finally going to get rid of the ram
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,056
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From: North Dakota
RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
Do NOT get a colorado, they are the gutless and trouble prone, i'd take a ranger over a colorado, the colorado doesnt even have 6 cylinders.Yousaid you"love V8's" so that eliminates every midsized truckon the marketexcept the Dodge Dakota.Assuming you are not looking at brand new vehicles, and based on your "daily driver" situation and the fact that your looking for a "non dodge" truck, i would recommend these following trucks:Toyota Tundra,or Chevy Silverado.Notthe brand new tundra body style but the generation before,or an2002 or newerchevy silverado.
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All Star
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: Slomojo01
What problems did your truck have that caused you to lose your trust in Dodge?
I know that the automatics suck, but when it comes to the V8 inside the trucks, they are hard to beat.
Seriously, what problems did you have? I am interested to know because I may have to deal with the same thing eventually. Plus someone here may be able to point out how to fix the problem.
Anywho, if your going to get a new truck, you may as well get a brand new one, don't get a used one especially with the market being the way it is right now for truck sales. Here in southern california, there was an ad for a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab for under 16k. With a Lifetime powertrain warranty, and with the refinements to the 4.7 liter V8 to give it 290 Hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque you may want to weigh your options a little longer.
Seeing as how 2009 will have a new 5th generation Ram coming out, the 2008s are going to go fast and cheap. If I were you, I would keep that cell phone charged and wait a little longer to buy a new truck.
So back to the first question, how many miles where on your truck anyways, does it burn oil, and how's the tranny and everything else?
What problems did your truck have that caused you to lose your trust in Dodge?
I know that the automatics suck, but when it comes to the V8 inside the trucks, they are hard to beat.
Seriously, what problems did you have? I am interested to know because I may have to deal with the same thing eventually. Plus someone here may be able to point out how to fix the problem.
Anywho, if your going to get a new truck, you may as well get a brand new one, don't get a used one especially with the market being the way it is right now for truck sales. Here in southern california, there was an ad for a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab for under 16k. With a Lifetime powertrain warranty, and with the refinements to the 4.7 liter V8 to give it 290 Hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque you may want to weigh your options a little longer.
Seeing as how 2009 will have a new 5th generation Ram coming out, the 2008s are going to go fast and cheap. If I were you, I would keep that cell phone charged and wait a little longer to buy a new truck.
So back to the first question, how many miles where on your truck anyways, does it burn oil, and how's the tranny and everything else?
Bearings cost me $850, tranny rebuild (I am not doing,) will cost about $2400, and the converter is about $300. The motor is fine, strong and does not burn oil at 105K. I don't want to wait around for the plenum to go or the rear end to lock up, and the steering is slopy.
Tired of it, I shouldn't have gotten it so old or with so many miles. I just got the truck about 4 months ago. I only drive 200 or so miles a week. I'd get another dodge, but it would have to have a good warranty.
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All Star
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: 1BigRamaniac
Do what you think will make you happy. Let me tell you about my 1989 Dakota: No problems, for 121k miles. I sold it to my Father in law who sold it at 275k miles to some kid. Original motor, trans was factory replaced at 59k by factory recall.
My 90 caravan was good but we just did not like the mini-van concept.
My 1995 Dodge Ram I purchased new and have 193k miles with no problems. Original tranny, and exhaust too. What are you doing that is tearing up your truck? Surely you don't think it is drag racer? I think you will have the same problems just in a different brand.
Do what you think will make you happy. Let me tell you about my 1989 Dakota: No problems, for 121k miles. I sold it to my Father in law who sold it at 275k miles to some kid. Original motor, trans was factory replaced at 59k by factory recall.
My 90 caravan was good but we just did not like the mini-van concept.
My 1995 Dodge Ram I purchased new and have 193k miles with no problems. Original tranny, and exhaust too. What are you doing that is tearing up your truck? Surely you don't think it is drag racer? I think you will have the same problems just in a different brand.
My RAM was used, I got recently, so it obviously was not taken care of.
No, I am not a kid like most here, I am a family guy who has a big mortgage and bills and cannot afford to keep this tank on the road anymore. I dont race or drag or take it off road at all, its just a pos. you are kidding yourself if you got 193 on the original tranny when everyone here has to rebuild it at 100K.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,440
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From: PA
RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: 98DodgeRam1500
A co-worker had a carava van, she wanted to set the thing on fire, it broke constantly, the tranny, the brakes, etc...
My RAM was used, I got recently, so it obviously was not taken care of.
