Your Trucks-like Or Dislike?

[Joe Turbo Diesel]

i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU LIKE YOUR TRUCKS AND WHAT PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE HAD. tHE COMMON PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE dODGE rAMS. tHE transmission,PAINT AND STEERING TO NAME A FEW. hOW DOES THE RAM MEASURE UP TO THE psd. hAS DEALER SERVICE FOR YOU BEEN GOOD. tHE QUALITY(BUILD QUALITY) OF FIT AND FINISH.

dO YOU THINK THE NEW RAM WILL BE A EVEN CONTENDER FOR THE psd FROM fORD?i PAN IN A YEAR OR TWO TO MAYBE SWITCH FROM fORD TO dODGE. wHAT AREAS CAN BE IMPROVED BY d. c.

dO

Do YOU THINK THAT THE dODGES ARE TINNY TRUCKS?

I see that there is more info for ram owner on this site and in the magazine that by Ford. Would you buy another Ram or convert to a Ford or GM. Thanks Joe

 

[Snow man]

Things i dont like, Ok ive had 2 Rams with Cummins now,a 96,and my 2000,both built in St loius,both have bad paint quality,and the paint chips off when you sneeze next to the truck. Steering feel,and returnabilty of the wheel on my 4x4's is bad,in addition there is hardly any assist at lowspeeds,almost feels like manual sterring,the quad cab has very small back seat,on the 2000,due to the thick seat with seat belt integral ,the 96 had much more leg room. The 4" lift blocks on 4x4's make the truck shudder going forward to reverse,when i have my salt spreader in it,and the plow on,both Dodge's did it,my GMCs do not so this at all. . Almost every Dodge ive looked at,and mine both too came from the factory with both doors adjusted wrong!,this bothers me the most,they all are hung to low,and you need to slam them,and they ride up when they shut. I have adjusted 5 different trucks,it it only takes 15-20 minutes a side,but i should need to adjust the doors on a brand new truck. My cousins 99 got real bad,at 50K ,the door actually broke where the latch is,from it hitting the strike plate so many times,he ended up needing a new door,over a $1000 repair,he rigged it up,and traded it in on a new one!Oh yeah,both my trucks had auto's both leaked out the cooler lines,the 96 at the transmission,and engine cooler,the 2000 leaked out behind the bumper,in under 40K miles,if i hadnt caught my 2000's doing a visual inspection ,there is no doubt in my mind it would have blown off,and blew my transmission,the clamps were so loose, i dont know how they stayed on. Overall I d definetely buy another,there is just nothing else like the Cummins,and no other truck has it,besdies Ford's,and GM's aren't perfect either.

 

[dmurdock]

Likes:

-Both trucks I've had have been nothing but dependable. Only problem I've had in a total of 90000 miles (65k on 1st truck, 25k on current one) is a bad lift pump on the current truck.

-Easy to work on (not that i've had to, but maintenance is a breeze)

-Controls are all easy to operate and well laid out. The interior for the most part is designed very well.

-Has an in-line 6. I'm not going to argue the merits, I just prefer an in-line 6 in a diesel engine.

-Very good stereo system (although mine is on AM 99% of the time)



Dislikes:

-If you don't buy the trip computer, the overhead console in my opinion is useless.

-Seat needs padding after about a year (easy to do... also depends on how much pressure your butt applies to it )

-No factory tow-hooks

-Junk A$$ lift pump (see above)





If I was going to buy another truck, I would do what I did when I bought the last 2. Look at everything the big 3 have to offer, and pick what I think is best. So far it's dodge 2, ford/chevy 0.

 

[Snow man]

Things i like about my truck, first off, it looks mean,hardly anyone hogs the hammer lane when you come up behind them,they pull over,the power,especially bombed. I love the tight turning radius,it turns excellent in tight spots. the interior,and cupholders/center console are the best. Fuel economy is great on the 12v,ok on the 24. It is easy to service,and most things that need to be done,are esy to get to. The doors have 6x9 speakers,great for audio upgrades. love how the Dodge puts the power to the ground, at the truck pulls this summer with only an EZ my 215hp truck poutpulled the 300hp duramaxes by 30 ft easily,a tug of war with one backed that up,the Dmax never stood a chance.

 

[Bandit1]

i loved my truck when i got it, and i still do. i have had it for over a year now and i still love it. in my opinion it is the best looking truck and is built better than a similar ford or chevy. have owned a chevy and my dad owns 2 fords, i hate driving them both. i have had a few little probs simply from normal wear and nothign that cant be fixed. in my eyes, best truck built!!

