Before you buy one read this!!!!!

[24Vpirate]

i sure am glad to one of the last good trucks 02 with dana axles i own a gear shop and have already worked on too many 03 and newer axles AAM sucks when they started makeing all the stuff for GM my buss. doubled now that they have the chrysler contract it has doubled again yes i like all the money but don't like all the work cause you are left with no time to spend it

 

[Dieselnut59]

No problems with my '03 at all so far. I even have a little yellow receipt issued by a man with flashing blue lights for 80 mph in a 55 mph speed limit. I regularly cruise "too fast" in the new truck because i can't hear what it is doing! Unlike some of the others on here, mine is just too darn quiet! It sure beats having the vibration/roar problems though! I get around 18-19 mpg which is about what i have been used to with the older Dodge/Cummins.

Good luck getting your problems resolved. Given the comparison of the "competition", you still have the best pickup out there because it is the only one with the Cummins engine.

 

[JeffreyHahn]

axles

Currently working at AAM. Previous employment at Dana. One thing I have noticed with AAM axles is the clearance between the casting and ring gear. Dana has a minimum of 4mm whereas AAM is "not sure". Haven't done a stack on it yet but other stacks have shown approx. 2mm spacing. This would cause oil shear. Has anybody out there done a temp check between AAM and Dana while towing. The AAM should be a lot hotter due to the oil shear. Would definately consider a Mag-Hytech if they are made for the current year Dodges.



Will try to stack the 3/4 and 1 ton rear ends, as time permits, in the next month.

 

[obie1]

Had the same drone, with replacement of the power steering hose its been day and night.



Hydraulics under pressure transmits and amplifies instead of attenuating noise. The "drone" is multiple frequency harmonics with palcement of a "damper" the resonant fundamental is changed thereby changing the frequency of harmonics.



This worked on my truck, 4x2, SWB, SRW, Ram 3500 with a 6-speed. So Auto's, LWB or DRW would have the same issues. The driveline vibrations would have different characteristics.



Still the vehicle is excellent, tight, and resposnsive. Most women wish to be !!!!

 

[NPloysa]

Don't listen to Hooty Fruity, he is a jack__.



Just go to GM-Diesel.com and read about his crap in The War Zone. He spouts off about how great a vehicle is until he has a problem with it, then its crap, then buys a different brand, loves it til he has a problem with it, etc, etc, this time it happens to be a Dodge, previous was a Dmax that bit the dust I think.



Sure, the drone may be a problem, but he is just trying to spoil it.

 

[Mudinchev]

I had a similar problem when I lifted my truck, but this was expalined "could be a vibration after lift is installed" in the instructions. It said to add a 1/2 inch spacer between the frame and center support bearing in the drive line. I had the vibration from 65mph up. I added spacer and vibration is now gone. I know it goes against "the way things should be" but it might be worth a try if you have the vibration and a support bearing, just take and make two stacks of washers about 1/2 in tall and install them between the frame and the bearing and see if it helps. It can be a little tricky getting to the bolts I did it the first time with a wrench and ratchet, but found it easier to use a air ratchet. Even if it doesnt work, you ruled out something, and if it does, I would sugest making a better spacer or having one made along with getting longer bolts. You shouldnt have to do this youself, but 1 hr of your time "or a mechanicly inclined friends time" would be worth it. You will spend that much time just arguing with the service people. Then take it in and show them the problem "can" be fixed, ask them what their shop rate is "$60-80/hr) and ask them where to submit your bill for an hours labor.

 

[jadoca]

Originally posted by 24V pirate

i sure am glad to one of the last good trucks 02 with dana axles i own a gear shop and have already worked on too many 03 and newer axles AAM sucks when they started makeing all the stuff for GM my buss. doubled now that they have the chrysler contract it has doubled again yes i like all the money but don't like all the work cause you are left with no time to spend it

S. it's good to know with all the money your making my next fluid change will be free. thanks.