1996 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 Laramie 5.9 diesel 12 valve from North America
Summary:
Steaming coil of dukie
Faults:
So far I have repaired several transmission and fuel leaks (lines corroded). Also steel coolant pipes for the transmission heat exchanger were rotted/leaking.
Front main seal leaks.
Transmission dipstick tube leaks.
Radiator leaks.
Diff seal leaks.
Power steering leaks.
Fuel shutoff solenoid quit working (replaced with choke cable).
Rear brakes are too grabby unloaded (drum brakes are junk, should be disc brakes).
Brake warning light is on due to vacuum leak in vent selector.
Cruise didn't work due to vacuum leak in hose to servo.
Doors/fenders are rotted.
Shocks are clunky.
General Comments:
I'm sure this thing could tow anything, but for how long without itself needing to be towed, I'm not sure.
Truck has ample power, and the sliding fuel plate made the truck fairly quick, and did not affect fuel mileage when not being pushed.
Fuel mileage is OK, but not as good as everybody claims (many people claim they get 25 MPG; they must not be not calculating it properly).
I have 3.54 gears, and got 20 MPG unloaded with cruise set at 65mph on fairly flat terrain on a warm night with little wind, tires inflated to 74 PSI front and 70 PSI rear, with a new air filter and open exhaust.
Winter/city mileage more like 10-15 MPG (better than a gasser, but not much).
I can almost watch the rust eating my truck.
Seats are fairly comfortable.
Transmission shifts fine, and has survived some punishment.
Rides like a skateboard, but it's a 2500, so I guess that's to be expected.
SPARE TIRE WINCH MECHANISM ACTUALLY WORKS!!!
Cooling system is designed with a thermostat that should have a higher operating temperature. Would likely be more fuel efficient.
When the truck is working properly, I enjoy driving it, however I regularly think of selling it or burning it, due to the fact that when I fix something, I usually find at least two more problems.
There are a bunch more problems that I could add that were CAUSED by the used car dealer who sold me the vehicle. They fixed as little as possible to pass a safety, and everything they fixed they did wrong (i.e. safetying a vehicle with brake warning light on and a brake fitting leak, steering joints with lots of play in them and rotted off park brake cables, using the wrong diameter fuel line that caused a leak, replacing only lower ball joints, installing one front spring that was a lighter spring than the other one, etc etc).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 22nd May, 2012
16th Mar 2013, 03:09
Well, almost a year later, and the only thing that is changed is my wallet is empty, and my center console is full of receipts from auto part stores. Going to look at a 2000 K1500 Chevy tomorrow. At least there are a ton of people who for some unknown reason, want my truck, so it's still worth something as a trade in.
For some unknown reason, I have hit the brakes when people have turned in front of me. They're lucky I care more about them than getting a new truck :)