truck falling apart, dodge never again

[BIGNASTY]

Dodge no more for you

:{:{:{:{:{:{ did you kick it like your buddys horse?

 

[Turbo_Bob]

I sure like my Dodge Ram 3500, just turned 140,000 miles a week ago. I have had no problems with the truck. I still have the orginal brake pads going strong. Same with the lift pump. I also put 128,000 miles on the original Michelin LTX A/S tires before replacement.



The only thing that has went out were a few light bulbs, shocks and the two battires after six years of use.



Looking at the beginning of this post, I will do the grease hole mod for the greaseless joints, sounds like a good idea.

 

[CBBLASTER]

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance. If you buy a pickup and want it to last, don't be cheap on maintenance. My Ram 2500 has 216,000 towing miles and is good to go. My major repair was a new torque converter at 200K. Since my towing is in the Rockies and Sierras that is not bad. Running on the original OEM lift and injector pump. I run Walmart 2cy engine oil in the fuel along with Power Service. Half pint of each at every fuel up.

 

[TGVET]

In the Navy we had PMS. NOT the female kind. . Even before my Mil service, I learned at an early age, either you take good care of your "stuff" or it turns to crap. My 05 3500 now with 175K and running strong. Before my Dodge, I got 476K on my 95 6. 5 TD Suburban which was amazing considering what I put it through for my first diesel.

To those who can't or don't want "to get down" and do what needs to be done, find someone GOOD you can TRUST... And personally, never ever go to the Stealership for anything if you don't absolutely have to. Something else I learned long ago.

Good truck'n!!

 

[dlmartin]

Have 2008 3500 C&C w/ 53k miles, have had ball joints replaced once, due again, have had both front axle u-joints replaced under warranty, replaced left side u-joint 2nd time today at my expense, clutch replaced at Dodge expense once, slipping again, will replace now at my expense with solid flywheel package, Found front differential full of metal today when I replaced u-joint, so more major issues ahead!! I owned several 2nd generation 3500 Dodge trucks with Dana front ends and those issues, but this AAM axle/front end is absolute junk even compared to the marginal Dana's. Too bad the best engine is surrounded by such weak components. I'll think very hard before I ever buy another Dodge, may go back to 3/4 ton HD Chevy trucks with gas engine

 

[Got HO?]

Have 2008 3500 C&C w/ 53k miles, have had ball joints replaced once, due again, have had both front axle u-joints replaced under warranty, replaced left side u-joint 2nd time today at my expense, clutch replaced at Dodge expense once, slipping again, will replace now at my expense with solid flywheel package, Found front differential full of metal today when I replaced u-joint, so more major issues ahead!! I owned several 2nd generation 3500 Dodge trucks with Dana front ends and those issues, but this AAM axle/front end is absolute junk even compared to the marginal Dana's. Too bad the best engine is surrounded by such weak components. I'll think very hard before I ever buy another Dodge, may go back to 3/4 ton HD Chevy trucks with gas engine

Wow



186k on my '03 4X4. All original steering and suspension components except for 2 set of shocks. Balljoints have a little play now but should easily go 200k miles. Replaced the front driveshaft due to my ignorance (not lubing the double joint) and a few front pinion seals, got that one licked with a NAPA seal after multiple O. E. seals continued to leak. Been pretty trouble free other than those items.

 

[KKaminski]

Yea. Go ahead and buy a double a-arm POS.



I've got 140k+ on my 04. 5. Replaced ball joints once. And still have the OE steering stabilzer. No front end problems whatsoever.



Every guy I come across that gripes about their truck (reguardless of brand) abuse their trucks and hardly ever complete regular mtce.



I even have a NO mtce Uncle in the family. He exspects his trucks to last forever without mtce. No oil change-just ad more, no tire rotations, dosen't lube chassis etc etc . . . .



You can be mean to a truck but you have to take care of it as well and spend a little to save a lot.



My 3rd Gen has been the best of them all. I just spent 5k to turn my 2500 into a dually. I'll run this one untill the wheels fall off.

I'll second this post. If you treat your truck like crap, don't complain about it here.



I have spent many dollars on replacing items like the lift pump, front end components, u-joints and bearings, the list goes on - but it's all maintenance items. Oo.



Kinda makes me wonder too if the payments are more than some want to handle and the extra maintenance items puts them into debt?:-laf

 

[dlmartin]

Have I missed something in my drivers manual?? What sort of maintenance did I miss on u-joints and ball joints with no grease fittings????? I suspect most of the trucks bought are used as daily drivers and highway miles that occaisonally haul a boat or Rv or load of wood. Try working one in a farming or construction setting and the real shortcommings will show up. I expect more expense in these applications, but when components repeatedly fail starting at 12k miles is "aint" maintenance.

