Dodge Ram?

Jigman · 05-28-2001, 03:23 PM

Looking to buy a new full size pickup this year and I hhave my eye on the Dodge. Anybody out there have one or have any comments on them? Thanks.

boater · 05-28-2001, 03:31 PM

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

Firedog · 05-28-2001, 04:04 PM

I love my 2000 F-350 super cab powerstroke. Best truck I have ever owned. go to www.ford-diesel.comforum, you can get a lot of info and also some great info on ordering if that is what you decide on. Great deals to be had at below invoice. For a 1 ton mine rides great and really hauls a load. Gets 20mpg if 65mph and under and 16-17 if run around 70-75. For a big truck I am very happy with that. A whole lot better than my GMC Yukon got. This truck drives great, rides great and is just plain fun to drive. Has 13,000 miles on it, these things run for 100's of thousands of miles if taken care of right.

[ 05-28-2001: Message edited by: firedog ]

[ 05-28-2001: Message edited by: firedog ]

SHLEPROCK · 05-28-2001, 04:34 PM

WE JUST BOUGHT A RAM A FEW WEEKS AGO. I LIKE IT BUT IT HAS SOME BLIND SPOTS IN IT AND ITS HARD TO TELL WHERE THE NOSE ENDS BECAUSE OF THE ROUND FRONTEND. I THINK THEY LOOK NEAT AND DODGE ALWAYS HAS. HEY THERE BOATER COULD YOU TELL US WHAT PROBLEMS WE NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?

smilesforu · 05-28-2001, 06:20 PM

I have heard the power stroke Fords have a problem with the rear transmission. Friend lost three rear ends while pulling his trailer down south ... Now that is a hassle I could do with out. Those Dodge diesels are a pulling machine. Have heard of no major problems with the Dodge except when a battery goes dead. As with all the new trucks when something breaks you need nasa to fix it or at least understand it because of all the electronics.

FEAR NO FISH! · 05-28-2001, 06:26 PM

There is a reason they named it Ram. It stands for old broken down goat! Been there done that, 3 motors later , traded it in on FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY POWERSTROKER! Put a chip in it and smokes tires with a camper on it! Les Schwab loves me. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Stz ll · 05-28-2001, 06:27 PM

The biggest problem with owning a Ford is that you have to drive them. Worst tracking vehicle on the road. Terrible handling truck.
Go with a Chev or Dodge.

Salmonator · 05-28-2001, 06:55 PM

All the manufacturers put out a lemon every now and then and I think I have one of them. My 99 Dodge has 38K miles on it and i've been having some front end problems for the last 10k. I've dealt with front brake pull, brake wobble, I now need my third front end alignment in the last 6 months, and now I have a 40 and 60 mile an hour truck vibration that the local dealer says can't fix. Dodge customer service is sending me arbitration paperwork so I can attempt to have them buy it back. If all goes well I'll buy a 2001 model but maybe a 5 or 6 speed. Loved the truck, just hated the front end! Sal

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boater · 05-28-2001, 07:32 PM

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

fatfish · 05-28-2001, 08:05 PM

Try the rest then buy the best. Toyota Tundra!!!!! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Fish mojo · 05-28-2001, 08:11 PM

Fatfish, he said a truck, not a toy... Silverado ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Rauly · 05-28-2001, 08:41 PM

I have had mine since 95. The only problem with it is It doesn't get over 22 miles per gallon on the highway. I have to stop in Sacramento to get more diesel on my way south. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] It is a good truck.

Rauly

Starr · 05-28-2001, 08:55 PM

I've got a F550. What a piece of sh**. Lost a clutch at 10k miles, the second one went out at 31K. Blew the turbo, roasted all of the injectors and can't keep front tires on it. The 19.5 inch tires cost $275 each. To add insult to injury, I'm LUCKY to get 12 mpg. Granted, this isn't exactly your standard cruise around town rig, but all of the engine parts are the same on every powerstroke. My next rig will absolutly be a Dodge. Every one of my friends that have them, love them.

Finn-icky · 05-29-2001, 03:31 AM

I have a 95 Ram. Have been reasonably happy with it, but I'm reluctant to consider another Dodge product. Chrysler Corp. doesn't seem to want to back their product on warranty work. I called back to customer service in Mich. and they so much as told me to go p*** up a rope. I do believe the cummins engine is the best thing going. just to bad it's not in the Chev or Ford product line. If you go with Dodge, my advice would be to avoid the automatic tranny as if it where a death sentence. Weakest link of the Doge by far. Good luck in what ever you choose, as they all have their draw backs.

