Ram 6.4 maintenance 100k

[ryand]

My Ram just rolled over 100k miles and it’s time to do some maintenance and for some weird reason I felt the need to share the details. Having only done oil changes, 1 set of tires and three air filters so far, costs of ownership (other than gas) have been pretty low

Ram 2500 6.4
Current mileage 102,500
4x4 w 20”wheel option

To date:
14 oil changes @ avg of $70.00 each
1 set of continental terrain contact $1,467.00
3 air filters @ $9.80

100k service
Front and rear diff service with required synthetic $53.00 per axle
Trans filters and fluid $87.00
16 spark plugs $138.00

Total cost over 100k miles of routine maintenance required per owners manual $2,750.00

This also is handling all tasks myself, the truck has never been back to the dealer.

There always is talk of Gas vs Diesel threads, this ongoing cost should be a factor as well outside of upfront costs. At least it was for me.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by ryand

My Ram just rolled over 100k miles and it’s time to do some maintenance and for some weird reason I felt the need to share the details. Having only done oil changes, 1 set of tires and three air filters so far, costs of ownership (other than gas) have been pretty low

Ram 2500 6.4
Current mileage 102,500
4x4 w 20”wheel option

To date:
14 oil changes @ avg of $70.00 each
1 set of continental terrain contact $1,467.00
3 air filters @ $9.80

100k service
Front and rear diff service with required synthetic $53.00 per axle
Trans filters and fluid $87.00
16 spark plugs $138.00

Total cost over 100k miles of routine maintenance required per owners manual $2,750.00

This also is handling all tasks myself, the truck has never been back to the dealer.

There always is talk of Gas vs Diesel threads, this ongoing cost should be a factor as well outside of upfront costs. At least it was for me.

I keep vehicles a long time also. Thanks for your thread to remind folks that this maint needs to be done.
Every 100k I also change the serpentine belt and all idlers/tensioners. Flush the radiator and replace hoses. Replace any rubber fuel lines. At 200k I will replace the water pump if it hasn't been done already. Alternators seem to last me around 150k.

[upflying]

Cheaper maintenance with a gasser could be offset by the higher fuel costs.
Diesel costs more to maintain but gets better fuel mileage.
Might be a wash in costs...pure speculation on my part.

[babock]

I would have been doing a lot more maintenance than you have already done. Transmission fluid and transmission filter changes at least every 30K miles along with diff oil changes earlier than what the manual says. Brake fluid changes at every 2 years.

[Tatsngats]

16 spark plugs? Do you have 2 per cylinder?

[ryand]

Originally Posted by babock

I would have been doing a lot more maintenance than you have already done. Transmission fluid and transmission filter changes at least every 30K miles along with diff oil changes earlier than what the manual says. Brake fluid changes at every 2 years.

I understand your point, however all fluids looked great including rear diff. I don’t see the benefit of doing things earlier than required if you are Following the guidelines of the Manufacturer.

[ryand]

Originally Posted by Tatsngats

16 spark plugs? Do you have 2 per cylinder?

Yep. My 11 required all 16 every 30k.

[babock]

Originally Posted by ryand

I understand your point, however all fluids looked great including rear diff. I don’t see the benefit of doing things earlier than required if you are Following the guidelines of the Manufacturer.

As long as you are looking at the guidelines for heavy duty towing. To me 100K miles is way too long for transmission fluid changes.


As far as brake fluid changes, many car manufacturers recommend 2 year intervals and RAM doesn't have a recommendation. Change an ABS unit or master cylinder and calipers these days and you can see why it is important to change out brake fluid. Many people just do a brake fluid change when brake pads are replaced if you don't want to do the 2 year interval.


I change out power steering fluid as well.


Antifreeze gets changed out way before 100K. Longer radiator life and water pump life. I change mine at between 60K or 80K.

[ryand]

Originally Posted by babock

As long as you are looking at the guidelines for heavy duty towing. To me 100K miles is way too long for transmission fluid changes.


As far as brake fluid changes, many car manufacturers recommend 2 year intervals and RAM doesn't have a recommendation. Change an ABS unit or master cylinder and calipers these days and you can see why it is important to change out brake fluid. Many people just do a brake fluid change when brake pads are replaced if you don't want to do the 2 year interval.


