Still absolutely ridiculous for the size of this thing! Especially when you consider how many of these were engines were made. It's not like it's a small, limited run.

I agree. Its good the unit is easy to replace. Have you considered a different aftermarket brand? Not all chinese parts wre created Equally. Rock Auto has a good variety:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,2009,ram+2500+pickup,5.9l+l6+diesel+turbocharged,1443618,cooling+system,water+pump,2208

I bought an AC-Delco for $200 from a local supply house.

Every DIYer should try RockAuto.com. They are a drop shipper that has negotiated fantastic prices on real name brand aftermarket and often OEM parts. An AC Delco water pump thru them for the 5.9 diesel Part number 252318 is $53.00. Shipping is probably $12-$15. No bootleg illegal counterfeit versions like what is often purchased off Amazon.

That exact Mopar part is still cheaper at Rock Auto.

It’s been about 4 years when my 06 Ram 4x4 shifting rod fell off (the whole thing gone) so off to dealer l, rod (about 14” long) was $130, the 2 bushing-connectors were $31 apiece. Almost $200 but I bought them. On a whim I looked on line ,yep there it was same thing $12 bushings $3.50 l, wholly crap! So I went back under the truck to remove the high dollar stuff, drop the plyers and lo and behold there lay the original ROD. Those stupid bushings had failed! Anyway the $ parts went back to dealer! I fixed the bushings with special clips instead! But $18 compared to $200 from dealer, same pieces!

I'm sure most guys know that the majority of these kind of parts are not manufactured by the O.E. Heck, sometimes they are not even designed by the O.E. So, SOME (absolutely not all) aftermarket parts are as good (and a few even better) than the manufacturer's labeled parts.

The challenge is discovering which is and which is not at least as good as the O.E. labeled parts.

For the most part I agree with the overpricing of OEM parts at the dealerships BUT I have to say it's not always a bad situation with a Mopar OEM part. I need both side front strut tower rust repair caps for the wife's Chrysler Town & Country and did the usual internet search and found lots of made in China crap stampings for an average of around $125 - $160 but they were all too short to fix where the rust line was. I went to the local D,J,R,Chrysler dealer where we purchase the vehicle knowing I would probably not be able to explain the part I needed to repair it. After talking to Matt he locates the OEM full strut tower and orders it. He said being a 2001 he had to go to Chrysler's archive parts or something like that to get it. Of course I'm expecting a made in China part to come in but NO it's a MADE IN USA part and it cost me $94, yes ninety-four dollars! MADE IN USA. So it's not always a bad deal(ership) to go to a dealership for an OEM part. Okay back to OEM versus aftermarket pricing.


(the first image is a $158.00 made in China ebag rust repair cap, and the second and third images are the Chrysler OEM MADE IN USA full strut towers)

Have to agree somewhat on the factory prices, I had an 07 GT 500 Mustang that had aftermarket springs, it literally was sitting on the frame bumpers. So went to local Ford dealer to order new springs, they said I had to have the Vin number of car!? I had just looked at a King of the Road mustang in the showroom so I used that vin, thinking they would be expensive. Turns out each spring (4) were $31 each. Surprise Surprise, sometimes there is a deal.
They did sit lower than stock but well off the bumpers.

For $31 bucks you could have ordered and put an extra one on each side

Who knows what the prior own might have done. I have put many aftermarket lowering springs in many cars over the years and none of them put the car on the bump stop. Someone heating coils with a torch to get it lower though....

Just springs no heat spots, I first made steel cup-spacers to raise off bumpers but front tires still laid in at top, no way to line up the front end correct. The springs were a good 8” in diameter. I think the dude wanted the NASCAR on the ground look. After buying car I was coming up 95 when I ran over a bad joint in road surface, the car literally changed lanes, glad nothing was beside me. It WAS fast, 525 hp to the wheels. Sweet sound from the supercharger!