Test Drove New RAM Hurricane after 2.5 Years in Powerboost

[Graygoose2021]

I had 3 4th gen Rams, never have driven the 5th gen. The electrical scares me.

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[Mosey]

I have never considered a RAM, or any other Chrysler products before, but if Ford can’t get a handle on these recalls and quality control issues I may have to in the future.

 

[264winmag]

I have been following a couple Ram forums and they have had significant electrical and more problematic are the cats failing at low mileage. And parts were not available for up to 5-6 weeks for some owners.. Glad I got my 2024 F150 Lariat..

 

[tomcaudell]

I have the 23 XLT SCLB 4x4 5.0 and it has always shifted silky smooth. But when it’s been sitting a few days it has to idle for a little before shifting it in reverse to back up my driveway to get out or it slips. Knowing this I let it idle for 10-20 seconds and it is good to go. I considered buying a Ram when they came out with the 5.7H but went with a Chevy 5.3 and was happy with it.

 

[mrichard02]

My 24 F150 Powerboost shifting is insanely clunky. Taken it to the dealer multiple times, they say "its how these things drive" and its "normal". Multiple dealers said this.

It drives me extremely bonkers and its shit Ford quality.

I think Fords interior is superior. The Pro Power is awesome wether you use it or not, its nice to have it when you need it. I think every truck should have some sort of generator level power and not 400W putting out not much power to do anything except charge some batteries.

 

[Snakebitten]

Excellent writeup!

Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, if Ford (& GM) would-could better address their 10r80 (10L80) issues, a huge percentage of F150 complaints would dissappear. In fact, it sounds like you wouldn't have even done this write-up because you wouldn't have been bothered enough to.

If you can believe some of the 10r80 experts, especially now that Ford addressed the CDF drum sleeve design flaw, the only real culprit for the shifting quirks is the bean-counter-crippled valve body?

I'm tempted to replace my 2022 KingRanch Powerboost valvebody with an aftermarket one just to confirm myself. The claims are pretty bold regarding the improvement in shifting performance and the benefits for a longer lasting 10r80.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I’m not a Dodge fan…….lets get that out in the open. I haven’t owned a Dodge since the early Nineties

With that being said, I’ve driven a “loaner” 24 Ram a few times from my Ford dealer. The dial shifter is weird…..like I don’t like it at all.
The suspension rides, drives and handles extremely well. The transmission shifts extremely well, as in I wish the F150 had this trans.

My PB shifts very well about 95% of the time. Now and then it throws a weird curveball shift. Overall I’m extremely happy with my 24 XLT.


Great read on the Hurricane review………thank you

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Excellent writeup!

Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, if Ford (& GM) would-could better address their 10r80 (10L80) issues, a huge percentage of F150 complaints would dissappear. In fact, it sounds like you wouldn't have even done this write-up because you wouldn't have been bothered enough to.

If you can believe some of the 10r80 experts, especially now that Ford addressed the CDF drum sleeve design flaw, the only real culprit for the shifting quirks is the bean-counter-crippled valve body?

I'm tempted to replace my 2022 KingRanch Powerboost valvebody with an aftermarket one just to confirm myself. The claims are pretty bold regarding the improvement in shifting performance and the benefits for a longer lasting 10r80.

Can you give a brief rundown on the valve body issues?

TIA

 

[moonlanderadventures]

I'm through with new vehicle purchases. It's ride or die with the 21, and if its die I'm more likely to go BACKWORD in time to get a more mechanically inclined older F-150 or similar reliable truck like a Tacoma than a newer vehicle and go in debt another $50K or more.

 

[Snakebitten]

Can you give a brief rundown on the valve body issues?

TIA

Easier to just let the valvebody guru explain. (warning, he is admittedly arrogant. But I think his arrogance is well earned)

 

[Hans Moleman]

I ‘d be more interest in the 3.0 Hurricane HO version.

The thing that sucks about the Hemi 5.7 V8 is they have extremely low oil pressure during idle. So if you idle a lot your engine will have a very short life.

 

[js312]

I didn't really consider Ram when I bought this truck because I had no interest in the Hemi. With the new I6, it'd be worth a look.

I agree that Ford's the only one with good outward visibility. GM is horrific, Tundra only a little better, Ram has been a while since I have been in one but still not as good as Ford. Seats too - Ford and Ram are the only ones that do decent ones. GM's are terrible, Tundra is again marginally better.

My biggest hang-up on Rams is the reliance on the infotainment screen for many things. I barely use the touch screen in my truck because I don't really have to - almost any common function can also be controlled with buttons or knobs which I find much easier while driving. The few buttons Ram does have are small and so weirdly placed - like the HVAC stuff split up on two different sides of the screen.

 

[Highway 11]

I'd take the ZF8 any day over my 10R80. Not that my 10R80 shifts poorly, but the ZF8 is on a whole different level.

A while back I posted a comparison between my F150 and a Ram I test drove:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ram-1500-dt-vs-f150-gen-14-14-5.25427/

 

[mrichard02]

Excellent writeup!

Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, if Ford (& GM) would-could better address their 10r80 (10L80) issues, a huge percentage of F150 complaints would dissappear. In fact, it sounds like you wouldn't have even done this write-up because you wouldn't have been bothered enough to.

If you can believe some of the 10r80 experts, especially now that Ford addressed the CDF drum sleeve design flaw, the only real culprit for the shifting quirks is the bean-counter-crippled valve body?

I'm tempted to replace my 2022 KingRanch Powerboost valvebody with an aftermarket one just to confirm myself. The claims are pretty bold regarding the improvement in shifting performance and the benefits for a longer lasting 10r80.

You are spot on here. If my PB didn't have crappy shifting, I wouldn't even bother considering another truck.

 

[Xman]

I initially wasn't interested in the I6 Hurricane SST. It has two turbos and 2 cats all tucked in tight on the driver's side of the engine. Then I watched a podcast with the chief engineer that was leading the design team for the SST. His explanations of what the specifics of their design was really piqued my interest. When I test drove a couple, I really loved the new I6 engine. It was so smooth you couldn't feel it running and the power always available on demand. When we stopped after the test drive, I popped the hood and stuck my hand down beside the turbos/cats. They were extremely well insulated, and I didn't have to pull my hand back like I would trying to do that on my V8. But the poor HUD and disappointing driving tech (IMO) were deal breakers and my F!50 was ordered. The bad news with reliability and the lack of parts availability became known later. I still visit my RAM service rep. He was pulling his hair out last time with the number of trucks they had in with failures and no parts to fix them. I hope RAM turns it around.

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