Dodge Ram Owners

KCRam

The Dodge V10 is already (and has always been) 8.0L - 488 cubes for the old timers. The torque and hp increases are just a matter of adjusting the computer to allow more air. To use that now would require a beefier clutch/torque converter at minimum on the current transmissions.

Torque would be in the upper 4s - currently 440-450, is expected to be around 475. Chrysler could easily run Ford and Chevy into the ground powerwise if they had the shifters to back them up - the 24 valve Cummins has *factory* ratings as high as 275 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque.

Depending on the right foot of the owner, current V10 drivers report anywhere from 7 mpg towing to 15 freeway cruising. My Cummins, in comparison, gets 15 around town, and I've hit 22 on a dead run - not bad for a 7000 pound dually...

mharde2

barbell, The cummins w/automatic is 215hp & 420lbs of torque. The auto-transmission is rated for a max of 420lbs torque. The manual trans is 235 & 460lbs torque. Thats 20hp & 40lbs tq more. If you prefer the automatic, it certenly no slouch.

mharde2

I would advise against the heavy duty overload springs unless you are towing a very large 5th wheel, or using a slide-in camper. With a light to medium load the truck bangs on the spring stops, and is very annoying. My 26' 5th wheel has a toug weight of 1360 lbs and is not enough to utilize the overloads. They just bang on the stops every little bump. I finally took out 2 of the 3 bolts and swung the stops out of the way.

rite3

So, there are somethings BRUTUS dousnt allready know. I still cant quite believe it. I will continue to read all your posts, because I usually learn something new. Geeze even I new the V10 was an 8.0. I could have sworn you posted that a while ago. Maybe its not what brutus dousnt know, but what he cant quite remember all the time. You got superduty on the mind me thinks, I know, so do I.

Brutus

There's a lot Brutus doesn't know, especially when it comes to towing. Most of my comments should have a question mark at the end. If it looks like I know what I'm talking about, I probably read it on somebody elses post. Certainly, if my comments are useful, I got them from another source.

I think you're right that I did post the Dodge V-10 stats on a previous post. I don't know why I said 7.5. That's the displacement for the Ford 460. The Dodge V-10 has more hp and torque than the Ford V-10. The Ford V-10 is more efficient, getting more hp per liter. Suppossedly that efficiency makes it a little more smooth and quiet. I'm curious to see if it translates into better gas mileage. I, kind of, doubt it will be significant. We won't be able to do any comparisons between the Dodge and Ford V-10s until someone actually gets their SuperDuty V-10. I still haven't seen one on the road yet.

buck__b

hey guys, saw a post earlier by "gregsintx" asking about step rigs for the Qcab -- anyone have any experience? I hate to pay the $$ for 'em if Mopar isn't any better... thanks!

armadillo

Just a quick note to say thanks to both you gentlemen. I appreciate the valuable information you contribute, and the manner in which you present it.

pete38

Personally I'm going with stainless steel tubes rather than the mopar aluminum. Just my preference I don't know if one is better than the other. The tubes I'm getting are 320 made by Luverne, have the two step plates and use existing mounting bolts on the truck so no drilling is required.

slakie

I'm waiting for my Ram 2500 4X4 with manual trans to come in hopefully by the 25th of May. I have read in some of the archived notes that some dealers were offering a one time 15% discount on accessories in conjunction with the truck purchase. I have queried my dealer on this and all I've received so far is a "we're looking into it" response. Anybody out there have any info on this. Also I have ordred a Snugtop cap (HiRiser model) anybody have any experience with them; my last cap was a Brahma and it developed several cracks.

KCRam

Well, hit the big 3-0 the other day (not me, I'm 33). So in honort of its 30,000th mile, I examined the bad and the good.

