I'm thinking of trading in my 2005 Quad Cab 1500 for a 2011 or 2012 of the same model. I looked at the Fords and Chevys (don't ask me why...) and they don't have anything over the Dodge including price. I have the Laramie package on my current truck (bought used) and I think I may be in for a let down when looking for something new. I'm buying with cash so I'm limiting my price range to under $30k, preferably under $25k witch is very doable here in So Cal...at least that's what I'm seeing in the Auto Trader. So here are some questions for you current owners of the 4th gen trucks:

1. Is the 4.7 a dog that will leave me completely unhappy after driving my 5.7 HEMI for the last 4 years?
2. Do the new trucks come with 5 speed autos on the 4.7 and 6 speed autos on the 5.7? That's what it appears to be.
3. Is the SLT package that much different from the Laramie except for the leather seats?
4. How does the Big Horn package fit in?

Some of the things I really want to keep are heated seats, steering wheel controls for stereo and c/c and I really think I won't be happy with anything less than the HEMI.

Help a guy out here folks.

 

1. Is the 4.7 a dog that will leave me completely unhappy after driving my 5.7 HEMI for the last 4 years?
2. Do the new trucks come with 5 speed autos on the 4.7 and 6 speed autos on the 5.7? That's what it appears to be.
3. Is the SLT package that much different from the Laramie except for the leather seats?
4. How does the Big Horn package fit in?

Answers:

1. I wouldn't recommend it. Less power, less towing, and about the same gas mileage. Not to mention they don't hold their value nearly as well as Hemis.

2. I believe the 2012s have the 6 Speed Automatic on the 5.7L Hemi. Again I wouldn't recommend a 4.7L

3. SLT is one step above ST so there's a huge difference between a Laramie and an SLT. You can option out an SLT with all the power options but they don't come with any kind of leather and are missing a fair amount of the creature comforts. The Laramies have the center console with a console shifter, leather seats, power everything, heated seats, a leather dash, leather heated steering wheel with audio controls, two tone paint, extra chrome, etc.. They are loaded to the gills. It all depends on personal preference but the price tag on a Laramie is significantly higher than that of an SLT. The Outdoorsman and Sport are good options above the SLT but below the Laramie as well. I personally own an SLT and love it but I would've liked to of gotten a Sport if it was in my price range because of the body colored grille and bumpers as well as the partial leather seats.

4. Big Horn in my opinion is basically an optioned out SLT. You get the dual exhaust with the cut out bumper and 20" Wheels instead of the standard 17" ones. I don't think there's a huge difference between the higher optioned SLTs and the Big Horn.

I would definitely be looking for a Hemi if I were you. I wouldn't bother with the 4.7L. You're getting more power, and more torque, as well as comparable gas mileage out of the Hemi. It pays for itself. You should look around for 2011s still sitting on the dealer lots. They should have killer deals on them to get rid of them.

 

Thanks Shibby. I had already pretty much tossed the 4.7 to the curb unless someone on this forum has one and was touting how great they were. I have seen a few new Sport packages and I like them. My Laramie is a Sport as well, all color matched grill and bumpers.

Don't all the HEMIs have the exhaust out the bumpers?

 

If your looking for an 11 or 12 you might keep in mind that there are NO programmers available as of yet and it looks like it's going to be awhile before the aftermarket companys crack the codes. I think you have to order a specific code to get the rear bumper exit exhaust. It comes in a package with a couple of other things.
Jay

 

MACNKAT,

I traded my 06 Laramie in on a 2011 Laramie 4X4 with the Hemi. My 06 also had the Hemi. I can only imagine that the 4.7 would be a let-down after the Hemi and I can only imagine that anything less than the Laramie would be a let-down also after getting used to all the options the Laramie has, except maybe a sport. (not putting anyones ride down, just my opinion). Also, if your looking to buy new, if you got one for the prices you're talking about that would be one helluva deal, may be hard to do.

 

Mine has the single exhaust. Standard single outlet behind the passenger side rear tire. Once you go up to the Big Horn it seems they come standard with the dual exhaust that comes out beneath cutouts in the rear bumper. I'm sure you can find it optional on some SLTs as well.

 

Yeah, most of the SLT's I've seen have that option that's why I thought it was standard on the HEMI.

Now, what's the difference between a quad cab and crew cab? I know the mega cab is the biggest.

 

The crew cab back seat is only 1" smaller than the front seat.

I have tall teenagers and they love the added leg room over my old quad cab.
If you travel with teens or adults in the back, they will be very happy with a crew.

 

Cool, good to know. Thanks.

 

I have the quad myself. I like it because the bed on a 1500 Quad Cab is the 6.5ft bed. With the Crew the bed is something like 5.4ft in length. Quad Cabs are also cheaper price-wise, something else to keep in mind. Don't let the stock dual exhaust fool you either, it looks good but it's not a true dual system either.