I change out power steering fluid as well.


Antifreeze gets changed out way before 100K. Longer radiator life and water pump life. I change mine at between 60K or 80K.

All depends on how the truck is being used, for me the 100k mileage on the odometer represents less than 10% of those miles were used for towing purposes. I worked as an dealership tech for many years, most of the jargon promoted by the service writers and mechanics were tools to upsell customers.

[babock]

Originally Posted by ryand

All depends on how the truck is being used, for me the 100k mileage on the odometer represents less than 10% of those miles were used for towing purposes. I worked as an dealership tech for many years, most of the jargon promoted by the service writers and mechanics were tools to upsell customers.

Depends on how you use it I agree. Our truck has 28K miles on it but more than half are trailering miles. A lot of things I mentioned, like brake fluid doesn't matter how you drive your vehicle.

[deepseadan]

Op, curious what year is your truck and what is the weight of what you tow?

[Lins]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I keep vehicles a long time also. Thanks for your thread to remind folks that this maint needs to be done.
Every 100k I also change the serpentine belt and all idlers/tensioners. Flush the radiator and replace hoses. Replace any rubber fuel lines. At 200k I will replace the water pump if it hasn't been done already. Alternators seem to last me around 150k.

I’m similar, but as I don’t rack up a lot of miles typically, I address belts, hoses, etc. at the 10-12 year mark. I get that interval from the aviation world.

[ryand]

Originally Posted by deepseadan

Op, curious what year is your truck and what is the weight of what you tow?

My truck is a 2015 and pull a trailer with a GCVW of about 9500#

[deepseadan]

Originally Posted by ryand

My truck is a 2015 and pull a trailer with a GCVW of about 9500#

Thanks. I’m thinking on either leasing or buying a ram next year. I’m going to lease a 2500 crew or mega cab for the payload. I tow a small toy hauler that only has around 500-600 lbs tongue weight but I want to be able to carry a couple dirt bikes in the back. With the dirt bikes, tongue weight, family and cargo a 1500 just doesn’t have the payload. Plus I think rams are probably the best looking trucks. Glad to hear yours doing good still at 100k.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by ryand

My truck is a 2015 and pull a trailer with a GCVW of about 9500#

Thanks for providing the info on your cost to maintain. Later RJD

[Ejs4029]

Originally Posted by ryand

My Ram just rolled over 100k miles and it’s time to do some maintenance and for some weird reason I felt the need to share the details. Having only done oil changes, 1 set of tires and three air filters so far, costs of ownership (other than gas) have been pretty low

Ram 2500 6.4
Current mileage 102,500
4x4 w 20”wheel option

To date:
14 oil changes @ avg of $70.00 each
1 set of continental terrain contact $1,467.00
3 air filters @ $9.80

100k service
Front and rear diff service with required synthetic $53.00 per axle
Trans filters and fluid $87.00
16 spark plugs $138.00

Total cost over 100k miles of routine maintenance required per owners manual $2,750.00

This also is handling all tasks myself, the truck has never been back to the dealer.

There always is talk of Gas vs Diesel threads, this ongoing cost should be a factor as well outside of upfront costs. At least it was for me.

Hi Ryand, How do you like the Continental Terrain Contact's ? Do you have the 20" stock rims ? The reason I ask is I have been looking at these for my 2015 RAM 2500 with 20" wheels I still have the stock Firestone Transforces with 32K however, my local Discount tire manager says they get complaints of vibration and try's to steer me away from them saying I won't care for them and the tries to push Bridgestone's on me and says they are the best he also dislikes Michelins so I have my doubts on his agenda.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Hi Ryand, How do you like the Continental Terrain Contact's ? Do you have the 20" stock rims ? The reason I ask is I have been looking at these for my 2015 RAM 2500 with 20" wheels I still have the stock Firestone Transforces with 32K however, my local Discount tire manager says they get complaints of vibration and try's to steer me away from them saying I won't care for them and the tries to push Bridgestone's on me and says they are the best he also dislikes Michelins so I have my doubts on his agenda.

Well I got rid of my Firestone tires right after I bought the truck and installed Michelins. Love em on the Ram. I also had them on my 2500 2015 Chevy and they really make the truck handle very well. Later RJD