You Keep Buying These Dodge Rams

I quit watching him long ago. Not because he loves '94 Celica's or rants against mopars, but because when he'd post a "repair" video of a mopar it was just a "how much I hate Chrysler products" rant. Never fixed a thing I saw. Even the keyless entry system everybody licenses and uses, he rants about mopars that use it. I hope to buy another Ram after retirement, always had good luck with them.

Yes, Buffoon, I keep buying my Dodge Trucks.

I've been around and owned enough Brand X stuff that I'm sticking with Dodge. Fords are mega complicated to work on, the Blunder Motors stuff I had, had about 8 break-downs to 1 of my Dodges. And to offer a counter-argument to his "end-of-the-world, I-have-to-replace-a-starter" video: the key wasn't the problem, Dummy, now was it? My Denso starter lasted 280,000 miles. But, if he would have edited out the key part, it really would have been a regular old video of how to change a normal wear item out of a Dodge.

He isn't wrong about the 3rd Gen and Dodges. The start of un-neccesarily complicated computer/electrical management. I've voiced my opinion on this already to those thinking the new Challengers are going to be a collectors' item. Notice how he hits a dead end and his upscale computer can't fix it either? Maybe he should have bought one of those cheesy hand-held tuners you guys rave about instead?

That guy is a spaz and a dork. I don't care to her what he has to say about anything.

Before YouTube, he had a segment on one of the local TV channels........

For the life of me I can't remember the specific topic, but he was so dead wrong about it, it wasn't funny. My GF at the time was only half listening, and she even looked up and said "wait a minute".

I think this guy set the ground work for all the stupid mechanic shows/programs we have now.

The local show we had one guy did the work and his partner kept walking in with a bag of chips or whatever else and did as little as possible. If you didn't watch for the one guy you were watching to see what the other guy would do next.

Scotty before YouTube.......

A woman writes to him asking how to change the oil in her car. Makes no mention of how to properly JACK UP the car to get to the drain plug. Maybe liability issues? Instead, he just tosses the pan under the car. Also makes no mention of putting some oil IN the filter before screwing it on.

the headline drew me in , half the the time i think he is just finish a 6 pack

If he was my neighbour....I would move.

Dave

I bet doug demuro is his illegitimate child.

A slight tangent from Bozo:

Was recently in a show room and absolutely flabbergasted to see what I saw, which I firmly believed no longer existed. 2019 Ram Classic Standard Cab short bed. Maybe even 2wd but don't quote me. The kicker was manual windows, manual locks, no kinda infotainment, cloth seats - bare bones truck but a nice color and rims, maybe a stripe. A good looking truck not over run with tech and priced to move for like low $20s?.

Other one in the room was the 2020, crew cab, electric steps, 12" screen, hemi, air bag, I recall thinking it would be killer on the highway but ya know, how much? The 392 wide body we took around the block was legit scary - in the parking lot.

I'm on my 3rd Ram (2017 2500). NEVER a problem ever with any of them. I must be an anomaly. In fact had a nice V8 Dakota before I got a Ram and it too was a great, problem free truck. In fact I've been looking to get an additional 1500 Limited and just keep the 2500 for the shop.

Wife had a Ford Exploder; axle / vibration issues, dissimilar metal rusting issues on the hood and WORST was the porous alum block that puked antifreeze in the oil. What a hunk a crap!!!!!

I finally relented and watched the posted video. Funnier than hell, much gnashing of teeth over a failed Denso starter. Sure, if it was bigger it'd still be working. Too damned funny.

I've had GREAT luck with all my Rams so far: 1996 I ordered new & sold with 145,000 miles, Leased: 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, & latest one is a new 2017 I bought. On the Ford matter, I bought a nice low-mileage used 2013 Edge 2 years ago & this vehicle has been a ticking time bomb - one thing after another going wrong. Sensors, brake booster, HVAC controller on the fritz now, plus it's a total noisy rattletrap. Leather seats are wearing prematurely & the door panels are loose & flimsy. NEVER another modern Phord again! BUT, I'll take a nice 69-71 Mach 1 any day!

maybe a texas thing , the starter thing he said turning over a big engine guess he dont know how many of those starters are turning over 500 ci big blocks

Any old car in the 2000s will start to have electrical gremlins.

My 2004 Ram been reliable, but has an annoying issue w/an ignition switch that leaves the heater blower fan on when you turn the key off.

ALso, putting the lever to "P" doesn't always work and furthest it'd go to the left is "R" even after moving around. SOmetimes I have to move it to "N" to start the truck.

