Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum but was hoping for a bit of feedback.

Tomorrow, I'll probably be purchasing an 07 Ram 1500 with the 4.7l engine.

It's the SLT, reg cab, grey, 4x4, 6.5ft bed, Auto trans and has 48,000 miles on it. The body is in great condition which makes me thing it has never seen an offroad trail and it rides without a rattle.

Is there anything I should look at as far as common issues with this year/model/engine? I want to try and make sure all of them are good before purchasing the vehicle.

Thanks and any insight you can give would be great.

BWhelan

 

It is stickied at the top of this same section

3rd Gen Ram FAQs

Common Issue's with the Dodge Ram..Please read before posting.

 

If it checks out, should be a good truck. Personally, I'd not buy a 4.7 in a QC 4x4, a little underpowered, for me anyway, but in a regular cab, it should be fine. Obviously the Hemi of that year yields about 100 more HP and a good bit more torque, but if the thing has enough power for you on a test drive, go for it.

The 4.7 is a pretty reliable V8, the only common issues are avoidable with good maintenance. It's prone to sludge issues, so use a high quality oil and change it regularly. Also, the engine does NOT rebound well from over-heating, resulting in head gasket or even head crack issues. so again, changing the coolant at or even more than recommended intervals is big, as well as maintaining the integrity of the cooling system (radiator, hoses, t-stat, etc.)

Aside from that, the engine should serve you well. I personally know guys with the 4.7 in Grand Cherokees with over 200k miles on them and they still run strong...

 

Weedahoe,

Thanks for the reply. I should have said this in my original post, but I did read that section and was hoping to get a little bit more around the opinions of the problems. For example if someone said "Do NOT buy this truck because those engines blow up at 49,000miles due to overheating" or "I've had my similar truck for 500,000 miles without any major issues".

Thanks for pointing that sticky out to me.


HammerZ71,

Great reply! Thank you. I'm on the same page with you regarding the engine. The primary use of this truck will be commuting ~30miles a day, the other very rare use this truck will have is trailering my 700lb motorcycle and the occasional trail driving. As much as the Hemi would be a great luxary to have for the power, it would have put it much higher in price for something I didn't REALLY need. (As much as I would have loved one)


Thanks again for the responses guys and I look forward to seeing additional comments as they come in.


BWhelan

 

Good engine if maintained properly (read regular oil changes and coolant replacment). Mine now has 162,ooo on it and runs really well. Just noticed a front main seal leak , though. Nothing serious just heavy seepage-no drip.

 

Me0418840987,

That's great to hear that you've had so many reliable miles on that truck! I have to deal with the bank right now, but should hopefully be picking up the truck over the next weekend.

It currently has 48,000 on it and would love if it lasted until +160,000 miles.

Hopefully the main seal leak can be replaced easy enough for you.

BWhelan

 

04 79k on it not one issue knock on wood, love my truck and has get up and go with a few mods...

 

07 w/ 57k, had it for over 2yrs, not one single issue (knock on wood x100). Mine doesn't have ANY getup n go, but like Jay said, a couple mods can help that a little (mainly gears!)

 

I have 4.7 2007 quad with 60,000 miles and its great and does everything I need it to.

 

These are very reassuring comments.

I'm dealing with the bank now and should be all set to pick it up by this weekend, hopefully.

JusJay,

Just out of curiousity have you had yours dyno'd? You gave quite a bit of mods and am curious how much extra power you've seen.

Thanks for all the posts guys.