 

[champspa]

for Gods sake sell the thing , so we don't have to hear about it anymore . we wished we could have helped , then we wished we had never heard of it . I lost an engine before I think I should have , and 2 transmissions all maintained well but worked, all towing 16k with my foot on the throttle most of the time . now I realize that a 47re is only good for 100k , worked. and an engine ? for me. It still gets the job done. fix it and shut up.

 

[ENafziger]

Have I missed something in my drivers manual?? What sort of maintenance did I miss on u-joints and ball joints with no grease fittings????? I suspect most of the trucks bought are used as daily drivers and highway miles that occaisonally haul a boat or Rv or load of wood. Try working one in a farming or construction setting and the real shortcommings will show up. I expect more expense in these applications, but when components repeatedly fail starting at 12k miles is "aint" maintenance

I probably use my truck like a truck more than 95% of people. I haul heavy, at times drive hard, sled pull, have done a few 3rd gear boosted launches at 600 hp, I've jumped 6 foot high railroad track humps at least 100 times, I work the truck on the farm, frequently do high speed offroading, rock crawling, pull double trailers, have extremely overloaded axle and wheel weights, have blown out airbags, I've jerked so hard on snaking trees that I egged my hitch pin hole significantly, I've tried pulling loads that had all 4 37" tires spinning on level asphalt trying to get going, I've been in 2-3' mud more times than I can remember, I've broken through 8" of ice trying to cross a pond, I've high centered jumping run-off dirt humps at 60 mph, have grossed 26 - 30k a few times, etc, etc, etc

After almost 5 years of this, I've replaced many items. However, for the most part I replaced them before they failed, because I realize that I use the truck a little harder than most. When I replaced something, I searched for the best. By doing so, I've never had to go back and touch anything again.

For front end components, this has mostly meant Carli Suspension products, Quad 4x4, etc.

I feel we are blessed to have some of the best components in the world available for our trucks if we choose to go that route. Sure, I have a few gripes about some things dodge has done, but all in all, I don't think very many trucks would still be on the road having been through what I've done with mine!

When something breaks or is about to fail, just use it as an opportunity to replace it with something better!!!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, or if you'd like recommendations on products!

--Eric

 

[HBarlow]

Part of the problem is cultural.

Some Americans have learned they can (could) buy expensive products on credit that perhaps stretch their financial resources making the budget tight for additional expenses then when maintenance or repairs are necessary the "its someone elses fault" attitude so common in our culture now comes into play.

Once upon a time we were responsible for our own decisions and unfortunate events in our lives.

 

[ZBrooks]

Part of the problem is cultural.



Some Americans have learned they can (could) buy expensive products on credit that perhaps stretch their financial resources making the budget tight for additional expenses then when maintenance or repairs are necessary the "its someone elses fault" attitude so common in our culture now comes into play.



Once upon a time we were responsible for our own decisions and unfortunate events in our lives.

Amen. Personal responsibility is at an all time low, IMO.

 

[hobigusn]

Dittos JHawes.

05 3500 Laramie, goddies, etc. ,etc... . NOW w/156,000+. Nothing last forever (sans TAXATION) and like any other guy that's spent mega-thousands on his rigs (I've had several) and expects more out of them than he gets or should get, I've gotten A LOT out of mine. Do I go totally nutzoid when they F' up, duh! More $$$$$ to keep em going. What else are you going to do ? Drop coin on a new one ? Not even if I was very financially well off as that would not be the conservative way of life I choose to live.



No, you put your coveralls, get your tools, grab the grease gun AND GET BUSY taking care of that machine you invested mega-bucks in. Granted, not all of us guy's (and some gals) are inclined to twist and pump, drain and refill doing it ourselves to save, preserve etc. . Fortunately for me, I started as early as I can remember tearing things apart to see what makes them click and run. In the Navy we had what's called PMS, no ladies, not that kind. . Periodic Maintenance Schedule. Everything mechanical has one and needs to be followed.



To date, aside from the wiper issue, I've replaced my u-joints that wore out due to the "never need to lube" design. W. A. F. J. that is... Now, everything has a zirc fitting, I only use Amsoil grease, (as with all lubes since 1975 and swear by it). No ball joint issues, OEM stabilizer.



PMS and then some.



My 2. 5 cents worth.



