1988 Dodge Raider from North America - Comments

The carburator went out, cost was $1000.00.

Fuel pump.

Starter went out twice. The starter was repaired at a Dodge dealership and went out after driving the car 2 miles and stopping at a grocery store. I then had my car towed back to the same dealership who were going to charge me for another starter!!!!

I have never had so many problems with any car I have ever owned. I met another lady who owned the same make and model and she told me her carb went out also and as soon as she got it fixed, she traded it. I can assure you, that will be my next move.

I now understand why there were not too many of these cars made. It is very difficult to obtain parts, and when you do, they cost an arm and a leg. I now be gun shy to even venture towards another Dodge vehicle.

The Dodge Raider was not made by Chrysler corporation but by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. It is the same vheicle as the Mitsubishi Montero. That could be the reason you had problems finding parts for the car. Import parts are always more expensive than than domestic ones. You will find that problem on all Toyota's, Honda's, Nissans and so on and so forth. Chrysler's other cars such as the Neon, Intrepid, Shadow, Minivans and so on and so forth, you will find the parts for those inexpensive and plentiful. Research your car before you blame the company to find out if it is actually their car or not. Thank you.

Of course, it is inevitable that a lemon will come off the factory line once in a while. But I have had nothing but positive experiences with my 1987 Raider, so I feel I must defend it.

I bought this vehicle used with 126k miles on it, from a previous owner that I knew seriously abused and neglected it. Even so, after some relatively minor and inexpensive repairs to the vehicle, it has been running like it just came off the assembly line. I am sorry that you had a bad experience with your Raider, but every experience I've had with mine indicates that it is a well-made and well-designed vehicle that will last me a long time.

Tyler TX.

My carb went in my Raider too. Dealer cost was 1200 to repair. I installed my aftermarket carb for 350. This truck gave me a lot of costly repairs over 10 years of owning. I learned to repair it myself and saved enough to buy a new truck with cash.

Guarantee that my Dodge Raider is the biggest piece of junk ever. My brakes went first. Then the harmonic balancer pulley went, which is hell to repair. Now I'm having problems with the crankshaft and transmission. On top of that, the passenger door won't even close. What a piece of junk!

-Abilene, TX.

Bought my 1987 Raider with 160,000 miles on it -- now I'm up to 173,000 with no problems worth mentioning. It has to be one of the greatest 4x4 ever made, runs great and very reliable. Parts are fairly inexpensive (I've checked, but so far have had to replace nothing except a 6 year old battery) if you shop around and know what will generally interchange: Montero, Dodge RAM 50, Dodge D-50, most Caravan engine parts, Mitsu Starion engine parts, etc (this would be vehicles of the same year). I guess a lemon can be made by anyone, but almost all other owners I talked to across the nation (via the Internet) LOVE their Raiders. Of course, most of them also are able to work on their own vehicles, and know about a 4x4 truck.

My Raider is 13 yrs old. I bought it from my dad for a dollar and so far have replaced only the clutch. No other vehicle can even come close to matching the Raider. People love the look, the shape, sound and irresistable originality of this vehicle.

I have a 1988 Dodge Raider with 187000 miles. I've never replaced anything besides the battery, and brakes. Now that the head blew, I am buying an engine for 800 dollars, with only 30000 miles on it. I don't know why you say parts are expensive. I mean, 800 dollars for an engine? It all has to do with how you take care of it. I change the oil every 30,000 miles. which comes up fast, and it is very important when you go on 4x4 trips with 100+ degree heat in moab. You probably just have a lemon.. there is at least one in every make and model.

