Guys, Hi, I am Brad from Nova Scotia, Canada. I am wanting to buy a 96 Ram 1500 reg cab 4x4. I love the truck, but, I am scared to death about all the transmissions issues they known for. I am curious to see what your guys' thoughts are.

Thanks
B

 

there a good reliable truck just like most vehicles if there well taken care of...

 

Get the transmission professionally flushed after you buy it. Costs under $100 but you will know for sure that any crap that was in there is now out. There were issues with the dodge transmissions for many years but a majority of them were caused by a simple selinoid. Transmission shops and dealerships would always tell you to get the trans replaced or rebuilt. Money for them! But if you do your research and find out the name of the selinoid you can order an extra from the dealership and have it to replace. They used to cost $125 and were very easy to replace. Just drain and take off the pan and it was right there. Two screws, remove, replace, and put the pan back on. I used to have a 96 Dakota and I went through these issues myself. Another note is to not muck with the adjustment that is attached to the Throttlebody. If it is shifting good DON`T TOUCH IT. It WILL cause the tranny to slip. It is very touchy and also caused allot of misdiagnosis for trans repair shops.

 

Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate it. Looking a an 01 extended cab today but still 2nd gen right so will still be same tranny.

 

Definitely Yes on the flush! On the solenoid It is a possibility. If it is a 5.2, or 5.9 ltr then yes.

 

Right on guys, i really appreciate everyones comments.

I have 2 in mind,

1. 95 Ram 1500, 318, auto, reg cab, 266,000kms, inspected til this time 2012

2. 96 Ram 1500, 318, auto, reg cab, 230,000kms, inspected till Nov 2011

...could you order a Ram with heavy duty package or was that just the 3/4 ton? - I ask because the 96 looks like more clearance between tire and wheel well...it does have a more agressive looking tire on it but i am not so sure thats the reason.

Thoughts?

 

It may have more clearance simply because the torsion bars are cranked down. But yes they did have a 2500. Those are allot of miles on either of the trucks. I would not beat on them to hard, and use synthetic oil.

 

Well I should of read what you said about kms. I assumed miles. Actually not to bad for the year, but use synthetics.

 

thanks again, yeah, thats what i should i said to describe it...it sits like a 2500 but it only a 1500.

B

 

I drove the truck last night...couple comments I would like to hear your thoughts on.

Truck it tight!, no clanks, bangs, rattles, etc...was just inspected for 2 yrs in March, could not get tranny to slip, hard throttle from stop, hard kickdown at speed, hard accel turning, nothing. Two issues presently holding me back. Also, what does the magnum designate for the 318?

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ210308493

1. Not really an issue I do not think but it was hard for him to get into 4h and 4l...he never uses it though, it did go in both and no noises when wheeling - it was just the standard grinding sometimes before it would lock in...my old chev did the same thing...

2. The effing clear coat has started peeling in a number of spots..if there some homegrown way to fix that or even make it look a lil better? The pictures do not do it justice.

Anyways guys, I would appreciate your thoughts on above.