2019 opinions

Any word or reviews on the new trucks compared to the 18s?
Any concern with the change in injection pumps or any other changes?
If you were buying a new 3500, would you buy the 19 or look for a new 18, which are getting tougher to find?

 

I haven't had a chance to pull with mine yet. It is unbelievably quiet inside. Yes, I do have concerns with the CP4, roller-hydrailic lifters, hollow cam, scissor gear, etc. Time will tell on that stuff. I went '19 because I wanted the power spot mirrors, cameras, and the 12" Etch A Sketch. 1K ft/lbs might have been a factor They do seem to have outsmarted themselves with the new programming for the Aisin, but I am hoping for a reflash at some point. It's much too soon for me to give much of an opinion, but I am sure enjoying having torque by the cubic yard again.

 

What did they change with the programming for the Aisin or what have you noticed?

 

So far, the only thing I noticed is when I roll onto my driveway from the lane I share with my neighbors, there is a 90 degree right, followed by a short downhill I coast down, it will be in second as I roll onto the uphill approaching the house, and it will actually feel like it goes into a false neutral(RPMs climb)before slamming, and I do mean SLAMMING,into low. My buddy has a 3500 SRW, and has experienced this even with a horse trailer hooked up. He, and others, have also complained of radical, unnecessary downshifts when decelerating even when not in T/H and with EB off. He is actually pretty disgusted at this point.

 

That is an undesirable trait for sure. You should have them use your driveway as part of the test facility. I'm not a big fan of how aggressive some of the downshifts mine does in TH mode but if I was closer to the vehicles max weight rating I may appreciate it.

 

Brother, I ALWAYS chase the DEAL. Whichever I could get the best price on. My record speaks for itself.
Cheers, Ron

 

People that went to the rally had the fortune of speaking with a handful of the lead engineers on this new engine. One of the gentleman was involved with the durability testing of the new engine. The actual tour was time Limited, but fortunately he happened to be at the pavilion at Ceraland the following evening after the drag race at Indy. We shot the breeze over a few beers and I was fortunate enough to pick his mind over the new engine. I can tell you he was quite excited over the new platform - particularly the roller valvetrain. In his words, way over due. Said the cam gear was nothing to lose sleep over, no failures in all of their testing. The only thing he had pause for was the CP4 and he went on to say that while it is NOT the same pump used in other applications that have had problems stay tuned for improvements.
Wouldn't elaborate beyond that.

 

My 2018 ASIAN does the same thing before just going up a steep driveway or stopping on an incline and having to take off. 18% or more - the kind you use a parking brake on or else you can learn what torque lock is all about on a parking pawl. Starts in some other gear, can't find first that it frankly needs, and revs up. I have to come to a near full stop to catch 1st with the manual nv5600 before the driveway so no real change for me.

The full stop on an incline rev-up before moving is interesting and turning off 'hill start assist' appears to have helped it not need so much throttle to get going.

It does bang the gears now and then, but, a 4x4 1 ton isn't a Rolls Royce, Cadillac, etc. for ride quality to start with.

The brakes on the only 2019 I drove were a complete GM 1/2 ton Mush feel. Y U C K ! ! ! I hope that was just a one off problem.

The headrest tilt feature was interesting for the 2019. The 2019 switches for the exhaust brake vs. buttons was nice.

12" Etch A Sketch with the cameras for as tall as they make the damn things now: 12" taller than my 2003... I could use the front parking camera but back in to use the rear camera instead. No, I don't want a giant bright blinding at night screen in a 1 ton. Because "... even in the future NOTHING WORKS!" Even with a warranty, getting parts, trip to dealer etc...

And lastly I put my money where my mouth is and got the old school Dodge Crosshair grille not the bad eyesight of: is that GMC or RAM on the grille? I hear you can pay the dealer to swap the 18 RAM grill out to the Crosshair Grille...

 

Same ol predictable posts with a new badge

 

The engine “improvements” were a big reason I went ‘18. The CP4 being the biggest of them.

I also really don’t like the changes to the hood and front end, nor the 12” screen. It looks so chintzy.

Most the reviews state that they cannot tell the added power with a load, but then again at 2500 rpms pulling a big grade there isn’t much of a bump on power. The big increase is at 1500-1800 rpms, so it should hold the higher gear longer but once she downshifts the power isn’t much different.


