truck falling apart, dodge never again

[mgoncalves]

You watch, when the new body style comes out, all you guys saying "we don't need that fancy crap on our trucks" will be the first ones down there ordering every new option. :-laf



I know I'm already itching to order one, but I'm secure enough to say I wish Dodge had something like a King ranch, or at least some auto a/c controls. Auto head lights would be nice too. I guess my Chevy has ruined me, I like the little extras, and I don't feel they come at any cost to reliability or "toughness". You guys honestly think the 6. 4 sucks because Ford was too busy looking at fabric samples for headliners? The 6. 4 sucks because a bunch of engineers are locked in a room and forced to come up with the cheapest way to overcome the crap the epa throws at them.

 

[TFucili]

I was a bit confused. You don't have a Dodge, you have a Lariat, which of course is a Furd. I had two Furds, both of which were dogs. I understand your frustration.

Aaaah, good catch Grizzly! I typed Lariat, but, obviously meant Laramie My bad

 

[LBARTLETT]

but I'm secure enough to say I wish Dodge had something like a King ranch

have you seen the Dodge "Resistol"? pretty nice!!

 

[brods]

my truck is a mexico truck, so was my old '02 model, have been running stock size tires and wheels since new, and no lift.



the fact is these parts should be the ones you would think don't break before 100k, how many years have they been putting ball joints on cars??? dodge can't even put a decent ball joint or u joint on a truck. this stuff is expensive to replace, pulling the hubes and front end components is labor intensive. seems like guys with early 03's and 04's actually have had better luck with their trucks. the fact is too many of us have had to put in ball joints at ridiculous low miles, thats a $1200 repair job usually just when the truck is out of warranty. ... ... .

As previously pointed out, the axles are from AAM (formerly GM), so Dodge may be at fault for choosing axle suppliers unwisely, but not for the design.



I feel your pain since my totally stock (at the time) 05 ate the wheel ujoints and a driveshaft ujoint before 50k. From info on here I was prepared for the destruction of the unit bearings during their removal and took the opportunity to upgrade to freewheeling hubs. During the repair I noticed the ball joints seemingly had excessive play. They were put on the list for future replacement. I said "seemingly" since the service manual specs allow for excessively large amounts of slop before replacement is required. I changed them out with the next set of front wheel ujoints. I recently had to change the sway bar links and adjust the steering box. I'm only at 78K miles and don't really work the truck hard.



The front axle and steering are a disapointment. And though I expected better mpg and the leather steering wheel colored gunk is coming off and the maintenance costs have been higher than expected, this has still been one of the better trucks I've owned. The engine is just getting broken in and the rest of the truck is holding up on par with the other Dodges and GMs I've owned. It will be a long time before I have to buy another truck, but I will not let my experience with the crappy AAM front axle stop me from looking at Dodge again.



Oh and I would pay extra for the plain jane simplicity of the 05's interior controls. They are just about perfect. Everything is right there, plainly marked, simple, large and easy to operate... . they way a truck should be!

 

[AABEN]

I don't know why you are so mad the parts are warranty by dodge. Jest think you have all new parts! Jest like driving a new one.

 

[pullya]

Someone let me know when they(anyone)builds a perfect truck, that has no failures or problems. I'll be the first to buy one. Till then, I'll try to take as good of care of my truck as I can, and repair any problems that I have. Somedays the gold mine---somedays the shaft!!!!

Jay

 

[mgoncalves]

have you seen the Dodge "Resistol"? pretty nice!!

Good point, just hasn't crossed my mind because I have no use for either a mega cab or a short bed, let alone a mega cab short bed dually.

 

[LBARTLETT]

Good point, just hasn't crossed my mind because I have no use for either a mega cab or a short bed, let alone a mega cab short bed dually

.



I haven't been to a dealership as I'm afraid I'd buy and have those pesky payments again, does anyone know if they are going to expand the Resistol package into the other models! I don't need a megacab short bed dually either

 

[doldenburg]

why call a chevy a duramax??(its a isuzu)Its still a chevy or gmc no matter what engine it has.

