Why I went with the full length center console and leather trimmed bucket seats on two consecutive trucks. The front bench style seats 6 while the leather buckets seat 5.
Also, you forgot to mention a benefit to having the console over the bench. That's the only way you can get heated rear seats is with the full length console.
+The02CumminsRAM You're absolutely correct and I'll pin this comment. Honestly I edited that piece of this video out because I sounded like a jackass lol
When I was younger and had my other 2 RAMS(04/11)the 40/20/40 was nice because it came in handy for head room with Girlfriends. Now that I've been in a 10+ year relationship I went with the full console like yours as the head room was no longer needed, but storage and convenience was. Lol. Sorry, just my personal take on the subject. :-)
Kudos to you Christian for all of the informative videos! I've been doing lot's of research leading up to a purchase of my retirement truck so needless to say since discovering your channel I've been glued to it trying to pick up as much info as possible. This particular video has been part of my thinking on bench verses full console/buckets for awhile now. Every truck I've owned in my life has been a bench including my current 2002 F-150 super crew with the fold down console between driver and passenger. On long duration road trips on cruise control from my experience being able to stretch out the right leg through the area where the full console would block is actually an asset. Anyone who's had this thought and switched to full length console please chime in! I just think I might feel more confined going from bench to full length console. I'm not a big guy either (6 feet, 165). Pros and cons are always part of the trade off but hearing from people with real world experience on this topic is very valuable. Thanks for any input people are willing to share! John
I have a 2003 1500 Laramie with the 40/20/40 split. Which I like, not for an extra seat. But because it's a tight fit in my garage with wife's car in there as well, I need to park tight on the left side. So I need to slide over and get out the passenger side door. LOL
There are still busy streets with parallel parking where you risk becoming a hood ornament or losing a door if you have to go out the left side and directly into traffic. In such situations being able to slide across to the right door and exit directly to the sidewalk could benefit your life expectancy. From a comfort standpoint the consoles greatly cut into useable foot space for those with longer legs who like to stretch them occasionally on long drives and virtually all of the consoles in the cars I have driven seem to be intentionally engineered to push hard plastic uncomfortably against my right leg, often right at the knee.
Purchased a Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4, 392gears w/the 40/20/40 front bench seat when our twins were born. Crew Cab for more space w/the two rear facing car seats in the rear. If MIL decides to come along I can flip up the center console and we ride three up front so my wife doesn't have to slide into the back to get inbetween the kids. But, if we have to ride six, which we have on multiple occasions. There's plenty of room. We put a topper on it so we can keep the cab neat and tidy when needed. This past Christmas we picked up my Mom and older sister from the airport then headed two and a half hours South to our hometown. I was comfortable as the driver, everyone else also said they were comfortable, no complaints. Off topic, went w/the 392gears w/the hope of possibly affording a small camper in the future to take fam camping. With the hills and the wind we get in Southern Alberta, every road trip I tell my Ram how incredible she is. With the 392's and the six speed transmission my truck never down shifts. Even climbing hills against a moderate wind, she doesn't down shift. But once the wind starts howling or I'm hauling a good amount of weight, obviously that changes. I've got a pretty heavy foot, not so much when the fam is w/me. Thus far through eleven months of ownership, brought the truck home w/163km, it now has approx. 6500kms. I've averaged 17.96mpg's. I expect that to improve w/time as well as w/possible future modifications. With the 121litre(32gal) gas tank, I comfortably go 550-600kms(350-375miles) between fill-ups. Thus far it's been a comfortable, reliable truck and it gives me all the confidence in the world that when I load the fam up in her, she's going to get us to wherever we need to go. As well as get back safely and securely. Always been a Chevy boy at heart. Also loved my Taco! Ran a 2005 Toyota Tacoma for years b4 trading it in for our new Ram. I can say that I love this truck. Just my opinion. Howard is God!!! Bababooey to you All!!!
thanks for the video buddy. once again your putting good information out there that is deff useful. keep up the good work and were all looking forward to the next video
I have signed papers and will be picking up my 2017 2500 in a couple weeks. It's used with 64000 miles. One of my must haves was seating for 6. You can say that 6th seat isn't very useful, but it is unless you're an overweight fat guy, there's quite a bit of room there. I like to go ride dirt bikes and four wheelers with buddies and we like to try to Pile in one vehicle if possible. There may be some small options to the center console, I do like the safe compartment box, but you lose the ability to haul a 6 person if you ever end up needing to. With the 6 seater you still have cup holders you still have an armrest, and you still have compartments to store things, it just may not be locked. But if you ever need to haul a sixth person you have that option. I've always liked having an open floor in between the two seats as well. It gives you a little more leg room and a few more different positions to put your right foot in the event you're taking a road trip several states away where you're having to spend hours and hours in the truck. The last truck that I had with a bench seat setup I use that middle floor area for my right leg on quite a few occasions.
