21st Jul 2004, 13:06

2001 Ram 1500 Quad cab 5.9 (360). The truck had 71,000 when I purchased it last July (2003). 96,000 now, and this is what I have had to do; new front driver's side bearing hub ($170), with me doing the work two weeks ago. When I purchased the truck, I did the following; new t-stat, plugs, wires, belt, tranny screen and fluid, and new Yokohama tires. Other than that, I put gas in it and drive it.

There is a pinging under load or when kicked that my buds at Dodgetalk.com say is the belly-pan gasket under the intake. I will find out this weekend, and if needed, make the repair.

Overall, I love the Dodge Ram, and no other truck on the road is as distinctive or eye catching when dressed up.

9th Aug 2004, 13:29

My 1999 1500 Ram extended cab long box has developed a long cranking cycle to start. 45k miles. Once started its fine. If shut off and restarted it fires right up. No fuel filter in this truck? People are telling me its in the gas tank. Fuel pump or pressure regulator. $$$$$. Had a 97 and a 95 both with 100k miles and no problems. any insight would be helpful. Thanks. Bonanzadave@charter.net.

14th Aug 2004, 09:55

I own a 2001 ram 1500 ext cab 4x4 with 19,000 miles on it. I purchased it from an older gentlemen, any way when I hit small bumps in the road I feel and hear a slight rattle in the steering wheel, and I also noticed if I lightly press the brake at the same time I feel the same rattle feedback thru the brake pedal. I am a mechanic and the only thing I have found bad is worn upper ball joints. I can't believe there bad already, but does anyone think this could cause this? I can't figure out how the "rattle" can transmit to both. thanks in advance!

29th Aug 2004, 08:53

I have a 1998 5.9L Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab. It has been a great truck except for the fact that the rear differential has been making a whining/light grinding sound. My mechanic said he has a friend who had the same problem. This is an expensive fix! Although it hasn't stopped the truck from running it is just annoying. The dealer will charge a fortune to fix it. Can a used differential be found? Thanks.

28th Sep 2004, 13:22

I bought my Dodge Ram 1500 new in 1999. Changed oil regularly, did most oil changes myself. Had to change the tires twice, but currently have over 105,000 miles on it.

Transmission started acting funny when it changed gears about 50,000 miles, finally failed at 98,00 miles and had to be rebuilt. About 60,000 miles, the oil pressure would suddenly drop below 40 psi while running down the highway about 65 mph, then suddenly dropped to zero. Turned off engine, pulled over and checked oil level and looked the engine over, all was fine. Cranked engine and had about 50-60 psi of oil pressure. This scenario happened a couple more times in a 3 week period. Had changed the oil with 10-30 for Florida summer weather. Took it to the dealer for a checkup and they could not find anything wrong. They said they could remove the oil pan to check for sludge, but my extended warranty would not cover any repairs or the pan removal ($200.00) if sludge was found. The engine failed again and again. I would turn off the engine, coast a minute or two and crank it up. Everything was fine for a week or two. I finally bought a high volume oil pump, replaced it and the screen (sump) and the oil pickup tube. I found very little sludge in the engine. This problem still continued until I put 20-50 weight oil in the engine and it works OK. I think the oil would accumulate in the valve covers and not return to the oil pan, so the drop in oil pressure. I checked the drain holes and they appear to be too small for the oil to drain properly especially if there is a little sludge in the holes. When getting close to the 3,000 mile oil change, I can see the oil pressure begin to drop. I just make an early oil change and it works fine again.

I searched the internet and I can get a re-manufactured 318 v8 engine with a 100,000 / 7 year warranty for about $1,700.

The truck only had a 12,000 mile / 12 year warranty new. I think it is cheaper to get the new engine and change it myself than buy a new truck. I had a Dodge Dakota before this truck with transmission problems and it stalled out on me a couple times. Wind use to blow in the driver door between the rubber seal and scare the heck out of me, it sounded like a semi blowing its horn in my left ear. The regional service manager said there was nothing wrong. After several days off from work and hours of loud wind noise, I ripped the small piece of rubber seal out of the door and it never made that noise again. The large rubber seal still sealed out water and wind just fine.

I think Dodge knows they have a oil and electrical problem on their vehicles and I really hate Dodge trucks. I will not buy a Jeep Wrangler because it is a Chrysler product. I feel my best bet is to buy the new engine and keep the Dodge Ram truck. I do not want to spend another pile of money on a new vehicle just yet.

6th Oct 2004, 19:26

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram with 63,000 miles and it uses 2 quarts of oil in between changes of 3-4000 miles. I've been told its the intake manifold gaskets. I went to 3 Dodge dealerships in Jax. Fl, their quote is about $ 800.00 plus tax. I want to sell this truck in a good running condition as soon as posible. Where can I get Technical Service Bulletin 18-48-98? Can Dodge assume responsibility on this mechanical problem?

16th Oct 2004, 09:10

I bought my 99 Ram SLT 1 yr. ago with 37,000 miles on it. I have put 35,000 miles on it in that time. I have had to replace the front brakes twice (rotors & all) during that year. My rotors keep developing heat stress cracks radiating away from the center of the rotor. Anybody know what the problem (or fix) is?

14th Feb 2005, 15:30

I am looking to buy a Dodge truck, 1999 Quad-Cab, 360 - AT only 61,000 miles with a flatbed. It looks great! My intitial problem is, when I test drove it, it seemed to really BUCK in 4wd, worse than any truck I have ever driven, even on cold slick surfaces and it has rather slick tires. It also vibrated at 45mph, drives me nuts. The dealer says, "They all do that" I say BS. I want the truck, but after reading all of these comments I may not...

Any ideas on the BUCK?