Guys, I am in the market for a half ton-1500. How reliable are your ram 1500's? Please respond with any reasons why to go with dodge ram 1500 versus Toyota, for or chevy. I do love that ram sport 1500 with body color match. Any options you wish you would have got?

 

I must say that I love my dodge...but I have been a dodge guy since getting into trucks :P
First things first is what year do you want to get into? I have a 2011, and I don't have any issues with mine. Some guys do, but I think most of the time they are just lemon parts, because more people are happy then upset.

There are some known issues with these trucks, but thats typical with every type of vehicle right? Some people have issues with the tranny shift linkage freezing up in the winter due to snow buildup. But it seems that a skid plate solves that most of the time.

Some people have issues with torque converters and vibration, but again this seems to be very few people.

Other then that I don't think there is really any big issues, but again I have 2011, dodge has had some time to sort out fine details.


One thing that I will say to you is that you will not find a better riding truck. With the coils in the back in does wonders. I cant get mine bounce around, and its just sooo smooth. Something you will not get out of a leafspring. HOWEVER by having these coils, whenever you tow, whatever you tow, a weight distribution hitch is a must. Sometimes airbags could be an option. BUT I know for myself I would not sacrifice those coils for anything.


hope that somewhat helps...

 

Thanks Nate. Great info. I am looking at 2011 or 12. Maybe. I do love these ram trucks. I have had ram 1500, tundra and chevy silver ado rentals lately. That ram 1500 is amazing. I'm looking at 4x4, 5.7, crewcab. Express maybe, I do love that sport though.Thnx again for great info. By the way, I've been to Ponoka Alberta . BEAUTIFUL country. GODS country. Amazing

 

I have a 2011 4X4 quad cab sport 5.7 hemi and LOVE IT! My brother in law bought a 2011 F150 4X4 crew cab one week after I purchased mine and within in the first week his was back at the shop getting the transmission replaced. Most likely just a fluke and his bad luck, but so far no problems on my end. The ride, power, styling is excellent. I really like the interior on the Ram better than any of the others, is just feels better put together and more solid. Being the sport there's not much not on this truck other than a gps, intergrated trailer brake (wish I did get it) and leather. This will be my first winter so I will be finding out about the shifting issue others have had. I didn't see much of a gain in cabin space between the quad vs the crew cab

 

Depends on how tall you are and how tall your passengers are. I'm 6ft as is my 14 year old son. In the crewcab he can sit comfortably in the back seat behind me, quad cab you would be touching the seat.

 

09 Crew 4x4 SLT - it was one of the last trucks to make it out of the Warren facility in Dec 08, just before the shutdown due the anticipated demise of Chrysler. Replaced the left CV assy shortly after delivery - the outer clamp on the CV boot was not properly crimped and replaced an wheel speed sensor last winter. And that's it. Daily driver, into the woods and lugs a 7K lb TT around in the summer. Been driving Mopars since my 68 Fury and this beast ranks right up there at the top of that reliability scale.

 

Only problems I have ever had with a dodge


GAS (haha thats a joke, any truck owner pulls in the gas station and bends over)

but only serious problem

-my last 3rd gen had drivetrain clunking from hauling some serious loads, which is why I now have a 2500.

and i've heard alot of stuff about balljoints on the new 4th gens.

but other than that, I can honestly say dodge has stepped their game up and all American car manufactures in general are now bettering the American name in regards to reliability.

plus you get a 5 yr 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, which has always been one of dodge trucks weakest links


as far as options, I am happy with everything, other than I wish I could have had a sunroof. I know thats not typical on a truck, but it is so nice to be able to slide that bad boy open on a warm sunny day.

other than that on your build sheet the group with -underhoodlight, puddlelights, etc etc. the rear sliding window, power seats. not much more I could ask for.


just get everything you want from the factory. It will cost you more to add it on aftermarket later

 

My 11 is nice, its pretty much that year where most of the kinks should have been worked out.
The sport is very nice, to me its the best looking. I added a few chrome pieces just to add a little flare, but I think the laramies and laramie longhorns overdue it a little on the chrome/paint ratio. HOWEVER now your getting into pricey options. Mine is pretty much the highest sport you can get. leather, gps, sunroof, auto climate control, pretty much everything. I shelled out a lot for it, but every part of it is perfect. If you have the money, the leather is probably the best option IMO. The heated seats and steering wheel in the winter work wonders. (Only available in leather) The cooled seats are not as important but it definitely helps out. The other is the auto dual climate control. I never have to change anything I just set it for 22 and it does it all automatically. Chooses when to turn the AC on, defrost the windows, throw heat to the floor. Perfect.

The other thing that I did not mention is I do notice that you want to get into 4x4? MAKE SURE that you get a 4 wheel abs, auto function, and a LIMITED SLIP DIFF! When I bout my first 07 I thought it had 4 wheel abs but it didn't so I still lost steering. The 4 auto does wonders too, those days where your just not sure about the roads being a little slick, but not slick enough for 4 wheel. Slam it into auto and as soon as you loose traction it will do its business. Limited slip diff is a must, needs no explanation, you need it haha!

Ponoka is pretty nice, but there are definitely better places to go :P


I will add one last thing, maybe you know this already but it is that you will notice with the dodge is that they don't create an "extended" cab. Dodge has gone away from that and created a quad cab. They don't make a truck with suicide doors. So you may go to a truck and look at it, and it has 4 doors, you might automatically think crew cab. It might not be, it might a quad cab. If you want the extra room in the back you do want the crew, this is what has the extra 1.5 feet of space, and the taller roof. I did't know if you knew that but we get a few guys saying the rams crew cab sucks there is no room, but they have mistaken it for the quad cab not knowing about the crew.

 

As far as reliability, I have owned several Dodge 1500 trucks, and never had a problem. I may have had a couple recalls from Dodge but that is it. I now have a 2010 TRX4 and love it. If you look at what Dodge offers for options and price against other trucks you most definitely get more for your buck going with a ram. I still think the ram is the best looking.

 

I have a 2010 Ram that is the family car. My daily driver is a Chevy 03' 2500HD. I get the GM employee discount and still could not beat the Dodge price. I love the Dodge and wish badly that I could afford to get myself a new Ram, I would look at the Ram Express, you get the body color match without all the bells and whistles...unless you like bells and whistles.