One reason for the 40/20/40 is that with the center flipped up, you create a sort of divider for the rear. Helpful if you are transporting pets and want to keep them back. Also, should you have to climb around inside the cabin, it's alot easier to switch from the drivers seat to the passenger or vise versa with the 40/20/40. Like during an accident or something. Also for the manual, which is the biggest reason for me. My '99 has a 40/20/40, and a 5 spd. Back seat is a true bench! like a church pew with some foam and cloth haha.
I had a Ram with the 40-20-40 seat. Bought it as a left over demo truck with 2000 miles on it. I made one long trip 500 miles on the first tank of gas and when I went to get out of the truck - my legs would not move. IE: The most uncomfortable set of seats I have EVER sat in in a truck. All long trips after that - I took the Dakota until I sold the Dakota - and bought a used S1O to take those long trips in just because of the seats. Traded the Ram for a 2500HD - GMC that I still have. Still not in love with those seats but LOVE the truck other than that. Did not buy another RAM because they went away from the Suicide Door on the Extended Cab - a feature that I personally like.
Hey Christian, did you happen to mention the source for that in-console safe? My wife always gets nervous about leaving her purse in my truck when we go to baseball games or movies when she doesn't want to lug it around with her.
I can't tell you how helpful these videos have been. I'm a couple weeks out from buying, and these videos have sure helped with my research on exactly what I want/ need. Question on the center console: I saw a picture a while back that looked like there were two heater/AC vents on the back of the console pointing towards the rear seat. Can anyone confirm or deny that? I haven't got out to test drive yet, but since my kids ride with me quite often, that would be a huge selling point. Thanks.
+Tim Eggleston Very happy to hear it! I needed these when I was buying. I can confirm the presence of the two vents along with ducts near the feet of the rear passengers
Literally love your videos. Super informative with realistic pictures to back it. Also love the pickup, buying mine in august too. One question I do have though. Do you plan on doing modifications to your pickup? If so what do you have in mind so far. - fellow PNW local.
+Adrenaline Junkie Thank you very much and very happy to have a fellow PNWer here. I think the videos have been a little dry lately so I'll try to inject some mildly humorous stuff in the new ones. Congrats on your upcoming purchase, it will be worth the wait! I am strongly considering the S&B intake and will likely purchase it in the next month so expect a video around then. So far it's just the backseat mod and removal of the intake baffle (videos on both in case you didn't see them already). Let me know if you have other ideas or questions! Christian
Regarding the little pit when the cell phone goes in...a traditional drink tray (those recycled paper ones) fit perfect in the pit. You'll effectively have 6 cup holders!
Purchasing a ram in the next few weeks & I'm torn on which setup I like better. I like the leather buckets but I'm not sure I'll like the full length center console. I'm on the road a lot and when I've got the cruise on, I tend to like to put my feet flat on the floor & lean my knee over to twards the transmission tunnel. I actually wish the buckets were available with captains chairs and a center console (like the old 454SS. Yea, I know I'm not talking to GM guys but you get the idea).
I love thw center console design in the ram, it's the best I've ever seen! But I have to get a bench seat because I'm ordering a manual. Do you know any way I can mount the center console in a manual truck (even if I have to cut some of it for the stick shifter)?
I love the bench seat! I will be buying a 2019 Laramie with bench fully decked with sunroof, adaptive cruise and 12" screen but it's so hard to find and search for this configuration. VERY RARE
Wait a year. They will be more readily available, and proven out much better than currently. Lots of recalls so far. Even the 12" screen has glitch issues. Plus, rebates and incentives will be better.
I like your videos on the new truck. I'm planning on getting one around he end of the year unless they make some big changes to the 2018's. I have a Ram 1500 now but I want the big dawg. Your videos are really helping with my option choices like the Ram box. I want one. I don't need the 5th wheel prep. Just the regular tow hitch will do. Everyone else is getting their questions in so here's mine. I don't know if you got the air suspension. I don't remember you ever commenting on it so if you have it tell us what you think about it and if you don't, why didn't you get it.
