I am looking to buy a Dodge Truck 1500, everything is basic not even power windows. It has 105,000 miles. I checked the car fax on it and everything seems good, it passed emissions at 104,000 miles and it had a lot of break work done not to long ago. Other than that no accidents or anything major like recalls. My question is, do you think a truck like this is reliable with that many miles on it? If I were to continue to give it proper maintenance would it last a lot longer? Im just worried to buy it and have to pay a lot of money for catastrophic failures. I could buy another newer vehicle for twice as much but with lower miles, but I want a Dodge Truck.

 

I believe most gas engines are rated for 180K miles (under normal maintenance/wear). I have 93K on my 2004 Ram 5.7L and its still running like a champ.

I've personally beat the **** out of the transmission for 25K miles (had a lease with a 4.7L) where I'd always constantly go from OD to 2nd gear (weak point on our tranny because of the controller). There were a few times I would ride the brakes with the engine in first gear @ 4K in 20 degree weather to get it to warm up in about a minute also.

I've also blown up a 4.7L because I sucked water into the intake (crappy CAI) and put a rod through the block (weak point on the 4.7L). This same truck I ran the transmission without fluid for about 50 miles (due to a failed filter gasket) without signs of wear/slipping. Also had torque management completely disabled.

I can say the 545RFE is a very stable transmission, unlike the previous generation.

edit: The truck I blew the engine on I also crossed a river about 3-4 feet deep and it did it without hesitation. Re reading my post I was a complete ******* to my trucks and they still held up, I don't do this stuff anymore.

 

you never know what could happen, there is no guarantee, but with proper maintenance you should be able to get to 200,000 and have it be reliable. Dont forget there will still be a lot of things you will have to replace that aren't catastrophic, suspension comes to mind in the 100-120k range.

 

Year, engine? Those would help us help you

 

It is a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with a 4.7L engine. Automatic transmission and the exact mileage is 105,563.

 

My friend has a 2000 ram 3.9v6 and he has almost 200k on it. Orginial miles orginial owner.

His truck is still running strong

Anything is possible aslong as you keep regular maintance on it.

 

If you plan on getting a tuner I believe the ECU is limited for the 2003s.

 

Ive got a 2002 4.7l 4x4, most people say 02 is the worst year to have but Ive put the truck through hell for almost 8k miles so far and the last owner wasnt easy on it. It was dying for a tuneup when I got it. I have almost 102k miles and everything is still solid. Personally I wouldnt buy anything with over 150k miles.

 

I had an 03 1500 4.7l st bare stock from dealer im talking plastic floor no cd or tape deck. I parted with it at 185k miles engine was still running strong as the day I bought 3 years ago (it had 140k miles on it). Only reason I parted with it was the fact that i found a newer mega cab with hemi for good price. Also I was feeling bad juju headed its way I had dreams of the transmission going out on it.

I can say the 03 4.7l is least desirable and 02 is close by as for tunner and mods just not a whole lot out there if you can find them they are very restrictive.

As far as carfax its a crock of $h1t if you ask me. I work in insurance and when i was looking at trucks nearly every truck had a nice pretty car fax report and when I ran a search thru system my job uses and for most trucks I found every could pull the history of the vehic and could see every time the truck looked at a service dept, copy of est and repair bills, work done, recall work done, and accidents that car fax didnt have listed 99% of the time.

 

If you take care of the truck it will well for you. Change the oil, and all the fluids regulary, spark plugs, throttle body, etc. The engines have been running for a long time as shown by a lot of people here on the forum.
Do you plan on putting a lot of miles on it quick? If your not driving like crazy then 105k miles isnt bad at all. I think it will be a good truck for you. There are always going to be a few lemons but if you test drive it and feel good about the truck I dont see why it wouldnt be a good purchase