So I do not own a 3rd gen Dodge Ram (I own a 2nd gen), I know very little about them, but I may have an opportunity to pick one up at a good price.

A co-worker of mine has a 2005 Dodge Ram that she and her husband are wanting to sell to get something with better mileage. The good is the truck has 128,000 miles, it's 4wd, quad cab, it has relatively new tired, she thinks it's a HEMI (I think it is too, I think I saw a HEMI badge on it), and it's not rusted. The bad is it sounds like something is draining the battery as she says she has to start it and let it run everyday or it won't start and they have to jump it, it has a few dents, and the passenger side window doesn't respond to the controls in the passenger side door. I'm assuming the issue with the window is just the button, but is there anything common with these trucks to cause the battery issue?

I currently have a 1997 Dodge Ram with the 360 engine, and it's heads are cracked, and the cab corners and rocker panels need to be replaced, and I need to buy tires, so I need to put a considerable amount of time and money in my truck, but I think I could buy this 2005 truck for under $3,000, which seems like it may be the smart decision. What are some of the common problems with the 3rd gen trucks?

 

The battery drain may be as simple as a bulb staying on, just like on the 2nd gens.

Windows aren't too bad to puzzle out, having the service manual is definitely the hot ticket though.

 

Thanks. The window doesn't scare me at all. I had a Grand Prix for years and I had a lot of power window issues. Got to where I could replace the window regulator in a door in under 30 minutes.