survey..how many are happy with your truck?

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Was always a Ford man, until I started looking for a new (to me) truck. I visited the Ford website and TDR. After comparing the information from both sites, I thought that the Dodge/Cummins was for me. Bought my 99 QC. , May 11, 2000 3 day before my birthday. It had 54,900 miles on it. It now has 64,000. I have never been more pleased with any vehicle I have ever owned! This truck ROCKS and definately rates 9. 5! There is always room for improvement. I love my truck second to my wife. We call it the "White Obsession". I am definately obsessed with it. Every extra $ goes into it.

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"WHITE OBSESSION" 99 Quad Cab, White, SLT, 4x4, 5-sp, 3:54's, LSD, Loaded except cab lights and leather, Raven cap (cab high), Rhino liner, Stainless Nerf Bars, Stainless Rocker Panels, Tow package, Pro-flap mud flaps with Stainless Cummins "C" add to rear flaps, Power Edge (my first BOMB), Valentine One, Amsoil throughout, Uniden PC78LTW CB Radio with Mike Brolin's CB mounting bracket for STICKS. Hadley Bully Air Horns. Psychotty Air Induction.

Things to come;

285/75R16 Cooper A/T's, SPA Pyro and Boost gauge, 4" exhaust system, DDIII's.

NRA Life Member! (Need to protect our rights and FREEDOM!!)

 

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I'm right close to 85K now and outside a couple of sending units and that damn-fool swiss cheese rubber fuel line up from the tank, I really can't complain. But it sure tows better since Bruce Mallinson breathed on it in Minden in May. I will rate it a 9 and wish it would wear out quicker so I could have another new one.

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96 2500 4x4 5sp 3. 5 gears TST#6 16 cm2 Geno's Combo Gage Pac Brake Aux tank 15K 5er hitch
HF/VHF/UHF mobile KG7HD

 

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I've had mine since early Feb and love it. Just broke 6,000 and am getting consistent 20. 6's in the MPG dept. My only grip would have to be an annoying rattling sound which appears to be coming from the inside of the door panels on both sides. I notice it more when I have the AC running. I'll tear the panels off myself before I take it to a dealer though. It's probably the sliding mech. on the window lifts. I also haul quite a bit of firewood with this truck and it loves it. If I could only record the look on the face of those Ford F150 drivers when I walk away from them while going up on-ramps with 3,000lbs or more of wet wood in the bed. I'd give this truck a 10.

dave

 

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I have 45,000 on my 97. Combinatin of towing 9,000 lb fiver and not. Only major trouble was a leak in the waste gate tube that runs back to the intake. Usually get 24 mpg on highway with no or light load, 16 in town and 13-14 towing. Some trouble with front brakes initially but now keep the rears adjusted and installed a BD exhaust brake now fronts work fine. #ad



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1997 2500 Laramie SLT, Ext Cab, Metalic Red, 2wd, Automatic, 3:54, No spin rear, Westin step bars, K&N, BD E-Brake, Auto-Lock, Pressure Lock, ISPRO gauges, 27' Sunnkbrook 5th wheel, RBW hitch.

 

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My '00 QC 4x4 SB has been a pleasure to own these last 9 months. It has 16,000 miles, and hasn't disappointed me ever. The dealer I bought it from is excellent in their service, as I think they know what they are doing when it comes to the Cummins. The only glitches were a non centered steering wheel when I bought it, and a defective seat back on the driver's seat. Both were handled timely, and professionally. I tow my Rock Buggy on a 16ft car hauler around the Southwest in some of the hottest areas(110+), and it runs great on the road. It gets better every day. I enjoy driving it, and so does my wife. The kids love going places in it, so I'd have to rate it a 10.
If I had to complain about anything, it would be the Automatic. DC should do more to set it up for the diesel, not the V-10.

 

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My '00 QC 4x4 SB has been a pleasure to own these last 9 months. It has 16,000 miles, and hasn't disappointed me ever. The dealer I bought it from is excellent in their service, as I think they know what they are doing when it comes to the Cummins. The only glitches were a non centered steering wheel when I bought it, and a defective seat back on the driver's seat. Both were handled timely, and professionally. I tow my Rock Buggy on a 16ft car hauler around the Southwest in some of the hottest areas(110+), and it runs great on the road. It gets better every day. I enjoy driving it, and so does my wife. The kids love going places in it, so I'd have to rate it a 10.
If I had to complain about anything, it would be the Automatic. DC should do more to set it up for the diesel, not the V-10.

 

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Let me just say this, I look forward to driving it for a long time.

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2001, 3500, Cummins, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, freed turbo silencer, 165 watt backup lights and lookin for more.

 

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Originally posted by DavesDodge:
Just rolled 7K, also just came back from Colorado with a trip up Engineer Pass-13K feet, very rough 4 wheel drive path. Blew by jeeps,4Runners,Landrovers-easily the most powerfull truck on the trail. Great trip-truck ran flawlessly-19mpg on the rest of the trip. Best truck I have EVER owned! Score of 10!!!
I have 8300 miles, mostly pulling a 5th wheel and so far I rate it a 10.

