Take a look at this link for the cupholder.http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo....-SMOOTHIE-9497
Very good investment unless you like sticky floors.

 

So you set this in your center console?? Hmm. I don't think I could go losing that flat surface. That's like my little mobile pharmacy for the animals. Yes, it is very very entertaining when I get pulled over and I reach in for my insurance card. In fact, I have about 5 bottles in the little tray up front, needles in the side tray, and a CO2 Powered injection gun laying in the open part. This has peaked my interest though. Methinks I will play with google sketch up a bit and see what I can dream up...

 

Laramie, You don't lose any surface area. The cup holder hooks into the front portion of your center seat/console and hangs out in front of the seat.

 

Well, not really. it's more like the whole roof of the cab. my signature pic doesnt really show it, but it's pretty even on the whole cab roof.

 

There are soo many common issues with these trucks. I'd say you'd be reading for days if you searched but honestly you wouldn't be able to as more than likely you'd have to fix your truck a few times in those days.


I honestly, DO NOT EVER want another Dodge after owning this truck. Unless it's a 69 or 70 Dodge Charger.

I may sometime change my mind but I'd be very hesitant to buy another Dodge.

 

I concur with hometheaterman. Too many reoccuring issues on these trucks not to mention the gutless stock performance. Stock Hp is less than 250 for a full size tough looking 4x4. Shamefull. I could run down a list of problems for you but I'm sure I would miss some things others have had issues with that I haven't had to deal with YET. My next truck will be a Chevy Duramax..

 

I have a 99 Manual and an 01 Auto. The 01 has fold down holders and I like them a lot. Never had any spills with them and I always have something to drink.

The 99 has the holders on the bottom by the shifter, which isnt too bad but I hit my bottle while shifting from first to second a couple days ago... it didnt spill, but I have rubber floors anyway

 

You're damned skippy. I asked the dealer about a replacement.
#1) They were priced at $1,200
#2) They're obsolete
#3) At that price, I should have expected a hooker and a *******.

Other than that, the 97 is a great year. I've been tempted a couple of times to trade it, but came to my senses. She's a great trucks.

 

Yea exactly. There is nothing special about this truck that makes it worth putting up with all the problems. It feels like it has no power like you said. It's a huge motor that gets horrible gas mileage yet has no power. Who the hell wants that? It just doesn't have much anything good about it.

I wouldn't buy it again if I had to do it over. I have friends with F-150's as well as Chevy 2500's with the 6.0L and one friend with a F-250 with the 7.3L diesel and all are far superior to mine imo. All get way better gas mileage. Have quite a bit more power. Well the F-150 may not have a ton more but it feels like it has more power and it gets better gas mileage. Would I buy one of those if I was to do it again? Probably not. I'd probably go with a Toyota unless I needed a full sized diesel. However, I'd be more likely to go with one of those than I would a Dodge.

None of them have had anywhere near the issues I've had with my Dodge and all of them have gotten treated a lot worse. The F-150 gets the snot beat out of it on a regular occasion. It's a 97 and the transmission isn't shifting right now due to going through huge mud holes. If I took my Ram through mud like that it wouldn't get me home. The F-150 has just not been shifting right for a while now but it still runs fine.

The other two get used on a farm, tow heavy things, and just basically get used pretty well. My Dodge doesn't do all that and is treated like a baby with the occasional getting on the gas hard.

 

I don't want to start an argument about Chevy VS Dodge, but everyone will have different opinions based upon what you expect from the vehicle. Each one of these trucks will and has performed differently for each of it's owners. My 97 has been a great truck. The only problem I had was a water pump that fell apart and lead to some heating issues. I don't know if that was the fault of the truck or my lack of using it. Ever since I fixed it, the truck has been great.

I never bought this truck expecting to race it, or to get great mileage. It's a truck, for hauling, pulling, and working, that's it. If I had wanted better mileage I would have gotten the V6. I have had a Pontiac 455 CID with a 4 barrel carburetor, now you want to talk about bad mileage, try that engine. I also had a Chevy 305 with a 2 barrel carb that got about the same mileage and had the same power as my 318. I think it comes down to luck and how you treat things. I'll tell you I don't think the Chevys are that much better in power. One time I was getting on the freeway on ramp and had a little argument with a quad cab chevy truck next to me. He tried to get in front of me from a dead stop (the stupid stop lights we have at the start of the freeway on ramps). I didn't floor mine, and I got a late start since I didn't realize he was gonna pull that crap. We were neck and neck to the end of the on ramp, but eventually I won. He may have had a 305 in that I dunno, but the end results were even. That's not too bad for a fully stock vehicle that I got off to a late start on.

I picked my truck back in 97 after comparing to Chevys and Fords, and don't regret my choice at all. I picked my truck because I liked the interior better, the engine bay was way easier to work on, it had the best ride of the three, and the exterior was way cooler looking. Every truck will have issues, but it's just like everything, you grin and bear it. I wouldn't sell mine for a Ford, Chevy or a New Ram 1500. BTW Your issues may have to do with Mercedes Benz taking over the company and making cost cutting changes. Mine was ALL Dodge, since Benz didn't take over till late 97, or early 98 IIRC.