Annoying, but nothing that has been serious. So far.

175k miles and still going. Could use a front end alignment.

I have thought that perhaps it would be a good thing to somehow make automakers disclose what they suspect repair costs will be, in a “cold hard cash” kind of way.

One possible way to do this would be to make vehicles be sold separate from any warranty,
but require automakers to offer total coverage warranties of 50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 miles.

This would “price signal” customers what engineers suspect the breakdowns will be, particularly in the longer mileages.

This would make auto company’s management and union leaders think about how future vehicle breakdowns would affect their bonuses or future wages.

This already kinda exists with the 100,000 mile emissions equipment warranty.

Scottys viewers I believe are people who dont work alot on their own cars. But he is spot on about the financial perils of buying a used luxury German car. I see people jump at the chance to own one because they are so affordable when 8-12 years old. Lots of brittle plastic, overengineering and difficult access to computer resets and reprogramming. A working stiff without a ton of disposable income and no auto repair skill should not own one of these things.

Hate to disapoint him, I just submitted a build sheet for a Special Service Ram 1500 to replace my SSV Durango.

Holland blue, RamBox, protection group, 392 limited slip, and a few other things checked off. I will be replacing my personal '15 in a year or so as well.


One of the guys at work just bought a 2500. as an aside, he said the Weathertech style floor mats offered through Mopar are great and cost about half of what the 'techs do.

Well I don't know who this Scotty clown is and sounds like I don't want to know.

I wish Ram/Dodge still made a regular cab short bed 4WD , i would consider buying one to replace my 08 H.Q.C. I`ve looked at 2020 2500s but the price is steep. My 08 has been a good truck and is still in good shape for 12 years old and 57,00 miles and tows great with the 3.92 rear, cai ,catback system and rear air bags. I had to replace the motor at 46,000 miles due to an oil change gone wrong ( repair shops fault and no cost to me ) at a cost of $6,000, cv shafts and joints and ball joints, had to fix a front shaft leak, replace the power steering cooler, idler pulley and recently a trans line rusted thru by the bracket that holds the two together, and of course brakes and tires. The exhaust probably would still be good if I hadn't tried to put a catback system with duals which lasted about a year, then put stock muffler back on but it broke right in front of muffler so i put another cat back system on. I plugged the inner fender holes with silicone in the rear fenders, don't drive it in the salt or much rain , keep it under a cover in my driveway but I am starting to get rust bubbles only over the passenger side wheels, drivers side is fine. My body man says he can and will fix it over the winter. The 92 D150 regular cab, short bed, 2WD I bought new has no rust but then again its been garaged for 26 years and not driven in snow/ salt and rarely rain. I wish the new 1500s still had rear leaf springs so air bags could be added every one I see towing a heavy trailer is sagging in the rear.

Scotty is enamored with Toyota but also the F150. He is always recommending an F150 from the era of cam phaser issues and the sparkplugs that break off.

Make mine a long bed with Heat, A/C, and Crusie Control. Am/Fm and maybe a Disk Player I am a Happy Camper my last truck was 2500HD just like that but had vinyl

This would be the only type of pickup I'd want. I have no use for the 4 door long beds that everyone thinks they need.

My experience;

1976 Power Wagon, 318, 727, NP203, runs like new. Have replaced spark plugs, ECU, ballast resistor, alternator, starter, water pump, all filters/fluids, brakes, tires, etc.
No major repairs, ever. My Dad bought new.

2004 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.7L Hemi, 5 spd auto, Fulltime 4wd, ran great, no issues. My Dad bought new. Traded in 2008 for a new 2008 when they were rebated heavily and offering the lifetime powertrain warranties.
2008 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.7L Hemi, 5 spd auto, fulltime 4wd, Dad bought new, passed away in 2012 but that truck is still in the family, runs great.

2011 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.7L Hemi, 5 spd auto, fulltime 4wd, my first new truck. Bought new in Nov 2011 and still daily drive. I have replaced brake pads, tires, batter (once), spark plugs, ATF and filter, air and oil filters, and once had a "loss of power" issue that turned out to be a faulty Variable Cam solenoid (fixed under warranty). Solid and reliable, I drive every day, and have moved with this truck twice, pull a boat regularly (in the summer months), pull trailers regularly (all year) and have never had a pulling issue, still has the original water pump, starter, alternator, battery lasted until July 5th, 2018, and with 130,000+ miles, I'd consider this to be a very reliable vehicle. Driven in NW Iowa all year, in snow/ice, mud, dirt roads, gravel roads, and parked outside (I have a 3 car garage and 6 cars). The Ram sits outside, and still no issues.