No, I am not a kid like most here, I am a family guy who has a big mortgage and bills and cannot afford to keep this tank on the road anymore. I dont race or drag or take it off road at all, its just a pos. you are kidding yourself if you got 193 on the original tranny when everyone here has to rebuild it at 100K.
ORIGINAL: 1BigRamaniac
Do what you think will make you happy. Let me tell you about my 1989 Dakota: No problems, for 121k miles. I sold it to my Father in law who sold it at 275k miles to some kid. Original motor, trans was factory replaced at 59k by factory recall.
My 90 caravan was good but we just did not like the mini-van concept.
My 1995 Dodge Ram I purchased new and have 193k miles with no problems. Original tranny, and exhaust too. What are you doing that is tearing up your truck? Surely you don't think it is drag racer? I think you will have the same problems just in a different brand.
Do what you think will make you happy. Let me tell you about my 1989 Dakota: No problems, for 121k miles. I sold it to my Father in law who sold it at 275k miles to some kid. Original motor, trans was factory replaced at 59k by factory recall.
My 90 caravan was good but we just did not like the mini-van concept.
My 1995 Dodge Ram I purchased new and have 193k miles with no problems. Original tranny, and exhaust too. What are you doing that is tearing up your truck? Surely you don't think it is drag racer? I think you will have the same problems just in a different brand.
My RAM was used, I got recently, so it obviously was not taken care of.
No, I am not a kid like most here, I am a family guy who has a big mortgage and bills and cannot afford to keep this tank on the road anymore. I dont race or drag or take it off road at all, its just a pos. you are kidding yourself if you got 193 on the original tranny when everyone here has to rebuild it at 100K.
WANT SOME CHEESE WITH THAT WHINE !!!![sm=violin.gif]
Grand Champion
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,584
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From: Lima, Ohio
RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
Really... Bearings is a maintenance item, as is the cat and the axles wear out inevitably. Get your transmission rebuilt and you will have a solid truck. Your rear most likely wont lock up, the plenum is an easy and relatively cheap fix. You seem to have this idea that if you buy another truck it will be perfect and not have problems. By rebuilding the tranny you have fixed the largest weak point in these trucks.
Professional
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 154
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: Jr. Mechanic
Your rear most likely wont lock up, the plenum is an easy and relatively cheap fix.
Your rear most likely wont lock up, the plenum is an easy and relatively cheap fix.
I feel your pain. I was thinking about offing mine until the family dog made up my mind - it's the only vehicle he doesn't get sick in.
Anyways, well, good luck in your endeavour to replace your Ram. Personally, I think Toyota makes the best trucks, period. They just happen to be WAY overpriced around here in Connecticut. So, first piece of advice: take a trip to either Mass or Rhode Island. Avoid buying a truck in Connecticut the way that cats avoid water. Second, AVOID the Colorado. They're built the same as the Isuzu I-series trucks. The difference? The Isuzu I-series trucks carry a warranty more than 3 times longer than a Colorado and have an uglier grille, and the Colorado is more expensive than the Isuzu I-series.
IMO, look into an extended-cab Tacoma with a V-6. They have pretty good towing capacity and get decent mileage. I'd also suggest the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series with the 3.0L or the 4.0L V-6, or maybe even the Nissan Frontier with the V-6.
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All Star
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: padodgeram
So having a payment is better then having to fix your truck ???, family , mortgage .. Cry me a river most of us are in the same boat , working on my truck is still cheaper then any payment..
WANT SOME CHEESE WITH THAT WHINE !!!![sm=violin.gif]
So having a payment is better then having to fix your truck ???, family , mortgage .. Cry me a river most of us are in the same boat , working on my truck is still cheaper then any payment..
WANT SOME CHEESE WITH THAT WHINE !!!![sm=violin.gif]
Now the big RAM Turd in the garage needs...
Tranny rebuild = $2450
Catalytic = $300
Tires = $600
Tracbar = $150
Door rot = $450 (not going to get fixed for a couple of years)
Now... I would more than likey get a 60 month loan. Total repairs above are combined with what i know I need to get and planned in the future, such as the door.
Now, the new truck will cost me $30-50 a month more... now with my current RAM factor in the up front repair costs $3950.
do the math... 79 months it would take to make match the upfront cost. So the new truck should last 79 months, but will this RAM make it?
Also, after 60 months my payments are over... so thats 19 months I am $50 a month a head of the game. its a freaking win win.
