Why should I buy a New 2001 Ram 4x4?

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As the previous owner of a 96 2500HD 4x4 with a Cummins/Auto, I remind myself of some of the problems I had with my truck. Seems some, if not all, of the problems STILL exist with even the 2001's. Steering wander, brake pull, low fuel economy/low power complaints, dash rattles, transmission problems, etc. I find myself looking elsewhere such as to Chevrolet's new 2500HD with an Allison 5 Speed transmission and a Duramax. I have a new 2001 2500 4x4 Cummins/Auto on order(I think-Got cancelled twice-?) with the SLT+ package, sport package, and all the goodies. I just want someone to tell me my money will not be wasted on the possibly trouble plagued Dodge. Can someone give me some guidance? Dodge, with old body style or new Chevy 2500HD? Help...

 

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I'd like to make 4 points:
1. Dodge body style is matured and problems are pretty much worked out; Chevy is new.
2. Cummins engine has top notch reputation and the design is proven; hopup systems are readily available and effective if the owner wants them.
3. Cusomer satisfaction is largely a result of dealer quality, with some contribution from customer atitude on approaching the service dept.
4. It looks like you have pretty much talked yourself into the Chevy. Go ahead. I think that 6-12 months with it will have you coming back.
Hope this helps. #ad
What other kind of advice could you expect from this forum? #ad

 

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Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly:
I'd like to make 4 points:
1. Dodge body style is matured and problems are pretty much worked out; Chevy is new.
2. Cummins engine has top notch reputation and the design is proven; hopup systems are readily available and effective if the owner wants them.
3. Cusomer satisfaction is largely a result of dealer quality, with some contribution from customer atitude on approaching the service dept.
4. It looks like you have pretty much talked yourself into the Chevy. Go ahead. I think that 6-12 months with it will have you coming back.
Hope this helps. #ad
What other kind of advice could you expect from this forum? #ad

No I havnt made up my mind. I just see post after post on the TDR website with guys with the same problems I had 5 years ago. Why cant Dodge fix the brakes and the steering box, to name a few recurring problems. I love the Cummins motor and the look of the Ram, Just dont want to buy a $35,000 problem again. Thanks for any input.

Billy

 

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I would like to throw out some of my experiences. In the last 6 years my dad and I have owned 5 Dodge/Cummins trucks, a 94, 2 95's and now 2 98's. Of those five trucks, not one has had the problems that seem to be common to others. I have never had brake pull. I have never had steering wander. The mpg is acceptable in my opinion (19 mpg on my old 95 and 17-19 on my 98). Only a few things would make me consider another brand and I have had them both (Chevy and Ford). My truck does rattle a little, but has 80,000 miles on some of the roughest roads you will ever drive on. Bottom line is, I love my Dodge.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, 245/70-19. 5 Michelin's, Ranchhand front bumper, Ranchhand rear bumper, Ranchhand toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake

 

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YOU SHOULD NOT BUY THAT 01;
Unless, you want the best truck you have ever owned!
I am only in my second Dodge/Cummins (an 01 4X4,) but neither it no my last Ram had ANY of the problems you see discussed. None of my associates with Rams have any of those problems. I can't help but think they are actually fairly rare-----which is on no comfort to the guy who has them.
Just as it was no comfort to me when I had a self destructing ford, that others were having good luck with fords.
You can allways have problems with any machine, but I think it true that your probablility of problems is less with the Dodge.

Vaughn

 

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RamBill, I have always liked and owned ford trucks in the past. I still like them, if fact I was on a ford lot Dec 99 looking to buy a PSD, but they didn't have I wanted and wouldn't deal my trade. So on my way home, I stopped in a Dodge dealer and sat in a new 99 2500 4x4 ISB. I was impressed, liked it and bought it. Of course my 99' had a few problems, the usual squeaks, and the auto transmission failure at 18K, and always disappointed when a PSD blew my doors in.

FYI: I was never a chevy truck lover but what the heck our other truck is a 98 Suburban 4x4, yes it;s nice, but can;t say I love it. It had a handfull of problems too.

Check out our counterpart website(s) the ford PSDs and even the Chevy ones. Read carefully, they have a whole slough of thier own body shakes, dash rattles, transmission problems, etc etc.

Additionally, The Duramax is a 1st generation attempt at a V8 eng (let alone electronic control) and Allisions 1st generation at an electronicly controled transmission.

