Dodge ram

[houstonscott]

I own two brand new VW's after Ford ticked me off. They are both junk. Dealer was also great at first then started screwing up just like my Ford dealer. So see where all this brand loyalty talk is going? Don't matter what you buy, you are either going to get a good one or a bad one. Roll the dice. They all make lemons and they all make good ones. And they all have good and bad dealers. Pick what you like and hope for the best.

Have you ever had a car or truck recalled that had to be bought back because it couldn't be repaired?

 

[Code54]

I personally know a friend who had a Tahoe bought back and another with an Explorer bought back by Ford. What does that prove except they both had a single bad vehicle. Toyota had the frame issues on the trucks and paid out a bunch on that but we currently own two Toyotas and they been perfect. As Paystar said - "Pick what you like and hope for the best."

 

[houstonscott]

I personally know a friend who had a Tahoe bought back and another with an Explorer bought back by Ford. What does that prove except they both had a single bad vehicle. Toyota had the frame issues on the trucks and paid out a bunch on that but we currently own two Toyotas and they been perfect. As Paystar said - "Pick what you like and hope for the best."

The link says over half a million trucks, not a single vehicle here or there.... I agree buy you want, I hope more information not less will help you in your choice, not blind loyalty. I do believe with good understanding you can put the odds in your favor, you might have a need that puts only bad or poor choices in front of you, then there's money and what you can afford, gets complicated.

 

[blackrams]

The link says over half a million trucks, not a single vehicle here or there.... I agree buy you want, I hope more information not less will help you in your choice, not blind loyalty.

First, what you identify as "blind loyalty", I see as my own personal experience. Having said that, should my experience change, I will (no doubt) look at the options. All manufacturers have good and bad, hopefully the vast majority are good or, that manufacturer won't be around long. Maybe I got very lucky with my Cummins powered Dodges, maybe you didn't. I, once had some bad luck with a Ford. Does that mean I think all Fords are junk? No.

As I previously stated, I'll compare my Cummins maintenance records and fuel mileage records with anyone. So far, they've stood up and always been better than the competition. Recently, I trailered a Ford F450 to northern Ohio. I had hauled other trucks to the same location in the past. When I arrived, the new owner said, "I see you're still driving those old Dodges." We joked around a bit and then he asked me what kind of fuel mileage I got with that old Cummins. So, I took him to the cab and turned the key and told him this is what I got over the last 30 gallons of fuel and that was with a loaded trailer. He was amazed.
His next statement was very telling. He said, "I barely get that good of mileage when I'm driving my trucks without a trailer!".

I won't say there isn't a better truck out there for how I use my trucks but, I haven't seen one. YMMV

Secondly, I now have a better idea of what a "pot stirrer" is. I'll try to ignore future iterations.

Rams :drink:

Edited: Does this forum offer and ignore function?

 

[houstonscott]

First, what you identify as "blind loyalty", I see as my own personal experience. Having said that, should my experience change, I will (no doubt) look at the options. All manufacturers have good and bad, hopefully the vast majority are good or, that manufacturer won't be around long. Maybe I got very lucky with my Cummins powered Dodge, maybe you didn't. I, once had some bad luck with a Ford. Does that mean I think all Fords are junk? No. As I previously stated, I'll compare my Cummins maintenance records and fuel mileage records with anyone. So far, they've stood up and always been better than the competition. Recently, I trailered a Ford F450 to northern Ohio. I had hauled other trucks to the same location in the past. When I arrived, the new owner said, "I see you're still driving those old Dodges." We joked around a bit and then he asked me what kind of fuel mileage I got with that old Cummins. So, I took him to the cab and turned the key and told him this is what I got over the last 30 gallons of fuel and that was with a loaded trailer. He was amazed. His next statement was very telling. He said, "I barely get that good of mileage when I'm driving my trucks without a trailer!". I won't say there isn't a better truck out there for how I use my trucks but, I haven't seen one. YMMV Secondly, I now have a better idea of what a "pot stirrer" is. I'll try to ignore future iterations. Rams :drink:

I'd say you are a good example of "blind loyalty". You could could make the case for me and Kubota, if they made a truck I'd have one. I don't see push back on facts. Enjoy your truck. Merry Christmas.

 

[Code54]

Just makes me laugh - when I first heard of the buy back I told my wife, man I hope our truck is on the recall. She asked, "why, we never have any trouble with it?" I said so I can go and get a brand new one, mine does have a stone chip on the back passenger door......