JS

He's an idiot. He uses compression fittings on brake lines, and thinks jack stands are pointless, to name a couple of things I've seen him say.

I wish they made a dakota sized truck still, extended cab long bed. I just picked up the nicest 92 dakota left and LOVE driving it, the bed is waaaaaaaaaay easier to use than the 5 foot bed on my 2011 1/2 ton, its way easier to park. Pretty quick with a 318 in a light truck, (not as fast as my SRT8 392 in my 2011 though). My 2011 4 door cab is too big, wish it had a quad cab instead of crew cab and the 6 foot box instead of the 5 foot worthless and a half bed. I will probably be selling the 2011 now.

You know those new trucks are too big when they are adding foot steps side tool boxes, and swing out tailgates all due to the bed sides being way higher than they used to be. It's like their building trucks for 6'-8 ' tall WWE wrestlers.

Thought they were coming out with a new "Dakota"? It would cannibalize some 1500 sales but I'd be interested in one if they did. My V8 Dakota was a GREAT truck. Pulled a decent cargo trailer, parked and rode like a car, basically a GREAT "mid sized" truck! Think mine was a 2010 or 2011. Was kinda hard to find the exact one I wanted cause it was the last year. I actually flew from MI to NC to buy it and drove it home.

https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/dakota

I have had excellent luck with my 2007 Ram 1500.
I'm at 352,200 miles and still going. The truck feels tight, the brakes are great, the mileage isn't much different than it was when it was new. Power from the 5.7 has never been fantastic but it has been adequate. The console lid has a tear, the steering wheel has worn through and I've had to replace the evaporator and the radiator. The starter, water pump, alternator and serpentine belt are all original.

Good to hear about your limited issues, especially the 545rfe holding up.

What do you do to get all those miles?

I have only used synthetic oil a few times so I can't give credit there.
I have gone through 2 transmission control modules. I watched a couple of YouTube videos before doing it the first time.
The axle pinion seal was replaced once. I change the diff fluid on schedule.
I have gone through several sets of brake pads and rotors!

One of my friends 2008 Ram 1500 V8 5.7 gasser. And it has spent it's life pulling his race Porsche car on a trailer.

Original engine and tranny.

Awesome.

I have some catching up to you guys to do: 322,000 on my '01 360:

The only major was 46re replacement at 267,000. Otherwise, 1 water pump, 2 sets of ball joints, 3 throttle position sensors, 1 pinion bearing, 2 brake hoses, 2 rotors, 1 intermediate steering shaft, 1 cap and rotor set and that's about it. The 360 is all original, oil changes every 7000 miles and it still has all the power and fuel mileage it had since day 1. No rust on it either.

Hi, I also have 2011 Ram 1500, 5.7 Hemi and I am interested to know what type of spark plugs are you using? I am about to change mine and I was looking for a more durable plug that will save me from replacing often. I have a terrible back and having to replace it pains me. My research shows that Iridium type of plugs might be the one I'm looking for based on this good article readread. It may costs a few bucks compared to a regular copper but I am willing to spend a little just to save my back pain. My question is in the real world scenario, if this iridium type of plugs is worth it in terms of performance and durability.

My 2004 has 310,000 miles. Transmission rebuilt around 280,000. Some random, mostly minor / annoying electrical issues aside, Dodge must have done something right on this one.

Probably pulls really hard to the LEFT.

So, from year 1980 until today,
what year Dodge Ram (OK to specify engine & transmission)
can go 15 years and 2000,000 miles
with the least on road breakdowns?

A '94 to '02 V10 2wd in either auto or standard would get my vote for most reliable. The V8's are close behind.

I don't have any miles on my 3rd Gen, but the '06 and up 5.7's with 545rfe address almost all the mechanical weaknesses of the 2 Gens. I believe the TIPM module is their greatest downfall but it's easier to deal with than the previous generations RE transmissions.

Loved my 98 2500 with the v10. It was a 2wd. That truck was comfortable and smooth driving. My only complaints were the brakes sucked when towing my trailer and with the cruise on the rpm would fluctuate up and down for no reason.

Owned it for 7 yrs and sold it when I bought my 2018 cummins mega cab. Took a long time to find a 2500 that was 2wd but I did. It puts a smile on my face every day I get in it.

Throttle position sensor causes this problem.

Yes, my Dad had a '96 V10 2wd and for pure driving enjoyment the only thing that compared to it was his '69 Three Hundred with a 440.

I got a decent sized speeding ticket with it because that V10 would just creep up all the time to 80mph with zero effort.