2014 — 2018
6.4L Hemi V8 (ESG)
Petrol
Perform a cold start with the bonnet open and listen closely to the engine's top end, particularly near the rear cylinders, before the block warms up. | Note: A persistent metallic ticking sound (the infamous 'Hemi Tick') indicates lifter roller failure. If left untreated, the seized lifter will chew out the lobes on the camshaft, requiring an expensive engine teardown.
Accelerate hard alongside a concrete barrier or up a steep gradient with the driver and passenger windows rolled down. | Note: A ticking or puffing sound under load that diminishes slightly as the engine warms up points to sheared exhaust manifold studs. The rear cylinders are highly prone to warping manifolds and snapping bolts due to heat cycle expansion.
Drive the vehicle at 80-100 km/h over uneven country bitumen or bridge transition joints to test steering stability. | Note: Any violent, uncontrollable front-axle oscillation (the 'Death Wobble') indicates severely worn steering dampeners, track bar bushings, or ball joints, which are heavily taxed by the weight of this heavy-duty chassis.
Cycle the transmission through all gears manually under load, checking for delayed engagement or RPM flare-up on the 2-3 shift. | Note: The 66RFE automatic transmission paired with the 6.4L Hemi can suffer from Cigar-butt wear of the underdrive clutch packs, especially if the vehicle has been used for heavy towing without frequent fluid changes.
Perform a comprehensive chassis grease service, paying specific attention to the front driveshaft slip joint. Inspect both front and rear differential oils, particularly if the vehicle has been used to launch boats in saltwater environments around New Zealand.
Replace all 16 spark plugs (the 6.4L Hemi uses a dual-plug setup per cylinder). Flush and replace the automatic transmission fluid and filters (sump filter and spin-on cooler return filter), and change the transfer case fluid.
Execute a full cooling system flush, replace the water pump (prone to bearing play and weeping around this mileage), swap out the serpentine belt and tensioner, and conduct a detailed physical inspection of all heavy-duty front suspension joints.
Check the operation of the integrated trailer brake controller and the rear 7-pin plug wiring harness for corrosion or physical damage.
Torque the heavy-duty wheel nuts to spec (140 lb-ft / 190 Nm) whenever the wheels are removed for tyre rotation or brake servicing.
Always use a high-quality 0W-40 full synthetic engine oil meeting Chrysler MS-12633 specifications to ensure correct operation of the Multi-Displacement System (MDS).
Grease the outer tie rod ends, drag link, and front driveshaft cardan joint at every oil change interval to combat NZ's demanding topography.
Regularly inspect the cab-to-frame mounting bushes and clean out mud/salt accumulation from the rear wheel arches and chassis rails.
Estimated repair costs if issues arise
Should the lifter rollers seize and damage the camshaft, a complete top-and-bottom engine tear-down is required. Parts must be sourced from US specialists, and local NZ labour rates for American truck specialists are premium.
Replacing broken rear manifold bolts often requires removing the inner guard liners and drilling out the hardened studs from the alloy cylinder heads. Machining or upgrading to aftermarket headers is highly recommended during this fix.
To permanently cure front-end wander or death wobble, expect to replace the factory track bar, drag links, and ball joints with high-grade aftermarket components (e.g., Synergy or Carli Suspension).
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Disclaimer: This report is generated with the assistance of AI analysis based on verified automotive data. While we strive for 100% accuracy, enthusiasts should always conduct physical inspections and consult service records. View Full Disclaimer