+knightwing4 Thanks man and I'm glad these help. I briefly mentioned it in one video I think, but the air suspension cannot be had with the off road package. I probably would have gotten it if I didn't have to choose between it and the Bilsteins w/ hill descent control. If you are not planning on towing heavy loads it may be a bit overkill. It's also only on the rear axle in HD trucks unlike the 4 corner option on the 1500 line.
I understand what you're saying but air ride is supposed to ride smoother than springs even when it's empty the same way it works in a tractor trailer. Have you ever ridden in one? I haven't so I was hoping for your opinion on it. I don't think I'll ever pull a trailer that's as heavy as the weight limit of the truck but I can see myself getting up to 10,000 or 12,000 lbs. If you ever get a chance to ride in one please give us your take on it.
knightwing4 I have a 2015 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins with the RamBox and factory rear air. The truck rides really nice although I cannot compare it to the standard 2500 coils. I regurally tow 16,000+ lbs here all over the crappy roads in california with both a fifth wheel and gooseneck trailer (yes you can do it with the RamBox) as well as lighter loads with several bumper pull trailers. I have 80,000 miles with over 20,000 miles towing according to the tow computer screen but it does not tally up the miles unless you have electric brakes so I could conservatively say that theres an additional 4000 miles of surge brake trailer towing on my truck. I have had zero issues with the air suspension. It levels the truck in a timely manner and the dual mode ride height in the rear is a nice added feature for adding or subtracting height to the rear of the truck for different trailers.I tend to overload the trailer during my grape deliveries to the bay area wineries and on several occasions the overload licht came on in the dash meaning I was very very very heavy in the rear of the truck. Those airbags, or whatever that are, are tough. But to answer your question, get the air suspension for the smooth ride then upgrade the shocks later to Bilstien or Fox's for an even better ride.
I've had my Console Vault several years now and it's great for secure storage. Very strong and good place for valuables. Well worth the money if you are carrying and going into a place where you have to leave your sidearm in the truck.
The rear seats on my Laramie also looks like front heated cooled seats however I have a 40/20/40 front seat option is There a way to get the heating function on the rear seats
I really want to know as well . I have a family of four and having six seats for a daily driven truck will really be useful for me. Is there an option for heated/cooled rear seats ?
@PNWreckage great channel man! Would you be interested in making a video series about owning maintenance/annual cost of owning a diesel truck? For new guys? I’m about to purchase a ecodiesel in the next few months and I’m getting thrown with conflicting articles about what it’s like owning a diesel truck. It would be super helpful! Anyway great content man I enjoy the channel!
+bbc454nos For the console in this truck it is literally a matter of dropping the safe into the console and snugging up 4 self tapping bolts inside the safe. Took me 5 minutes with hand tools lol
What's the difference between the two seats in regards to comfort? Particularly on long trips? I'm going to have some full day drives and I'm concerned about how my back and body will be at the end of the day
Odd. My 2016 quad cab has the split 40/20/40 seat but doesn't have the "security storage are" that some guys have shown in videos. It's just a solid mounted seat.
So I have to ask! Now I also have the full floor center console, but I noticed yours had what looked like a door flap to close it off. Was that an added option?? I think that looks very convenient especially when I have friends in the truck and they wanna store things and I have it closed off from passengers eyes. Also I'm considering getting the roof running lights as I do enjoy having a lot of visibility and it just looks badazz in my opinion lol!
+Shane Bartlett hey man, no door flap that I know of! The Longhorn and Limited trims have that type of setup and I might have included a picture of one of those in the video. I'm with you on this one, nice to have the ability to cover anything up. I hate clearance lights lol! They definitely have their place and I kinda get the attraction.
PNWreckage hmmm... maybe I'm seeing things lol. It looked like a cover inside the bucket when you lifted the center console🤔 not the one with the cup holders but the giant sized storage under the armrest/storage box
PNWreckage awesome! Glad we figured it out😂 I was like wow dude I need that lol. Sometimes I get nosy family inside and it's irritating because they wanna see EVERYTHING!😩
I will only own a 40/20/40 front seated truck. Feels to cramped and carish to me without . I drove my F250 superduty for 15 years with a split front seat 40/20/40. Guess I got used to it and prefer it and made sure my new Ram truck had it.
I curious about the foot/leg room over anything else.I have a size 12 foot and like to shift my legs/feet around when driving long distances. Do you have better foot/leg room with the bench seat V. the bucket seat system?
