Cheapest way to get a new key/fob for a 2017 ram

My 2017 ram came with two keys. But they're not really a key. It's an electronic fob. You don't even stick it in a hole in the dash to start the truck. You just have to have it in your pocket and press a button on the dash. My wife lost one of them.
I hate going to the dealership and getting robbed.

What is the cheapest place / way to get a replacement key?

I'd check the dealer price first. With all the cheap replacements they were getting killed, many have come back to near earth on prices. I've heard several complaints about the aftermarket cheapies. I NEVER found an inexpensive way to get the physical key that fits the fob replaced.

My second choice would be to check eBay for a genuine OEM unit. My local dealer reprogrammed ours for free, regular price was $20.00 back in 2018. My '16 300 only came with one fob so I only gave them one for the '13 I traded, that's the one I had reprogrammed. 4+ years later, no problems at all.

I just called a stealership. $205 plus tax without the mechanical key insert 25 bucks more for that. And they said if I brought in a key that I got elsewhere did charge me a hundred bucks to program it.
Looking for a cheaper solution.

Have you checked the local locksmiths?

Call a local locksmith and see what they quote. With only one existing remote, whoever does the job will need to contact a dealer because there is a PIN to access the key programming function.

A local locksmith may do it cheaper than the dealer. There is a "Pin" code they need - it might be in your manual, or not. Without the pin, they will need to contact the dealer and may charge you for that. so when you are asking for quotes, ask if there is an extra charge to contact the dealer for the code up front.

You might look into this DIY option - I didn't try it as I was not certain it would work with the push start in my Challenger https://tomskey.com/collections/dodge-ram-2013-2017

Went through this with the wife's '16 Journey a year or so ago. Looked at fobs from aftermarket sources, talked with locksmiths, etc. Many issues appeared to be problematic. Finally decide not to struggle with it and took it to the dealer. Was about $200 and works well now.

You might hit the Ram truck forums and see if anyone close to you has the AlfaOBD app and a gateway bypass. It may even be the cheapest way for you if you were to purchase the app and bypass. Together, you are looking at about $100 and they can do so much more than just program your fob. Lots of threads on this on the Ram forums and lots of videos on Youtube. I have it and it is cool!

Introduction: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YreBRFZ7FsU&t=415s
Programming fob: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdeUN3YmSNs

And by the way, AlfaOBD works on most late model Mopar family vehicles and can unlock many extra features that were options on your truck but not initially activated. Again, really cool. Check it out!

The owner of the vehicle can get the PIN from the dealer, you have to prove ownership of the vehicle to get it.

As already stated, a locksmith can program the FOB's.

I've bought them off eBay and had a locksmith program them.
You need to take all the FOB's you have with you when you go to the locksmith so they can program all of them at the same time.
EBay has been the cheapest on the actual FOB's themselves.

Dave, do you or anyone know if there is an AlfaOBD or similar tool available for older year vehicles ?
say from 98-2010 or so ?

Here is Alfaobd's support list. Some models go back to '04 or '05. Beyond that, I don't know of any other ones for the 'older' models.

www.alfaobd.com/supported_cars.html

I just got another FOB from the dealer last week. Mine is the put it in the switch type though. Someone ripped the rubber membrane and it wouldn't work. The service guy took it in the back, found a used one that nobody claimed, and changed it out. Ask your dealer if they have any laying around that could be programmed...

thanks for the link Dave.

You can get the Fobs for key start easy and cheap. The push to start button Fobs are different electronically. Not available nearly as cheap.
Doug

My experience was with local locksmith. He gave me 2 choices. Buy a new or used fob from someone else and he would charge me to do the programming or pay him get a used one from his source and he would program it for free. The second option was actually cheaper and was guaranteed. No guarantee if I bought one somewhere else. Obviously I went with option 2. Looks like new and no problems for four years.