Bad:

1. Goodyear Wrangler AT tires wore unevenly and early - replaced with Cooper Discoverer LT
2. Cranky windshield washer preferred cleaning the roof clearance lights - fixed under warranty
3. Fuel gauge preferred to stay on E for days on end - fixed under warranty
4. Vacuum check valve recall
5. Weak shocks - replaced once by dealer under warranty with more OEMs, but the second set seemed a little better - either Monroes or Ranchos next

Good:

1. Very good fuel economy - around-town average 15, best tank 22 - not bad for a 7000 pound beast
2. Cummins has been trouble-free, requiring just scheduled maintenance
3. Auto trans, t-case, and diffs also just normal maintenance
4. No interior problems, such as loose equipment, leaks, etc.
5. Still turns heads - got the thumbs-up just last week from two teens leaving school
6. No abnormal brake performance - replaced pads yesterday, still have yet to resurface the rotors, rear shoes should make another year (from today)
7. Excellent dealer service - everything done right the first time, reasonably priced when at my expense

All in all, I'm very satisfied - the "Bad" things have been very minor when compared to the "Good" - any other good milestone stories out there?

pete38

kcram, that was a very instructive report. I'm waiting for my Quad to come in and reports like that are very helpful. What year is your truck? It sounds like you have done really well on not needing much in repairs. The brakes on the dodges are always badmouthed by the ford dealers as well as the auto trans. I always figured if a guy drove reasonably and did scheduled maintainence it (allowing that you don't have a lemon to start with) would be ok. I guess they did beef up the brakes on the 98, but probably had a lot to do with the ford salesman using that as a sales pitch..

bri

I recently heard the 5.2 Liter (318) isn't going to be made anymore. Has anyone else heard this or was the dealer I talked to just trying to get me to buy a 5.9 Liter?

KCRam

Pete - I did leave that out of this post, I have mentioned it in previous posts - sorry about that.

It's a 1996 3500 Club Cab 4x4, Laramie SLT, Cummins, automatic, 3.54 axles, and limited slip rear.

pete38

Thanks again kcram, it is nice to hear that your truck is doing so well. I had a real tough decision between the 98 dodge + 99 ford. It is hard to know which is better. Your report made me feel like I made a good decision. Another reason I chose Dodge was the lack of glow plugs. Then today a guy who hauls cattle told me he was switching to Dodge because of having trouble with his glow plugs in his 94. I truthfully think, both brands have lemons and I hoping I don't get one! Plunking down 30k+ for a truck is something I thought I would never do and it scares me to death!

KCRam

The other decision maker between the Cummins and the Navistar is the cavitation problem that the Navs are suffering. Apparently, Ford did not make it very clear that a coolant additive was REQUIRED as part of normal operation, and needed to be added as often as every oil change. The resulting cylinder wall erosion costs as much as $5000 to repair if it's even possible to fix. Someone had pointed out this site:

http://www.interstat.com/ford

and there are nothing but tales of woe regarding the Powerstroke - I thought the most telling letter there camne from a guy who works on medium duty trucks - he said Ford doesn't use a lot of the components that Navistar would otherwise supply with the engine, like the computer and the water pump. Dodge, on the other hand, uses as much of the Cummins equipment as possible, and often dealers will send trucks out to Cummins service shops because there are so few changes to the engine.

Thirty big bills is a scary proposition, I agree, but at least I can say I got more truck for the money than the base model (1500 regular cab shortbed) - think about people who buy an Explorer Limited over the base model, pay $10K more, and don't get more TRUCK for the money.

KCRam

oops sorry wrong address

http://www.interstat.net/ford/

KCRam

Bri

Yes, it's true - the 318 (and the 360 and V6 for that matter) will die soon. They are being replaced by a new OHC line of engines. The 318 will be replaced by a 4.7L V8 that will see duty in the 1999 Grand Cherokee, then move to the Dodge trucks for the 2000 model year. The 360 will be swapped for a 5.5L version of the 4.7 - no word on the V6 engine size. The V10 and the Cummins are likely to see power increases over their current figures if the new HD transmissions are introduced as rumored.

dkg

pete38, I will be ordering my Dodge on Monday. As it turns out the dealer I could get the best price from is in Boulder. Such a strange process. No matter what you find out and where you get the advice to talk to, it still seems like it comes down to personalities. I tried Mike Hickman, and although he was close his price was still above what I found elsewhere.

