Just ordered a 2012 Ram Express. Amazing the lack of knowledge and literature the Dealerships have regarding this truck Package. I ordered:

DS1L61 1500 REG ST 4X2 (120 in WB 6 FT 4 IN box) 21,475 20,111
Package: 25C Customer Preferred Package 25C 1,605 1,364
EZH 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Engine 0 0
DG1 6-Spd Automatic 65RFE Transmission 0 0
Paint/Seat/Trim: PDM Mineral Gray Met. Clear Coat 0 0
APA Monotone Paint 0 0
*V9 Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat 0 0
-V3 Dark Slate/Medium Graystone 0 0
Options: 4H4 Special Scheduling Condition VII 0 0
YEP Manuf Statement of Origin 0 0
XFH Class IV Receiver Hitch 335 285
WP2 20X9.0 Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels 400 340
NAS 50 State Emissions 0 0
GFD Rear Sliding Window 140 119
DMC 3.21 Rear Axle Ratio 50 43
AJY ST Popular Equipment Group 640 544
AJH Power and Remote Entry Group 735 625

I have some questions if you can help answer please.

1. I ordered a 3.21 standard rear end with 20x9 wheels and M+S tires. My last truck had a electronic locking rear end. How much worse in winter will this regular axle be? I do alot of highway driving and tow a small trailer occasionally. Hope I made a good choice ??? I went with 3.21 to try for lower RPM at highway = better fuel economy. I mostly use the truck like a car. No passengers and no cargo.

2. Will this truck have an underhood light, and will the cupholders be illuminated?
On my 2005 ram I had to buy a lightboard for the cupholder/ashtray, and an underhood light at the dodge parts counter! weird that a $32k truck did not have these simple items as standard?

3. I understand the Ram Express does not have a glove box lid? Can this lid be ordered and installed? Part# / cost?

4. Can I add a dodge brand remote-starter to this truck after its already built?

5. Will the standard instrument cluster have a MPG or Miles-till-empty display? Or will I have to add that ECO-meter they sell in the Mopar catalog? Does that
device work well? Where do you mount it in the truck?


This truck is replacing my old 2005 Ram Rumblebee 2WD .
I ran it just over 100k miles.
I had the typical troublesome issues with that series ram.
Engine would stall at idle (at traffic lights or making left turn) had the computer flashed which fixed 80% of the problem.Truck still stalled occasionally, even after flash.
I had the locking rear end. I had troubles with that leaking,
as well as extreme rear end whine (45-65 mph) at 80K miles. Dealer would not warrany repair, UGH...
Intermittant cruise control (never had fixed because it wouldnt duplicate at the dealer)50% of the time on a long trip I could not get the cruise control to engage.
Leaking power steering, and multiple squeeling serpentine belt pulleys. Replaced 2 EGR valves. I had the climate control flapper servo problem, and the mini light bulbs in the climate controls all burned out.My drivers side power lock went bad too. I love to do my own brakes, and with this truck i could not and had a $1700 front wheel only brake job! The bearings/hubs were frozen to the suspension, and I had multiple sets of warped rotors and bad calipers. What a mess!

Hope this truck doesnt have the same issues.

 

1) It'll be fine. I've got a Hemi SLT 2wd with 3.21, tows a 5K trailer like it is not there. Milage is decent 19-21 mpg in pure highway driving.

2)No underhood light, not even on an SLT. Lighted cupholders? Seriously they make something like that?

3) Express is basically an ST with some Sport body parts, so it should have a lower glovebox and no upper glovebox

4) Sure

5) Not sure. The 2009 ST's did not have the information center, not sure about the 2012s

 

On my 2005 Rumblebee it was a lighting option. I bought the part right at the dodge parts counter. It was a small Green LED board you mounted behind the center bezel. One LED illuminated the cupholders, and one illuminated the ashtray when it was open. I had to buy a underhood light and a harness at the dodge dealer also.

 

Should have got the trailer tow package... it includes the upgraded DIC.

 

My SLT has a light under the hood. There isn't going to be lighted cup holders, you got a bench seat, the cup holders are in part of the dash that flips down.

Did you not look at one of the trucks on the lot to see what you were buying?

 

My 2005 Ram Rumblebee has the bench seat and the fold down dash cupholders(which you speak of) and I was able to add the cupholder/ashtray lights by purchasing them from the parts counter at my dealer. It was a $38 option on the rumblebee which I didnt know of at the time. I was still able to add it after I purchased the truck. Just wondering if I can do the same with this Ram Express, or do they come lit?

Briefly got to see a 2011 Express on a dealers lot. The lack of inventory, literature, and good photos on the website was terrible.

I did not see a trailer tow package to choose from. Either buy the 'class iV hitch' or the 'trailer brake package' on their options list.
I guess the brake package has some more goodies.

 

Yes, the brake controller needs the display

 

So I am most likely ordering one monday also I want the display that says the fuel mileage and all of that stuff. Test drove the 2012 doge ram 1500 slt big horn they want 36,000 for it walked in to look at a 2012 ram 1500 express so test drove that and fell in love but then when i got home thought how i could save about 6,000 by getting a regular cab express but have to order it and want some of these nice features. http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/n...nterior_04.jpg

 

Heres a link for the remote start system, be prepared for dealers to say it won't work but it will. I haven't done it yet but it comes with the instructions and the dealer will have to program it for you. If you have any problems go to cumminsforum and search "I want Keyless Entry," you'll find out alot of information there if it hasen't been covered here. I'll be getting it for my truck in a month or two.
http://www.leeparts.com/2009_dodge_r...rt_system.html

The upper glove box can be added but the last time I looked they were about 260 bucks so I have been watching ebay hoping one will pop up.

The EVIC is on all models I believe that shows your fuel economy as well as tire pressure,trans temp and all the other info but no compass. My truck is an ST and has all of that. I have a 2500 Cummins but surely the half tons have it also.

Good luck with your truck I really like those Express trucks.

 

As far as I know that's not an option. If it is, I would also be interested in them, since I have the same setup with a bench.