Reliability of newer Dodge Ram HD's

[chris_the_wrench]

Just an update on my '06 2500 ctd. 1 year and 20k miles since I put in the xrf balljoints. Both uppers are shot already. I wanted to do carlis last time but there were none on the face of the earth at that time. Now I just hope the xrf's didn't ream out the holes like I've read they occasionally do. Carlis are more readily available and when I have some downtime I'll be sticking those in.(not how I was planning to spend a weekend or $800)

Chris

 

[2025 deleted member]

My experience with dodge from 95 to 2006 models was good. But my 07.5 cummins was a POS.

 

[High_Country]

I have a 2011 Ram 2500 CTD, crew cab, 4x4, with an auto. I love it. Very refined, smooth, and quiet for a diesel 3/4 ton. Go check out www.cumminsforum.com - the best online forum for all the CTD's. Of course, you'll see guys there mentioning problems as well as praises.

I did a lot of research and wound up with the Ram due to these reasons (just to name a few):
1) To get an equivalently equipped truck in a GM or Ford I would of had to sped $5K or more.
2) I don't have to use urea
3) Of course the legendary Cummins motor that has been proven in its current configuration for years now
4) The new Ford motor and serviceability thereof scared me. (It takes exactly 3 minutes to change the fuel filter on the new Cummins. Less for the air filter).
5) Personally, I think the new Ram exterior and interior are the best looking right now.

I suppose it depends on how new you're wanting to buy ($$$), how long you plan to have the truck (past warranty?), and if you plan on doing any of the work yourself.

On the 2010+ models there have been a few tie rod recall issues and an HVAC flapper door issue, but other than that, they're solid. (And mine didn't need either issue addressed.)

 

[zeke2.0]

I went to the ram trucks web site to price a 2500. If you select anything but the base models, they don't offer the diesel engine as an option. (ie laramie, power wagon....). Must be something new.

 

[coder]

It was there when I tried it select:

Build & Price -> Select Model (I selected Laramie) -> Choose Colors -> Choose Options -> Powertrain (Hemi or 6.7 I6 Cummins)

www.ramtrucks.com

 

[fasteddy47]

Canadian Warranty Stats

Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 Auto Diesel
6.74 Warranty Claims Per VIN First 36 Months Average

GMC 2500 Diesel Auto
8.45 Warranty Claims Per VIN First 36 Months Average

Ford 250 350 Diesel Auto
10.33 Warranty Claims Per VIN First 36 Months Average

So Dodge Service Manager..... Year 23....... Most problems come from the injection side of these engines. Almost no mechanical breakdowns on the mighty Cummins.
All modern vehicles have to meet emission standards, this is where the problems lie...... We see second gen Rams with 500,000 on the clock all the time... Pump has never been
out.... Just regular maintenance.

Buy old with lowwwww mileage... lots of them out there. Sure they are noisy....but you want to build a truck to go in the middle of nowhere.......... You can buy a used Mechanical injector pump to
carry as a spare for $500. Try that with a 2008+

My .02 cents worth.
Eddy

 

[murphy744]

Fasteddy,
As a Dodge Service Manager, what would you consider to be lowwwwww mileage on a gen 2? The reason I ask, cuz I'm in the market.

Buy old with lowwwww mileage... lots of them out there. Sure they are noisy....but you want to build a truck to go in the middle of nowhere.......... You can buy a used Mechanical injector pump to
carry as a spare for $500. Try that with a 2008+

My .02 cents worth.
Eddy[/QUOTE]

 

[Heloflyboy]

My brother has a 2011 4x4 2500 diesel only problem he has had was with power steering lines which dealer fixed. I just towed my wife's yukon xl 500 miles with it and got 18 mpg doing it. It has 87,000 miles on it and no front end issues. This is his second one and he said he will buy another.

Good Luck

 

[redthies]

Fasteddy,
As a Dodge Service Manager, what would you consider to be lowwwwww mileage on a gen 2? The reason I ask, cuz I'm in the market.

Buy old with lowwwww mileage... lots of them out there. Sure they are noisy....but you want to build a truck to go in the middle of nowhere.......... You can buy a used Mechanical injector pump to
carry as a spare for $500. Try that with a 2008+

My .02 cents worth.
Eddy

[/QUOTE]

If you aren't afraid to fly n drive, one of my clients has a '97 club cab for sale that he bought new. The killer dowel pin took out his original engine, so I think it has a newer one in it. The whole truck has well under 100,000 on it. If it were a '98 with the back doors, I'd own it. Let me know if you are interested...

 

[Black Dog]

I've got an '04 Hemi 2500 and so far the only problem I've had is a squeak. Its only when I'm moving and the frequency of the squeak increases with speed. Even with the transmission in neutral it squeaks while I'm rolling. Is sounds like its coming from the rear of the truck, so driveshaft or wheel bearings maybe? The truck is over 100k miles so it could be anything.

 

[fasteddy47]

I've got an '04 Hemi 2500 and so far the only problem I've had is a squeak. Its only when I'm moving and the frequency of the squeak increases with speed. Even with the transmission in neutral it squeaks while I'm rolling. Is sounds like its coming from the rear of the truck, so driveshaft or wheel bearings maybe? The truck is over 100k miles so it could be anything.

U Joint

 

[fasteddy47]

Used Second Gen Ram.... Minty... less than 150k about $12,000 to $15,000
Rebearing both differentials.... $1200
Overhaul Tranfer Case $1300
Enchange Trans (auto) $2500
Front End Ball Joints/ Etc $1500
Diesel Tune Up $1000
Total $7500
So $20 to $25 gives you a fresh driver.... Diesel..... with a drivetrain that can go 350K.....and without a ridiculous amount of emiisions controls....

Ahhhh Simplicity

 

[racerjb]

I have a 2010 Dodge 2500 w/cummins and have over 65k trouble free miles. It was my first diesel and I chose it due to the reliability of the cummins and the simplicity. The gen 4 really gave it the looks and interior comforts it needed. The chevy is a great HWY rig but it is expensive to do suspension mods plus I have seen a lot of issues with them off road. The ford is expensive and I didn't trust their diesel engines. I feel the dodge is the best hd for the backcountry. The money you save on the purchase price you can put into mods. If they made a cummins power wagon it would be a no brainer....

Anyhow,there are some good build threads on here.

 

[bfdiesel]

I vote put money into an older one. Every part for the new ones is big $$

 

[Regcabguy]

My brother has a 2011 4x4 2500 diesel only problem he has had was with power steering lines which dealer fixed. I just towed my wife's yukon xl 500 miles with it and got 18 mpg doing it. It has 87,000 miles on it and no front end issues. This is his second one and he said he will buy another.

Good Luck

I'd love a new one,but have never seen fuel economy like that in mine carrying a 2000# popup 24/7. Empty,with MT's and a Smarty I get maybe 17mpg. city/highway combined.
My local shop had a 2011 Mexican registered CTD in. No DPF,only EGR out of Saltillo which by now is probably blocked off. They were trying to get a Smarty to work on it. Best of all worlds. The new auto,a 6.7 and no emissions.