1985 Dodge Ram Pickup Extended Box review from North America
"I don't want to ever give it up"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
It's rusted all along the sides where the chrome strips are attached. The fenders are rusted, the whole dang truck is rusty.
The springs in the back are off kilter so it sags a bit to the right side.
The diff went at about 280,000 so I replaced it (because I love this truck)
The tranny leaks oil and the head seal is warped so the oil leakage can't be fixed-I tried twice and now I just give her lots of oil.
It guzzles transmission fluid and there is a little power steering guzzling going on as well.
I've replaced the alternator, head gasket, front and rear diff, rebuilt the engine at around the same time as I was doing the diff-may as well since it was in pieces.
The muffler just rusted through and fell off but I fixed it.
General comments?
Comfortable, reliable, easy to fix and find parts.
Anyone can work on this truck.
Gets great gas mileage for a big pick up and that 318 engine is so reliable that, as ugly as my truck is, I don't want to give it up.
I love it. Also I am a lady and when I say that anyone can work on this truck I mean I've done a lot of the work myself. Not the diff and the engine rebuild, but stuff like tune ups, oil changes, wiring the muffler back on until I can get it fixed properly, the alternator, you name it. There is nothing but room under the hood.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1985 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 318 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 220000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 360000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Pickup |
| Date of Entry | 28th May, 2008 |