 

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Every brand has its problems, A Person has to get what he wants. There is nothing cooler than a Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friend has a Ford Powerstroke and he wishes he could have a Dodge crewcab

 

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The brake problem is fixed as of the 2000 model year. New Bosch brakes,remember the bad brakes were GM Delco. Steering can be made livable by alignment shop,but the loose steering box is another GM product.

 

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RAMBILL, Did your 96 have all the problems that you listed in your post or are you refering to the post of the membership here?
If all those were problems that you had on your particular truck then I see your point of looking elsewhere. In my 7 years of driving Dodge Cummins trucks I could write my complaints on the head of a match, may be I've just been lucky. Most of the owners I know are very happy.
This current truck I have will be 2 years old next month and I will admit that I've been looking but thats nothing new, some people have golf clubs some people buy bowling balls I like a new truck every couple of years or so. In the last 4 or 5 months I've test drove 8 or 10 new trucks(Dodge's) and still enjoy getting back into mine.
Go to the Dodge dealer and test drive a truck, if it feels good buy it. But go to brand x&y's lots also and test theirs then buy whats right for you. This forum is not the place to get much sympathy when your going down the street to buy another brand of truck. We on this forum really like our trucks, I rode Harleys for 25 years or better and one of my bars even made RIP's Run book from Easy Riders and I'll tell you the following of these trucks is almost as strong as the following of Harleys.
Anyway enjoy whatever you buy and if any of us can help let us know!! Regards Pete


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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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The very worst decision you can make is to buy something costing in the Mid 30's is to make that decision on a whim. The way it drives today may not be the way it drives in 20,000 miles. 6bbl made some good points. I can add one other consideration: the front differential and CV joint axles on G. M. trucks are generally undersized for the power, and require boot and CV joint replacement at regular intervals. Now if the Duracrax has all the power they claim, I see lots of front drive train failures.
A good friend just traded his '95 Dodge for a 2000, and he says the difference in build quality and comfort is amazing.
My personal experience with G. M. products is such that I will never own another, and one was a Corvette.
Ain't no perfect trucks, but there is a better one, and it's Dodge. Cummins? Show me a better one.
Ron


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'99 QC SLT 4X4, Forest Green, long box, camper/trailer pkg, 3. 55 axles, auto, CD/cassette, power seat, heated mirrors, HD xfer case, Two meter Radioshack ham transceiver (license KC7MME),Proud member of the vast right wing conspiracy!
'98 Arctic Cat 300 4X4 ATV
'00 Honda Recon ATV
'99 Grand Cherokee
NRA Life member

 

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RamBill-
I am one of those people that have not experienced ANY problems with my truck. It drives, stops, steers, and goes, perfectly. You must consider that most of the issues addressed on this board are about the problems that people have encountered with their trucks. And it is a great place to help get these issues resolved. The appearance, however, is that EVERYONE who has a Ram is also having problems. This is far from the truth. It is just less interesting to post a question such as "My truck stops perfectly - What do I do?" I hope that when your new truck arrives, that you too, will become one of the silent but happy members reading in the background.

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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. 55 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!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

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Would it be a fair statement to say we (for sure I) buy the engine of our choice. It just happens to have a Dodge Truck wrapped around it. My 2001 ETH/DEE is the hardest pulling truck I have ever owned. I am waiting on the new 4dr, but if I don't like what I see, I'll keep what I have. At 4. 9% financing, it's almost free money.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, VA Magic Box, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake, 20K Reese. (RV Dealer)

 

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RamBill,

I have had a few problems with my truck (leaking front axle seals, chrome wheels rusting prematurely) but nothing major. I also bought the Cummins with the Dodge wrapped around it. The Duramaxipad and the Powerchoke can't match the Cummins -- not even close. The inline six design is the best. The others (V8's) don't even sound like a real diesel. Stay with the Cummins.

