Hello everyone,
Im new here and i am considering trading my tahoe for a 1995 Ram ext cab 4x4. My questions are, what should i look out for in searching for one of these trucks? How troublesome/dependable are they? Any mechanicle issues to look for? Whats the mpgs like on these trucks?
Thanks in advance,
Spencer Reynolds

 

Welcome to DF.

The trucks are a workhorse. They do have some issues that are related to crappy parts/design. MPG will vary. You will see on here 8mpg to 15 mpg. It all really depends on how they were taken care of.

Problems.
Tranny
Plenum
Dash

I'd look for 1 with low miles, no wreckage, rebuilt or new tranny.

I'm sure others will chime in.

 

Test drive it before you buy it. Extended test drive. Any trouble shifting at all, anything that feels fishy with the shifting, don't buy it.

If it says Dodge on the back, and the plenum plate/bolts haven't been swapped out, the gasket is either broken or will be broken in the near future. No way around that.

Dash is easy enough to spot... prone to cracks, although that seems to be more of a problem for the 1998+ Rams.

Have a mechanic inspect it... make sure all the suspension/steering components are good.

 

What are plenum plates/bolts?

 

What year tahoe?

The Ram is a simpler and more robust vehicle than the tahoe, including the newer ones. But they're not without issues.

You're going to hear alot about trannies in the Rams. But I'll tell you this: I've replaced more 4L60's in the Chevrolets than 45/46 RH/RE in the Rams.

Engines: Though Chrysler and GM engines from the '50's through about 2000 were incredibly similar, The 5.2 and 5.9 Magnum are tougher engines than the older 5.7 Vortec. The Magnums develop a leaky plenum that causes oil consumption and misfires. The 5.7 Vortec intake gasket will leak, and sometimes into the engine, destroying it. I've replaced many 5.7's. The newer Vortec, however, is a vast improvement. Still develop intake gasket leaks, but they just suck vacuum.

Front end:

The Ram will need U-joint replacement at some point, and possibly axle seals. Occasional wheel bearing failure.

The Chevrolets don't have front axle U-joints, but the output seals leak frequently. They also occasionally need hub bearings. The older generation (2000 and before) are horrible with steering parts, Idler and pittman arms especially

Rear end: No question, the 9.25" Chrysler is tougher than the 8.5 GM.

Transfer case: They use the same one in earlier trucks, very similar in later models. All New Process units.

Brakes: The '94-'99 Ram have the exact same brake system as the chevy. in 2000, dodge went to dual piston calipers and bendix drum set-up. Much better. However, the 2001 and later Tahoe has about the best brake system you'll find on a light truck.

Interior: About the only common issue with the rams is the cracked dash. The Chevrolets, OTOH, have lots of issues with door handles, heater controls, Instrument clusters. Both Dodge and Chevrolet have heater core problems

Fuel pumps: Dodges don't wear them out very often. I think I can count the number I've replaced in my career on one hand. Chevrolet, regardless of whether it's an early or late tahoe, will need that $400 modular fuel pump assembly about every 90-120k on average. I've probably installed more than 100 Vortec fuel pumps.

In summary, they're both good trucks, but it is my professional opinion that the Ram is built to last longer, more serviceable, and generally cheaper to repair. The downside: They actually ride like trucks, and the 5.9 Magnum is not as wallet-friendly as the 5.7 Vortec at the fuel pump.

 

Thanks for all that info sixtysix!
I did by the way trade my tahoe for the Ram, here is the link to it with a picture: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...y-new-ram.html

 

Very nicely put, sixtysix.

Spencer, nice truck you have there. (Nice quote in your sig to. )