I'd say do the math, but you might want to get your crayon set out and use some blocks or maybe ask for some help. LOL
So, keep working on your truck and enjoy it. I am not one to keep fixing a and shining up a 4x4 turd. I am not knocking a dodge since the next thing I might get is a dakota.
if people had that mentality, no one would own a new truck. we would all be driving our first car/truck and keep fixing it.
Is this your first car?
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,865
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From: Maine
RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
LOL I know this is a dodge forum, but it's so annoying when people are just like "OHHHH FORD IS A PIECE OF **** BLAH BLAH BLAH". Any american vehicle will treat you like you treat it. My family personally owns 3 ford trucks, two with the 5.4L and one with the 4.6L. Those trucks are the most reliable thing I've ever seen. We dont abuse our fords, but we dont baby them either. Those engines are not the torquiest trucks or the most powerful, but they NEVER give up, and will always do the job. Dodges by far have much more power. Dont expect to have the zip like a dodge, but who cares, a truck is a truck, it will never fail, it just wont do it as fast as the dodge. And, they get good mpgs too, nothing staggering, but not as bad as the 5.9L magnum. I actually really like fords though, the enignes are invincible,k the transmissions are much more reliable than dodges, and they require relatively low maintance. I love my dodge, its very powerful, very good looking, great off road, but it has a lot of faults too. When i drive my dads truck, it's just like butter. The tranny is mint even after 115,000 hard miles, and not one tranny flush. IT just never gives us a problem. You will not be dissapointed with a ford, they are great running trucks, especially those tritons, they arent the most powerful, but they just always keep chugging. I love the tritons, they are a very compact and well designed engine. Goodluck on getting your new whip. Dodges are sweet, but I agree, they are much more prone to having certain things break, even if you take care of it. But either way, dodge, chevy, or ford, they all are nice. just depends on how u treat them for the most part. Goodluck!
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All Star
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
ORIGINAL: ozyran
Heh. 16 hours of labor is most decidedly NOT an "easy-fix" item.
I feel your pain. I was thinking about offing mine until the family dog made up my mind - it's the only vehicle he doesn't get sick in.
Anyways, well, good luck in your endeavour to replace your Ram. Personally, I think Toyota makes the best trucks, period. They just happen to be WAY overpriced around here in Connecticut. So, first piece of advice: take a trip to either Mass or Rhode Island. Avoid buying a truck in Connecticut the way that cats avoid water. Second, AVOID the Colorado. They're built the same as the Isuzu I-series trucks. The difference? The Isuzu I-series trucks carry a warranty more than 3 times longer than a Colorado and have an uglier grille, and the Colorado is more expensive than the Isuzu I-series.
IMO, look into an extended-cab Tacoma with a V-6. They have pretty good towing capacity and get decent mileage. I'd also suggest the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series with the 3.0L or the 4.0L V-6, or maybe even the Nissan Frontier with the V-6.
ORIGINAL: Jr. Mechanic
Your rear most likely wont lock up, the plenum is an easy and relatively cheap fix.
Your rear most likely wont lock up, the plenum is an easy and relatively cheap fix.
I feel your pain. I was thinking about offing mine until the family dog made up my mind - it's the only vehicle he doesn't get sick in.
Anyways, well, good luck in your endeavour to replace your Ram. Personally, I think Toyota makes the best trucks, period. They just happen to be WAY overpriced around here in Connecticut. So, first piece of advice: take a trip to either Mass or Rhode Island. Avoid buying a truck in Connecticut the way that cats avoid water. Second, AVOID the Colorado. They're built the same as the Isuzu I-series trucks. The difference? The Isuzu I-series trucks carry a warranty more than 3 times longer than a Colorado and have an uglier grille, and the Colorado is more expensive than the Isuzu I-series.
IMO, look into an extended-cab Tacoma with a V-6. They have pretty good towing capacity and get decent mileage. I'd also suggest the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series with the 3.0L or the 4.0L V-6, or maybe even the Nissan Frontier with the V-6.
At this point I want decent mileage and some power when I need it. getting mixed on F series, and okay reviews on the dakota (in the dodge forum I would expect that). I do like the Explorer Sport Trac thing with the 4.0L. I just need to fit the kiddies in there.
thanks for everyones advice and help. I am taking it all in to consideration.
I should have just gotten something newer sooner. it was a learning experience.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: finally going to get rid of the ram
I have had several dakotas and I would buy more. I am driving a ram 1500 with 216,000 miles and still will blow away my friends 5.4 ford. No major repairs. The deal is when you get a good one, you got one for a while. Just buy what you believe in and you cant go wrong. I drive anything except Ford at this time but Dodge has been my best by far.