1997 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT Laramie 5.9 gasoline

Summary:

Sell it before the trans goes!

Faults:

In the very very short time I've owned the truck I've had to replace the battery, brake lines (almost killed me twice), and now the transmission's on the way out (only 120k!!). The clear coat is pitted and flaking all over; also these things love to rust, even when kept in a garage!

This isn't a truck for truck drivers, this is a truck for everyday people that want something bigger (it will disappoint anyone who's driven a Chevy or Ford).

The 4x4 likes to get jammed up, leaving you stuck in 2wd or 4wd (having to get out and manually unstick the linkage).

I've put less than 1000 miles on the truck and it's turning to junk!

General Comments:

Good looks, poor performance and absolute terrible reliability.

Expect to throw a few hundred bucks at it every few weeks!

Compared to my 93 Chevy K1500, this thing's dog slow, with a terrible design (leading to costly repairs).

I drove my Chevy until the frame cracked in two separate places and it still felt more solid than the Dodge!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2016

30th Dec 2016, 17:04

Typical example of a buyer who didn't check over the vehicle or do his research beforehand.

1st Jan 2017, 11:44

We have had this truck as well as Chevrolet and Ford full sizes at work. I have driven all of them various years. The best driving and ride is Chevrolet. The Ram was the least favorite to drive if given the choice. Rough ride. I suspect it would excel at towing. But the Ram had the best interior in my opinion. It was nice to work out of it. Appearance wise the ugly dated grille design needs a change. With age the Ram also had the worst mechanical issues. Emission issues and trans stand out.

1997 Dodge Ram Pickup

Summary:

Best ever

Faults:

I have 97 Ram 2500 4x4 auto trans.

Problems, haha, there are none.

I have owned since new, and it now has 189,000 miles of hard goose neck trailer pulling. Same tranny, same motor that it came with new, and never been apart. It is called take care of your truck people. Change the oil, and check the oil and filters.

General Comments:

Best truck ever made. Can't get any better. Hasn't anyone noticed that Ford and Chevy have never said their truck is better than Dodge in their sales ads on TV and such? But they do dog on each other.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd June, 2010

1997 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 3.9 V6

Summary:

A great truck for the money; a working machine

Faults:

Thermostat stuck shut. Never overheated. Replaced myself with a 160 degree thermostat, still running strong.

Steering box failed at 100,000 miles.

Pitman arm failed at 97,000 miles.

General Comments:

A lot better on gas than my previous 98 short bed single cab Ram with the 5.2 V8 automatic.

Doesn't get pushed around much for having a V6 in it. Backed up with that manual transmission and 3.90 gears.

Extremely reliable, never let me down or on the side of the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th February, 2010

1997 Dodge Ram Pickup SS/T 5.9 supercharged

Summary:

Beautiful

Faults:

Side view mirrors get worn out internally so they are no longer tight.

General Comments:

Beautiful truck for a collector. It has been great to me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 2009

1997 Dodge Ram Pickup Laramie SLT 2500 4x4 Cummins I6 turbo diesel

Summary:

Possibly the best truck of all time

Faults:

The throttle cable was replaced due to a recall notice.

The Cummins needs to be cleaned regularly to keep running at its best.

The throttle needs adjusting every once in a while as well.

The alternator needed replacement once.

And it did get some hail damage, but nothing serious.

And the exhaust pipe behind the muffler fell off.

General Comments:

A very nice truck, the interior is both roomy and comfortable, and the exterior has a very sporty but powerful look to it.

The engine is amazing, it is slow to accelerate, but once it is moving the truck really wants to go. The engine is also VERY powerful, and unlike a gasoline V10 or big block, the Cummins diesel gets about 21 miles to the gallon, which makes running it very inexpensive.

The only real problem with the truck is that the engine is very loud when it idles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2009