As to the order, it will be loaded.
2500 Quad Cab
Short Bed
4 wheel drive
Turbo Diesel with automatic
Sport Package
Tow Package
Anti Slip with the 3.54 ratio
with the Gray Leather Interior
and of course White Exterior.

I actually had all the options and colors decided before I connected with you. We will have to stay in touch and I'll let you know the dates on my order.

To all the other contributors on this topic. Thanks for the information. As for the choice of Dodge over Ford, it was hard, but the locals I talked to gave an ever to slight edge to the Dodge. It came down to looks and both the other half and I like the Dodge a little better.

Keep up the informative topics and you will hear from me at various times.

DKG

pete38

DKG, sounds like our trucks will be close in looks, I didn't get the anti-slip or the sport package. I have the long bed with the standard radio. It is getting harder to wait, I almost run to the phone after work to see if there are any messages. Maybe we can get together sometime and compare trucks.

panman

I am going to order my truck this week. I've decided, with a lot of help from this forum, to go with the white 1500 SLT 4x4 SB with most of the extras except leather. With all of the gravel and pasture I'll be driving through, white was the best choice. I have a few more questions, if you guys don't mind.

1) Does anyone know anything about the molded side steps, not the ones that come with the ground effects but that are just the steps(#17 in the accessories catalog)? I am deciding between these and the aluminum tubular side steps but no one in my area has the molded side steps. Are they any good or look bad, etc.?

2) Has anyone ordered the mopar diamond plate tool box? Is it any better than an aftermarket brand such as Delta and does it have a small storage compartment inside for small objects that may slide around?

Thanks ahead of time. I can't wait until I get my new truck.

dkg

pete38,

Sounds like a good idea to meet and compare our trucks when they get here. Did you read my notes about the Cummins Pickup Owners group that meets in Commerce City? I think they meet one Saturday of each month. I've been told that the meetings are real helpful, as they tell you things that Dodge does not. Anyway I am going to check into it, so I will post whatever I find out.

As for your truck, keep us all posted.

DKG

cci

Slakier - I ordered a ram quad cab at around $400 over invoice and i got the dealer to give me 15% off any accessories since i am probably going to get the molded side steps, wheel flares and bedliner. I believe they are marked up at least 20% so they are still making $ plus installation if i have them do it. good luck

606zp

Anybody know what an "I" order status is and how long it takes to change to a shipped status?

Airwolf

Ok. I've reread every one of the 288 posts here, but I am still wondering about the diesel question. I was going to buy a 1500 QC RAM SB with the 5.9L, now after reading numerous conferences, I feel a 2500 QC RAM LB is the way to go. I want more power should I ever need it and space for all my current and future toys.

But here's the rub...Is a diesel w/auto trouble? more trouble than a V10 gas w/auto? I put 30,000 miles of driving a year on my vehicles (50% highway) but that will be lessening over time. So, which of the bigger engines is worth it? And which experiences with 96 or newer Rams have been positive and negative?

Thanks so much in advance...
Ryan

bri

kcram-

thanks for the info.

HHM

I'm in the market for a new 1-ton. I like the new Dodge/24v. But I need a "Crew Cab". Does Dodge still make one? And can I get it with "single rear wheel"
Thanks for you help.

KCRam

Airwolf

For that kind of mileage (30K/year), go for the Cummins - it's intended for long-haul hammering, plus your fuel costs will be a lot more reasonable. At that pace, your V10 would probably need an overhaul in just 5 years, while the Cummins could easily go 12.

HHM

No Ram Crew Cab - yet - it's rumored on and off to appear within the next 2 years. All 3500s are dual rear wheels. If you absolutely need a single rear wheel crew right now, I'll tell you to get a 99 Super Duty Ford

Devildog

Howdy all,
I was just wondering if anyone has heard what modifications will be made for the 1999 Ram.
I'm planning on buying this summer, and I want to see if it would be worth waiting a couple of months for.

