I am new to DF but I have a couple questions for all 4th Gen owners.
I am going through the buy back process with dodge right now and it looks as I am going to get "upgraded" from a 2008 ram 1500 QC 4x4 SLT Bighorn to a 2009 ram 1500 QC 4x4 Sport.

First question, is there anything that I should be looking for in the 2009 that would be a benifit to me?

Second, are these two trucks comperable?

Third, is there anyone that has been through this where dodge has actually said let us buy your truck back and put you in a new one because they can't fix it. If so how long did it take them to get you into your new truck?

Thank you and this is a great site.

 

the sport has no chrome... except for the grille. i have one and love it.

 

I guess it all depends on what you wanna do and what you are going to use the truck for, there are tons of options and gadgets you can choose from.
Mine is a Sport with the 5.7 Hemi engine and it came with the following options (among others)
- towing package
- side running boards = find them extremely helpful in getting in and out of the truck, especially for the kids and my wife
- protection package = skid plates under the transmission and transfer case, nice to have if you plan on doing some off road driving
- rear view camera = comes in handy when you need to back off to hook up your trailer, but you can't rely on it to approximate distances or drive in reverse, because of the lens’s fish eye effect.
- corporate rear axle 3.92:1 = good with towing heavier loads


Everything else, like center console, floor shifter, sound system, seats, power whatever, is just a matter of personal taste and budget.
I only have 2800Km on board so far and didn't have any problems (knock on wood).

 

Thank you for the responce. I had the 3.92 l.s. and the tow package on my 08 so I expect to get those on the 09. Does the 09 out perform the 08 all around or are there actually any advantages to the 08? I also have heard that there are basically two 09 models the pre 12/08 package 26L and the post 12/08 package 25L, which is the best to try to get my hands on?

 

The 09 does out perform the 08 in every category other than tow rating. If you plan to tow ALOT it may not be a great truck. By alot I am talking the 8-10K range. Me, the most I would pull is my Viper so I am good.

Better MPG
More HP and TQ
Better suspension (for ride quality anyhow)
Better interior
More areodynamic (part of the MPG increase)
Body style, well, that is opinion, I like them both! The 09 has less gaps that is for sure.

 

Don't forget another important one...The rear suspension. It's a smooth runner that is for sure.

 

Get it loaded! I'm so happy with all those upgrade features of the Laramie:
DVD
NAV system
sunroof
heated and cooled seats
Alpine audio with MyGig 30 Gb harddrive
step bars
bedliner
roll-top tonneau cover
5.7 L Hemi
Dual exhaust
20" rims
to mention a few.
Love this truck

 

towing package
4x4
manual shift mode
Electronic Traction control
towing mode
great shark nose looking front grille
back-up sensor, no camera
heated steering wheel
heated side mirrors
Limo-like size in the crew cab
AC power outlet
390 Hp, 407 lb ft torque
Sold yet?

 

I went through the "buy back" earlier this year. I had a 2007.5 Dodge diesel with the new 6.7 that Chrysler agreed to take back. We settled on a "MSRP swap" and I chose the 09 1500 as a replacement. It took about 8 weeks from the point they agreed to deal with me, 5 of those was waiting on the new truck to be built. In all it went fairly smooth, and I definitely feel I came out ahead. I'm very happy with the new Ram.

 

limited slip rear differential
power rear sliding window
bed light
bluetooth hands free cellular
subwoofer (although not great IMHO)
fog lights
auto dimming rearview mirror
Ok, now I'm digging to the bottom of the barrel... but you get the picture