Things I’d like about the ‘19’s.

3.73’s on a SRW, I think. 3.42’s are serving me well but wouldn’t mind a few more rpms at 15-20 mph and less heat in the trans.

The beds have cleats again! And loops.

The tailgate can be opened and let go of, and it doesn’t slam or even drop quick.

That’s about it. The power running boards are sweet, but I’m rather fond of my wheel to wheel steps.



So I started looking for a new ‘18 in feb and didn’t have any luck finding what I wanted. I wasn’t about to settle on options for what they cost. So I gave up looking, and started keeping an eye out for a used 17-18 as they have the improved auto-level suspension. I found a used ‘18 within a week that had every option I had to have, and it was the right color. 3200 miles on it too! Much better price than new and I can live with 3200 miles on it.






As far as the harsh shifting I haven’t experienced that yet, maybe it’s a specific condition I haven’t put it in yet.

 

There is a flash for the Aisin, it has helped with the shift flare ( that is what they called it ). Time will tell

 

Even my 2015 with Aisin will do a strange "looking" for 1st gear, then "FOUND IT" while doing a California stop on a slight up hill turn right or left. I yells out, "IF YOU WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED, I WOULD HAVE FOUND 1ST GEAR, JERK!"

 

TDR has a new feature title ROAR. It was about CP3 pumps that are not compatible with US spec diesel.
Almost sounds like the CP4. Or maybe the protective coating they describe can be applied to tbe CP4 to prevent it from self destructing and throwing metal shavings into the entire fuel system.

I always wondered from the info on the CP4...... About the supposed filters that are supposed to prevent metal particles from flowing downstream???? I doubt a filter that can not be changed will protect everything downstream.

 

Interesting comment about the CP4.2 pump. I was under the impression that just one CP4.2 pump was available from Bosch. I contacted Cummins and asked if any changes or upgrades had been made to the pump supplied for the Rams, and they said I would need to contact Fiat/Chrysler for any information on the CP4.2. They tried to imply that they had no information on the pump specifics. Corporate buck passing at its finest!

I cancelled my 2019 order when I looked at the internal design of the CP4.2. No mechanical indexing of the lifters in their bores was a deal breaker for me. That design is just baffling.

 

I guess we need to watch for failures here and in the rest of the world.

Ron

 

It sure seems like the Fords have gotten pretty quiet, don't hear anything like we used to about the failures . Did they not change ,and improve the CP4.2 ??

 

I have a 2019 Ford F250 Lariat Ultimate and it's dead quiet... Does not sound like the PowerStrokes from a few year back. I had a 2018 2500 Mega Cab Laramie and it was quiet, My 2019 3500 Mega Cab Laramie custom order just arrive off the train.... I will be posting comparisons between the 2 when I pick it up. As for the CP4.2... Optilube at every fill up and I'm guessing I'll be fine. MaxCare 8/125, I'll use it if needed.

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I brought my '16 into the dealer for some recalls a few weeks back, instead of the normal Hertz Rental car, one of the sales guys gave me a '19 2500 Cummins 4x4 short bed to drive. Mine's a long bed so of course this one was easier to park. In general nothing stood out as being too much different that would make me want to trade up, EXCEPT... the transmission gear shift buttons were no longer on the shift lever but on the right side of the steering wheel. It was labeled something to the effect of Gear limiter. I don't exactly remember. Just that simple change is almost enough to consider a trade. RAM engineers, if you're listening... MOVE THE EXHAUST BRAKE CONTROL BUTTON!!!! It's so inconvenient to have to reach down to the current location, especially if you have a center front seat passenger. If it were too on the wheel above the cruise control panel, that would be excellent, not to mention safer.

 

I would like to see the Tow/Haul back on the end of the shift lever, and the Ex Brake in the lower left quadrant of the wheel, arranged just like the shift buttons, one for On/Off, and the other for Full/Auto. I saw some Paccar(?)trucks with the Jake buttons on the wheel like that. I hate fumbling around on the center stack.

 

Agreed, I think the tow haul at the end of the shifter handle and the ex brake buttons on the wheel would be great.