My first 30 days as a RAM owner....Quirks, quirks and quirks..

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Well, I've had my 97 3500 5 speed diesel for just over a month now. . It had 72,000 on it when I got it. . Since then, the following "quirks" have bitten me. . All were expected, as all of you forewarned me. . many thanks #ad


That is what kept me from going postal on the truck with my 12 gauge... . ( No offense to you post office folks)

1st #ad
two weeks after buying it)

ABS/Brakes light came on right after I towed my new Jayco 5th. . I've got the sensor on order. . ( No biggee)

Just prior to getting home with the new 5th, I had the "Bucking Bronco Syndrome" with this thing, lurkey jerking me all over the damn place in 3rd gear... I have a new found respect for Cowboys in the Rodeo.

This can be fixed with TSB# 18-29-97, which costs a mere $400 or so... Gonna pass. .

2nd:
( three weeks after owning) Right after i dropped off my jayco for warranty work the gas gauge started having spasms, bouncing all over the place. . ( no biggee. $200 bucks )

3rd:
(4th week of ownership, first camping trip in new Jayco)

Going W/B I 80 near fairfield in "5th" gear, and she pops into what feels like neutral... Hmmm, I said to myself, that was how some other poor 5 speed guy on TDR described it happening... But i never "thought" it would happen to me... ... #ad


My wife looked at me and said, "what happened honey?" I quickly downshifted to 4th, and acted like nothing happened and said with a manly( Clint Eastwood ) voice, " Well, we just lost 5th gear. . Don't worry, the TDR board warned me about this"... . She looked at me with that, "you gotta be ****ting me look"
( I had been bragging about how well the truck was pulling the trailer prior to the 5th nut pooping out on me. . end of bragging)

the rest of the trip, she needled me about "whats gonna happen next"?

So, for the remainder of the trip, I was the ONLY Diesel Ram doing 52 MPH( tacking 2300RPM) all over Northern Ca with people giving me the middle finger salute as they passed. Even truck drivers were brutal. .

I think people expected some old putz to be driving with a Chevy V-8, only to see a 3500 Dodge with the distinct red "CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL" under 3500. But, at least i made it home...


Now, WHERE in Northern california can I get 5th gear fixed so this WONT HAPPEN AGAIN?

I damn sure don't want to give DC any more $$$ then they have gotten from me in the last three weeks. Should I go to a Cummins repair or ???

Hope you got a chuckle out of this... Cause thats all i can do from here on out. . #ad


Ed


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1997 3500 Dually CC, Emerald Green 5 speed, 4:10 , Reese 15K 5th hitch, K&N Air Filter, Jacob E-brake, gutted cat, running boards. More to come soon!

 

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Ya we all have some problems. All well just glad the earth still spins. #ad

 

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Bug-out, it DOES get better! I bought mine with 100,600 miles on it, and within the first 1200 miles, I had all of the obligatory problems: Fuel lines, fuel solenoid, throttle cable, various other things. I almost put a match to it! But, once those problems were fixed, nothing since, (LOUD KNOCKING ON WOOD!). With the help of this great forum, I've been able to head off a few problems at the pass, also. Hang in there!

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'96 Regular Cab, 110K, SLT, auto, 3. 54, Vista topper, Pillar-mounted Autometer Boost/Pyro, starwheel spun

 

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Bug Out, we had some transmission work done on Mike's truck here in San Jose. Call Leahls transmission on Keyes in SJ. Jim or Wayne. At least you can get a handle on the cost. I am sure there is a shop closer to you that can help you.

 

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Bug Out,

Bought my 97 with 62K on it. Found out the fuel guage lied on the way home. Small out of the way dealer I got it from had put on new rubber. I decided to check the alignment on a lark. Cost about 1 grand to get through that! Throttle cable already done. Mine bucks too, will work on that sometime. Had been used for towing so I assume 5th gear may have been done already. I tow in 5th if I can keep the rpm's up. Now at 89K and just doing normal maint and bombing.

Warning! Bombing is not curable!

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97'3500 SLT CC,4x4,5 spd,4. 10,86K,EBY aluminum flatbed,Dee Zee running boards,Dee Zee Platinum drop boxes,Mag-Hytec,BD Brake,Pyscotty,Jardine 4",Geno's monster tip,TST plate,Bilstein,Isspro,PIAA Superwhites,Tekonsha Sentinel

 

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Originally posted by Bug Out:

... ... I think people expected some old putz to be driving with a Chevy V-8, only to see a 3500 Dodge with the distinct red "CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL" under 3500. But, at least i made it home...

I can see it now, over on the Chevy site, some poor miguided soul is probably bragging on how his 6. 5 smoked this Cummins in Northern California.

 

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Bug Out
You mite be able do this one yourself if only replacing gear nut. But trans shop could do it faster. Check archives for simple fix to ultimate fixes.
Cummins won't work on trans, just engine.

 

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MuddFlapp, come on, share with us..... We are all in the same family now. . #ad

 

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MuddFlapp I agree with Bug Out " the rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey would say). Please.

 

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I'm not talkin. But, let me ask you this, does anyone have a use for 30 gals. of gasoline that is 20% diesel fuel? #ad
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Gene Earl, White '97' 3500 Laramie SLT, Ext Cab, LB, 5 SPEED, 4. 10 Limited Slip, 4X4. Isspro Boost and Pyro, (pre-turbo), SW Fuel pressure, in a 3 guage A-Pillar mount. No muffler. AFC Wheel 40 Clicks Fwd. (it's a start).

 

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MuddFlapp
If somebody also owns a vehicle that burns gas,pour some into that until its used up. One also can take it to local gas station(the one purchased at would be best) and dump back in their tanks.
Saw a ford ps fill up with gas thats what he did. The Diesel in it won't effect the gas engines after one dilutes with 1000 or more gallons of gas.

 

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Nuff said. I think someone out there would use it, giving fuel-gas prices these days.

On average, in the Peoples Republic Of California, gas and diesel in the Sf bay area are hovering around $2. 00 a gallon. In SF, its well over $2. 00 a gallon.