 

[jandtjil]

Likes:

looks

available accesories for eng, drivetrain, bumpers, you name it

the TDR



Dis-likes:

huge front window pillar

wandering steering



wish it had:

4 real doors and room to match

 

[RedRam1]

Love my truck, and have not had any problems over 18 months, and 17K miles. My biggest beef is with the paint. Although the quality of the finish is pretty good, the paint is incredibly fragile. It chips if you look at it the wrong way!



I have been very particular with this truck since I've got nearly 35K tied up in it, and have gone to great pains trying to keep from damaging the paint. Even so, I have accumulated more paint chips along the lower extremities than my old Toyota 4 x 4 had at 200k miles. I wasn't very particular with the old toyota either, I used it like a four wheeler.



I painted my John Deere tractor with a single stage polyurethane, it looks great and is unbeliveably tough. I wonder what type of paint is used on our Rams?

 

[chuck3]

The transmission never seemed to perform the way I wanted, maybe just me. But now with the DTT upgrades its works great. No other problems for me , guess I was lucky.

chuck

 

[klenger]

I wish that the 4x4 wasn't so high off the ground. Call me wierd, but I like the way that the Chevy is not so high. I'd also prefer less noise, but the 2003 takes care of that.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

Likes/dislikes

I've got 74,000 miles on mine in 21 months.



Likes: Fuel mileage, power, hauling/towing capacity, tire wear. I'm averaging 18. 1 for every gallon of fuel I've bought, the Michillin tires that came on the truck had 60,000 miles on when I took them off for the winter, and look like they'll go another 15,000 next summer.



Dislikes: Lift pump, large blind spot/front pillar, couldn't order heated, power towing mirrors, and it didn't come standard with an exhaust brake! I have a few paint chips, but have also replaced one windshield and have a couple rock chips in this one, so maybe I'm hard on it???



I am very well satisfied, would by another in a heartbeat! The biggest limitation so far are the trailer tires when I tow heavy. I have a good dealer, perhaps not the most knowledgable in matters diesel, but willing to learn when I bring printouts from the TDR site.



Ray

 

[Okie-Go]

I am on my second cummins also. First was an auto this one the 6spd. From my experience I am very pleased so far. If the truth wree told none of them are perfect. I work mine fairly hard with no problems. The ring and pinion seal is the only time it saw warranty work. 01 model with better than 40,000 miles, I don't let it rest much.

 

[Pit Bull]

Love It!!! Best looking truck on the road and it has a Cummins diesel in it to boot No problems to date.

 

[wcaldwell]

I love my truck. I love to drive it. I love the power. I love the looks. I love the interior. I love the ride. I love the sound of the turbo. I especially love the sound any time I push on the go-pedal. I love the room. I love the comfort. Did I say I love my truck?



About the only thing I don't love is the stiff or hard to use horn button. It had 34k on the clock when I bought it on 28 September. I've not had any problems of any kind in the 12k miles I've put on it since then.



Wouldyabelieve me when I say I love my truck? Oo. Oo. Oo.



(knowhatImean?HeyVern?)

 

[JCockrell]

I'll take two please....

Dodge was the wrapping paper on the Cummins present.



126k+, rear pinion and transmission seal the only work done under warranty. Nothing but regular maint. since. 18-21 city 20-22. 9 highway (calculated) mpg, foot feed pressure is the major variable. Nothing but good things to say. Would do it again, in a heartbeat. :-laf



Ain't got no V-8, ain't got no aluminimumum heads, ain't got no plastic truck. Cummins rules...

 

[LSMITH]

I have a real love/hate relationship with my truck. The paint on mine is great, maybe the mexican paint is better? I have had a ton of work done on mine. At about 32K miles the steering gear, all tie rod ends, track bar, and drag link were replaced. At about 36K I had a new cruise control servo replaced. At about 40K miles I had a front axle seal and stub axle replaced. At about 42K miles I had a track bar replaced. At about 45K miles I had both rear axle seals replaced, and the oil soaked shoes replaced. About 48K miles the brake lights and rear turn signals were re-wired, sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't. At about 50K I had all ball joints, knuckles, calipers and brake hoses replaced. At about 52K miles the head lights were rewired so they would be brighter than a bic lighter, corrosion in the harness was the cause. At about 56K miles I had a track bar replaced. At about 60K miles the underhood light switch was replaced. At about 72K miles I had a track bar replaced. At about 90K I had a track bar replaced, and the steering gear and tie rod ends are getting loose. I am sure I have forgotten a few things too. The fuel economy, great looks and power are the only saving graces for this truck. Overall it has been a miserable piece of ____! The flimsy underdesigned steering on this truck is a hanging offense in my opinion, the guy responsible for approving the design needs hung as well. The brake system on the front is also a miserable failure, keeping the brake pull at bay is now a normal maintenance activity. I have been unhappy with the auto transmission from day one too, it is sluggish to say the least. The interior design, fit and finish is the best on the market though, one more plus.