 

[MutzFarm]

Half ton is kinda light, but if it suits your needs go for it.

In my case I have a 2007 Dodge 5.9 cummins 6spd standard dually 4x4 quad cab and love it. Has 22X,XXX miles on it. If I did it different I would get an automatic because of the way I use it.

My wife has a 2wd 2004 Dodge 5.9 cummins quad cab short bed automatic and she loves it. Has 43X,XXX miles on it. She wouldnt change squat, but I would like for her to have 4x4.

These suit our needs. A half ton gas wouldnt cut it for us.

 

[blackrams]

Half ton is kinda light, but if it suits your needs go for it.

In my case I have a 2007 Dodge 5.9 cummins 6spd standard dually 4x4 quad cab and love it. Has 22X,XXX miles on it. If I did it different I would get an automatic because of the way I use it.

My wife has a 2wd 2004 Dodge 5.9 cummins quad cab short bed automatic and she loves it. Has 43X,XXX miles on it. She wouldnt change squat, but I would like for her to have 4x4.

These suit our needs. A half ton gas wouldnt cut it for us.

I have an acquaintance up in Indiana that was featured in his local paper, his 02 Dodge Ram 2500, 2WD, six speed manual had just turned 1,000,000 miles. He's still driving it and has only done fair, wear and tear maintenance. He did say he was on his second clutch and he thought his 4th or 5th set of brakes. :cool2:

He delivers RVs to pay the rent and put beans on the table.

Rams :drink:

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I drive a world renowned vehicle, considered by many as one of or maybe the most reliable vehicle in production.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::toiletpaper:

 

[coobie]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::toiletpaper:

Funny chit don"t you think?He"s not very proud of it though.Maybe it"s a 1976 toyota FJ40 land cruiser with a 350 V-8 chevy motor.

 

[houstonscott]

Funny chit don"t you think?He"s not very proud of it though.Maybe it"s a 1976 toyota FJ40 land cruiser with a 350 V-8 chevy motor.

Your warm. Funny what came to your mind though.

 

[LouNY]

Funny chit don"t you think?He"s not very proud of it though.Maybe it"s a 1976 toyota FJ40 land cruiser with a 350 V-8 chevy motor.

Hey, now I resemble that I had a 74 FJ that got a 400 small block, it was a ball to play with and did a good job in the rough country, the factory pto winch ended up with a few more u ioints then factory.
Of course my present daily drive is a 15 RAM 1500 crew cab eco diesel, that little V6 so far has been an amazing engine, low end torque like an old big block, it has been my favorite engine since my big block pickups. Some people have had problems with them I hope I stay lucky.

I figure the noisy thing to be a land rover or possibly a Mercedes driver in his dreams.

 

[Tractorable]

Now you guys are talkin'......here's my 1980 Toyota FJ40, stock 2F straight six motor. Runs like a champ.

 

[greif]

Yes a few weeks ago, love it

 

[Code54]

Now you guys are talkin'......here's my 1980 Toyota FJ40, stock 2F straight six motor. Runs like a champ.

View attachment 533296

Beautiful Toy!

 

[coobie]

Now you guys are talkin'......here's my 1980 Toyota FJ40, stock 2F straight six motor. Runs like a champ.

View attachment 533296

Nice,I had a 1978 FJ40 with stock engine.That think could go threw any type of terrain.Sold it back in 1987,dang it..

 

[daugen]

I just read through this and would have gotten to the end a lot faster without all the wasted space by the two folks I have on ignore. For the rest of you who know who I'm talking about, just put them on ignore. Don't ever respond to anything they say. Ignore them totally. Maybe like a roach looking for food they will go elsewhere.

Ok, back on topic. I own a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie, hemi, with the one feature I didn't see anyone mention here.
I bought this truck specifically to get the full airbag suspension; a suspension that I still believe makes this truck unique.
Ride is really excellent, like a big SUV, very little crashing and banging. Air bag suspensions are everywhere now, and I'm sure twenty years from now
replacing them will give the owners a heart attack. It cost me 850 bucks each to replace them on one car I own...
But they are there for a reason.

Before anyone pipes up saying you can't tow with that air bag suspension, oh yes you can. I pull a 7400 pound Jayco conventional rv trailer and the truck is a beast.
That 5.7 motor is seriously strong, even pulling the trailer I don't hold up anyone at the stoplights. Gas mileage? Not so good. Started off getting 16, now I'm in the low
15's with 23k miles on the truck. Yes, the dealership wants to replace all 16 spark plugs at 30k miles. Am wondering if new plugs would help my mileage, but geez weren't these plugs designed to go 100k miles? Didn't they have to because of emissions??? That's a lot of money for routine servicing at relatively low miles on a truck. And that engine is not easy to get to....up high and way back tucked in. You could do your own plugs, but you'd better be limber.

