Review and First Thoughts

[harryoof]

Yes ---- So many people don't understand how to break in boosted motors. After a few heat cycles of the drivetrain/gears you need to build cylinder pressure and boost to set the rings. Leave OEM oil in and let the rings wear in. Best thing would be to pull a small cargo trailer empty and vary speed on some backroad drives making you pull up small hills (boost) and then coast.

Looking forward to this truck and towing. Won't be like a diesel HD but will do better than Durango Hellcat where you can pull lower RPM's and use boost of motor to pull grades instead of needing RPMS for HP/TQ.

Nice info! What’s the exact procedure to do the break-in once I have my truck delivered? I am not a car guy, so I don’t know much about this procedure. Thanks!

 

[Dan G]

If possible, could you please put a level on the tip of the shark fin and measure to the ground for the total height of the truck?

Thanks and yours is a great looking truck!

I have ordered the Mopar power running boards and the Undercover flex hard tri fold tonneau. I like the carpeted underside)

Undercover Flex Hard Folding Tonneau

How did you order mopar power running boards? Are they specifically made for the 1500 and will be an easy install for RHO? I’d rather go mopar myself.

 

[Clutch23]

Those of you that have driven a few hundred miles what is your mpg looking like?

 

[yoda33073]

How did you order mopar power running boards? Are they specifically made for the 1500 and will be an easy install for RHO? I’d rather go mopar myself.

Buy them from the dealer. Mark Dodge is doing $2500 installed. They connect them to the Uconnect 5 as well. And they will be under warranty with the rest of the truck.

 

[RHOfan]

Those of you that have driven a few hundred miles what is your mpg looking like?

296 miles on the odo, but have reset the mpg twice…14.6 mpg currently showing, mixed driving-80% backroads, 20% highway.

Speed is a big factor…over 65MPH on hwy drags things way down…I actually got 17.9 mpg on a 30 mile backroad trip with 35-45 mph speed limits, only a couple stop signs/lights.

I leave the transmission in sport mode 100%. It keeps the RPMs up, but lessens the need for boost. I recall seeing a torque curve on the Hurricane HO. It’s not like many boosted engines that produce peak torque just off idle. As I recall, peak torque arrives just like the Hemi…over 3000 rpm.

Boost requires more fuel to avoid high cylinder operating temps. Boost or 500 more RPM, which uses less fuel? I think 500 more RPM uses less fuel than boost, but I’m still playing with it.

 

[RHOfan]

I’m seriously wondering about take off exhaust from a limited with Ho. Or at least the mufflers and or resonators.

Today, I had two RHO “admirers” with V8 Chevy & Dodge floor their trucks past me. Might be my imagination, but both drivers seemed to “size me up”, like is that a TRX or RHO.

After the 2nd fly-by, my wife said “This truck would sound a lot better with just turbo noise”. I know what she meant & she is 100% correct. This is a twin TURBO, high performance engine. The blatty exhaust does it no favors. A quiet exhaust & some loud turbo whoosh is exactly what it needs!

Once someone figures this out & the mods don’t void the warranty…well, take my money!

 

[frogjbm]

Today, I had two RHO “admirers” with V8 Chevy & Dodge floor their trucks past me. Might be my imagination, but both drivers seemed to “size me up”, like is that a TRX or RHO.

After the 2nd fly-by, my wife said “This truck would sound a lot better with just turbo noise”. I know what she meant & she is 100% correct. This is a twin TURBO, high performance engine. The blatty exhaust does it no favors. A quiet exhaust & some loud turbo whoosh is exactly what it needs!

Once someone figures this out & the mods don’t void the warranty…well, take my money!

Yea I wish we could hear the turbos and blow off valves.

 

[D&Sadventure]

I’d take near silent, any day!

The reason? This TT I6 is insanely smooth. The manual says full-throttle on highway actually improves break-in, after the 1st 60 miles. So, I floored it at 60mph. No vibration, just smooth acceleration up to 80mph.

A silent exhaust would be much more satisfying with this engine/tranny. But I get it…a sporty truck needs a sporty exhaust!

I’m 100% with you on silent exhaust. That’s why I am strongly considering looking for a limited HO “takeoff”. Not sure I believe he hit 90 but he did quietly accelerate up to interstate speed, and pretty quickly too so he was in it.

 

[bkilby]

It rides like a lifted pickup on 35s. It’s definitely not a Cadillac ride, or BMW highway ride. And, choppy freeways? Well, the chassis tends to amplify smaller bumps and undulations, so it can feel a bit “busy” at highway speeds.

That said, I’ve gotten accustomed to it fairly quickly. It’s not something I’d go crying to Stellantis about. It is what it is.

I guess I should have clarified a little better. Lol. I have a non lifted Ram 2500 Rebel on 35's and it rides like a 2500 truck should when empty. Like crap. I'm looking to go to a 1500, but without a RHO local to drive, kinda hard to compare. Also looking at Limiteds with their air bags...

 

[RHOfan]

I guess I should have clarified a little better. Lol. I have a non lifted Ram 2500 Rebel on 35's and it rides like a 2500 truck should when empty. Like crap. I'm looking to go to a 1500, but without a RHO local to drive, kinda hard to compare. Also looking at Limiteds with their air bags...

I can compare it to a 2500 Chevy ZR-2 with Duramax diesel…

It rides 50% better than the Chevy, but boy do I wish that V8 Duramax was in my RHO!