P. S. The reason I bought my Ram was because my factory ordered 95 GMC Suburban w/the 6. 5 TD blew a small chip off of the #2 cylinder intake valve and lost compression. Was I totally Postal because after investing nearly 50 g's ? Dah !! But considering it had 476,000+ miles on it at ten years old (still in mint condition and awaiting a new engine) I returned to a state of calm realizing, I had gotten A HELL OF A LOT OF MILES and pleasureable use out of it BECAUSE I took meticulous care of it.

Idk whats wrong with dodge. Add a zirk fitting, it lasts 5 times longer. If i'm to get a dodge it looks like i will be replaceing every thing that wears out with greaseable after market parts. PMS is the way to go. If the navy teaches you anything its preventive maintance.

 

[tmh1955]

65K + on my 2006. Only problem has been the sun roof quit working and a set of front brakes.



This is my 2nd CTD, and I love it.



My neighbor has a Chebby 2500 Durmax and is having all kinds of weird problems with it.



Good luck

 

[cojhl2]

Idk whats wrong with dodge. Add a zirk fitting, it lasts 5 times longer. If i'm to get a dodge it looks like i will be replaceing every thing that wears out with greaseable after market parts.

We've been fighting this issue in farm machinery for years.

 

[RMcKenna]

i have a 05 with thirty five thousand on it this is my fith dodge truck 1-4 were leased this one i bought out right. i have always been loyal to dodge and even more to cummins do to being a diesel mechanic. But dodge just dont stand behind there stuff. my truck sits in the drive way 90% of the time i have had to replace the left side rear door wire harnes and the best part no one rides in the back but the smaal number of times it has been opened the wires between the piler and door broke. I also have a metal bar poking out off my seat i guess 35 thousand miles is to much *** time for the seat. I got a radio that works when ever. I took the truck to dodge i know it's out of the 3year 36 but only having 35 thousand on it and buying 4 other dodges you would thank maybe they would do somthing. Dealer said no but call chrysler. I make the call now i'm not looking for them to pick up the hole bill but maybe the parts. I get a call back same day and basically they said what the f@@@k do you want us to do its out of warranty not hay thanks for being a loyal customer lets see if we can help to keep your business. bottom line when you pay fourty thousand for something you want them to stand by it. The wife gets a new car in august and it won't be a chrysler.

 

[HBarlow]

With three Dodge Rams I've never had a seat wear out, even the upholstery on the old '01 with 325,000 miles still looks good but for a frayed edge on the outside of the driver's seat.

Someone who is very heavy might have different results or someone who makes numerous short trips requiring entry and exit many times a day might also experience different results.

I don't think it is reasonable to expect the manufacturer to warranty a five year old truck. The warranty is 36 months, 36k miles.

I wonder if those who are dissatisfied with their Dodges truly believe that Furd or Government Motors are going to provide perfect service and free extended warranties. My guess is during this recession when auto and truck sales are generally very slow and profits are slim the manufacturers are not going to be very lenient on normal wear and breakdown problems that occur after warranties expire.

 

[McDermott]

Um, I bought a new (used) '05 Ram QC 2500 CTD, 82,000 miles. I'm unimpressed with American engineering. I'll keep it to try to put at least another 100k on it, but I've already re-done the front end (UJoints, ball joints, bearings, etc.). Seems like low miles to have to rebuild the front like that. These are HD trucks, it seems to me that they should have been over-engineered. Automakers charge a premium, then deliver mediocre products. Its sad. From the posts above, it seems chronic among all HD truck makers.

 

[Regcabguy]

56K,never been back for warranty work. Did go in for the K01 emissions reflash which resulted in Dodge buying me a new ECM.
I have upgraded some parts with aftermarket.
I'd like to see a reliability war among manufacturers.
Minimal warranty work=happy customer.

 

[mfurrh55]

Have 127,000 on mine, replaced u-joints on rear DS twice,, Still on original brakes, have not had any more problems since, replaced dual mass flywheel and clutch with single flywheel and aftermarket clutch at 124,000 , best thing any one with the g-56 could do, hopefully can get another 127,000 out of everything, if i can't ,still can't complain, it's best truck i have ever owned, first dodge i bought was 99 3/4 ton 2500, with 5.9 diesel and it was sport package,made Chrysler buy it back under lemon law, 2nd dodge was 2001 SLT 4x4 diesel, had it for 7 yrs. and only problem was front brakes went at 57,000 miles, Had a Ford 1992 w/7.3 int. diesel was great truck but 2 wheel drive got stuck all the time, front end was too heavy, if i buy another it will be a Dodge, i'm sold on em, did have problem with one, the 99, but they made it right, Give me a Dodge anytime,Monte