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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran off into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Filter, Brite-Box, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

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howdy RamBill-- 20 years ago, when I first started (legally) driving, no truck on the road had the fit/finish quality that could touch even the crappiest of today's builds. . the Toyotas were outdriving everyone, when downtime was compared against downtime... Now, Detroit has learned its lesson about quality. Part of that lesson is: if you have contractual access to a subcontractor that is THE AUTHORITY (or one of few that can be considered such), buy from them!!! Cummins and Caterpillar are that for mid-to-highHP Diesels. Isuzu's forte has been the smaller,lowerHP Diesels. (they do have some heavy haulers, but, unless I'm mistaken, the Duramax will be the only one in that midrange area that is suitable(?) for a fullsize American pickup)... . I'd hold onto the present truck, at least for a year or two, unless there's serious animosity everytime you see it in the driveway. (My Chevy and I didn't part as friends. It got custody of the new set of Wranglers and my custom (me-built) triplemount front receiver and the matching headache rack. ) I got the freedom to enjoy a proper (except Delco-braked) truck... $0. 02(US)----rich

 

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RamBill, Buy a Dodge/Cummins at least you know what the problems could be.

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Missouri Mule 96 White 4X4 ST club cab,(grey int. ),5 spd, 3. 54 reg dif, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards, front and side of bed,Pofile V bug shield,
99 Freight liner FL60 blue Cummins 24v 215 hp, 520 torgue,6 spd 3. 59 no spin rear, 16 ft dry box (white) 19. 5 low profile tires,Weight 11,000, gvw 23000, 11 to 12 mpg
Bill Thomas (Wild Bill)

 

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I own a 2001 HO 6spd. With only 1900 miles it has plenty of power,is averaging about 17mpgs in town driving,has no brake pull and does not wander. A number of improvements have been made as far as the steering and braking. Im tickled with this truck compared to my auto impaired 99. The only particular problem Im haveing is the howl/whine its had from the engine since I drove it off the lot. It hasnt been fixed as yet since I beleive the local dealer does not have a qualified Cummins tech. Im taking it to Cummins next week to start the fireworks if you know what I mean.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB( so what it works},my own designed CB mount (more to come)

 

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I am just curious if this new Chevy is supposed to be so heavy duty, great and wonderful why is it that the thing is so light? My buddies new chevy has more problmes that we could post about and when I had the equiv. of his truck in my Dodge 1500 I outweighed him almost 2,000#'s just curious where all that weight went any ideas?

P. S. I love my new truck would own 2 if I could afford it!

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights, Diesel Dynamics Stage-3's, DD Boost Module,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz.com

Add on's to come: Exhaust Brake, Torq-Loc, Line-X bed-liner, and any other Ram Runner required modification...

 

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I have not owned a better PU! I have not experienced any of the problems mentioned on steering and brake problems. I can go down the road at 55 take both hands off of the steering wheel, put sunglasses on and relax and it is still tracking right on! DEALER is FANTASTIC! BEWARE, any brand you buy can have problems and if you can have a good working relationship with the Service Manager you have won 99% of the battle.

Good luck on your new purchase.

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Bert
"97"SLT,CC,4x4,3/4,5spd,3:54,60gal Aero tank,E-brake,Primelock
Lund running boards,Espar htr,Powervision Mirrors.

 

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Hey buddy, you know what, you SHOULDN'T buy yourself a new Dodge Ram 4 x 4, you should buy ME a new Dodge Ram 4 x 4, let me put about 500K on the odometer, and I'll tell you if it's worth a durn or not, and then I'll let you have it. Don't think of it as used, think of it as "well-tested. " You won't even have to pay me for testing it out for ya. I'm always happy to help a fellow TDR member.

 

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I agree with the earlier post that said, check the Ford and Chevy sites, and look at their owner problem list. On this site, you see posts about problems, posts about accessories, and posts that just basically say "I love my truck". You see a lot more of the last two. I BRIEFLY considered a powerchoke Excursion - a visit to the ford site and seeing nothing but posts about 14 mpg + mechanical problems cured that!
Second, what are you REALLY looking for? If you want a Diesel, with a capital D, you need to be in the dodge. If you are undecided about the noise, the need to idle to cool down the turbo, or don't drive many miles or tow heavy loads, then consider buying a gasser instead. There is no shame in that - it's just a matter of what you want and what you need.
If you decide to experiment with the new Chevy DuraMax, and you WILL be experimenting, then be absolutely sure to negotiate a deal on whatever extended warranties are available. You may not need them, but my guess is that you will.
All this, and I have to admit I've got a steering wander, but thanks to TDR I also have the knowledge to work on that problem without having to just count on my Dealer to figure it out.


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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, Leer Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, Psychotty Air