Capin' Dan · 05-29-2001, 05:29 AM

Jigman,
My little brother bought a new one last year. Already put a new tranny in it and as of last week bought a new Ford and took a huge loss on the dodge. He cautioned me in my new hunt for a truck

Master Baiter · 05-29-2001, 08:37 AM

Jigman,

I asked for similar info a few monts back, search the archives for my name or "Diesel v. Gasoline" to see some responses I got!

Also, there are Dodge and Ford diesel Forums like this fishing forum that contain tons of info on each. You can also post questions there and get LOTS of help.

Be objective while looking try too stay clear of the one-sided debates of "My brand is best". They all have strenghts and weaknesses and periodic lemons, get whats best for your needs.

You did not mention whether you where thinking of diesel or not. For the amount of cash that you will spend on a good machine, the diesel will last twice as long, and hold more value over that life! The EQUIVALENT GAS (V10) truck will get about 20-40% less mileage per gallon and likely cost 15% more $/GAL on average over time.

Thomas

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WaterDog · 05-29-2001, 09:15 AM

Diesels eat trannys! Duh! 400+ lb-ft of torque will do that. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Especially if you drive it like a race car. Doesnt matter whether its a Dodge or Ford. If you drive a manual tranny, dont start in 2nd, start in 1st and dont try to speed shift. Maintenence is the key. Maybe GM actually has a winning combo with the new Isuzu/Allison combo, we'll see.

A Tundra? Yeah right. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Ain't no strokin' like PowerStrokin'! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

SLEDDER · 05-29-2001, 09:32 AM

I have a 99 dodge cummins. No problems whatsoever! Next truck will be a standard tranny. Having bands tightened every 15k gets a little spendy. It is a quad cab, Wish they made the actual 4 door 2500. 4 door 1500 is coming soon. I pull a 21' Northriver. The northriver boys use their Ram to tow boats all over the place. It is a standard tranny.

SLEDDER · 05-29-2001, 09:33 AM

I would rather be cummin than strokin [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

DK · 05-29-2001, 09:48 AM

salmonator, be prepared to get the old check book out depending on how many miles you have on it been there tried that and believe me dodge is not looking out for your best interest but i do hope it works out for you, can't believe they can get ayay with the crap they do, good luck doug

Kenia · 05-29-2001, 10:56 AM

Jigman
I have a dodge and really like it. However, the automatic transmissions are garbage. My rig is a 1999. The problems I am having are when I back up, the tranny slams REAL hard into reverse. I took it back to the dealer and they agreeded the slamming was excessive and ordered a new pressure valve. When the part arrived, they called me and said the engineers at the factory told them not to install the valve as it would not fix the problem. This is a built in problem and they do not have a fix for it!! I was sold a new truck with a bad tranny and they knew it. If you should go with dodge, make sure you get a manual tranny, they work fine. Other than that, the truck is great.

FishinMission · 05-29-2001, 12:39 PM

Geez...you guys are making me feel like my old "beater" 81 Ford F250 Supercab is the best truck out there. I just do the regular maintenance...and it never fails me!! Not only that...but if it ever does....I can fix it without an electronics degree...or a certificate from NASA!! I still wanna get a new one tho!!! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Master Baiter · 05-29-2001, 12:47 PM

Cummin without Stokin is "premature ____________". [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Joe Schwab · 05-29-2001, 04:08 PM

Don't get a deisel if you have to have an automatic trans. None of them wil stand up to hard towing. I know because I tow commercially. The sticks are the only way to go with deisels. 6 speed is the best one. Dont lug them and they will last forever. I've talked to other commercial tow drivers who have 300 to 600 thousand miles without major problems. The worst thing you can do to a deisel is not work it.
And change the oil every 3-5 thousand. I went 120 thousand with a 97 cummins before I replaced the first set of brakes. Got a 2001 quad cab 6 speed and love it! the only reason I traded the 97 was to get the quad cab. I'll never go back to Ford. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Killertraylor · 05-29-2001, 05:47 PM

If you are considering Ford, take a look at www.f150online.com. It's a great website for Ford info. The last two trucks I've owned have been Fords and I won't buy anything else - absolutely no problems whatsoever. If you are thinking about diesel solely for the fuel economy, get out a calculator and do the math - $4,000 higher initial cost will take most people over 100,000 miles to make it pay off- if you don't plan on keeping the truck that long it isn't worth it. I really like my 5.4 liter Gas engine - tows great and gets 17 mpg when I don't have the boat, 11 mpg with the boat. Good luck truck hunting!

