1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 3.9 gasoline

Summary:

I experienced too many problems to purchase another Chrysler product

Faults:

Rear axle burned out at 520 miles because the incorrect lubricant was installed at the factory. The transmission was torn down at 14,000 miles for repair that lasted 400 miles. Then the transmission was replaced at 15,000 miles. No futher transmission problems. The steering column was replaced at 19,000 miles. The idler pulley on the engine was replaced at 24,000 miles. Things went along pretty well for several years. At 74,000 miles the starter motor failed and was replaced. At 80,000 miles the ball joints had to be replaced. When the truck was traded at 90,000 miles the steering column was again in need of replacement. This truck ranks among the most troublesome vehicles I have owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st July, 2004

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 5.2L

Summary:

Don't waste your time or money!

Faults:

This is the worst truck I have ever owned.

So far I have replaced the entire rear end. $16oo.

Front wheel bearings Twice! $1200.

I had to replace all tie rods ends ball joints.

Sway bar and links twice!

Universal joints have all been replaced twice as well!

Now my transmission pan is rusted through and starting to leak.

The power locks only work with the remote.

The engine over revs when idling.

The list goes on!

The sad part is that this truck still looks really good.

I cannot believe the problems I have had as well as the problems my friends have had with their Dodge trucks as well.

I have also seen problems with the new trucks.

A friend of mine has a 2003.

The u-joints have gone twice and the transmission shifted into low at 70 miles per hour.

I was warned prior to buying this vehicle and regret every moment of my stupidity.

General Comments:

This truck does have some power, but you pay at the pump.

It cost me $10 a trip to go to work and it's a 36 mile round trip.

The blind spots are awful as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th July, 2004

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup Club Cab 4x4 5.2 liter V8

Summary:

The best truck I have ever owned and worth every penny

Faults:

Absolutely nothing!

General Comments:

A great looking truck with more than enough power and comfort.

Very reliable with low maintenance.

I have 80000 miles on the original brakes and have used the truck for hauling heavy loads and towing for many years. This is hard to believe, but is probably due to being able to downshift using the manual transmission.

I have performed routine maintenance regularly and have had no problems whatsoever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2004

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Club Cab SLT 5.2 liter

Summary:

A real workhorse

Faults:

Experienced prolonged cranking during hot starts at 74000 miles. Dealer replaced the fuel pump for free under used car warranty.

General Comments:

I bought this truck because of Dodge's reputation for well built trucks. The manual transmission eliminates the one weak area that Rams have, the automatic!

This truck has plenty of power to haul anything that I have needed it to, including 3000 lbs of topsoil. It also has no problem towing a 4WD diesel tractor (5000 lbs) around town.

Being an SLT model, it has all the options I would ever need, and is an extremely comfortable riding truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2004

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup Quad Cab SLT Laramie 5.2L

Summary:

A very reliable and attractive pickup that is perfect for a work truck, as well as for fun.

Faults:

Replaced a coolant hose at 120,000. Replaced brake pads twice.

General Comments:

This truck has outdone all my expectations of a Dodge, since I was formerly a Ford only person. This truck has not had any engine or transmission problems at all.

It has always been reliable and functioned properly. It gets decent gas mileage, 17mpg in town. I am very impressed with the Dodge 1500 pickup.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th November, 2003

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup ram 1500 5.9 V8

Summary:

A word on Dodge trucks ; Ram Rules

Faults:

So far nothing has went wrong with my Dodge truck. All I have done is replace the spark plugs, changed all filters and oil. The only things that needed to be changed were the brakes. The front pads and rear shoes were worn, not worn out. I changed them this summer. I really think I could have gotten another 6 to 8 months of additional use out of them, but, here were I live it gets very cold (0 to -30 degrees in winter). I didn't want to do brake repair in the cold. Brrrr, I have had to repair work in winter and it's not fun. Not a single thing has went wrong with the truck.

General Comments:

I traded my miserable S-10 Blazer in on this Dodge and certainly don't regret the decision. My Dodge is best vehicle I have ever owned.

The 5.9 (360 cubic inch) V-8 is a real strong performer. The automatic trans shifts quick and smooth under light throttle, and really snaps shifts like a 60's musclecar under a heavy foot.

I love the throttle response. Push down on the gas and it just flat moves.

The ride is the most surprising aspect of the truck. It rides like a Cadillac with a 6 foot cargo bed. Cowboy Cadillac you ask? It sure is!

The quad cab option is worth the extra bucks or the wait if you are looking for a used Dodge, get the quad cab. It is so much easier to get things out from behind the seat with the 2 extra doors back there. The seats are large and comfortable. There is plenty of room up front. The rear area is cramped, but, 2 adults could fit if it was a short distance, and the front seat passengers would move their seats forward a little.

I haven't towed any trailers with it yet.

I wouldn't be nervous about hooking up a trailer, Mopar 360's are tried and true engines having been around since 1972, the engineers have had decades to work the bugs out.

The driving position is awesome. You can see everything up ahead.

The factory AM/FM cassette is mediocre, but a nice aftermarket CD player could be swapped in easy enough.

The dash layout is easy to read a very simple straightforward design. Everything is easy to find.Just the way a pickup truck should be. A cool feature is the dash back-lighting is green. It sort of reminds me of those idiglo watches.

This truck turns heads, not as much as Corvette, but, for a pickup truck it gets looks. Mine has the "sport" option. It is painted a metallic green that sparkles like a candy-apple coat the sun, very cool indeed.

It also has the fog light option (I think fog lights were included with the sport option).They look nice, but they really only light up the road about 10 to 15 feet in front of the truck.

My Dodge also has 4 wheel drive a must were I live here the Artic north.

The handling for a big full sized 4 wheel drive truck is not bad. It won't corner like a '89 Trans Am GTA, but it does just fine for what it is.

I really like my Dodge truck ; strong performance, excellent reliability, it feels safe to drive (you don't get bullied by cars),4 wheel drive traction, a 6 foot bed for cargo, and cool looks.

There will be Dodge in my garage for long,long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st August, 2003

24th May 2004, 20:26

This is just an update. I still own the Dodge Ram. It is a great truck. The only things that have changed are; I added a performance muffler and tailpipes. The truck sounds like a musclecar from the good old days. The power increase is noticeable especially in slippery conditions. I have to use less throttle or the tires will break loose and spin much easier on icy roads than they did before the muffler work was done.

My power window switch stopped working. I had the dealer replace the switch for me. The dealer where I bought my truck does excellent work. They fixed my power window in under one hour. I still love my Dodge Ram. Go Mopar!!!