Faults:

Dodge steering systems have a history of problems and this one is no exception.

- Replaced track or stabilizer bar that connects front axle to frame three times. Its ball joint wears out easily causing horrible bounce.

- The "Y" steering config causes vehicle to walk left and right coupled with the non-A-frame control arms that is common on many pickups. Replaced it with a heavy duty "T" steering system based on 1998 3500 model, getting a lot of handling improvement.

- Lacks a stabilizer bar from rear axle to frame. Having one would improve driving stability.

- Replaced steering shaft under hood from steering gear box. Aluminum spline wears out easily that connects to steel spline on gear box. Should all be steel.

- Front differential leaks out through axle tubes - poor design and seals don't last.

- Dashboard cracks and crumbles after a few years.

General Comments:

Of course I bought it for the famous 12 valve Cummins engine, probably the best small vehicle engine ever made. Very little blow-by and engine oil takes a while to get dirty even at 430,000.

Transmission holding up well. Torque converter sometimes can't decide which position to use in overdrive.

Good power for towing even at 1600 rpm.

Consistent 18 to 20 mph on the highway.

Faults:

Transmission came out at 199,000.

General Comments:

Awesome ride, my truck was as tough as they come.

Transmission was my only complaint. Dodge should put as tough a transmission in trucks as they do the motors, and I would never buy another vehicle.

Faults:

Transmission.

Oil pressure drop.

Defective hood latch.

Temperature sensor in the transmission.

Water collecting in the door panels.

Paint on bumpers are starting to peel and a sleeve had to be fitted on the steering column to prevent loss of steering control.

General Comments:

Despite all these problems, I think this is one of the best built trucks on the market. The problems have been an inconvenience, but, this truck has out-performed any that I have test drove.

It is built to take abuse and lived up to all my expectations. I will recommend buying a Ram Truck just make sure you get a good warranty. You're going to need it!

Faults:

My fuel pump went out at 65,000 miles.

Electric seat motors started to fail around 85,000 miles.

At 80,000 miles paint started to flake slightly. At 110,000, paint is still like it was when it started to flake: just a spot or two, but no rust: Really not a problem.

At 100,000 miles the transmission started to do what I have been told is torque converter shudder. Had a reputable transmission shop take a look at it, but of course it didn't do it during their test drive. All they ended up doing is flushing the transmission and changing the filter. Added transmission fluid friction modifier and this gave some relief from the symptoms, but it still occurs, just not as frequently. The shudder always seems to occur after letting of the accelerator momentarily and then getting back into it at ~48-58 MPH. If I take it out of overdrive it also seems to reduce the problem. This truck has been driven hard. I have used it to haul our horses and their hay very often, sometimes up to ~6000 # loads. I experienced this shudder only once before: at ~ 70,000 miles hauling the horses up a very steep and winding grade.

General Comments:

This truck has been an outstanding all around "ranch" truck for us. My only real complaints would be that the seats don't hold up very well: the drivers seat has broken down and doesn't provide much support anymore. Bad enough that that would be my main reason to get rid of it: I weigh in at 230# so the seat hasn't been that abused.

Even with the recent transmission problems, I am still very satisfied with this truck.