Hemi Tick. Big problem. I complained and complained. And finally they did something, after the tick would not go away for ten minutes. They replaced two roller tappets and totally solved the hemi tick problem. Either they have a batch of bad tappets or? So don't ignore your tick and be demanding. I would not want an out of warranty bill on that valve gear. Btw, my local dealer is amazingly good, and I credit there being a really competent female service manager. New dealership, very professional. None of the old let's see how much we can rip them off for attitude. An exception to the rule perhaps; I've had awful experiences with service dept bandits.

Twenty years ago I think Dodge had problems with their trannies not being heavy duty enough for the tough jobs, like snow plowing. I had a friend who finally sold his Dodge after three transmissions. And while he plowed snow he was slow and careful, not a machinery abuser at all. He had no problems with the Chevy he then drove. Today if the trans is an Aisin that's probably top drawer, like the trans I used to have in a 3500 Cummins dually. I find the trans in my truck just perfect, tow/haul works fine, though with an empty trailer I don't need it; the engine has so much torque it holds higher gears fine.

Best part of my truck? Listening to the motor when it hits 5000 rpm...what a glorious noise. Right up there with a Chevy small block. But a little lower, bassier.
I even got pulled over by a LEO once (for a chat only) who heard me take it through its first two gears, since even stock this truck puts out serious sound when revving out, almost like they have a cutout
in it. Which they don't of course.

Lastly, the Ram has a full width old style steel bumper up front. Came in very, very handy when I hit a full grown black bear last Fall at 50mph in the dark. Bent the bumper back but body shop guy said Ford and Chevy would have had a lot more damage up front due to plastic grills. And something about full length frame rails.

My truck was the fairly rare black forest green, which I find very attractive, though of course it shows dirt. What I wish is if you could get that color in a solid, they force you into two toning which with the fairly garish chrome/plastic coated rims, makes the truck a lot more stylish than I wanted. If they made the Ram in that solid color and offered adaptive cruise, I'd buy a new one. Otherwise I expect to keep this truck a long time.

Don't forget to ignore the haters. And Merry Christmas to all of you, no matter what you drive...:thumbsup:

 

[MutzFarm]

I have an acquaintance up in Indiana that was featured in his local paper, his 02 Dodge Ram 2500, 2WD, six speed manual had just turned 1,000,000 miles. He's still driving it and has only done fair, wear and tear maintenance. He did say he was on his second clutch and he thought his 4th or 5th set of brakes. :cool2:

He delivers RVs to pay the rent and put beans on the table.

Rams :drink:

:thumbsup:

 

[Msamt]

You mention the key to a great Ram experience- good dealer. I have crap dealers up here and it has brought my experience down dramatically. Love the truck, hate the support after the sale, and that can happen with any brand!

 

[BigBlue1]

Yes, the dealership wants to replace all 16 spark plugs at 30k miles. Am wondering if new plugs would help my mileage, but geez weren't these plugs designed to go 100k miles? Didn't they have to because of emissions??? That's a lot of money for routine servicing at relatively low miles on a truck. And that engine is not easy to get to....up high and way back tucked in. You could do your own plugs, but you'd better be limber.

No, they are not 100K plugs, at least unless they changed what they put in my 2010. They are copper plugs, not iridium or platinum. I don't recall the specific reason why they choose those, but they were the better fit for the engine's needs. Many have tried switching to long-life plugs and though it can be done there were enough reports of changes to the way the engine idles or MPG that I would stick with the recommended copper plugs.

I changed the plugs twice in 120K on my 2010 1500. I didn't do them every 30K. More like around 45K. Plugs show very little wear even at 45K so I was comfortable with that interval. You're right that a couple of the plugs on the driver's side rear of the engine are a challenge to get to, but basically it's just a matter of having the right combo of socket extensions available and a swivel joint. If changing oil is as far as a person has gone with auto maintenance I'd say let the dealer do it, but if you do you own stuff normally don't be afraid of trying it. If you do your own plugs you're probably out under $40 for the change, thanks to those cheap, common copper plugs which are not $10 like some of the iridium/platinum ones.

Rob