I've currently got a 01 Ram. I'm really starting to get interested in a 3rd Gen, definitely with a Hemi.

My question is are there any year models within the 3rd Gen range or options (motor, etc...) that I should stay away from or are more prone to year/model specific issues?

My brother in law as an 04 4x4 345HP Hemi 4dr that has had the motor rebuilt, but has some issues (sorta long explanation).

Started out with oil pressure issues but worked up into a full blown rebuild. I've got a few useless pictures from it:






Didn't get any pictures of all the crude and gunk.

Anyway, they tried to get a rebuild kit from Napa, who at the time said that a full rebuild kit wasn't available for the 5.7L Hemi as it was too new. So they had to order everything individually. Apparently the only thing they couldn't get or didn't get (not sure since it wasn't my project) was the Cam or something to do with it.

And that turned out to be the problem and still is. And now they even have a cam to put in it.

It's just sitting in his back yard, has been for a long time. Not sure if he's got any plans for it but it would make a good project truck, no?

 

i would try to stay away from the 03 hemi just for the fact that ther tuning options are very limited when it comes to upgrading cams.

 

My guess is he had a VERY early '04. The only real known problem with any Hemi is that they initially ('03 model) had valve springs that proved to be too weak and broke. This was corrected early in the '04 model year, although a small number of the very early '04s were built with these springs...

 

Go buy a toyota, you will be better off in the long run..

 

Yeah there ya' go. The Tundra only has more recalls since '09 than Dodge, Ford and GM gas based trucks combined, LOL...

Can you say "exploding rear differential" or "exploding cam shaft" LMAO...

That USED to be a safe bet, spend a bit more and get 'Yota reliability. But not so much anymore and I hate to say it, but their reliability has gone down the sh*tter since they've started production over here in the states. US workers have gotten just plain sorry over recent years for the most part.

I've got two hunting buddies with Tundras, and neither are happy campers. One poor guy had both the differential AND cam go on him. He lost use of his truck for nine weeks when the chinese made ring and pinion disintegrated on him due to inferior and improperly heat treated metals and had to wait for the replacements to hit US shores. Then not three months later the cam fell apart and IT was in national shortage, again waiting for proper cams from a new supplier. In his first year of ownership of a NEW 'Yota truck he was able to use just over 6 months total.

Cheap chinese parts and a lazy work force that has no pride in workmanship anymore just doesn't make for a reliable product...

 

I'll probably never hear the end of it but, I would buy a Ford F150. Somewhere in the 2000's model. Not a real big fan of the new ones.

We used to have a '97 F250 5.4L Triton. It was great, besides the crappy gas mileage. Only thing we ever had to do was new front wheel bearings.

 

I have had two Fords, one a 7.3 diesel, aside from the fact it absolutely ate ball joints, it was a solid vehicle. Towed my bassboat all over the southeast with the thing for almost four years and you'd never know the boat was back there if you didn't look.

I replaced it with a new '97 F150 4x4, Triton 5.4 that dropped a piston at 14,000 miles and left me stranded trailering the boat home from a tournament on Lake Sinclair. OK, anybody can have a bad part, even an internal engine part, but the ensuing battle over getting it repaired - CORRECTLY and the fight over the fact they initially denied warranty coverage - citing my "extensive modification" (I had a 3" body lift and a cat-back exhaust) required me to have to obtain a lawyer.

I was not satisfied with the 19 year old - hat on backwards kid's rebuild. I had a misfire CEL driving it off their lot and was told it was "normal" until that cylinder broke in! I subsequently traded it in on my first Ram - a '98 RCSB 5.9 4x4 three days after getting it back. I was a DIE HARD Ford guy but that experience with their customer service (not just the dealer but regional service rep as well) left me swearing NEVER to buy Ford again. I haven't since and I won't!

I'd do GM and have had two Z71s. Good vehicles, no major problems, lot of little nuisance ones, but no "leave me on the side of the road" problems. Wasn't too impressed with the second one that had the 5.3 V8, I felt it couldn't get out of it's own way with a mild lift and 33" tires, but it drove ok.

So far, my two Rams, I've owned for about 10 years combined and to date, the ONLY warranty repair I've required for either was for a blown stock shock on my current Ram.

I had the '98 for 68k miles and never even had the "plenum issue"...

 

I would buy GM/Chevy also. I had a '98 K1500 4x4 with a factory lockable rear end, it was great. I believe it was some sort of Gov lock.

My 2nd Gen Ram is the first Dodge I've ever owned or drove, and it's pretty good. Got the plenum problem though. Just thinking it's getting time for something newer.

 

I might add that I personally know about four guys who have had the infamous "spark plug shoot through the hood" issue with their Triton gasser engines.

The re-threading of the aluminum heads AIN'T CHEAP!!!

and don't get me started on the 6.0 PowerJoke, LOL...

Although I'm hearing NOTHING but good things on the new engine lineup. Whether it be the 3.5L Eco-boost, the 5.0 or the 6.2L gassers. Dunno a thing about the 3.7 V6 though, I don't pay attention to such things, LOL...

 

I've not heard anything good about those 6.0L PowerJoke's either. But I've never had to deal with the "shooting spark plug" either. Guess I'm lucky!

For me I just like the body style better on the 2000's model's better then the new one. But I'm sure they come with tons of options that I would drool over....