I am almost afraid to buy a Dodge

[MR V]

I was really set on buying a ETH/DEE 2500 about six months ago, but continuing to read the posts is steering me to a Duramax. I keep seeing all kinds of post about steering problems which DC can't seem to fix and front ends wearing out before and after the warranty is up, and many other posts of problems. Are these trucks really that bad and is just the engine good. I love the looks of the Ram and sound of the CTD engine, but I don't want to drop $35,000+ for something that I have to keep fixing. I have always owned GM products in the past, partly because of a discount I get, but never had any major problems like I keep seeing out here. Could it be I have just over studied this site? Please, someone convince me these are not that bad of trucks. I kept my last truck 11 years and expect to keep a new one at least that long without being disappointed with it.



I am planning to order one or the other this weekend, and right now I am still leaning towards the Duramax because I have not heard any major complaints on "The Dieselpage" forum. I have driven both trucks and like the ride of the Chevy, but still like the looks and sound of the Dodge truck.



Thanks for listening and I look forward to the responses.

 

[dmurdock]

don't think it's common

I'm on my second 3500, 1st was 2x4, current is 4x4, neither have had a steering problem. The steering in both of my trucks has not been on the sportscar level or even that of a 1500, but a lot of this has to do with the massive amount of weight sitting over the front tires. I'd go drive both, and see which one you like better.

 

[Runaway]

I concur with dmurdock!

I'm on my 2nd Dodge Ram, neither had or have a problem with steering or parts wearing out. The truck was bought to work, not be a luxury vehicle. Drive a few and make your own decision and take what you hear/read with a grain of salt.

 

[merryman]

I'd bet that the complaints you refer to actually equal only a very small percentage of the trucks out there. The guy with the problem makes the noise, which is natural enought, but that does not tell you whether the problem is wide spread.

Neither I nor any of the Dodge owners I know have had stearing or many other problems.

Don't know how to evaluate the extent of the problems, but offset that agains the very small engine problems in the cummins. Did you read the million mile truck story in the TDR mag. ?



Vaughn

 

[DAWG-1]

Buy a Dodge

I am on my seond one also. The 1st was a '95 2500 4x4 5sp and it had some problems. I now have a 2001 2500 4x4 6sp and they have fixed all the little bs that people were complaining about. I think this second one is great . Remember these Dodge trucks are less expensive to maintain (buy parts from Cummins), less expensive to increase performance (easily leave the other guys behind) , better mileage, much better looking and and and. Sam.

 

[BarryG]

One thing also to remember is that one of the reasons for the TDR is to help solve problems. If you go to the "other" sites you will notice the same type thing going on there. Once in a while somebody will post an all is well with my vehicle post. I for one only have 16k on my truck and it has had zero problems so far. I think (probably a mistake) that all the brands have pros and cons to them and you should get what you like.

 

[johnrv4]

I have had two CTD's with no steering problems. One of my friends has had a '92,'95,'98,'01'5. Every one was used for hauling/towing and none had experienced any steering problems (except for a front u-joint). All of his trucks had close to 100K on them when he traded (except for the 01. 5 which only has 20k on it). As a matter of fact, the only major problem he had was a bad VP44 on the '98 at 90K (fixed under warranty). I would be a little leary of a Duramax - still new , and in my opinion, unproven.

 

[HEYBOSS]

Go with Dodge

Dura what? I had chevys and they're great trucks gas. that is.

Duramax I go Ford before a duramax. Did you search the problems with Duramax? Heard/read engine problems, overheating, under power towing etc. Would you want to be the guine pig on their new product. Never buy anything new for the first years, they still have a lot of bugs to be worked out. No offense to you or anyone this is my personal opinion, but something to kick around, don't rush into your decision and do your home work well, what ever you go with I wish you good luck.

 

[Sky]

I had a bit of a steering problem but i fixed spending 40 dollars for a rancho steering stablizer. The Dodge Cummins is a proven truck. The Duramax isnt yet. If your concerned about dropping 35-40k on a truck I wouldnt drop it in a truck that hasnt proven its self. If you get a truck that has bad steering or what ever thats what warranties are for. This is my 3rd CTD and I will continue to buy them. I put on 40k miles a year and have had no major problems. My . 02 worth

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Mr V,



If you think our trucks are giving guys problems, see the Chevy diesel "Duramax" Bulletin board. They are having all kinds of problems with their truck. 10 times the problems you see here. A friend had a '00 chevy gasser truck. He had so many problems, he didn't keep it a year. He unloaded it as soon as he could.



You're much better off with a CTD Dodge! You won't be disappointed

 

[RBrunson]

Dodge

Mike, My 96 2500 has 78,000mi. and nothing mechanical has gone out yet. Steering ok for a heavy truck, no brake problems, no transmission problems. It had three different oil leaks that were covered under warrenty and thats all. Well my truck is not perfect, I had to replace the fuel sending unit, but thats perty good for six years old and the milage.



Have gotten a high of 15. 1 pulling a 29' TT and 21. 5 without it, not to bad. None of the paint is pealing, I won't say that it is the best paint that is put out, but its all in how you take care of it. I have had several Chevys, and they are a good truck, but since I have had this Cummins power, I won't go back. Its your bucks, but give them both a good look and then enjoy whatever you get.

 

[Pakrat]

I had my 1990 DC for 11 years and 98,000 miles- very little trouble. My 2001 has 14,000 miles and so far no problems. Larry

 

[Bigsaint]

GET THE ETH !!!

