Tired of this......

[Prairie Dog]

Short of the stuff I've screwed with or just wanted to improve, my 03 has been spot on reliable. I took a chance and didn't buy the extended warranty and I am so glad I didn't since I wouldn't have used it. The only thing that it's been back to the dealer for is an alt bracket (early parts cracked) and a s/w update.

 

[TGVET]

TGVET, I looked at one of those before I bought my '95 Dodge. I was considering the engine in a Blazer. I just wasn't impressed with its layout, espescially several glow plugs that were virtually inaccessible. Based on your experience, it would have lasted a long time. It was certainly a rare vehicle, I couldn't tell you the last time I saw one.

As previously stated numerous times here and on the GM forum, I am a maintenance freak. . Have been told by many "you are one of the lucky ones" to get all those miles w/o major repairs.



Ditto for the GM just as my Ram. . And I'm certain I would have gotten many more "driveability miles" out of my Dodge had it not been for the HE failing. Failed other parts like the blend doors, MFS, glove box latch, driver side door weatherstrip, and so on excluded. .



As for a Ford, I've never owned one and never would. Nor would I own a Duramax. At least I can actually work on my Cummins. And on my 6. 5 too for that matter. .

 

[jgillott]

My truck has 29k miles on it, already I've done a clutch (dual-mass flywheel failure at 21k miles), both batteries, it's failed to start a half a dozen times (problem still unknown), tires, radio, theft-deterrent/keyless entry module (or whatever that thing is called), the list goes on and on... I've been a Dodge guy for decades, but the Ram just isn't a quality product anymore. I can't speak for Ford or Chevy (they may have problems too), but I can tell you I'll never buy another Dodge.

We had a 2005 Silverado that I purchased new. My experience with that truck sounds similar to your Ram. That truck was back to the dealer under warranty 15 times for front end issues, air bag sensors, transmission problems, and the list goes on and on. For the last year we had it, I believe that it spent more time at the dealer than it did on the road. I finally had enough of it and sold it. Like you mentioned with your Dodge, that will be my last GM product.

 

[TGVET]

We had a 2005 Silverado that I purchased new. My experience with that truck sounds similar to your Ram. That truck was back to the dealer under warranty 15 times for front end issues, air bag sensors, transmission problems, and the list goes on and on. For the last year we had it, I believe that it spent more time at the dealer than it did on the road. I finally had enough of it and sold it. Like you mentioned with your Dodge, that will be my last GM product.

I came close to buying an 05 GMC, it was the first truck I test drove right after my Sub died, didn't like the interior, or the mirrors just didn't "feel right" overall. I was psyched about the Duramax and the Allison, huge improvement over the 6. 5 and 4L80E or so I thought until, I started getting more info from owners and fixers of them AFTER I bought my Ram. I was very glad I went with Dodge.



I figure by the time I've invested another 10 or so grand into my Ram to keep it running, I'll finally have a reeeeally good truck for the long haul. . Can't expect American auto manufactures to build anything to last or they'd either go out of business or be more unfordable then they already are.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Last I checked, this was an open forum, a place to express ones experiences as well as learn from and share with all about their trucks. NOT a place to submit personal attacks against those who are doing so.



As far as leaving TDR, don't hold your breath. . DUDE !

My statement was far from a personal attack there broomstick cowboy.



Previous statement = non personal



"Broomstick cowboy" = personal.



Just sayin'

 

[DonFitzwater]

That's enought there Keyboard Heroes. Save the hating for the ford websites. This place is too good to ruin it with bad behaviour.

 

[TGVET]

That's enought there Keyboard Heroes. Save the hating for the ford websites. This place is too good to ruin it with bad behaviour.

The IGNORE list, it's a wonderful thing. I should have used it after the first insult. :-laf

 

[Deleted member 995608]

The IGNORE list, it's a wonderful thing. I should have used it after the first insult. :-laf

Don't hi-jack my threads anymore and all will be good.

 

[mtman86]

I will never buy another brand new vehicle especially a Dodge. [/QUOTE]



This rig was my first Dodge vehicle, I'm basically a Chevy guy(and FJ40 fan). I bought it for the CTD. It has about 24K miles on it and is roughly 3 1/3 yrs old. I bought it new. The dealership upgraded my tie rod/stabilizer assbly, and repaired a leaking turbo oil line and the updated coolant hose (behind the turbo) under warranty. I run Amsoil fluids and keep it clean. I use fuel additives, and will be updating the fuel filter system(GDP). I tow my raft, drift boat, 4wheelers, and farm stuff w/it. Mileage is average, about 16-17 mpg.