Firedog · 05-29-2001, 06:01 PM

I would Rather be powerstroked than rammed. www.ford-diesel.com

Ok sorry had to do it [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Tanker Man · 05-29-2001, 11:09 PM

Got a 97 F-350 4x4 Crew Cab Power Stroke with 80,000 miles on it and no problems at all. Always go camping or fish'n with a 10'-6" Camper & 17' inboard-outboad. 4:11 gear ratio & auto trans. Drive it hard & has tons of power. Climbs Cabbage Hill 55+ miles per hour in 3rd gear, just kick out the overdrive. Have to slow down around turns. The 96 & older fords had quite a few tranny problems but ford seems to have it fixed. Get 16-17 mpg around town empty & 14 gallons loaded. Passes alot of Cummins on the hills. Ford is the way to go!! Still lookin for Ford to come out with allison [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

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WaterDog · 05-30-2001, 06:20 AM

Good to see a bunch ford-diesel.com guys are here. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Probably the second best site on the internet. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

My dad just picked up a Dodge 1500 club cab with the 360. Very nice truck, quiet, comfortable, reasonable mpg's. Much better rig than GM. All maufacturers build a lemon once in a while. I've owned a few fords and have never had a problem either.

Master Baiter · 05-30-2001, 07:39 AM

The initial extra investment is worth it because the diesel will hold its value! When I was shopping I did a blue book comparison on a diesel and gas with all the same features and mileage, $5000 difference in resale value! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] A gas motor is nearly at the end of its life span near 150k while the diesel is just broken in at 100k.

With the GAS prices shootimg through the roof, the diesel will pay for itself much faster. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

SLEDDER · 05-30-2001, 08:03 AM

I hope I am wrong but deisel prices will probably go up with gas prices.

Jigman · 05-30-2001, 03:18 PM

Thanks for all the input guys! Looks like I'm going to go with the Silverado...either extended cab or crew cab 4 wheel drive.

Steve · 05-30-2001, 07:44 PM

You asked, I have a 93 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton with the Intercooled Cummins..after 126,597 miles I still get 21/23 mpg freeway with or without 20'Alumiweld behind...non-freeway drops to 15/18 mpg. I have had the tranny serviced 2x for filters and checking bands, no problem...the Allison Tranmission is as strong as ever...went to Canada and got some decent Diesel in it one time and it really got some power to it...Low Sulfur fuel sucks. I hate the rounded looks of the new trucks and that P>O>S PT Cruiser...But would buy another 93/95 Ram in a heartbeat...

jawbreaker · 05-31-2001, 08:08 AM

I bought a 97 Dodge Ram 2500 cummins turbo diesel a few months ago and am looking for a
reliable mechanic in Portland, preferably on the east side. Or does everybody take it to the dealer? Thanks, JB

Osprey · 05-31-2001, 09:23 AM

Friends don't let friends drive Chevy's or Dodges [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]............Os

rhansme · 06-01-2001, 10:58 AM

I have had my 2001 Silverado now for about 2 months. I LOVE IT! I had a Ford Ranger for 15 years before that and I was happy to see that relationship end. I have driven the new fords. I did not like the way they handled. Seemed heavy and lots of overstear. The Triton V8 in the one I drove was a P.O.S.
What a dog. My Vortec V8 5300 would have eaten it up. Handles like a dream and has a setup for pulling trailers. Similar to a 2 speed axel. Best advice is drive them all. Find the one you like and buy the darned thing. If it's a lemon, then it's a lemon. I dont think lemons prefer any one manufacturer over another.

SturgeonMike · 06-01-2001, 05:23 PM

My Dodge has 202000 miles on it. Gets 19/20 mpgd (diesel) and doesn't use a quart of oil before I change it at 5000 miles. I pull a sled with it a lot. The Cummins have bigger main bearings and can be rebuilt where as the fords and chevys get closer to throw aways.

My two cents [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]