 

[Viper]

I really hope someone comes up with a valved exhaust that can be tied to one of the aux switches. Would love the option of basically straight pipes, and muffled exhaust when I don't want to hear it.

 

[RHOfan]

I really hope someone comes up with a valved exhaust that can be tied to one of the aux switches. Would love the option of basically straight pipes, and muffled exhaust when I don't want to hear it.

Here’s the thing…you’ll never want to “hear it”. Speaking of the RHO exhaust note. It just doesn’t do this Ram justice.

The engine is quite cool. 28psi of boost is no joke. Let those turbos sing!

 

[Viper]

Here’s the thing…you’ll never want to “hear it”. Speaking of the RHO exhaust note. It just doesn’t do this Ram justice.

The engine is quite cool. 28psi of boost is no joke. Let those turbos sing!

I 100% disagree, I like the way inline 6's sound, and based on this video, it'll sound great with basically straight pipes

 

[RHOfan]

I 100% disagree, I like the way inline 6's sound, and based on this video, it'll sound great with basically straight pipes

I’m hearing lots of turbo whoosh, too. Not bad.

 

[asdf]

I’d can compare it to a 2500 Chevy ZR-2 with Duramax diesel…

It rides 50% better than the Chevy, but boy do I wish that V8 Duramax was in my RHO!

Duramax feels better? I'm curious why because RHO is supposed to be a sporty truck and Duramax goes in trucks that typically would tow frequently.

 

[asdf]

I have to say, most of these posts aren't getting me excited to take delivery in the future. I consider my 2011 BMW 335D to have a solid stock stereo for reference. Multiple youtube reviews have stated the truck is a better daily than the TRX, yet I'm hearing people imply the suspension is stiff. I really kinda doubt I'll be disappointed but I also know caddie ride and being able to take jumps are somewhat mutually exclusive. Part of the attraction of this truck is not having to worry about bad roads, potholes, etc.

 

[RHOfan]

Duramax feels better? I'm curious why because RHO is supposed to be a sporty truck and Duramax goes in trucks that typically would tow frequently.

Well, I really like diesels. And yes, they like to tow…it’s kinda their reason for existence. The V8 Duramax is one of the more impressive diesels I’ve driven…right up their with some of the best Euro diesels that have come to the US.

The Hurricane I6 and Duramax V8 are completely different animals. The I6 is not nearly as torquey, but it is smooth.

In a perfect world, Ram would make a diesel RHO…20+mpg and lots of low RPM torque. But guessing I’m in the minority wanting such a beast.

 

[rjwool]

Yes ---- So many people don't understand how to break in boosted motors. After a few heat cycles of the drivetrain/gears you need to build cylinder pressure and boost to set the rings. Leave OEM oil in and let the rings wear in. Best thing would be to pull a small cargo trailer empty and vary speed on some backroad drives making you pull up small hills (boost) and then coast.

Looking forward to this truck and towing. Won't be like a diesel HD but will do better than Durango Hellcat where you can pull lower RPM's and use boost of motor to pull grades instead of needing RPMS for HP/TQ.

Can you please give instructions or at least a guideline that I could follow for this?

 

[RHOfan]

Can you please give instructions or at least a guideline that I could follow for this?

The owner’s manual has a section on break-in. I’ll post it here.

Do you need to do more?

Some folks insist you have to “bed” the brakes early in a vehicle’s life. It involves super heating your brakes to supposedly bind the pad’s friction material. I’ve never done it. Maybe I’m missing out.

Others follow a special routine for differential & transfer case break-in. I am a fan of avoiding towing for the 1st 1000 miles & changing the diff fluid early to get rid of the metal filings. The diffs usually have a magnet to catch the shavings & some will say that’s enough. It probably is.

I’ve heard several folks, who identify as “engine builders”, tell about their often complex engine break-in routines. Take from it what you will & do what makes sense.

 

[Rhino1]

Picked up on Tuesday and took on a 300 mile trip for Thanksgiving. Here are my initial thoughts. I’m sure a lot of this is covered but trying to give info for the group.

Performance
The truck can go if you let it. I was constantly pushing 80 and it felt like I was going 60. I haven’t pushed it during break in so not sure on really getting into throttle yet.

Adaptive Cruise
This worked well for me and I didn’t have any issues. You have to keep those eyes forward or it will shut down.

Stereo
As everyone has said it’s underwhelming but isn’t terrible for a factory system.

Information
Tons of cool gauges and charts to track performance. I’m still digging into all these features.

Passenger Screen
My son tried to connect but it didn’t seem to be very intuitive. I couldn’t run cap play while he was connected. Let me know if I’m doing something wrong here.

Interior
Super nice and great quality in my opinion. All buttons and screens make sense and located where you would expect.

I need a bed cover and running boards. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Happy to answer any questions incident cover.

I have a 25 Rebel waiting on my RHO. I plugged a firestick to the HDMI port for my passenger screen and use the Bose q35 bluetooth headphones. Salesman said can't use the bluetooth on the headphone with your interactive screen and use your bluetooth on your cellphone to connect to the main radio. Well I did, works just fine for me. I showed him and he kept saying your connect to the Firestick. Which is Not bluetooth or wifi. . Some people hate to be proven wrong. Even tho it's a selling point. But anyway. This combo works perfectly for me.
Best to have either unlimited wifi on your phone or just add your trucks wifi to your phone plan. Which I did.

As for the 19 speaker HK system I had to play with it for a few days to get it where it was good enough. For me volume over level 22, you start to here distortion. The higher you go the more distortion is heard.