Thanks,
-Tristan

barbell

AIRWOLF: Unless you are doing those 30K per year hauling yourself and close family or friends, my suggestion is to go w/a diesel of whatever make. I have owned a number of diesels, mostly International:( retired farmer.) Usually a diesel will out pull and out last a gas engine under most any service requirements. Diesels cost more to buy and to work on. They are cheaper to run but most have oil capacity of at least twice that of a gas engine, so pay more per oil change. I can't speak of the reliability of the Cummins in the Dodge truck because I haven't owned one, but I am in line to order one as soon as I hear that the manual transmission will be the six-speed.

timmy

Any brake experts out there?

I've got about 1300 miles on my 98 Ram 1500. All pretty easy miles (no towing, no mountains, 50/50 city and highway). I seem to have a substantial amount of brake dust built up on the front wheels. Is this a normal break-in situation or is this something I should be concerned with? I don't have any problems braking and I haven't heard or felt anything unusual.

Anybody got an opinion?
Thanks,
Tim

KCRam

Tim,

With the use of semi-metallic pads, disc brakes, and openly vented wheels, brake dust is a fact of life on a new vehicle. Just wash it up, and keep on rollin'

pete38

I had problems with brake dust on my rims, squirted it with "Simple Green" and it comes off with no hard scrubbing and gets it out of the nooks and cranny's. Does anyone know if Simple Green is bad for the wheels, tires ect. I hope not becuase it sure works good for this problem.

Airwolf

I have always thought that manuals should be left in sports cars. My 1996 Mustang Cobra has one and I love it, but my two SUVs before that (Heep-of-Crap Grand Cherokee and '92 S-10 Blazer) both had auto tannies.
Some people here say either:
1) diesel with manual
2) diesle with auto
3) gas with auto
I'd rather not use a manual if I get a truck, as the time I'd need it wouldn't outwiegh the time I don't. If I don't want a manual in my truck, should I go with a gas engine regardless?

barbell,
Thanks for the info! I don't mind the occasional extra cost if it's worth the investment.

--Ryan

Brutus

I actually like the ability to upshift and downshift on my own, rather than relying on the auto to make the decision. I know I can shift an auto, but it's not the same. At the same time, having spent much of the last five years in Southern CA and now Dallas, I'll admit that it sucks to have a manual in bumper to bumper traffic on a daily basis. It was a tough decision for me, but I ordered the auto in my new truck.

KCRam

Despite the power difference with the Cummins, I went with the automatic for one major reason and one minor reason. The major reason was the redline. For an engine that only makes it to 2700 rpm, combined with a somewhat wide ratio 5 speed, I'd be shifting a LOT in city driving. The minor reason is my dad does borrow the Ram occasionally and his 60 year old knees have been 60 years old way before the rest of him, so clutching is not an option for him.

Considering the fuel economy I get (15-16 around town, 22 pure highway), the extra 1 or 2 mpg from the 5 speed isn't that bad a tradeoff considering what a gas-engine Ram 3500 would be providing.

Automatics are making more and more inroads into heavier vehicles too. 95 percent of all buses sold in North America are automatics, and Allison makes a class 8 six-speed overdrive automatic now.

puterspud

Ordered a 98 1500 QC and am looking into alarm systems and adding a sub woofer to the upgraded stereo. I want to add a hi/lo adapter, tapping off the back speakers to get the feed for the sub woofer amplifier. Has anyone tried this,,results?
also anyone recomend any aftermarket alarm systems, I'm currently looking a clifford and viper. Thanks....

pete38

I ordered the auto too, but for a different reason. While I do the majority of driving my wife occasionally takes the wheel. She knows how to drive a manual, but with pulling the trailer it is one less thing for her to worry about. Also starting up on a STEEP hill is much easier with the auto when you have a heavy trailer trying to pull you down. For me it will be take a little while to get used to not pushing in the clutch when I come to a stop. Why do they make that brake pedal so huge on automatics?

panman

I ordered my truck yesterday.

