2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Where does Dodge make the best Trucks?

[Pit Bull]

I know Dodge makes our trucks in Mexico and St. Louis. Are there any differences in the quality of the truck based on where it is made?

Denny

 

[mikeg135]

My 2001 came out of St. Louis. Please do not get me wrong on saying this because I do enjoy my dodge. But my 2001 Dodge is not nearly as refined as my 94 Toyota T-100 that was made in Japan.



I say this based on the glue for the windshield was smeared on the edges that I had to remove with a razor.



The metal componants under the dash board have a good bit of rust on them ( noticed that while installing the guages). I have rust on suspension parts and frame, which the Toyota never rusted.



My clearance lights leaked water.



The front air dam is not a good fit.



Some of you might think that I am being picky. But the way I see it, the price of the Dodge should reflect better quality control in refinements.



Mike

 

[Pit Bull]

Mike, it is funny that you said this about the Toyota. As you can see from my signature I own a 95 Toyota Landcruiser. Great high quality vehicle, plus it has "personality" I love it. I traded a 2001 Toyota Tundra in on my 3500 4x6. The Tundra was perfect, but "No personality". I saw in a movie once where two guys were talking about eating pig meat (ham). The one guy asked the other why people in the USA eat pigs but don't eat dogs. The other guy said that both are smart animals but a dog has "personality" and that "personality" goes a long way. My dog is not perfect but he has "personality" that is why I love him. I have never wanted to own a pig. That is why I don't have a Tundra anymore and I have a Big Bad Dodge 3500 4x6 with the Cummins Turbo diesel. "PERSONALITY"

Denny

 

[Dave Fleming]

If my 1995 3500 4x4 SLT is any example the ones made in Mexico are awful.

Glue/Goo on windshield, mysterious leaks( still not solved by dealer/s), poor fitting doors, 2 trackbars( now going with Lukes Link and new NAPA track bar), faulty wiring to Infinity sound system,air conditioner leak, intermediate steering shaft( being replaced by a Borgensen), clear coat peeling like a bad sunburn( already had one side lower part painted by outside body shop for $800 as Dodge rep would only go $100 toward dealer repainting each side!

As I said in another thread, I now realize I bought a 'new project truck' not a new truck.

My parents bought me a brand new 1962 D-100 318, that's the truck engine version, PU when I started my boat building apprentice ship and I drove that thing right up to taking delivery of this 'project' in Nov. 1994. Methinks I shoulda spent the money on restoring the 'old girl' rather than peeing it down the toilet as I feel I have done so far with the 'project'. Oh the dealer has had the project for 2 weeks now trying to find why it is very hard to start if it sits for more than 48 hours. Yes I did supply them with that TSB on hard starting. And yes I have tried the other 2 dealers nearby me here in 'insane Diego'.

Gee fellas I hope I don't sound bitter or anything but... .

 

[klenger]

I've purchased two trucks made in Mexico. The first truck (2001. 5 SWB 5 sp) had zero defects. Traded it after 6 months on a LWB HO 6 speed. The new one had a rear drive shaft carrier bearing go out, which was fixed under warranty in two days. I suspect that was a bad part from the vendor, so I don't really hold Dodge responsible for the workmanship. The second one also had a bad passenger towing mirror, also replaced under warranty (national backorder), so I guess the assembly plant is not a fault for that one either. The fit and finish of both have been great. No real complaints here.

 

[BCFAST]

Best truck?>

I feel that I am uniquely qualified to render an opinion on this topic. I have been a professional paintless dent tech for 10 years. I now only work for museums and private collections, but for 8 1/2 years, my bread-and-butter was going from dealership to dealership on a daily basis... working with used car managers in polyester! (that explains my current position). I have examined literally 10's of thousands of DC products. I currently own my 2nd Mexican-built Ram. The pecking order is like this: 1. if Chysler has a bad reputation for their vehicles, they should chain the doors shut on the Warren MI plant. Only reg. cab trucks are built there, and most look like they should have a rebuilt title right off the transporter! Bad paint, horrible gaps... really, really lousy. The Fenton MO trucks (reg. and CC) seem to be hit or miss, but vastly superior to the Michigan vehicles. You will still find "normal" problems that make all American cars 3rd rate like missing screws in the door panels, gushing windshield goo, loose moldings, etc. The Mexican trucks are, as I have witnessed, the most consistently good trucks. My two have been flawless in paint, dash-fit, leaks or rattles. These are NOT nit-picky items... for the price of a new Ram, you could buy a new Audi, Mercedes or BMW and you had better believe those manufacturers would never allow any blatant flaws to leave the assembly building.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming

I knew it, I just knew it!

I got the only bad truck made by DC anywhere in the universe.

Oh well it must be bad karma or something I did when I was a teenage deliquint, sigh...

There is another possibility. When did the Saltillo plant open? Mayhap folks from the other plants were teaching them in '94, and maybe they've learned better since then. Only now, at 98K miles, has my Saltillo-built '98 developed its first squeak and/or rattle. Has the truck been perfect? No. But I'm *still* quite satisfied with it; I have no desire to replace it.



