skierd
SuperDork
3/14/18 4:24 p.m.
I'm halfway ready to trade off my 2012 Outback for something bigger and more comfortable. While working a deal on a new work van at the local RAM dealer, I noticed a 2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn crew cab with the 3.6L V6 8spd auto. Test drove it, seems like a great truck, but...
How's the reliability been on these? Italians owning Mopar doesn't scream "lasts forever with just oil changes". Any common problems on these? Am I seeing right that the powertrain warranty is 5/100k? No desire or want for a Hemi unless they're better overall engines (mpg's and reliability), and they do have a few 2016 Tradesman models with the Ram Box on the lot next to it.
The 3.6L Pentastar is a decent engine. The early applications (early 2012 production) had issues with the valve seats on one head. Mopar had a TSB on the affected models.
But other than that, I haven't heard of any issues.
That 3.6L is the cornerstone of the current Chrysler. In everything from Jeep Wrangler to Minivan to Rwd Challenger/Charger/300
RossD
MegaDork
3/14/18 5:28 p.m.
I love my 3.6/8 speed in my '14 grand cherokee. Having ridden in my dads '17 Ram with the 5.7/8 speed, dont ruin the V6 by driving a V8! I didnt want V8-intoxication! I purposefully didnt test drive v8 before buying ours. Cracked 90k miles a few weeks ago.
The 3.6 has been overall a good engine but the early ones had valve seat issues and some of the newer ones are having rocker issues (noise). The 8 speed seems to be near bullet proof as I have only seen one fail. Other than that we have seen very few drive line issues.
Paul
skierd
SuperDork
3/14/18 5:50 p.m.
RossD said:
I love my 3.6/8 speed in my '14 grand cherokee. Having ridden in my dads '17 Ram with the 5.7/8 speed, dont ruin the V6 by driving a V8! I didnt want V8-intoxication! I purposefully didnt test drive v8 before buying ours. Cracked 90k miles a few weeks ago.
The Hemi vs the v6 is what... 15 vs 18mpg combined and 150hp?
Dont know if it matters but resale on fullsize trucks with the peanut engine is dismal and fuel economy is marginally better in the real world. I would pony up for at least the mid size V8