I agree with all of the above. Sure, we gripe about certain items, but don't think for one minute that every Dodge owner is seeing them. Remember, this is a very small percentage of the Dodge/Cummins owners out there.



I had some of the same concerns that you have, when I was waiting for my truck, i. e. , steering, rough shifting, etc. Mine came through just fine, drives straight as an arrow and shifted smooth since day one. I say get the Dodge, I doubt you will disappointed in your decision.



Scott W.

 

[Deezul1]

Originally posted by MR V

I was really set on buying a ETH/DEE 2500 about six months ago, but continuing to read the posts is steering me to a Duramax.



I love my truck, its perfect in every way (well really good anyway). 135. 000 miles and nothing wrong and if you covered the speedo and and drove it you would swear it had 40,000 on it. the only chronic Dodge stuff wrong has been axle seals

Doesnt use oil between changes either.

Good luck, its a tough choice.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Keep in mind that here you are seeing the problems of 8000+ members over 12 years worth of production and nearly all of us actually own and drive Dodge Cummins TD's (many of the members have owned multiple trucks). On the Gm diesel page there are 4200 members - and how many of them actually own duramaxes - I'd guess under 1000? I know I'm a member there for one and I don't own one - and there are many others. Here's just a few of the problems from the Duramax page:



It's new, it cranks, but it won't fire??? - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001090.html



Lopey idle - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001105.html



In for service - Major Fuel Leak!!!! - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000983.html



Water usage - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001077.html



Anyone else with a "no start"? - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001053.html



BLOWN FUEL INJECTOR PUMP - http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001031.html



Those are all threads that have been at least replied to since August 1st (a little over two weeks). Don't get me wrong here - there are problems with our trucks as well (lift pumps for one)! You just have to keep in mind the number of people at a site and the amount of mileage put on by those people when comparing the problems between different trucks. Judging from the posts on the diesel page I'd be surprised if many of them have more than 30,000 miles on their trucks at this point - 30,000 miles is hardly anything to judge from, my truck had 24,000 miles on it when I bought it and the only part that had been replaced at that point was the hitch. I have had some problems with my truck. I replaced the TPS and have gone through 4 lift pumps, also had the t-case yoke seal as well as the rear pinion seal replaced, replaced one u-joint because it was bad at ~60,000 miles and the carrier bearing on the rear driveshaft at ~70,000 miles because it was bad as well, replaced the other rear driveshaft u-joints at the same time because I had it apart, I've also replaced the IAT and MAP sensors but I wasn't having problems with them - did it as a tune up. Considering the abuse I put my truck through (sled pull, off roading on the sand dunes as well as trail drives and rock crawling, drag racing, towing) I think I'm doing REAL good! This is by FAR the best vehicle I have EVER owned - you couldn't pry it from my cold dead fingers! JMHO

 

[hammersley]

I've had my truck since 22 June 2000, it's a 2001. I just turned over 63,000 miles and I've done nothing - nothing to her except good maintenance. Believe me, this is the best driving rig I've ever had - I don't mean cornering - I mean on the road you can't tell how fast you can go - I mean you can get a bunch of tickets - none so far for me. It really takes no time to get from 70 to 100+, and talk about travelling steady and rock sound. Maybe I have an odd truck, but she is as sure footed as you can get - and you're not afraid that you have to hold on for dear life. Contact somebody near you off the TDR board, drive a bombed one - even slightly, and you'll be hooked.

 

[DarrellB]

Don't Be Afraid

Be Very Afraid, These are some of the best and toughest trucks on the market. I have a 1999 and love it just look at those off breeds and then look at the dodge see that frame thats a FRAME. Before I bought my Goat I was a CHEBY man went to look at trucks and just started looking at the driveline and suspension and the dodge is the stoutest one out there. Has one of the most comfortable interriors to, if your short as I am the dodge seats sit you up higher and make it easier to see.



If that wasn't enough my buddy Ryan just bought a Dmax and he can't quit braking the mounting bracket for the clutch pedal(3 of them so far) haven't ever broke my on the dodge. I still can't get him to hook up that Dmax to the back of the dodge



A Happy Customer

Big D

 

[metal tech]

I am a GM Man

except for my 01 Ram, I've got Gm products. I didn't even include GM when I went truck shopping due to the lack of performance of the 6. 2 & 6. 5 diesels. I don't feel the need to be a case study with the Duramax. Another reason you see lots of things brought up on these forums is MOST of us demand a good product for our $34,000+. Some of these little problems should have never made it out of the factory. I got my truck Oct2000 and with almost 18,000 miles I haven't had any problems.



AL

 

[Alan Reagan]

I drove a new one at the dealer yesterday. No steering problem with that one. I was waiting on my wife to look at her a new Grand Cherokee.



As some of the guys have mentioned, you are seeing the problems/thoughts of 8000 members. There are 20,000 of these trucks built every year. Look in the classifieds. Here in central Georgia, you don't see a used Ram TD for sale. You see several Fords and two nights ago I saw a Duramax with 4K miles on the video car lot. What's up with that?



The reason you see problems is because we discus everything in a candid and frank manner. Most of it is simple and someone is looking for an easy or simple or new way to "fix" an annoyance. This is my second Ram Diesel. When I buy another truck, it will be a Dodge unless they go and do something stupid like like change engines to something less durable.



If you are going to buy a diesel, go with a proven design... . the inline.

 

[Batman]

I have only one problem with my truck... ... ... ... ... ... . I can't get this d^m grin off my face

28k miles on my truck, no problems with it. As all have stated above, Chevy is unproven, as of yet.

Good luck with whatever you buy.