 

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I guess I judge a bit harder than most of the folks that are TDR members. I can give my truck only a 5 (out of 10). Don't get me wrong; this is a good truck and does what I bought it for. It gets 15mpg with my camper on and 20mpg empty. This alone made the $4000 Cummins options worth it.

Now for the reasons I can't give the truck a ten. I'm quite sure that DC designers have never driven this truck. Why would it come with cassette storage in the console when I have the $800 CD upgrade? The seats don't adjust far enough back for anyone over 6'. The brakes leave much to be desired. The paint is low grade and scratches if you more than look at it. The console lid can open when in a upright position. The drink holders are poorly placed. The aux 12 volt lighter plug turns off when the key is off. The sun visors are not large enough. Filters are positioned with total disregard to the mechanic. Regular maintance includes replacing track bar and fuel sender every 45,000, and rubber fuel lines must be replaced every 5 years. I've lost count of DC recalls (four I think). The power distribution system freaks out about twice a year (various warning lights on, power windows stop working, etc. . ) but cures it's self after cycling the ignition key.

And what are these 5 star dealers? Appointments are NOT available from the 5 star dealers in my area. Call to get service and the response is 'bring it in for a few days and we'll get to it when we have time"! This may be OK for a engine change or body work, but not for routine maintance!


A perfect truck? No way. A great truck compared with the other options out there? Maybe. Ask me when I hit the 300,000 mile mark!

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1995 2500 SLT Club 4x4, auto, 3. 54, 3300 pound Elkhorn slide in camper, AirLift air springs, Ricka dual wheel adapters, K&N, DC tow hooks, Rancho RS9000, Hellwig rear sway bar.
101,000 miles and counting.

[This message has been edited by LandShark (edited 08-22-2000). ]

 

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Where do I start? First, I'd like to give a big raspberry to the dealers in my area- TTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHPPPPPPPPPPTTTTTTT!!!!!! 5 Star my ass! I'm glad that most of you are trouble free because I more than make up for it! I bought my '97 3500 4WD Cummins club cab 5 speed in Oct. '98 with 24000 miles. Initially I loved the truck but within two weeks 5th gear dissappeared. It wasn't too hard to get the local dealer (Carver Motors in Rockwell City IA) to get it in and within a couple of days brought it home. 1 1/2 weeks later I was pulling a 500 pound trailer and the whole transmission went out. I then waited 10 hours for Dodge roadside to get a flatbed to me to tow it to the closest dealer (in Stratford IA). That particular dealer had the truck from early Monday morning until Friday morning before they even looked at it and then called to tell me that they were not going to touch it as it was their feeling that the dealer that 'fixed' 5th gear screwed it up and they didn't want to get in the middle of someone else's problem. After renting another truck for the weekend's work, I talked to the dealer and they were getting me another transmission as the first one was munched- a gasket was forgotten or not installed properly and the transmission had no oil, thus all the bearings were toast. 2 weeks later the dealer calls to have me pick it up and when I do I see the rear bumper and ground effects are damaged. The dealer blames the 2nd tow truck guy and the tow truck guy blames the dealer. After a 2 hour meeting with the dealer and another week an adjuster shows up and writes me a check for $1500. At this point, I've owned the truck 40 days of which it's been in the shop 23. The CD player skipped whenever it got about 60 minutes into the disc so I replaced it under warranty and within 6 months the 'new' cd player is doing the same thing. Here is where the warranty runs out. I saw that '97 duallys had a recall on the headlamp switch, but mine wasn't covered because it was built one month after the recall! So I eat an $85 switch after driving home from a job 40 miles with the hazards as my only taillights. My driver's side window switch needed to be replaced. The air quit working because of a bad pressure switch in the line. At 45K the alternator quit charging and the dealer (Wittrock in Carroll IA) "thought" it might be the computer but wasn't 100% sure and if the $450 computer didn't fix it that I'd still be stuck with it because there's no returns on computers. (I paid $130 for a computer from a junk yard plus paid the dealer $70 for his time). I didn't feel the truck was getting very good mileage and had poor power (I was consistantly getting 11 to 13 mpg empty or pulling 2000 pound trailers at 2000 rpm/ 63 mph). I paid a dealer (Pat Clemons in Boone IA) $65 to tell me nothing was wrong. Now at 55K the front U joints are squeeking and need to be replaced and the fuel sender is crapped out (it works for the 1st 100 miles then goes to empty). Here's what I've learned: 5 star dealers- aren't. If you're getting poor mileage and poor power get a TST torque plate (don't skimp, put the gauges in too) WOW! I now have at least 40% more power and am consistantly getting 2 miles per gallon more economy!!! I hope I'm done with the initial 'bugs' in this truck. I do like the truck but it has been a pain in the butt so I'd only rate it a 6 for reliability.

 

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I am very happy with my 96'Ram! I would rate the truck a #9. I had initial low power problems but "Scheid Diesel" did an excellent job recalibrating the P7100 pump
and Mark Chapple at TST really made it fly.
Like alot of other members the brakes have given me some problems, but since I began using a local "Midas" shop I have had no problems. I would rate my dealership a #9 also. (National Dodge, Jacksonville,N. C. )
My technician is Roy Whaley and he has a good working knowledge of diesel engines and the truck as a whole. He also services TDR
member Pete Peterson's 99'24 Valve Ram and
recently was given a "gift" subscription to
the TDR by Pete.