Sorry for sounding so upbeat. Isn't Murphy an optimist?



Fest3er

 

[Uncle Joe]

I had a 99 built in mexico,now i have a 01. 5 out of Fenton

imo the mexican built trucks are better quality,nothing specific... just an overall observation.

 

[DarrellB]

I don;t know if DC does this at every plant or not but at the Mexico plant the randomly pull trucks off the line to check the quallity. My 99 was one of them, it came with a little certicicate to let you know why the truck had 34 miles on it and that it was inspected by a quallity supervisor.



Big D

 

[Good Ole Bob]

My 2001. 5 Ram came from St. Louis, and I love it. The only things, that I have sent it back to the dealer, are; the clock spring recall, and the drivers shoulder belt, had a small rub area along the edge. The gaps in the doors are perfect, there is no goo smeared on the windshield, the paint appears to be good, if factory paint jobs are very good. There are no air leaks, water leaks, or anything else wrong with the truck; and I'm very particular about my Ram. When I wash it, I wash the entire truck , from the top to the bottom, front to back. It runs very good, about 115 mph, 17 mpg in town and if I keep my foot out of it, and play with the speed and the rpm; I can and do get 20 to 22 mpg! Like I said; I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY RAM.

 

[redneckdr]

fenton ram

with trepidation, i started driving my new ram 6/21/01. it had been built in fenton on a MONDAY!!!! so far it has been the most perfect new vehicle i've ever bought. steers straight, runs like a jack rabbit, sounds great, and looks great. defects so far--2 bad switches on the passenger side--power lumbar support, and power lock button. bad components, i think. btw, the WORST vehicle i've ever bought new, was one of those "chosen" off the line to be driven for quality control inspection. new '91 pford 4x4, special ordered unit. came in with 83 miles on it, and the now infamous sticker on the window. i gave up on it at about 80k miles. there isn't room to list the defects, and problems. the d@#&n thing spent more time at the stealers than it did with me driving it. FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DRIVE PHORDS!!!! sorry for the rant. i still get speechless when i think of the problems--an' i ain't speechless very often.

 

[DOWG]

I have 92,000 miles on my truck built by Mr. Manual Labor (assembly line worker in Mexico). I have had zero problems other than the common problem of the fuel gauge sending unit and front brake pad wear. I did, however, add a few things that DC forgot... ... ... ... ... .

 

[RustyJC]

Since we've never owned a St. Louis-built truck, I can't really make a valid comparison, but our 2 Mexican-built 3500's have exhibited excellent assembly quality and durability (in the case of the 1996 - too soon to tell with the 2002!) Given my "druthers" right now, based on our experience, I wouldn't hesitate at all to take a Saltillo-built truck!



Rusty

 

[boonsur]

Can you choose?

I love my "Mexican", and have heard only good things from other trucks made there.



Is there any way to choose when ordering? For example, I seem to recall, most with leather were done in Mexico. Does Dodge have all the upper trim levels done "down South", etc. ?

 

[DiTrani]

The truck I just ordered will be the first U. S. brand vehical I've owned. In fact, _after_ doing the deal I had the dealer take me to his lot so I could look at/sit in a 2500 'cause I'd never even been in a Dodge truck before! I guess you can tell I'm buying a Cummins, not a Dodge.



I drove around a 2500 5. 9 (gas) QC SB SLT 4x4, and while the fit-n-finish isn't as nice as the Japanese cars and minivan we've had, I was pleasently surprised.



Anyone know where my truck will be made? I've been to Mexico, love the people and the food, so I'm comfortable with that. St. Louis though - where's that?

 

[redneckdr]

where made

my 01. 5 with sport package and leather was made in st louis/fenton... ..... manufacture date 5/7/01... ... ... .

 

[boonsur]

Flush

There goes that theory.

 

[Pit Bull]

Mine was built in St. Louis. I bought it used with 35K miles on it. I traded a Toyota Tundra 1/2 ton in to get the Dodge. Toyota is known for making quality products with few problems and that was true with my Tundra. My Dodge is just as high quality, and I am very impressed with this truck. I have not purchased an American made vehicle in over 25 years because of quality. I did a great deal of research before I bought this truck and the quality differences now between domestic and others is not an issue. Of course anymore all manufactures are multinational. Glad I bought this Dodge and I bought it after 9/11/01, also hoping to support America.

Denny

 

[mediccummin]

Mexico

My truck was built in Mexico. Besides the steering problems that are currently under investigation. The only other complaint when it was new on the lot is the front axle and differential were not painted so they were all rusty. The entire front end was rust so while it was in the body shop for the dents the runners put in it they painted the frame and front end for me, part of the deal. Other than that my truck seems well built, very little noise from the dash etc etc. , decent paint. As soon as the steering is taken care of I'll have nothing to ***** about and thats a good thing... ... I love my truck the dealer thats a different story.

 

[Big P]

I'm on my second "Hecho en Mexico" truck and I can honestly say that they both seem to be very tight. You gota love those hard working Mexicans.