White 1500 4x4 quad cab short bed
travel and convenience
Agate interior
fog lights
upgraded to 265/75R16 tires
CD player
remote keyless entry
sliding rear window
power package
bug shields
chrome tubular side steps

The dealer said they have never seen anyone do as much research as I have and they didn't even quibble with me on the price I wanted. If anyone in Eastern Kansas needs some advice for their truck purchase, just email me at panman@ksu.edu and definitely check out this site because this is the reason I got such a good deal. Thanks everyone!

mharde2

Just got back from a 2,100 mi trip with my Cummins 24V towing my 26' 5th wheel(6300 lbl, 11'high 8' wide) trailer. With 4,000 mi on it I got 13.2 mpg on two legs of the trip, and 15.2 on one w/20 mph tail wind. This was at an average speed of 65 mph.
It runs very quite in overdrive, very noisy in 3rd. It wish there wasn't such a big gap between the two...

Loon

Have 2500 miles on dakota ext cab v-6 auto trans...since day 3 have had intermittent problems with shift....from start up---reminds me of slipping transmission.....or worn out clutch on standard shift....engine revs up with slow movement then u feel it shift down and rpm go down and then connects for power....have taken to dealer twice.....fails to do it when i'm there....appears to possibly be associated with cool morning starts....very intermittent...but you know its there and happening and a nuisance.....anyone else having same problem?

fredwood

Have you checked the trans fluid level?

armadillo

Hi, Folks.
I just heard some very discouraging news today, and I was hoping that there are a lot of you that can comment on it.

My buddy at work and I have been talking about each of our plans to buy a new 4WD pickup. He has years of experience owning them. He currently owns a Toyota Tacoma 4WD. I have never owned a 4WD vehicle of any kind, though I have driven several.

He's been shopping all the big three dealerships, plus Toyota. I have admired, and have been planning on buying the Dodge RAM since 1994.

He was at one of the local Dodge dealerships, and ran into a really close friend that he's known since they were kids. It so happens that this friend works in the service department of this dealership. He and this guy went out for a couple of beers and some serious conversation about 4WD pickups.

Here's the discouraging news. This guy said that about 70% of their service complaints are for the front end alignment on the 4WD models. The predominant problems are pulling to one side (no brakes applied), vibrations, and uneven tire wear.
He said that both the factory and the dealerships have a hard time setting the camber.

The other predominant complaint is vibrations and rattling inside the cabs because the clips that hold the plastic panels etc. in place come loose after less than 10,000 miles. He said that most of the time, they end up pulling the dashboards, and replacing the clips with screws....that is IF they can locate the culprits causing the rattles and buzzes.

He highly recommended against buying the RAM. He said until Dodge figures out the front end problem, he's going to continue driving his Chevrolet. As for my buddy.....he went right out and ordered a new Toyota Tacoma TRD...expects delivery in early June.

I don't mind telling you that this really bothers me. This truck is going to be a HUGE purchase for me, and I don't want to regret spending the money. I am going to have to keep whatever I buy for at least the next 10-15 years.

Anything you folks can share will be sincerely appreciated. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Brutus

Maybe it's those few extra horsepower in the engines that rattle the truck apart. My 92 F-250 4x4 has never been out of alignment in the 84,000 miles I've got on it so far, and the tire wear has been even. I read about this alignment and tire wear issue on some of the Dodges somewhere else. It might have been in a earlier thread in this topic area. There seem to plenty of satisfied Dodge owners on this site, so I figured it wasn't a common occurence.

barbell

Does anyone know anything about the supposed six speed transmission changeover? On the Happy Campers board several weeks ago, we heard that trucks ordered with manual trans were on delay so that the line could change over to the six speed. Since then have heard nothing. On the Ramtruck site, we hear that the six speed is for 3500 series only. I am waiting to order depending on the answer to this question. Will be 2500 QC 4WD LB Diesel manual trans(depending on answer I get)

gene7722

Hi guys !! I've been busy w/ other things lately. My planned purchase of a Ram has been placed on hold, due to wife needing to find another teaching job this summer. ( I was really getting excited about finely getting my BIG truck). Any way as a result of the comments here, I'm beginning to think that I should re-evaluate & consider a Diesel. BUT do you have a problem w/exhaust constantly on the truck body? I drive Ford diesel ambulances and this is a major problem.