 

[SBeretz]

I have had my Dodge for a little over three years, I have 77K miles on it. I have replaced the three rear driveline u joints and one front wheel bearing. Overall it has been awesome. I grease it when I can, and keep up on the scheduled maintenance. My truck still runs and pulls really well. I am sure some stuff will eventually go, but as long as it is within reason, I am pretty happy overall with the truck. Scotty

 

[JohnHaggerty]

My $.02

For what's it worth; I looked hard and wasn't happy with any of the HD diesels out there, but I needed a new truck. It's a shame that when spending that kind of money, you can't find what you really want. I bought the Cummings. I felt that Ford had the best overall quality, but I was scared to buy the engine. We'll see how the Dodge/Cummings holds up and I'll get back to you in 20 years (what I normally get out of a truck).



Peace!

 

[MMeier]

For what's it worth; I looked hard and wasn't happy with any of the HD diesels out there, but I needed a new truck. It's a shame that when spending that kind of money, you can't find what you really want. I bought the Cummings. I felt that Ford had the best overall quality, but I was scared to buy the engine. We'll see how the Dodge/Cummings holds up and I'll get back to you in 20 years (what I normally get out of a truck).



Peace!

Geez, would someone explain to Mr. Haggerty what spell check is !!!!#@$%!

 

[SBeretz]

For what's it worth; I looked hard and wasn't happy with any of the HD diesels out there, but I needed a new truck. It's a shame that when spending that kind of money, you can't find what you really want. I bought the Cummings. I felt that Ford had the best overall quality, but I was scared to buy the engine. We'll see how the Dodge/Cummings holds up and I'll get back to you in 20 years (what I normally get out of a truck).



Peace!

John, I was a fellow IDI'er on TDS and Oilburners before getting a new truck. I was in much of the same boat. I liked Ford trucks alot, but didn't want to take a chance on the new engine. I test drove the Dodge, and really liked it. So far, after 77K miles, it has performed above my expectations. It will be hard to tell what I get next time, but the Dodge has definitely made me a believer and the Cummins has to be the best pickup engine available. Just my opinion, but it is solid and just takes whatever is thrown at it. You don't have to make sure of "not doing this or that". I just drive it, and it keeps working as advertised. Scotty

 

[SBeretz]

Take an easy on him, it doesn't matter what he calls it, he is driving one, and is a member of our club now!! Scotty

 

[jtrent]

I helped put ball joints on an '06 or 7 Ford 2500 diesel. It only had 60K. My '98 2500 still has all original front end with 149K miles. Not much towing or off road, mostly highway. Probably needs a steering gear cuz of steering wheel play.

 

[rbattelle]

in the last year I have spent 3k in repairs mainly suspension and steering components, all ball joints replaced, front u joints, front driveshaft replaced, steering shaft bad, new tie rods, steering wheel leather peeling, bumper rusting just out of warranty.

Wow, are you buying the gold plated parts? Or is that multiple replacements of the same thing?



Unless you get the Carli joints, ball joints are only a couple hundred for all 4. Most of the other steering components you listed are also fairly inexpensive.



Seems like you could replace every part in the front end 3 times for $3k. Is that what happened?



Ryan

 

[EForbes]

I have a 2001, and have only replaced the steering stabilizer. , maintenance, chassis lube, and minimal abuse are key to any truck. I tow heavy 5er, and i have 150k. Its my first dodge, after many ford powerstrokes and gm trucks, and this one i like the best. Sorry to hear all the problems you are having. i guess you can find a lemon in every make, Ford, Dodge, or GMC

 

[JHardwick]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it Cummins Cowboy who went off like this once before?

 

[AClayton]

Wow, are you buying the gold plated parts? Or is that multiple replacements of the same thing?



Unless you get the Carli joints, ball joints are only a couple hundred for all 4. Most of the other steering components you listed are also fairly inexpensive.



Seems like you could replace every part in the front end 3 times for $3k. Is that what happened?



Ryan

I agree with you..... If you're criticizing a vehicle,it is not feasible to add labor costs to the bill of parts you have replaced.

 

[brods]

I agree with you..... If you're criticizing a vehicle,it is not feasible to add labor costs to the bill of parts you have replaced.

Why not? A new part in your hand does no good. Whether a mechanic or the owner puts the part on the truck, time is money. A 10 cent part that takes 3 hours to swap out certainly has an installed worth of more then 10 cents no matter how you figure it.



Adding lost wages or other incidental damages, yes those "costs" should not be included.