I have never EVER had another vehicle with the problems of this truck, were it not for the Cummins engine and extended warranty it would have gone down the road to someone else a long time ago. So far the repairs I have had have cost me less than $500 if I don't count the extended warranty cost. I am nearly out of warranty now, I plan on making future repairs with the very best the aftermarket has to offer, it HAS to be better than what Dodge has. I really think that if I paid the money for a new truck that it would not be a Dodge, a real 4 door crew cab would get my money along with prayers to have better luck with it. The problems I have had with this truck have been unreasonable, they all have troubles but this is extreme. I have off-roaded this truck ONE TIME, and drove it like it was made of glass when I did. All of my troubles have been on a truck that is a pavement princess with very little towing and light towing when I have towed.



Sorry for the rant. There are some real piles of Dodge (or ford, or chevy) out there, and I was unfortunate enough to get one. I admit that I have had more trouble than anyone else I know, and that I am extremely picky about everything. Only excellence will suffice, and the Cummins is just that.

 

[RichR]

Same as above

LSmith,My experience is pretty much the same as yours. I got to the point I hated that truck. I only had a moderate load (1-1. 5k) in the bed 5-6 times. It was a big car to me. And should not had the amount of repairs in 55,000.

Ill fitting body panels.

Three fuel tank senders.

Tail gate latches.

Axle seals.

Front axle u joints.

2 headlight switches.

Drivers seat recliner.

Track bar.

w/w resivoir.

Transfer case.

oil pressure sender

Leaking hmsl on back of cab.

These are the things I can remember.

A few other things were also getting to me concerning owning a Diesel too.

But I will not own another Dodge.

I went back to a gasser.

Too bad it cost me a lot of $$ coming in and getting out.

Truck was a 98 12v QC SB 4x4 Auto.

Rich

 

[FFutch]

Love mine....

... only have 55k,so it's not even broke in yet. I love the Cummins and I love the Dodge "wrapper" as so many guys call it. This truck has not been babied much,as I bought it for a work truck. Pulls the 580 case as well as the Charger,(or anything else for that matter). It has been in the woods,hauled firewood,concrete,gravel,sand,blocks,or anything else I can fit in the bed. It has had a few problems,but very few,1 lift pump,front brake pads,clutch(my fault ),and I agree the paint could be better. Being a mechanic though I can tell you from what I've seen the other brands ain't a whole lot better . Everyone is making metal,paint,ect. thinner and cheaper. Also being around and working on diesels most of my life I'll always be a fan of the in-line 6 diesel. This truck has started everyday without fail,no matter how cold. The steering and suspension are still good and tight(except the shocks),fit and finish are good,and overall I'm am very happy with my rig. Just my 2 pennys. Doug

 

[apkole]

I feel that both of our trucks are reliable, and I really do enjoy driving the '99 every day as a rolling office. The ergonomics of the cab work well for our kind of work.



However, the cargo floor height of the newer truck is 8" higher than that of the '91, making it a little more work each time we load shingles, plywood or other construction components in and out of the cargo area. By the end of a day of roofing, the ladder racks seem alot farther off the ground also.



The other side of that coin is that our front plows can stack snow higher than those mounted on the F**ds and Bow wow Tie because mounts are higher.



The wide A pillar has taught me a new appreciation for double checking oncoming trafffic at intersections BEFORE I pull out.



An additional challenge is that the windshield angle tends to aggravate the loading of snow at the hood and under the wipers during heavy snow events, when visibility is critical. Can really irritate during snowplowing activity. Did I see that DC actually lowered the angle of the windshield on the new model?



And am I the only one who can't find wiper blades that will consistently follow the contour of the windshield in cold weather. Maybe it's those ANCO after market blades that are defective.



Andy

 

[me4osu]

The only thing I don't like about my truck is the d@#n power driver's seat. I need to do the seat mod I saw on another thread, because the thing kills my back.



FFutch

Good to see another old mopar fiend in here. Can't do the bombs, cause the Charger will get jealous that its not getting ALL of the money.

 

[JCockrell]

not alone

apkole,



I have tried most wiper blades. In the same place as you. I am going to try the new Piaa wiper blades as soon as I replaced the windshield. Sometime next week, if it gets warmer.