It's been a great truck. Very reliable, w/simple interior appointments and manual 4WD engagement. Should have been delivered w/ rear wheel well liners..... and maybe a thicker rear bumper. It always gets me home. And I especially like it when I come out of the hills where my rig has been sitting for 5 days, and the temp is -30F. Let the heater element cycle twice, and it fires right up. Love that.

 

[TGVET]

"I will never buy another brand new vehicle especially a Dodge. "



This rig was my first Dodge vehicle, I'm basically a Chevy guy(and FJ40 fan). I bought it for the CTD. It has about 24K miles on it and is roughly 3 1/3 yrs old. I bought it new. The dealership upgraded my tie rod/stabilizer assbly, and repaired a leaking turbo oil line and the updated coolant hose (behind the turbo) under warranty. I run Amsoil fluids and keep it clean. I use fuel additives, and will be updating the fuel filter system(GDP). I tow my raft, drift boat, 4wheelers, and farm stuff w/it. Mileage is average, about 16-17 mpg.

It's been a great truck. Very reliable, w/simple interior appointments and manual 4WD engagement. Should have been delivered w/ rear wheel well liners..... and maybe a thicker rear bumper. It always gets me home. And I especially like it when I come out of the hills where my rig has been sitting for 5 days, and the temp is -30F. Let the heater element cycle twice, and it fires right up. Love that.

In order of failure.

1st year. Driver door (pillar) weather strip ripped. Door rubs on the rubber everytime it opens and closes.



2nd year Multi-"F'n" switch. e. g. wipers have mind all their own.



3rd year Glove box "plastic hook" latch broke, flopped open. Only carried the owners manual and registration. Rarely ever opened it. 80. 00-100. 00 to fix. Front brakes and rear e-brake shoes.

Upper & lower ball joints.



4th year Heater blend doors failed. 300. 00 for Heater Treater parts. No figure for labor yet. Will try to do myself.

Universal joints.



5th year I would have to look at receipts but nothing comes to mind right off.



6th year Front rotors and brakes all four. Left U joint again, hubs & bearings.



7th year Heat exchanger causing transmission rebuild. Front shocks, stabilizer, tie rod and ends, sway-bar links. (Left one was bad).



This is a list just from memory not from my file. There are more items.



Thousands of $$ in regular maintenance (far more than many people do) just to keep it running hoping in doing so will spare me major repairs like so many others I've heard of with FAR FEWER miles. My truck never leaves the pavement, only towed 3000lbs or less a few times a year in summer, daily freeway driving to work and back avg. 125 round trip w/ cruise set 1800 to 1900RPM (60 to 68mph). I am a conservative driver.



I'm glad for those of you who are die hard Dodge guy's and haven't had any of the above mentioned items happen to you YET and I hope you never do.



I was a "die hard" Dodge guy too. All I'm going to do is just keep fixing it, like I said, at some point it will be more Non-OEM than so and thus, I expect to see it make it to 1,000,000 miles as I have no intention on ever buying another new rig of any make.









I think my disdain for Dodge (NOT Cummin's) is not without merit comparing it to all the years (10) and miles (476K) my 95 GMC gave me with only a transmission replaced (warranty fix) and a MFS (my dime) and an airbag code (warranty).

 

[HBarlow]

I realize that it angers some when I defend the Cummins engine and Dodge Ram platform on this Dodge-Cummins owner's website but I have had nothing but outstanding service from three Dodges. I never owned or wanted a Dodge product but after years of private RV towing with gas powered dogs with no power and an appetite for gasoline I opened my closed mind and test drove a Dodge in '94. It was a 12 valve automatic with 4. 10 gears. I didn't care for the slush box MOPAR automatic or the factory stock engine which defueled at something like 2500 rpm and seemed to have a top speed of maybe 75 mph. I bought a big block Furd but I said to myself, "if Dodge ever puts a six speed behind one of those Cummins engines I'm gonna buy one. " Well, in late 2000 Dodge did. Then to top it off, Dodge introduced the HO engine six speed combination in '01. I went over to the nearest dealer and test drove one. I eased out the clutch in second gear and when the truck was rolling and clutch fully engaged I applied gentle right pedal. The awesome torque pushed me back in my seat and I was hooked. I forgot that other manufacturers even made trucks.

I bought an '01 HO/six speed 3500 and put 325k miles on it with very few problems. I had Standard rebuild the NV-5600 at 302k miles and I (my mechanic buddy) replaced two transfer pumps, two water pumps, one head gasket, and replaced the original Jacobs Exhaust Brake once. I installed new Bilstein shocks and one set of front brake pads. A friend who was my mechanic that maintained it for me owns it now. It is still a great truck.

