Hey whats up yall. Got a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 for the other day, first truck since ownin a car. Just wonderin, what are some common problems with these trucks? Also, what would be some good things to do to it to keep it up to par? Should I go ahead and replace anything? Thanks

 

Get a trans cooler and check the fluid. and more info needed. miles 5.2 5.9 2x4 4x4. That kinda of stuff?

 

dashes are bad about craking and get sucky gas mileage by the way congrats. on the truck! i would check all the fluids grease your front end good luck hope to see some interesting posts from you and your new truck!

 

The truck is a 5.9 4x4. Odometer reads 190,xxx but the guy i got it from said the top half of the motor was overhauled. Haven't checked into that yet though. I'm getting the steering checked out (had a lot of play, hoping its a simple fix) and when I get it back I'm getting a new windshield put in & havin all the fluids changed. I'll get some pictures of everything up when I get it back.. Also, anyone know anywhere you could get some stock seats for cheap? Mine are ripped to hell and I want some new ones. And also wanna know here I could get a stock steering wheel for cheap without going to a dealer? Thanks

 

local salvage yard? that is the first place I usually look for stock stuff. Our trucks are old enough that the salvage yards are starting to "stock up". Those poor poor trucks!

 

As for common problems you have the dash cracking, issues with heads cracking, issues with the lsd's falling apart if you have one in the rear end, pleneum gasket leaking is a big issue, issues with the evap coil leaking, they are known for having bad transmissions that don't seem to last, also some of them had a recall on the catalytic converters so those aren't known for being the best, I seem to read about Dodges with front end parts being worn out very often. Those are what I can think of off of the top of my head. Honestly It might be simpler to list what isn't a common problem on these trucks. I like my truck but it's a huge money pit. They just have soo many common issues. It's not one thing or a few cheap things like most vehicles it's a bunch of common things and most seem to be expensive.

That being said they are pretty fun trucks when they aren't broken.

 

SHUSH its not a money pit it's an investment opportunity!

 

Now thats the way to look at it. If its junk it gives you the chance to put something better back on.

 

No an investment as they are constantly dropping quite a bit in value so the more money you dump into it the more you lose if you ever want to sell it.

I honestly probably have more into my truck in repairs than I could get for the truck. That doesn't count the almost $18,000 we originally paid for the truck. In the last year and half I put about 8 or 9,000 into it. Mostly repairs but I did do a few mods like a used Hypertech I got cheap and a new grille. That I think was about it. Now some of the repairs I used upgraded stuff. I think I'd be hard pressed to get more than $9000 out of my truck if I was to sell it now. I had also put a fair amount into repairs before then that's just when the major stuff started up.

 

Yeah I know eh trucks are deff a expense but sure are fun !!!!!! Congrats on the new truck youre gonna be very happy with it the 2nd gens are better than ford or chevy in my opinion now the 3rd gens is a diff story BIG THING to remeber is Greasing the front end every oil change!!! and religiously doing your tranny fluid NO FLUSHES tho, Hope this Helps