I previously owned a 92'Ram Diesel which I sold outright when it had 94,000 miles on it.
I do not believe the 92' was as good a truck
as this 96' is. Although the truck ran very
good I went through two automatic transmissions, however, Dodge covered them
both under warranty. I would rate the old 92'
a #7.

I presently have 101,000 miles on the 96'. I
run it very hard towing an 18 foot racing trailer all over the eastern U. S and also use it to tow my MF Tractor, weight approximately 10,000 lbs. This truck is paid for and I plan on keeping it for a long time.

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Pump Mods, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

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I am very happy with my 96'Ram! I would rate the truck a #9. I had initial low power problems but "Scheid Diesel" did an excellent job recalibrating the P7100 pump
and Mark Chapple at TST really made it fly.
Like alot of other members the brakes have given me some problems, but since I began using a local "Midas" shop I have had no problems. I would rate my dealership a #9 also. (National Dodge, Jacksonville,N. C. )
My technician is Roy Whaley and he has a good working knowledge of diesel engines and the truck as a whole. He also services TDR
member Pete Peterson's 99'24 Valve Ram and
recently was given a "gift" subscription to
the TDR by Pete.

I previously owned a 92'Ram Diesel which I sold outright when it had 94,000 miles on it.
I do not believe the 92' was as good a truck
as this 96' is. Although the truck ran very
good I went through two automatic transmissions, however, Dodge covered them
both under warranty. I would rate the old 92'
a #7.

I presently have 101,000 miles on the 96'. I
run it very hard towing an 18 foot racing trailer all over the eastern U. S and also use it to tow my MF Tractor, weight approximately 10,000 lbs. This truck is paid for and I plan on keeping it for a long time.

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Pump Mods, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

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If DC took the time to read all the input to this thread, it is a wonder why DC can't get some problems fixed.

Clearly we love the trucks but some do have repeated unresolved problems that scream out for attention.

I am still in the 9. 5-10 rating group, but never ignore the unhappy members.

Bravo to those who swim against the flow and take the time to really document their issues. If for nothing else than to educate their fellow members.



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Green Monster has the HOT EDGE on those PSD's
Green Monster's cyber garage (& multimedia sandbox)
Yahoo messenger: davidc3y
Amsoil dealer

 

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The 93 4x4 automatic regular cab with 210,000
miles that I traded for my 97, I would give a
8. Because of paint peeling off.
My 97 4x4 automatic club cab with 239,000 on
it, I give a 10.
Had no mechanical troubles with either one.
I Love This Truck!!

 

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I rate the 2000 Model I have a 9 because fuel sending unit went out & left me to set on side of road & wait for tow truck. Other than that I would give it a 10+,no problems. Had 98 that dumped oil out lifter cover & burned engine up -10,95 that I wrecked(my fault)was 8 and my first one 91 was 8. Dodge are you reading these.

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I LOVE my fire-engine red 99 long-bed quad sport #ad
(a diesel sport? You betcha!). I rated it a 9. 5 before I put the big wheels on it, now it's a definite 10+!!!! #ad


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1999 Sport 2500 QC LB, 4x4, SLT, 5 Spd, 3. 54, Camper Package, Trailer Package, Linex liner, SmittyBilt nurfs, K&N filters, 245/70R19. 5 Toyo M680Z, 19. 5" rims, SilBlade wipers, NO silencer ring

 

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I've had the fuel sending unit replaced, rear brake drums turned and headlight switch replaced on my '99 with 30k+ miles. I'd still give my DC a 8. 0. With better towing mileage I'd give it a solid 10. Larv

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1999 2500 QC, white, 4x4 with tow pkg, 3. 54's, Leer camper top, ventvisors, Luverne nerf bars, Husky floorliners, Mopar bug deflector, Mopar tow hooks, '98 Terry pull trlr, 50 watt halogen back up bulbs, hi beams with fog lights

 

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Of course I have my gripes on areas where the bean counters obviously won the battle (i. e. cheap plastic parts, flimsy sheetmetal, ultra-thin paint, etc. ). But overall, 9000 trouble-free miles.

Dodge gets 9
Cummins gets 10

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10'11" Slide-in Camper.

 

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Happy as a puppy with two peckers! #ad


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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

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Late in piping up, but love my truck. Just turned it over to my son to pull his gooseneck trailer and tractor with. The truck is a '94 with 140,000 miles and never a major problem. Worst was replacing the trans lines due to bad design from the start.

I am looking for a good used Dodge diesel if anyone knows of one. Prefer 5speed, 12 valve, 3. 55 gears. 4x4 and ex-cab are optional. Thanks!!

P. S. Just sold a '95 gas burner with a 318 that I put 143,000 miles on without a hitch.

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'94 2500 Diesel Reg. Cab
Auto 3. 54 4X4 TST 230hp
"If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!