Hey folks, the wife and I are looking into possibly buying a 2005 Ram 1500 5.7l 4x4 quad cab with 35k miles on it. Can you guys suggest any mechanical or body related issues to be on the look out for? I have been around cars & trucks enough that I know things to look for but I just want to know of any specific issues to look for that are completely related to the 05 Ram. Thanks for your help.

Edit:
What can you guys tell me about the 05 warranty? When I looked it up on edmunds.com it states that the factory warranty is 7yrs 70k miles but the dealer says the truck has no warranty. What gives? The truck actually has less than 35k miles and is only 4yrs old. Is the dealer full of it or do they know what they are talking about? BTW, it is not a Dodge dealership if that helps.(Chevy)

 

hey, welcome to DF!


Here are some starters:
Does it have the factory Limited Slip? The factory limited slip has been known to 'grenade' after a while. ask them to do a diff oil change and check the condition of it if it does have that.

Factory tires just suck, plain and simple.

Ball joints are not greasable, check for play/knocking on those.

I'm sure others will chime in also.

 

Anyone else?
We may be working on the deal Wednesday so I have to gather as much info as I can. The DW has requested it.

 

Power Train warranty is 7yrs 70,000mi if I'm not mistaken. It is transferrable from the orginal owner and will cost you a $150.00 transfer fee at a local Dodge dealership. I forget how much the deductable is, around a $100.00 or so. I guess if Dodge goes out of business I will turn my warranty claim into Obama, lol. I just noticed that the truck is at a Chevy dealership which would explain why there is no warranty. I would consider continuing to shop around.

 

I have an '05 Ram 1500 and the standard warranty was the 3yr 36k back then. The 7/70 came back out a year or two later.

I havent had one bit of trouble with my truck until I hit the 60k mark. Its nothing too serious, but the truck started stalling occasionally when I made a turn. I researched the issue and after a few dealer calls (clueless) and the forums here, and some others, I found that the PCM needed updated (found a TSB on it). Once that was updated the stalling issue went away about 99%. The other issue I have now is the EGR valve (404 code, and the 1% residual stalling issue). I cant find one anywhere to save my life. Perhaps some folks here can point me in the right direction to find one.

All in all, Ive been real happy with it. Good luck with it if you decide to go thru with the purchase.

 

give me the last 9 digits of your vin and i can tell you
A. FACTORY WARRANTY LEFT
B. WHAT GEARS, REAR END, POSI OR NO
C. ANY OTHER INFO YOU NEED ABUT THE TRUCK

 

Yep, I have one......the warranty was only 3/36. I have 73k miles on mine now. Stock tires sux, OEM brakes pads lasted 70k miles, changing plugs are a pain but can be done, watch the rear diff, change the factory shocks to either Bilstien's or I have the Sensa-Trac shocks, and it is about time to replace the ball joints and control arm bushings. Squeaking a bit.

 

the truck should come with the 7/70k warranty, if you transfer.
my 04 had the option of the 7/70k warranty when i bought it used from a NON-dodge dealer, i just chose not to transfer (I don't trust dealers doing work).
However, if the previous owner bought it used, and he didn't transfer, then it's gone.
You're going to have to call dodge to find out if the vehicle is still able to be warrantied.
I gotta agree with harley though, especially if a warranty is a must, go to the dodge dealership to get a dodge. They'll have more in stock for you to choose from too.

 

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but the steering system can be a problem on these trucks. Might want to take a look under there and see if there are any leaks.

 

yup, 3yr/36,000 bumper to bumper and 7yr/70,000 power train (if it has been transferred with the truck). I have an 05 with 70,200miles and I have only had to have the computer updated for the tranny. The rear window leaks (sliding rear window, near 3rd brake light) LSD is a time bomb, but I replaced with a Detroit Tru Trac. Power steering is known to have a leaky line, (I have had no problems yet) Other then the minor things 2005 models were the last year dodge used the Torsion Key front end on the 1500 because in the 2006 they went to the Indpeendant Front Suspension with coils.