As I have mentioned before, I decided to buy my first Dodge (01,quad,4x4) and it went to hell real fast. First it needed an engine replacement (318,cracked heads) and clutch. Now the rear-end went out. All this and I havent even put 3,500 miles on the damn truck. The truck only has 85,000 total. Its obvious that I bought someone elses garbage from LITHIA MOTORS. The 60 day warranty covered the engine but the clutch and rear end are out of pocket not to mention two tow bills and rentals. There are no used care lemon laws here in Oregon but I did file complaints with the state attorney general and the BBB not that it will do any good. My first Dodge was not a good one!!!! The guys at Lithia are the biggest A$$holes about the whole thing. They act like I've done something wrong and have a sorry-about-your-luck attitude. I bought a rear end from a salvage yard for $650 and its getting put in today. I wonder what will break next.

 

Well, thanks for sharing. You just mentioned most all of the common problems found these trucks.
Looks like the seller saw you coming...

 

Wow, that really does suck. Mine sucks too but it's level of suckage doth not approach that.

Good luck.

 

Why the hell did you need a new engine due to cracked heads? Couldn't you have had the old rear-end rebuilt rather than buying one from a junkyard?

 

Wow wonder what that truck has been thru? I have a 95 that has 253000 miles 5.2.5spd.it's had one clutch at 178000 miles.Other than that 2 tune ups and oil changes.never done a 02 or nothing.still drive it everyday.Or mabey it was a lemon to start with the wifes boss has a 06 junkyota with 60000 miles done had the engine replaced twice 1 rearend 1 trans. Good luck

 

Those are my questions as well.

 

Lithia claimed it would be cheaper to replace the engine then to replace the heads. I guess it was their call since it was warranty work. Lithia wanted $1,680 to rebuild the rear and I laughed at them. I went to a few mechanic shops and they wouldn't even try to rebuild it, they all claimed it would be cheaper to throw in a new/used one so I did. Im now forced to sell either a glock or a saw to help pay for this mess. At least the new/used rear end has low miles and a good warranty.

 

In all fairness, buying a used 4x4 is begging for punishment (of the bank account).

 

VW is right, but it does suck when you basically get a lemon. If you get a one owner used truck that is in great shape, sometimes you never have major issues. Sometimes even then, you do. Sometimes when you get a 2 or 3 owner truck, you are more likely to have issues. Sometimes, though, you don't have hardly any (mine was a two owner, only big issues so far have been the plenum gasket and a leaf spring).

Sometimes you're the pigeon, sometimes you're the statue.

 

That does suck.. Too bad you've had to put in so much so quickly~

I bought my first recently as well (97 standard cab, short bed, 4x4, 5 speed manual, 318 w/ 170,700) for $2300 and it breezed through inspection. Runs and drives great, looks real good for the age, clutch is strong, doesn't blow any smoke and has all kinds of power.. I'm loving mine.. All I've done is a serpentine belt.

Hope the rear end is the last 'big' job you have to do for a while~