2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission My ram is a P.O.S. my to ten why not to buy one.

[Sticks]

This is the second thread in a week that I have come across that made me think I was on the "Other Sites"



WTF!

Posted by SBrandon

P. s. this is my 4th fourth dodge cummins truck I have owned a 1995 single cab dually 2wd 350000 miles, a 96 cab and a half 2wd 205000, a 97 cab and a half 4wd 180000, and this 1998 135000, ALL of these trucks have had at least FOUR of the problems I have listed, just this truck suffers them all. And the killer dowel pin killed this truck it is fixed, .

You averaged 206250 miles per truck, pretty much bought the same motor each time, and I am willing to bet that you tweaked each one of them with a fuel plate and timing.

• 1) water pump
  
  2) ball joints
  
  3) drive shaft
  
  4) transmission (twice)
  
  5) track bar
  
  6) cab leaks water from the roof somewhere
  
  7) transfer case
  
  8) transmission cooler line
  
  9) overdrive button
  
  10) steering box
  
  11) TPS
  
  12) Fuel Sending Unit
  
  13) Oil Sending Unit
  
  14) KDP
  

There is not one thing on this list that I would not expect to see after that many miles on ANY brand of a tweaked truck.



Considering the life expectancy of the PSD's and the Duramax is UNDER 200k before replace and rebuild of the engine (which you did not have to do), I'd say you probably did good.



It is unfortunate that you did not join up with the TDR until last year. Had you known about this site back even when you bought the most recent truck, you could have addressed some of the more serious issues before they were a problem, or saved a ton of $$$ in diagnostics and fixes.



You are going to do what you want, and I would not blame you if you felt that it may be time to switch to a Ford or Chevy after the last 825000 miles in older Dodges. Keep your membership with the TDR if you do switch and when you have a problem with your other brand, and can not get the help you need at the other sites, come on over, and I'm sure someone will help you here.



Good luck in your next decision! May your next diesel be problem free.

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by SBrandon

Get educated on Dodges problems, Hell all you got to do is read the discussion forums, that simply answers that question. Does anybody know why chevy and ford do not have a site this big to deal with the problems of there trucks? Wait a minute let me answer that BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS!!!

How much you want for that thing? I'll buy IT!

 

[JCotte]

He states alot of problems / issues. I wish he would mention what he has done to maintain his vehicle or what attention he has paid to any postings to correct them. If you beat on anything (even a tank) long enough it will break. I am on my third and have had not had ant problems (except self inflicted)

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by JCotte

He states alot of problems / issues. I wish he would mention what he has done to maintain his vehicle or what attention he has paid to any postings to correct them. If you beat on anything (even a tank) long enough it will break. I am on my third and have had not had ant problems (except self inflicted)

I wish he would give up and give it to me

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Sticks, you got him.



That many trucks and problems and only 24 posts? Let me spell it out T-R-O-L-L!!!!!!



SBrandon, my friend, enjoy your truck. And when you need some help, feel free to drop by.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Certainly, we have seen all those individual problems crop up over time, in various trucks, but HARDLY in a SHORT period of time or low miles on a SINGLE truck.



A troll? Perhaps - if not, I sure would be disgusted too, but we all also know that vehicle for vehicle, you aren't gonna do any better with any of the competition, and *I* would dern sure rather be swapping out oil pressure senders than injectors or complete engines.



I wouldn't fall into the "I demand to see a VIN or shop work order" that the Ford and GM guys do, but if the guy is honest in his claims, and posted who he is and where he's located, maybe some of our guys in his area could help him, instead of simply reading his complaints?

 

[kshimizu]

Originally posted by SBrandon



P. s. this is my 4th fourth dodge cummins truck I have owned a 1995 single cab dually 2wd 350000 miles, a 96 cab and a half 2wd 205000, a 97 cab and a half 4wd 180000, and this 1998 135000, ALL of these trucks have had at least FOUR of the problems I have listed, just this truck suffers them all. And the killer dowel pin killed this truck it is fixed, . [/B]

Why would you keep buying a POS after you didn't like the first one or two?



We're on our 5th/6th Dodge Cummins because we love them not hate them. 91 D350 350k+ miles & 93 D250 CC 250k+ miles normal wear and tear items fixed, 95 2500 CC 230k miles blown transmission... . my fault, 01 2500 QC 4x4 80k+ miles lift pump & steering box, 02 2500 QC 4x4 60k+ miles so far so good, 04 2500 QC 4x4 2500 miles no vibration 20+mpg... ran great..... just didn't get the low low rate financing they quoted and the deal fell through.



