why I hate my truck

[rbattelle]

As long as we're telling lemon stories, here's my best. 1985 Ford Bronco II: my first car. I paid $1800 ("talked" the guy down from $2000) and my annual income at the time was less than $6000. Over the next 3 years that thing took 2 new engines, a transmission rebuild, 2 carburator rebuilds, a new carburator, new brakes, calipers, air pump, complete air manifold, fuel tank, water pump, 2 alternators, 2 starters, countless spark plugs, new battery, new u-joints (everywhere), ball joints, tie rod ends, A/C compressor, vehicle computer, rear main seal, distributor, ignition wires, countless ignition modules, thermostat, transmission vacuum modulator, torque convertor, muffler, catalyst, EGR, and all the regular maintenance on top of that.



I cannot express the financial hardship that vehicle put me through. Like CStockton, I couldn't sell it to anyone because I couldn't be dishonest. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when the fuel tank started leaking. I said "I'm done" and bought a 1994 Mazda B4000 2 days later.



Ironically, I miss the Bronco because it taught me so much. I was a different person altogether when I traded her. If I had ditched it the first year I'd have saved myself at least $10000. At least.



Ryan

 

[CStockton]

Like CStockton, I couldn't sell it to anyone because I couldn't be dishonest.

I wasn't very clear. I'm selling the truck. It's on ebay now.



I've fixed everything I know about and I wish the next owner the best.

 

[BTighe]

thats why my 97 wasnt listed on here or other sites. i consigned it, lost out on a possible extra 2k but didnt have to deal with it. id feel guilty about the buyer but it turns out hes an old diesel mechanic so im sure he'll survive.

 

[KennethS]

I have bought several lemon cars ad trucks

I bought them at the Auctions from GM,Chrysler and Ford and never had a bad one. They were fixed when I bought them. Even sold my sister a Caddy and she love it. They go for a low price which is great. I did provide my warranty which was no problem. Maybe I was just lucky but I made money on them and everyone was happy. There always a reason for a lemon I have found.

 

[MCummings]

I wasn't very clear. I'm selling the truck. It's on ebay now.



I've fixed everything I know about and I wish the next owner the best.

do you have the ID?



Merrick

 

[JLibert]

sorry to hear about all of your troubles. Between myself and 3 friends we have 2 1st gens, 5 2nd gens, and 4 3rd gen cummins trucks. None have had the frequency of problems you've listed. All have had fuel delivery problems, vp44's and lift pumps on the 2nd gens, and 1 lift pump (mine) on the 3rd gens. I have 101k on mine with only a lift pump gone bad. I had a TSB reflash, and a power steering squeal that I can't get rid of, but that's it. I really think you got a lemon. I would pull off your parts and trade in on a new dodge. Ford is out of the question with all of it's engine troubles, and they seem to go through brakes like no other. Buddies of mine with Dmax's have replaced injectors and computers, not to mention front suspension components every 40-50K. Dodge was the only option for me.

 

[ChrisKringle]

Just dropped a little over a grand on front ball joints and all tie rod ends at 69k. Sucks.

 

[rbattelle]

Just dropped a little over a grand on front ball joints and all tie rod ends at 69k. Sucks.

I assume the dealer did this? That price is outrageous.



Ryan

 

[BigEasy]

I assume the dealer did this? That price is outrageous.



Ryan

I just did close to the same, but I also had a track bar, brakes, rotors and u-joints!

 

[BHolm]

I assume the dealer did this? That price is outrageous.



Ryan

The dealer quoted my wife $1100 for ball joints on the '03 They didn't get the job In fact, that truck still drives just fine, I haven't bothered to do them. I am pretty sure they were looking for something to sell her.

 

[MR.K]

This is really scary... What is the build date on the door jamb ... . where was it made... . what is it. . a quad,1ton,etc. as I have one of these 03's too... I only have 18,000 miles on mine . . quad 4x4 auto HO Apr 03 build. . is this what I get to look foward too??

 

[MCummings]

No need to get paranoid.



There is a percentage of vehicles from all manufactures that don't hold up well.



I would say this is not what to expect, but it does happen occasionally.





Merrick

 

[JohnsonG]

Holy @#^#%$#^



And I was torqued off for loosing 3 injectors at 135,000 and replacing a clutch on my 03 6 speed... . I've had little stuff problems now and then, but nothing like this and my 20 year old son is pretty unforgiving on "europunks" at stop lights.....



G

 

[DPelletier]

Short and sweet 'cause I don't have time to tell the whole story;



- Worst truck I've ever had: 1993 GMC 6. 5 TD. Spent over $20,000 in a three year period on repairs.



- 2nd worse truck I've ever had: 1996 F250 PSD. Spent over $10,000 in 30 months on repairs



I've had four CTD's (still have three) and none of them have had any major issues. Sure I've replaced some ball joints and some shocks, etc. etc. but overall I'm very pleased. Just remember, anything mechanical can and will break. I just happen to believe that a Cummins powered Ram truck statistically breaks less often than the competition does at this time.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[ChrisKringle]

I assume the dealer did this? That price is outrageous.



Ryan

NO, Big O Tire. Ball joints, u-joints, all tie rods/ends in the steering linkage, allignment. Also $60 per side to throw on my aftermarket EBC front brake pads while everything was apart. $120 for labor on the brake pads is thievery, but I didn't find out 'till I picked it up. So after the smoke cleared, cost me like $300 in labor to have them do all the work. Another words, if I bought the parts myself and did it, I would have only saved like $300 (the ball joints at that time were like $400). They installed non-greasable (greasable not available to them) ball joints which are warrentied for life. Looks like I'll be seeing them in 40-50k. Drove like a dream after, one finger freeway all the way!