Getting a new (used) Ram

[deadeye]

I'm finnaly going to be on the lookout for a truck and decided that I want a Dodge Ram. With the tax return, a little side work this spring, and getting rid of another car I'm hoping to get into a 03 or up Ram 1500 with the 5.7. I don't really care for the look of the brand new ones and they are a little more than what I'm willing to pay anyway so the 3g body style is what I'm after.

I'm just wondering if there are any major problems that I should keep my eye open for? When I was still selling parts (a year ago) I couldn't put my finger on one specific problem that they had, and don't have any part numbers memorized for them so I'm curious if any of the techs on here have anything that comes to mind.

I know they have a goofy setup for trailer wiring. I don't tow anything more than a 14' lund and it is setup with led's so there won't be much of a strain on that system.

The reason I want the truck is mostly because I'm sick of being loaded to the gills with stuff in my blazer anytime I go fishing/hunting. Having a bed to store stuff that is not a desireable passenger would be sweet. Plus, chicks dig dudes with big trucks and if I had a big truck I would be that guy .

[Back2Dakota]

I have been looking at trucks also an the Rams seem to be the best bang for your buck. I have many friends with them '06 and newer with no problems. I looked at the '09's also and what a joke. $35k +++ and I found alot of '07.'08's with under 17k miles for $21-23,000 with the Hemi.South or west the dealers have better prices than the cities. I bought my wifes SUV in BP but found a better deal 180 miles away. The BP dealer beat that price by $500 when I brought the print out with me. It was a so called no haggle dealer so haggle away!

[Mr.Seaguar]

Ouch Back2Dakota, you just called my 09 a joke. I work with the 2 biggest Moparophiles and they seem to have good luck. One has had a 04, 06 08 and now a 07 SRT 10. The other went from a 03 to an 06 to now an 08. They seemed to have good luck so I looked at the 09s new and I loved it at first stomp. Funny part is, the guy who lives back of me buys the one coworkers pickup from the dealer whenever he trades. But he bought an 09 new to get the lifetime warranty so he is set as well. Good Luck

[jeffreyd]

One thing to remember the new you go the truck may have the multi displacement engine meaning that when you are cruising, it will cycle off cylinders for fuel economy. I have an 04 3/4 4x4 95k on it and not any major issues. the only thing that bugs me is the cooling fan which is electric will make noise when it is stopping. it has been replaced twice under warranty and will get it and new fuel pump prior to 100k. other than that no issues.

[Back2Dakota]

Called the price a joke.The dealer where I looked at them had Diesels for right around the same price!Everyone knows they drop as soon as you drive off the lot but in 1 year they will be 21-23. That big of a drop would be hard to swallow. MDS started in '07 I think.

[311Hemi]

I had an 03' Hemi 4x4 and the mileage sucked (I did have 35" tires on it). If your going to get a Hemi get one with the MDS. The newer ones with the MDS get fairly decent mileage compared to the older ones.

I now have an 03' 2500 CTD 4x4 and it's been a great truck. I have had to replace the front end parts at around 125k ($1000), and a water pump but that is about it.

Between me and my direct family we have 5 Dodge trucks (6 if you count the one I traded in) and only one of them has had major problems. My bro in law bought a used 2002 1500 with the 5.2 and they think the head gasket went out on it, although I don't know if something may have happened before they bought it that helped bring on the issue. Heck, my dad has 300k on his 98' Cummins!

Not sure what your talking about regarding goofy trailer wiring, they all have a 7 prong plug harness built into the bumper. Hard to mess that up.

[deadeye]

I was hoping you would chime in. Thanks for the info.

[minneman]

I've owned my 03 2500 5.7 since new, now with about 160k, the 2 most costly things were the front end steering etc like 311 about $900 and a valve spring ?broke? and that cost me about $1500, still been a great ride, and I'd buy another but would like a bit better mileage. 13 - 15 summer and 10 in winter.

[deadeye]

I actually like doing front end work so that is fine with me. Plus, I will knock that cost down a lot since I repair my own stuff. Every big truck goes through that stuff so its to be expected.

I always thought the mileage difference with MDS wasn't really that much better? Like one or 2 mpg difference on the highway. I would be running it mostly on the highway going hunting or fishing so I would imagine it would be on the higher end of the mpg range anyway.

[311Hemi]

That price is parts only (hub bearing is $210/each)....and it's a good thing you like to do it because it's a major PITA to replace the ball joints on the 2500's!!! You need to pull the hub/bearing assembly and it does not come off very easy. Usually need to press out the retaining bolts, one at a time, using the steering system with the truck running and a socket extension. Little by little they come out.

At most 15% difference from what I read, however one of the guys I hunt with just got an 07 quad cab 4x4 and he said he is getting 17-18 mpg on the freeway. I never got above 14 mpg with my 03' Reg cab Hemi. However small of difference...I would probably be wanting MDS.

[bak2MN]

I had a 03 no hemi and I was getting 17-20 on the rd as long as you didn't push the speed limit to much. So I didn't get that good to often!! LOL

[311Hemi]

I had a 03 no hemi and I was getting 17-20 on the rd as long as you didn't push the speed limit to much. So I didn't get that good to often!! LOL

LOL....yep....although I never saw that much. I can get close to 24mpg with my Cummins if I keep it at around 50mph for a long haul.....but you know that pretty much never happens.

[deadeye]

I think the 1500 in those years has a rack and pinion vs a steering gear setup so there is less stuff to replace which is a bonus. The balljoints are a given on any big truck and I have yet to see a truck that doesn't wear those puppies out. It appears that the whole upper control arm is replaceable and the lower is a press in job.

The mileage seems like its not that much worse than my blazer. The best I ever got with that was 24mpg when I was doing 55 with a tailwind. Most of the time I get around 19 or 20 so if I get 17 thats not to much worse. Im not above doing a little performance work too. I will do a dyno pull before and after and log mileage to see if it actually helps. No reason not to actually get real scientific results. That stuff really helped my blazer in the power dept so it should help a big rig.

[eyehead]

I have always been a Chevy guy, but last year I decided to try a Dodge. I went with an 07 1/2ton with the 5.7. It had 16,xxx miles on it and I paid a tad over 20 for it with sales tax. To me, you get alot of truck for your money with a Ram. These things got plenty of power. The only time i've brought it in for warranty work was for a seat cover. Overall, I'm happy I switched to Dodge. Gas mileage aint the greatest, but I can get around 18 or so when I'm on the highway.