Calling Ram Owners...... 

"jkm7680" (jkm7680) 03/27/2016 at 23:27 • Filed to: None

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Specially those who own/have owned an ‘03 or so 4x4 Ram 1500 with the Hemi.

Was/is your truck any good? I’m going to need a truck pretty soon and I’ve always liked Rams so I might as well explore them a bit. Any major reliability issues? Common problems? Things to look for?

Kinja also now won’t let me upload pictures on mobile.

AM3R shamefully returns > jkm7680 03/27/2016 at 23:41

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Get a tundra!! I'm in love with them for some reason.

jkm7680 > AM3R shamefully returns 03/27/2016 at 23:43

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I can’t into Japanese trucks besides the new Taco TRD.

I just can't do it.

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > jkm7680 03/27/2016 at 23:43

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Hemi’s are great, generally.

Pros- Power, reliable, decent fuel mileage.

Cons- Watch for lifter tick, lack of proper servicing, and exhaust manifold studs breaking. They will also blow head gaskets fairly easily if overheated.

545rfe transmission is alright, but not terribly durable. Transfer cases are mostly better then the GM units. Watch for leaky cooler lines and sniff the fluid. If it’s burnt and black, walk away.

Electrical - the Totally Inegrated Power Module or front control module (depending on the year) sometimes is problematic, usually manifesting itself as weird indicator, headlamp, or HVAC behavior. Speaking of which, the HVAC motors that operate the housing doors sometimes malfunction. Make sure all heater modes work and listen for a ticking noise from the dash on startup that can indicate a stripping HVAC motor. Check the rear door locks, too. the door wiring is not well protected.

The box sides over the wheel wells tend to rust, and the headlights aren’t that great.

That’s most of the low points. For the most part, they are great trucks.

edit - I was a Service writer for 3 years at a chrysler dealer.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680 03/27/2016 at 23:43

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My grandmother’s ‘02 1500 with 90,000 miles has been nothing but trouble for her. My dads replaced more components on that truck than his last 3 trucks combined. Currently the transmission is going and the heater intermittently works.

jkm7680 > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 03/27/2016 at 23:45

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Thanks for the explainy details!

No thrown rods or anything though right? Police Chargers with the 5.7 kept blowing up at my local department.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/27/2016 at 23:45

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Fun

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > jkm7680 03/27/2016 at 23:48

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No I didnt see many catastrophic failures in the trucks. If you abuse the engines or neglect oil & filter changes, it will not be happy though. Good service history is worth a lot.

jkm7680 > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 03/27/2016 at 23:52

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That’s true. what mileage are they good till without Needing major servicing?

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 00:01

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The rest of the driveline needs clean fluid same as another other truck, but the HEMI likes some clean 5W20 every 5000 miles. I’d recommend following the manufacturer procedures on driveline maintenance. It does make a difference.

jkm7680 > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 03/28/2016 at 00:03

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Ah, well thanks for all the insight.

Finding a clean one is another thing...

Shift24 > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 00:10

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Heard the 4.7L V8 are junk. And they have the typical ram front end wear out. But they fixed the Trans problems of the 2nd gen.

Sounds like you are mainly looking mopar but would you consider an Angry Eyes or Sierra? Mainly because LS V8s

jkm7680 > Shift24 03/28/2016 at 00:19

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I have considered them. My last post was a new one. I just really need ground clearance also, so no SS.

Conan > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 03/28/2016 at 00:23

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Seems pretty right on from here. A friend’s Dad hasn’t had many problems other than HVAC. We hunt with them and it’s a good solid truck.

whoarder is tellurium > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 00:24

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All I know is... 16 spark plugs.

Shift24 > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 00:30

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I figured but I like the metal cut outs on the front of the SS which is stupid it’s not on any other versions. Though I think the HD Sierra looks better.

AM3R shamefully returns > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 00:36

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What about previous gen tundra TRD? I also like the new taco TRD, love that it can be had with manual.

I have no use for a truck.

jkm7680 > AM3R shamefully returns 03/28/2016 at 08:02

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I personally wouldn’t have any Tundra :P , I’d rather get an automatic American truck.

I want the back to the future new Tacoma though, haha.

jkm7680 > Shift24 03/28/2016 at 08:18

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I agree, looks much better that way.

Dru > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 08:47

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Grandpa bought an 02 brand new in 2002. He is the type to write a check for a new truck every 10-15 years and drive it till it dies, then park it on the farm somewhere until the earth reclaims it. the 4.7L V8 was great until about 75000 miles, then supposedly a tech dropped a bolt down inside the motor (?!?!?!?), and the engine was replaced by said shop. IMHO it hasn’t run right since. BUT my grandpa literally treats his truck rougher than any other person I have ever known, and he doesn’t even do construction or any type of trade for a job. So safe to say it can take some abuse. My FIL had an 05 HEMI regular cab 2wd short bed, and other than common front end problems, it was a great truck. Sold it to my BIL who uses it as a work truck now. The motor has gobs and gobs of power, but it you treat it gingerly it can get 19mpg highway. Hope that helps. Sorry for the rant style response.

RockRam > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 08:50

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I had an 2002 RAM that I got rid of because it was too much. The dash was cracked which I could deal with, but that led to more inside cabin noise while driving that I hated. The wheel well rust was annoying and horrible to look at. Heater core was out and to replace it was going to be a chore. You have to take the whole dash out to get to it. There were little things here and there that just all added up. At the end of the day, I should have listened to the carcomplaints summary of it and stayed away

Nibbles > Shift24 03/28/2016 at 09:40

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Nope, yup and nope. The 4.7L was a good engine if underpowered for the Ram. Much better in the Dak and Cherokee. The front end is still broken and they still had shit transmissions at that point.

Nibbles > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 09:43

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The transmission will crap out on you. That’s a given. The front end is sloppy and likes to eat ball joints. Rust is an inevitability. Expect 12-14 MPG. The HEMI engine is fun though!

AM3R shamefully returns > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 11:22

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They had a back the future taco at the DC auto show, it was awesome. Made me want a truck badly.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > jkm7680 03/28/2016 at 12:27

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I had a 2001 4x4 with the 5.9. If you can find one with little rust and a replaced transmission you will have a inexpensive truck that will never let you down.

jkm7680 > AM3R shamefully returns 03/28/2016 at 15:49

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I saw that one, only good thing the Toyota display had :)

Sadly, you couldn’t get the truck.....

jkm7680 > Nibbles 03/28/2016 at 19:20

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There seems to be quite a few rust free ones around me luckily.

Dodge suck ass at rustproofing though. AHEM DURANGO.