+E. Simons Pardon my oversight on that detail, it didn't even occur to me. I have no complaints about legroom with the console but don't usually drive a bench for comparison
I know this is an old video but that is the primary reason I prefer bench seats. I’m 6’3” and have a wide build. I find that consoles make me feel uncomfortable because there is no room to stretch my legs out.
What is the brand of safe and where did you get it? Great idea, that's what I want to do with mine. Thank you Anthony Zanni By the way, I love the truck
I can say also living in Washington that the state charges a "use tax" when you try to register here and it is conveniently the same rate as the sales tax.
PNWreckage , was thinking a rebel or a diesel 2500. to be honest I'm seeing a lot of issues with the rebel, as far as oil leaks, air suspension issues and I travel out of state every couple of weeks and need something that's reliable and tough in bad weather. so that's y I'm asking. what does maintenance run u? any issues with the Def systems?
+Paul Scillia The maintenance has been pretty bearable and the only thing that burns is the replacement of both fuel filters every 15k miles. I have it done about every other oil change and the total price has been about 150. I had zero issues with DEF on my last truck over 27k miles and none so far with this one after 6k miles. It is outstanding in bad weather and has been 100% reliable for me. Let me know if you need anything else!
PNWreckage , so what's the estimate of that fuel filter maintenance costs, if u don't mind me asking? u think it would of been a good idea to get an oil change deal with the truck at the dealership?
+Paul Scillia Great question. I would encourage you to check out my video about Add-ons when you buy. It's in the Buyer's Guide playlist and I talked about the oil change package (and a few other things). I believe the fuel filters (there are two which is annoying) were about 150 bucks and I replaced them about every 12k. Only at 6k now but I can look into it.
This guy lost the point of the bench seat.1. Its a nice addition for adult recreation. 2. its a nice spot for spot to sit. thats it. its not really a seat. it was never a seat. next time get a bench seat.
That center console sucks up legroom for the driver with long legs (gotta spread out a bit). Is that bench available in leather? Your series is really helping me prepare for my 3500 cummins purchase. Appreciated!
At a towering 5'9" I overlooked this but you are 100% correct. Yes, the bench is available in leather. Thanks man, I appreciate it and am really glad to have been of assistance.
PNWreckage I wonder why they can't incorporate some console features into the 40/20/40. like that cell phone holder thing would fit fine if they added like 2" in front of the 3 cup holders. I'm going to get a Laramie so idk if they have manual 4x4, either way I'm getting the console though cause it'll be my dd
+UPstater5.9 There are a lot of questions about wtf they're doing and not doing, and that is definitely one of them! I don't believe the manual transfer case can be had on the Laramie FWIW.
I dont have the power driver seat. Luckily. I took it all out when I got it, put blackside up TPO roofing down, under,and behind all plastic trim, and reinstalled those heavy ass seats. Carpet still looks new underneath. I also took entire bezel out the day I got it home, and snatched that damn bell out of there. I can drive for miles with blinker on, and she can not yell at me. No seatbealy? A simple back arrow on wheel brings my temp guage back into veiw. She can flash that red belted in man all she wants, she has no voice, nor power over me! I also removed back seat, and built a plywood cover over the under seat cubbies out back. Seat is in garage hanging from ceiling joists. I have a floor transfer case shifter. Luckily, unfortunately no manual. Rt, is that the base model? I think I have the base model so 2015 comes with floor x shift In this model anyhow. Truck came from Alberta, where they got all hell for a basement, I live in Poulsbo. Near Seattle in distance. A world away otherwise. Mabey Canadians kept their floor cases shifter inall models, or nobody had lost it yet in 2015. That was 6 years ago. Seemed so new when back then. My plan is to get some lightweight plastic seats. I work hell out of this poor gal. Wish I would have pulled bed off, and preserved it too. But I did not. Shame. You could say she is beat slightly. Nice video.
There’s no way after having the 40/20/40 set up then getting a truck with a “Pretty” console ....I missed like hell my bench seat ...so my new 2500 I got the 40/20/40 again ....Main reason my woman loves to Snuggle up real close I mean REAL close , not to mention I can haul a extra person !! Center Consoles Suck ....
I have the console vault in my Ram 1500 and it's worth the money... Lone Star clothe with same console aren't heated... And Wait till your older you'll get tennis elbow from just trying to lift your rtic cups from the crap cup holders... My next will have the 40/20/40 seats...