The reason this site is so big isn't because we have the most problems. It's because the Dodge Cummins has the greatest number of loyal enthusiasts and the only REAL diesel engine (6 cylinder) in a pickup since 1989.

 

[jeff95]

If you are serious

I am interested in buying your truck. I posted in this thread previously and sent two PMs to you. If you are serious about selling your truck, pm, email or call me.

-- email address removed --

(850)297-2468

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"I am interested in buying your truck. I posted in this thread previously and sent two PMs to you. If you are serious about selling your truck, pm, email or call me. "



Sorta looks like time to "put up or shut up", don't it!

 

[TexEdwards]

Is he really going to shut up... ... Oo.

 

[SBrandon]

Put up or shut up eah!!





well I did reply to jeff95 and hes not interested.





Troll?



And for those who say that my mods should come before repairs and blah blah blah, well I will have all of you know that the only thing currently wrong is oilpressure sending unit, (which does not matter due to the fact that I installed a aftermarket gauge to makeup for the inaccruacy's of the factory one) and the fuel tank sending unit . Which if I sell the pos then I will fix both.

Other than that EVERYTHING THAT BROKE OR WENT BAD I FIXED IMMEDIATLY! Which seems to be a regular occurance.





And for the CHEVY AND FORD BASHERS I know many people with both and they dont have the problems compined as that I do with ONE.

 

[jeff95]

SBrandon did PM me just a few minutes ago. Unfortunately he has a regular cab and I am looking for a quad cab. Wanted to let everyone know that he did respond.

Jeff

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The more common problems are well known. After a truck has been in use over 6 years, condition is important and can override brand considerations.

The KDP issue has been well publicized on this site for around 3+ years. Anyone on this site who gets bitten has chosen to put his/her hand into the cage, so to speak.



Not everyone deserves a Cummins powered Ram.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Not everyone deserves a Cummins powered Ram. "

 

[MCharlebois]

pos

in your original you said-i have replaced or NEEDS replacing--if you dont fix stuff right off it effects other stuff and snowballs from there... ... ... ... ..... why would you buy a truck you know has been worked hard all its life-----if the transmission was just replaced should have been a warrenty????



AND did ya notice this thread is STILL AROUND!!!!!!!!

 

[DPelletier]

Well,

I spent 8,700. 00 on my 1993 Chevy 6. 5TD in the last 14months to keep it running. It has 135,000 mi on it now. I have very little faith that it'll last for another year without costing another pile of cash.

I also spent in excess of $10,000 on my 1996 F250 PSD, mostly trying to get it to run right. It never did. Traded it in and now its someone elses headache.

You can have a POS in any brand. But I had my last Dodge for 3 years and in that time, I had the steering box replaced under warranty and a recall on the clock spring. So, it didn't take a whole lot of skill and cunning to decide what brand of truck to buy next.

You can get a lemon in any brand, either by bad luck or bad maintenance/treatment by a previous owner. The Dodge truck may or may not be any better than the competition, but when it comes to the engine, its not even close.

Sell your truck and buy a Ford.



Dave

 

[lil red cummins]

it is time to get back to doing what we do best on this site. HELP THIS GUY FIX HIS TRUCK. for whatever reason he has had all these problems, it is truly unfortunate and i wouldn't wish all these problems on any brand owner.



sbrandon, if you are just venting because you are mad, that is fine, however, if you need help either fixing these problems or trying to prevent more from occuring, you need to take a different approach. i am a new CTD owner and can't possibly feel what you are feeling right now, but i have had many other vehicles in my life. I have realized that not one manufacturer out there is truly golden at building vehicles. they all have problems. would you like me to tell you about my new (then) 1984 honda accord that i only had for 2 years because of all of its problems??? with the mods you have on your truck, you are going to have a higher failure rate of components. i believe most everyone here understands that. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THIS SITE!!!



so, if it is support and assistance you want, we are here for you. if you are just trying to make a point that dodge is "inferior" to the others, don't bother with that approach because as the old saying goes: "that dog won't hunt"



jim



ps, i love my CTD and i know i will have failures down the road just like i have with every vehicle i have ever owned.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by SBrandon

So far in the two years I have owned my POS. Ive replaced or needs replaced yet

1) water pump

2) ball joints

3) drive shaft

4) transmission (twice)

5) track bar

6) cab leaks water from the roof somewhere

7) transfer case

8) transmission cooler line

9) overdrive button

10) steering box







if anyone wants this truck it is for sale. $13000. 00

How many miles have you put on the truck since you bought it?



