The brake rotors required replacement shortly after purchase.
The ball joints, tie rod ends, and all rubber front suspension components required replacement at 40000 miles; all replacement parts were dealer supplied.
The front passenger seat belt will not lock when pulled rapidly as would be expected during a accident to stop the occupant from hitting the windshield.
The front brake calipers had to be replaced at 46000 miles along with another set of rotors.
The rear drum backing plates rusted through, this was discovered during a state safety inspection.
The valve seats had to be replaced at 52000 miles to remedy a major oil consumption problem.
The total exhaust system had to be replaced at 54000 miles.
The forward pick-up bed retaining bolts rusted off and were replaced.
Three of the exhaust manifold bolt heads were found to have rusted off.
The fuel injector on the number 3 cylinder failed at 59000 miles. Additionally, a brake fluid leak was discovered at the rear of the vehicle caused by severely rusted brake lines.
The truck is no longer safe to operate on the street. I have since welded the exhaust manifolds directly onto the heads and disabled the rear brakes. The vehicle is now only used for work on my property.
The quality of this vehicle is substandard to any thing I have ever seen before.
I guess if you have the 3.8L engine you gonna have problems.
Funny dodge never put a 3.8L in a truck! it's a 3.9L!
Did you beat on that truck or something? Mine is still working great. Its one of my more favorite trucks I've had. I don't know what your talking about.
You welded the exhaust directly to the heads? what were you thinking?...just replace the bolts... like 23 cents each... and you disabled the rear brakes?...again...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?...they are just metal tubes... cost maybe 6 dollars each.. and the tube bender is another $12...if you had done the repairs correctly it wouldnt have cost much or taken much time..but now you will likely to have to replace the whole engine and brake system......don't dog on a truck just because you don't know how to fix it correctly
I am also wondering how you drove this and how well you maintained it. I have a 98 with over 150,000 miles on it and still have the factory rotors and the brakes are great on all four corners, calipers, backing plates, wheel cyls. No oil blow-by because of valve seals.
As for ball joints ya they are undersized. BUT you replace them with ones with grease fittings and your good. If you have none grease fitting ones than buy a grease gun and a needle adapter and pierce the boots and lube them that way. I do that on all my families cars and they last that way.
Ya, dude, so why don't you try undercoating the vehicle if you have a rust problem? Bare metal will rust, and the paint on it doesn't last long without any oil...
My 1998 is still in great running condition. The color (intense blue) has had more good comments than any other auto I own, including my 1996 Heritage Softail.
Not one speck of rust on the body anywhere. I think some better command knowledge on preventive maintenance would have helped you to enjoy this awesome little 4x4 truck a little more.
Johnny G.
My exhaust as well has took a crap.
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