / engine, cracked exhaust manifolds, cooling issues and others.
I am hoping for some REAL world experience's that I can trust as I don't need a problem child.

I added a poll to try and make it easier but request any negative experiences be commented on so I know why and what to expect

I will be forever grateful for any input, good or bad.
TIA

Great, So-so, or Run like h-ll single choice
Great trucks	40%, 4 Votes
Some Issues but not bad	50%, 5 Votes
Run like H-ll	10%, 1 Votes
Total Votes: 10 Voting on this poll ends: 09/27/24 07:22 PM

I bought a 2015 RAM 2500 5.7 Hemi 4x4 regular cab new. I now have 413K on it mostly towing. I went through 3 sets of exhaust manifold studs, the third time the passenger manifold warped and they warrantied it. At 190K my rear end carrier bearing went. My trans went at 280K (48RE) and my engine blew at 340K (stuck valve) but I had the lifetime powertrain warranty so it cost me $200 each time for the bearing then a reman trans and engine. Everything else has been fine, I remember a replacement cruise control switch and a bad brake slider, they all get seized after a few years in the in the salt of Illinoise. Been the best truck I ever had for what I have put it through and it will be with me until the day I die... The picture looks exactly like my truck except for not being a Cummins...

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 Classic Express with the 5.7L Hemi and 8-speed automatic plus factory 3.92 Sure Grip rear axle (9-1/4") with heavy duty suspension, factory increased ride height and tow package plus factory 20" wheels. I bought it in 2019 with ~20000 miles. I retired four months later, so I've only added up to 34000 miles since.

I have had no problems with the exception of a recent brake issue. The left front caliper began sticking and overheated. I could not tell while driving it, but I noticed the smell and a little smoke the last time I drove it before correcting it. It obviously had been running hot for a time. Although still under extended warranty, I opted to correct it myself to avoid dealer time hassle and the cost of the parts for one side was about the same as my deductible. Plus, the dealer would have only changed the parts on the one side under warranty along with a possible wearing parts exclusion, and I wanted to do a full brake job. I replaced the parts with Raybestos Element 3 components and the brakes are doing fine now.

The Express line is a more basic series, but this truck had the mechanicals I wanted. It's all blacked out sortof like a Midnight Edition.  I have installed Clazzio leather seat covers, an 8.4" Uconnect infotainment system, premium instrument cluster, steering wheel controls, and upper glove box, so it's more like a premium truck inside now but with more basic black trim rather than chrome (as preferred). It didn't come with remote start, so I added the Mopar kit as well. I also added a Mopar Cold Air Induction (CAI). Otherwise the truck is stock. It drives great and performs reasonably well. Sounds decent too with the factory single to dual tips setup. It's not like my '17 Challenger T/A 392, nor '21 Challenger Scat Pack 392, and my '74 D200 with 440 and 4:10 will run with it,  but performance is good along with good comfort and easy driveability.  Recommended!

I had a 2012 Ram 1500 R/T that was fantastic. Ran great no issues and was pretty damn quick at the drags. Plus a comfortable ride.

I bought a new 2011 1500 Big horn 5.7 4wd. First year of the new series. Great truck. Replaced 1 injector, couple of calipers. I pro-actively replaced the lifters. Runs like a top. 120K miles. I'd say jump on that truck, but I would advise to make absolutely sure of what, if anything, you plan on towing. If doing it over, I'd buy a 2500

Probably worth a look. RAM forum

Also investing in a digital subscription to consumer reports should give you some reliability ratings. Good luck

Thanks again to all that responded. I found a 2014 with 63K miles on it nearby. The truck had a clean carfax one owner since 2015 Lots of oil changes etc. but not a Lot on the servicing side. Got it for 19.5K The truck came from southern Mo. and I would swear its a ca. vehicle as the underside is spotless rust wise except for the crusty looking thing in the 3rd pic. Any idea what that is?
So now it's learn about the new truck time. There is a lot of servicing recommended servicing at 60K or 10 years. Not sure if i shoulld even think about the dealer as time is short ight now but I'm not going to be putting a loot of miles on it either.
maybe its time to jump over to the truck forum and start being a nuisance over there?

A big Thank you to all that responded

The object is a "Mass damper", used for NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) reduction. The damper acts similarly to 70s Mopar vehicles that had a weight added to the transmission tunnel as an indirect damper versus the more direct dampers mounted to transmission tail shafts.

My Ram had similar light rust in areas as yours, including the driveshaft. I sprayed them with Rustoleum Rust Reformer paint with no prep other than cleaning off loose material. It adhered well and it is holding up well so far. The paint provided a quick simple "fix".

Thank you, strange things they come up with, back in the late 80's early 90's GM clamped weights on their trucks tailpipe to eliminate noise audible in the cab

TPJ that looks super clean good luck.