Tired of this......

[HBarlow]

Yup. In probably 90% of cases where some are angrily complaining and criticising the Ram product about poor quality front end parts they are using giant rims, tires, and even body lift kits.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm Dodge all the way. I've had a 1st gen, 2nd gen and 3rd gen and at some point in time I'll buy a 4th.



I guess some of us are just more loyal to specific things in life?

 

[jhenderson]

I like my truck, BUT, 280,000 miles and headed for the 3rd set of ball joints. Yes I plow, and run off road daily, and tow a dump trailer. I did the same with my prev 2 dodges ( 92 and 02) for as many miles. Never touched the Dana's ball joints. AAM is a weaker design, in my opinion.

 

[mwilson]

If it makes you feel any better the 3rd Gen gasser 3/4 tons eat the ball joints just as fast if you carry a plow.



I would like to see them return to Dana-Spicer components, maybe someday they will see the light.



Mike.

 

[Yo Hoot]

If it makes you feel any better the 3rd Gen gasser 3/4 tons eat the ball joints just as fast if you carry a plow.



I would like to see them return to Dana-Spicer components, maybe someday they will see the light.



Mike.

I installed the Carli uppers and spicer lowers at around 75,000. 120,000 miles now. Has not been a issue with me.

 

[MegaJeff]

I just have seen too many 6. 0L Powerstrokes have issues and too many Chevys fall apart to think that one brand is devoid of problems. They all have issues. My cousin just lost one of the steering linkages in his 06 Duramax while in a parking lot! What if that had happened on the freeway? Anyway... every Dodge gasser I have had was a dog. Why did I consider another one? Because of the Cummins under the hood. Yeah... I know I will have to upgrade the transmission but I do it for peace of mind. Neither of my 3rd gens has ever rattled like my Chevy trucks used to. Peace out!

 

[Yo Hoot]

I see more and more Dodges used in commercial applications today on the road... tow trucks, service trucks. You can thank Ford for that.

 

[jgillott]

I see more and more Dodges used in commercial applications today on the road... tow trucks, service trucks. You can thank Ford for that.

We have 3 or 4 drilling/pipeline companies that have set up shop here in our area. The vast majority of the trucks they are purchasing are Dodge 6. 7L's. Dropped my 1/2 ton off at the dealer this afternoon for some recall work and they were loading a huge Lincoln welder outfit in the bed of a new Mega Cab Dually in one of the service bays. Looked kinda odd to see that welder in the back of such a nice truck (Longhorn), but it is the nature of the business right now I guess.



On edit: I forgot to add that it was being swapped out from a ~ '08 6. 4L Ford F350.

 

[Clay]

Fortunately, I've read a lot about all these problems when researching my truck and read about just as many for Ford and Chevy. I still went with the Cummins; there just happened to be a Dodge attached to it as well. I'm sure my Cummins will be alright as is, but I wouldn't mind protecting it from some of the crappy required exhaust components, but I definitely plan to preempt what I can with the inevitable failings of my Dodge.

It's been hit on the head multiple times during this discussion and the sooner everyone accepts it the better, but modern consumer goods are designed with significantly shorter lifespans than the few us would like. Apple products are a good example since they seem to have a build in self-destruct timer. Unfortunately our trucks our no different and yeah there's obviously variance. Harvey touched on it well when he referenced how large of a sample you would need to get an accurate picture, but isn't that why we're on this forum, to see that sample? I'm pretty sure it's cheaper than buying and driving a hundred trucks on your own.

I just think this shorter lifespan is more noticeable for us because we're a smaller community with the common value of maintaining our equipment for longer instead of just replacing it and that's why we're Diesel owners and not just gas vehicle owners like most of our peers.

I'm pretty sure we're mostly grown men--hell, I'm probably one of the younger guys at just 25--so we might as well behave as such and respect people's choices to stay with or move away from diesel vehicles because like I said, they're not for everyone and with modern manufacturing the care and effort (and cost) needed to keep one maintained for the long run has most likely increased. I feel like I've learned from -most- of what everyone here has contributed of their own experiences, but I'm pretty sure the personal back and forth bashing is taking away from what honestly could be a very informative thread on this forum.

 

[Clay]

oh and if anyone wants to give me advice on how to help prevent some of these issues, I'd sure love if you hopped over to my post on this same forum asking for advice on these matters.

And for the record, I love my Dodge. I've got less than 30k miles so far and haven't seen her for a year (in Afghanistan for only a few more days!) so maybe distance is just making the heart grow fonder, but I hope to keep my truck for a very long time and am prepared to pay for it, but I'm sure hoping to do it proactively and not reactively.

 

[BSeyler]

It's been hit on the head multiple times during this discussion and the sooner everyone accepts it the better, but modern consumer goods are designed with significantly shorter lifespans than the few us would like. Apple products are a good example since they seem to have a build in self-destruct timer.

When I was a kid (okay, I have kids older than you), 100,000 miles on a vehicle was usually looked at as being the upper limit. At that mileage, you would most likely be looking at a total engine rebuild, plus work on other components. I ran my last pickup to over 250,000 miles without even removing a valve cover. My current CTD has over 200,000 miles and I look at it as just being broken in. There are many out there with a lot more miles than that. I'm happy with that. What do you want from your pickup?

Apple computer? Then only time I have replaced an Apple computer is when the technology has advanced beyond my computer's capability. Their stock is kicking A!

Oh, and hoping you have a safe return from Afghanistan. My son's welcome home ceremony is tomorrow. He's been missing his CTD, as well. Thanks for your service.

 

[Clay]

BSeyler,
Thanks for the well wishes and I'm not trying to bash Apple or anything. I know their computers are good but iPod for example are notorious for unexplained deaths. There's exceptions to all of these, but we live in a consumer culture where the average person buys a new car within three years of their last one, but obviously most of us are not like that. I love America. Thank God we're not in Cuba with no choice but to make a car last forever.

All I want from my pickup is probably what you want from yours. I want it to get me from point A to point B and from point B to point C, many many many times whether those points are down a rough washboard road in Alaska, pulling a trailer on a highway or just driving to and from work. I want to keep my truck for the next 300k miles and still think of it as a better option to a new car. I'm glad you've had good success with your trucks and I'm pretty confident that I'll have the same with mine.

 

[mtman86]

Hey Clay,

Be damn safe and vigilant before your return to US soil. Get home quick. God Bless. John

 

[Deleted member 995608]

oh and if anyone wants to give me advice on how to help prevent some of these issues, I'd sure love if you hopped over to my post on this same forum asking for advice on these matters.



And for the record, I love my Dodge. I've got less than 30k miles so far and haven't seen her for a year (in Afghanistan for only a few more days!) so maybe distance is just making the heart grow fonder, but I hope to keep my truck for a very long time and am prepared to pay for it, but I'm sure hoping to do it proactively and not reactively.

Good man you are. There's a price we pay,... ... whether it's for freedom or reassurance.



Thank You

 

[HBarlow]

oh and if anyone wants to give me advice on how to help prevent some of these issues, I'd sure love if you hopped over to my post on this same forum asking for advice on these matters.

And for the record, I love my Dodge. I've got less than 30k miles so far and haven't seen her for a year (in Afghanistan for only a few more days!) so maybe distance is just making the heart grow fonder, but I hope to keep my truck for a very long time and am prepared to pay for it, but I'm sure hoping to do it proactively and not reactively.

Clay,

I didn't read this because the following posts left it behind on a previous page. I saw it quoted in the posts of others.

Thank you for your service. Please be as careful as you can these next few days and make it home safely.