I put 230,000 miles on an '06 and had an unnecessary high dollar DTT 48RE rebuild done because I thought at the time I was going to continue transporting with it. Replaced one set of front pads, Bilstein shocks, and the AC clutch.

My '08 has 117k miles now and has had a u-joint failure, a set of Bilsteins, and one engine reflash done. Never an emissions problem. OEM front end, brakes, etc.

I have never owned or wanted to own a 4 x 4 and have never replaced ball joints, tie rod ends, steering boxes, or other front end parts. I have never replaced anything related to power door locks, power windows, dash, glove box, door handles, seats, door gaskets, windshield wiper motors, etc.

My experience with three Rams has been impressive. I am a believer. I would not even consider owning a Furd or a nobama motors truck with a Japanese diesel engine.

I apologize if my fanatical belief in the Dodge Ram platform and Cummins engine annoys some of you.

 

[MegaJeff]

Harvey... . No offense taken! I love hearing your history and those of all the others on this forum... good or bad. I lean from each one.

 

[mtman86]

[I think my disdain for Dodge (NOT Cummin's) is not without merit comparing it to all the years (10) and miles (476K) my 95 GMC gave me with only a transmission replaced (warranty fix) and a MFS (my dime) and an airbag code (warranty). [/QUOTE]



I think you should track down your old GMC, buy it back, and have it bronzed.

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey... . No offense taken! I love hearing your history and those of all the others on this forum... good or bad. I lean from each one.

Good. We've got lots of stories to tell and lots of opinions to share. Some of our opinions are even fact-based. A wise new member reads with an open mind as you are doing and makes up his own mind.

You'll soon realize who among us are the skilled mechanics who can diagnose and repair just about any problem you bring to the forum, who is really a good source of accurate information, and who is blowing smoke out his rear part. We have all kinds.

 

[HBarlow]

"I think you should track down your old GMC, buy it back, and have it bronzed. "

I like that suggestion.

 

[TGVET]

"I think you should track down your old GMC, buy it back, and have it bronzed. "



I like that suggestion.

I still have it, in mint condition awaiting a new Peninsular 6. 5 and L485E transmission that was going into it this spring before my Dodge died from strawberry milkshake. It's going to be a while now so in the mean time, I will enjoy my Ram when I get it back.



When I test drove the Ram after the Sub puked, I too was and am hooked on the power of the Cummin's, make no mistake. So many stupid things to needlessly fix. IMO

 

[mtman86]

When I test drove the Ram after the Sub puked, I too was and am hooked on the power of the Cummin's, make no mistake. So many stupid things to needlessly fix. IMO



I'm sorry you've had such tough luck w/ your rig. It sucks when things don't work out. Maybe things will level out... ... . when you push it off the cliff. Just kiddin'. Good luck.

 

[TGVET]

My truck has 29k miles on it, already I've done a clutch (dual-mass flywheel failure at 21k miles), both batteries, it's failed to start a half a dozen times (problem still unknown), tires, radio, theft-deterrent/keyless entry module (or whatever that thing is called), the list goes on and on... I've been a Dodge guy for decades, but the Ram just isn't a quality product anymore. I can't speak for Ford or Chevy (they may have problems too), but I can tell you I'll never buy another Dodge.

Careful now, there are certain individuals here that will take YOUR experience with YOUR truck you are sharing with us on this public forum and think you are whining and chastising ALL Dodge Rams. . You might even be asked to take your complaints elsewhere so as not to hurt others "feelings" and go buy a Furd . The flip side though ? You got the Ignore list on your side. .

 

[HBarlow]

I would be one of those individuals TGVET is whining about.

Consider this: How ridiculous is it for one individual owner to experience a few problems with his ONE truck out of tens of thousands of Cummins-powered Rams sold every year and hundreds of thousands sold since 1989 and DECLARE that all Dodge-Cummins trucks are BAD? That is a faulty conclusion based on inadequate evidence. Analysis of a sample of at least one hundred trucks under laboratory conditions would be required to draw a conclusion that the product is faulty.

Light trucks are man-made products assembled in an assembly line process using a thousand or more individual components sourced from secondary manufacturers all around the world using union employees. It is entirely possible and believable for an occasional truck to be plagued with more than its fair share of problems.

It is also very possible for an owner to create multiple problems with a truck that would provide excellent service to other buyers. I have seen men who could damage and anvil.

 

[AH64ID]

You sound like a die-hard Ford owner Harvey.

Guess what these forums are used for, venting and ranting. The TDR is one of just a few vehicle forums that has more good to say than bad, generally people don't come to forums when their truck is working as advertised, they come when it's broke and need help or want to bash it.

I love my 05, and have not had to spend a penny on it that wasn't self induced, great truck!