The Ford I have in the sig. is something I probably shouldn't have purchased. Most or alot of the problems I have had with it are, I think, are due to the fact that it hadn't gotten used much in the last 4yrs the last guy had it. Stuff getting old and/or dried out.

I drove it for 2yrs. /28k miles prior to buying the Ram.



This is what I have done or needs to be done since I bought it. Most of this was done in the first 12k I bought it.

1. vac. pump

2. Head gaskets/bolts

3. Brake booster

4. still needs master cylinder (also why I have driven it on the road, just around the farm)

4. rebuilt transmission

5. rubber cooler lines

6. new front and rear wheel bearings/seals

7. all new brake pads/shoes

8. new rubber fuel return lines (all, including new o-rings on the return tees)

9. Front end alignment (still won't hold one)

10. needs fuel injection pump

11. needs new fuel injection nozzles

12. fuel supply pump

13. fuel heater

14. tires (from not holding a alignment)

15. headliner is falling down

16. seat is shot on driver-side (cushion and springs)

17. new u-joints

18. new locking hubs

19. 2 turn signal switches

20. headlight switch

21. needs different box and door (rust) The rest in decent shape.

22. belts/hoses

23. thermostat

24. glow plugs (2 sets)

25. glowplug controller

26. new fluids all around

27. radio

28. front suspension needs redone (bushings, springs and other stuff



I'm sure I've left something out, but I think your Ram has been pretty good to ya, considering.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

How many miles on your truck and how do you use your truck? Some of the items on your list are wear items and do wear out, the mileage and use of the truck would help. For example if you off road a lot, plow, or sled pull then certain things will wear out faster. Since yours is a 98 12v it would be at least 6 months older than my truck. I have 140,000 miles on mine and haven't replaced the ball joints yet but if I had to next week I would right that off as normal maintenance. I've replaced my track bar (at 70,000 miles) and also considered that normal maintenance. My truck before this was a GM and I had replaced all the ball joints, tie rod ends, A arm bushings, etc in the front end twice when I sold it at 120,000 miles and had replaced the half shafts 3 times. Based on a number of friends that have also owned GM's that's about normal considering the use I put my trucks through (lots of off roading). Different people have different expectations of their trucks - I know some guys that expect to buy a truck and drive it for 250,000 miles and never have to replace anything and even if the brakes need to be done at 100,000 miles will complain. I know others that work their trucks hard, do regular maintenance, and have to replace wear components periodically and consider that a part of maintaining the vehicle.



Driveshafts generally need to be replaced because of an impact of some kind. Why did you have to replace yours?



The cab leak is most likely the 3rd brake light. Have you tried sealing the 3rd brake light to the cab? That eliminates the cab leak problems most of the time.



On the cab heat issue you shouldn't have any trouble making heat at 40. I just drove my truck in 20 degree weather after having it parked for 6 hours and had a warm cab within 5 minutes. Warm enough that I took my coat off and turned the heat down. You may have a thermostat that is stuck open - they will fail in the open position. I have a winter front but it's rolled up and sitting on top of the radiator right now - not in use (I put it down if it's -10 or so) and I still have the fan installed. It could also be a failed fan clutch so that the fan is locked up all the time thus pulling more air through the radiator.



Are there any of the issues you've had that you are still having? I see you say that they are all fixed but your text sure makes it sound like some aren't.

 

[Ncostello]

P. s. this is my 4th fourth dodge cummins truck I have owned a 1995 single cab dually 2wd 350000 miles, a 96 cab and a half 2wd 205000, a 97 cab and a half 4wd 180000, and this 1998 135000, ALL of these trucks have had at least FOUR of the problems I have listed, just this truck suffers them all. And the killer dowel pin killed this truck it is fixed, .

How did you put so many miles on each truck in one year? Or did you buy them all used with high miles? If used and high miles... it would be hard to be sure they were not abused in some way. I passed up a deal on a 95 cause it had 268,000 hard miles. It was pretty obvious I was going to set myself up for headaches if I bought it. Not all miles are the same.



If a person buys new or at least a cared for used one... you can expect good service. Poor maintenance will be the death of any vehicle. I've seen guys ruin Caterpillar D-10's in no time flat by treating them rough. Surely a Dodge is also vulnerable.



If I were you I'd go buy a Ford 6. 0 or GM Duramax and be done with all the problems.