MEGA CAB paint problem

[y-knot]

You guys sure have a short memory... ... this paint issue has been going on for many years, and the worst ones seem to be the Blue and white. I can not count how many blue Dodge trucks I have seen with the paint peeling in large sections so that the Grey primer below is exposed. Same for many white trucks, and the worst ones seem to be the gen 2 and 3 trucks. Not that I haven't seen a lot of 1st gen trucks with terrible paint jobs, but they are so old it's hard to tell bad paint from wear and tear.



The Black trucks have historical been the best, when considering the paint problems. Yes black trucks are had to keep clean and looking good, but the pain seems to be better on them. That patriot blue is terrible, and blisters off in huge spots especially on the hood and roof. I suppose Dodge applied the paint very thin on the roof to save money, especially since very few people are tall enough to see up there. But this problem is as typical to Dodge as the lift pump is, both were sub-standard problem areas, yet no one seemed to complain enough to make Dodge fix the problem... .



Paint issues seem to plague the American truck manufacturers. At one time the Chevrolet's had very nice paint jobs, but I have noticed many with a lot of orange peel in there paint. Ford is no better, and at one time they had a very major paint issue. Just seems unreal that in these days and times when automation is in such great command that there are issues like this. I live very close to the Toyota Camry plant, and have seen and learned a lot about how they do things on there assembly line, the attention to detail is astonishing. And the attention to the paint process is the number one issue there. There cars look great, and they proud themselves on that. it's amazing how many robots and people they dedicate to that one huge process. Seems Dodge needs to take a look at there system and up-grade it to one like that. I have this picture in my head of a Mexican with a spray gun in one hand and a Taco in the other, eating and painting the Dodge trucks at the same time. Lord help Dodge, Ford or Chevy if Toyota does come out with a Caterpillar or Cummins in there new Tundra.

 

[Phil Garriott]

Thanks



For all the response. My 97 ram that is silver and has lived all of its life outside has less rock chips than the wifes truck with 4400 hundred miles.

I know that the American trucks have had and do still have problems but I

was in hopes that they would at least step up and repair her truck. It is no wonder that all the American car companies are in the shape they are in.

The truck has spent the last two months parked in our garage in the place

that we made for it so it would not have to spend it's life outside like my 97.

But we have not given up the fight yet. Chrysler will be sick and tired of me hounding them by the time this is all said and done. Not to mention how the dealership will feel. I know I am only one person, but I all I want is them to stand behind their product. I am not asking for anything else but just to have the truck paint repaired. I don't want free products, oil changes or the such, just a proper paint job. I will keep everyone posted on the progress I hope to get soon (good or bad).



Phil:#@$%!

 

[Nate]

The paint is way thin on my 98. I pulled a bale of hay out of the bed and rested it on the bed rail a bit to get a better grip (was damp) and just sliding the bale maybe 1/2" on the rail took the paint down to the primer! I sratched the bed side pretty bad when I was washing the truck and the pressure washer hose rubbed on the side. Down to the primer! Yeah it had a bit of dirt, but nothing crazy. I get depressed when I wash it and I see all the scratches and chips over the whole thing. It's crazy.


My Jeep, a 98 as well, has MUCH MUCH better paint.

I use it as a wheeling rig and I've rubbed against trees several times and the whole thing is FULL of scratches from branches, but NOT ONE is down to the paint, never mind the primer. There was only the one time I slide into a tree and dented in the driver's door that the paint chipped off down to the metal about 4 years ago. I repainted the spot with some rattle can color match and it's still fine today.

 

[camsv3500]

I got rid of my titan crewcab car/truck to buy my dodge. . a real pickup... the titan was fast,,, really fast... but sucked gas like a pig,, and the ifs front end felt weak... . and try to put something in the 5 1/2 foot bed. . the suspension would bottom out with a couple of hundred pounds

the titans sheetmetal was as thin if not thinner than the dodge ... and the paint while nicely applied was thin and scratched so easily I rhino lined the lower quarter panels (they got rock chips just looking at them). . its just not dodge,, its everyone

First thing I did to the dodge when I got it home from the dealer was put a full diamond plate rocker panel kit on it. . that will take care of the lower quarters... . Im going to screen my front end over the brush guard to take care of most of the stuff from the front. . and Ill keep it washed and waxed... and out of the sun when I can. . thats the best I can do