606zp

mharde2,

How are you making out with your thumping rear springs? Do you still have the stops moved?

Ron

marvb

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!

My new RAM 3500 diesel was finally delivered to my Dodge dealership today! They still have to prep it, but I will take possession tomorrow at noon. I went down to take a look, and it is a beaut, even with the road grime on it!

I gave it a once over and did'nt see any dents or scratches; it had six wheels on the ground and a clutch. I was so excited that I forgot to see if it had 4WD. Oh well, my shock should subside by tomorrow so I can go through a complete check-list.

The truck was supposedly delivered from the factory the 30th of March and should have arrived here by the 12th of April. Apparently, the hold-up was with the trucking firm that made the final leg of the delivery out of Amarillo, Texas. The dealership here said that Chrysler had contracted with another firm, and that the current hauler (still obligated to deliver the remaining units on its contract) was totally disinterested in a timely delivery. But all of that is now history.

But it could have been much worse. I had kidded with the salesman that my truck would probably be on the train that de-railed, or the truck that got hi-jacked, or some other disaster. Then I learned last week that the new Jeep, which a friend of mine ordered from the same dealership 10 days after I ordered my truck, was destroyed by a tornado as the train that it was on passed through Santa Rosa, New Mexico. We hardly ever have tornados anywhere in New Mexico! Guess El Nino can be blamed!

Well, enough babbling. I will touch base again after I have put a few miles on that new Dodge RAM!

Ron, I hope you get yours soon!

Airwolf

Congrats on your new baby! I can't wait to get mine.

On another note, I just test drove three new vehicles over the weekend, all on a few local streets and about 1 mile of highway:
1) Ram 2500HD 4x4 QC SWB *new* Cummins 24v Diesel
2) Ram 2500HD 4x4 QC LWB V10
3) Ford F-250 Ext. Cab 2x4 (4 doors)

And here are my comments:
1) Great truck! If you don't already know the NEW 24v Cummins Turbo Diesel is incredible. Top Speed, Ride, Acceleration. Everything went well. I really liked the truck. Handled well, no pull on braking. The ride was rough in both Dodge's, but that is probably the big truck/small tire stock combo on the truck. The dealer didn't have much to say about the oft-heard comments (like the ones here) on brake problems, trannies, and tire wear. But the salesman was friendly enough to let me...
2) Test drive another great truck! The V10 Long bed was an incedible truck, and the POWER! Although I wasted about 5 gallons around the block and the highway, but it was worth it. The bigger bed wasn't as bad as I thought it would be in driving, but only a little in parking. I'm still debating SWB vs. LWB. The new dash is nice.
3) The Ford Dealer was an [non-permissible content removed]. I went to td the vehicle in the morning and when I told him I wasn't interested in buying, just driving, he said, well let's schedule it for later, since I'm next up on the list and I'd like to get a paying customer (sic). I left and did the Dodge thing. Later, the 2x4 was driven. The trailer mirrors were huge, but I didn't like the handling that much of the Ford. Although the ride was nicer, I think it was due to the 2x4 vs. the 4x4. Also, the cupholders could bump the passenger's left knee/leg.

All the vehicles were hard to park. And the diesel was noisy. The Ford's do have new transmissions, and they claim, more room, etc. but I just don't know. If I only had these test drives to go on, I'd still pick the new Dodges.

Cheers,
Ryan

fredwood

Hey Airwolf/Ryan,

Please refrain from calling a truck a "baby", it turns my stomach.

pete38

My truck came in Tuesday, going to pick it up Thursday at 6:00. It is hard to believe, I ordered Feb. 16 it arrived to the dealer April 28. I still haven't seen it, this darn work thing keeps getting in the way, but I guess I have to pay for the truck. Will be a hard check to write, lots of numbers. Now to get the truck ready for the big summer trip!