I bought my '87 montero about 30,000 miles ago. The mileage reads 130,000. The original owner was unfortunate enough to have to have the engine rebuilt. Now the transmission has gone out on mine. Luckily, I still have third gear! Over the past 1,000 miles I have absolutely fallen head over heals in love with my rig. After seeing it sit in my backyard for six months, I realized I'm sitting on a gold mine. When I put it into four-low and I have what I consider to be a tank. It's unstoppable with only third gear. What I'm trying to tell you is maybe it's not the type of vehicle you want to take the wife and kids cross-country with, but if you like off-roading/mudding monteros are straw berry fields. For the past thousand miles I've tried to demolish it with no such luck. I run over 2in. thick trees with it, never slow down for bumps, etc. If possible keep it as an off-roading toy like I have.

While it has its weak points (head, transmission, carburetor) it's a stout little car. It tows way more than it should be able to, goes almost anywhere, and when you keep it in tune (not always easy) it gets pretty decent gas mileage.

Happily, no- one will work on them anymore, so I've had great luck finding lots of parts (including an almost- new carb) at the local junkyards. And there's no resale value for them, so you can actually buy a pretty nice early Montero or Raider for next to nothing.

Happily Raidering,

Toby.

I am the original owner of a 1988 Dodge Raider. I counted on this vehicle for many years and had no problems. I was rear-ended at a red light and had very little damage. The domestic SUV that hit me was totaled. I have done routine maintenance, changed the starter and A/C pulley. The vehicle is still on the road today, generally on weekends. I enjoyed my Raider so much that I purchased a 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Unfortunately, the spirit of the Raider is gone, but it (too) has proven reliable for everyday use. I hope to mechanically restore the Raider just because.

I have a 1986 2 door Montero with 2.6 motor, it has 225,000 plus miles, It is built like a tank, I have eliminated balance shaft, which is weak link, you can buy a kit for this under 75.00.

Parts are plentiful & cheap,l just bought spares like rebuilt starter for 39.95 on e bay, alternator rebuilt 34.95, wate rpump, new 13.00, fuel pump new 20.00,

front pair Gabriel nitrogen shocks, 12.95 for both!

These parts are totally interchangeable with Raiders.

My wife and I like these so much we just drove from Reno to Los Angeles to pickup a 1988 2 door Montero with perfect body & paint, great interior, it had a leaky head gasket, Cost of car, 600.00, Bought complete head assembly on e Bay for 269.00 including free shipping, gasket set e bay again 68.00 full set.

Should have it running in another week. These turn on a dime, go up hills easily, we live in the Sierras and really enjoy all the trails. These are terrific in the snow also. Have not had any problems with carbs, may be because we put techron additive in gas once a month.

Now it comes in Chevron/Texaco gas, so we no longer have to buy it for 6.00 a bottle. just bought a Pacesetter header with oxy sensor fitting, it should increase gas mileage and make it a little faster top end too!

The Dodge Raider is an amazing vehicle. I have an 1988 and have driven it to the ground. I'm 18 and it has lasted through insane off-roading, farm work, and high way driving for at least 2 hours every day... and has required very minimal work on it. It has reached over 350 000 km and still runs like a beauty. My family now has 3 of these bad boys and I wouldn't trade them for anything!

I'm SO sorry for you man. But I had an 88 Dodge Raider 2.6L and I must say that has been one of the best cars if not THE best car I ever owned. Slow, but torqueful... great 4x4, and never needed much maintenance. Besides the lemon theory no one should take their car to the dealership to get fixed. Dealers will just charge double for what any other good mechanic can do with his eyes closed. Plus Dealers don't use "generic" parts, but only "Original Parts"...new flash: it's the same stuff with only the logo to difference them apart.

Now, I had that little tank for about 3 years in Costa Rica... yes COSTA RICA. A country where a car's durability is truly tested. Our roads completely suck and our jungle terrain in rural areas puts any 4x4 to the test. And that little tank proved to be a true Jungle Rumbler. I currently own an 89 Range Rover, but I would buy another Raider in a heartbeat. In fact, I advised my little brother to get one. A TRUE LITTLE TANK WITH GREAT 4X4 CAPABILITY.

I felt I really had to defend it...