18th Jul 2006, 18:29

Own a 1998 Ram 1500 quad cab 360CI SLT. Good truck for 2 years when it started falling apart. I was driving over a mountain pass when I Started seeing coolant on my windshield. Thought I caught a rock in the rediator, but no both rear freeze plugs blew. $996.00. Got it back and could hear water running under the dash. Took it back, Tech said there was air in the coolant system. Did a pressure check and said all was well. $75.00 for pressure check. Started overheating, took it back, Tech said bad thermostat. $60.00 Guess what? Still overheating. Need to tear the heads off because the tech said 360 CI Dodge is known to suck the intake gasket into # cylinder. I said no tear down and towed it home. Took it to another Mech. and he said, bad # fuel injector. Replaced it with the water pump that was bad. $420.00. Drove it one day and it overheated again. Took it back, Cannot find a problem. Tech said the fuel cinc SP? was off. Reset it and ran it for an hour and no overheating? $95.00. Drove it one more day, overheated. Took it back, Tech did compression leak test. 30lb in #3 and 45lb in #5. Bad intake valve. Pulled heads off and both heads had several crack in each. New heads $2450.00. Shop has had my truck for three weeks. I always owned Chevy's and got 300k out of the 350CI gas motors. I am just sick of hand my hard earned $ out to auto shops. After the fix I am going to sell it and buy a Chevy, more payments, higher insurance, and hopefully no more high $ repairs.

Randy.

19th Jul 2006, 21:23

Thinking about buying a 1998 Dodge Quad Cab with a 5.9. Scared to death reading quotes. Please help and advise. Who else has had problems with their trans?

5th Nov 2006, 18:21

Had my 98 1500 4x4 Sport Pickup one year now. Bought used from the dealer 89k. One Owner and dealer maintained. Had following problems.

1- Transmission Torque converter replaced (Dealer Warranty)

2- AC Compressor replaced by dealer warranty.

3- Thermostat replaced by dealer warranty.

4- Steering linkages replace by dealer for 1,200 dollars.

Just goes to prove they will get you sooner or later. Can't wait for those 3 foreign manufactures to start selling those comparable trucks... (Nissan Toyota... Hello any question the US's BIG THREE are in Deep Trouble...)

14th Nov 2006, 22:46

I have owned a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 manual trans. for eight years and I must say that it has been the best truck ever. Bought it new and sold it to my brother, and the only thing that went wrong, but was covered by warranty was the fuel pump and the left ball joint. Other than that it has always been and still is a damn good truck. It has 90 something thousand miles on it, and I have always taken good care of my trucks, used only the best 10-30 synthetic oil in it.

I loved that truck so much that I sold it only buy me an 04 with a hemi. I think every truck manufacture has it's problems import or domestic and some times it's the operators fault.

20th Nov 2006, 19:42

I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT with the 5.9L. Bought new in 1998. While I love my truck, it is really junk. Problems I had: Speed sensor died - 50k miles, Rear diff drive shaft bearing went out - 60k miles - $1200 to rebuild and replace all bearings. Tranny died - 100k miles - $2400 to rebuild. A/C not working - 130k miles - I am too lazy to fix. Rear end locks up and driveshaft spins off the pumpkin - 145k miles - $2250 to rebuild rear end and recondition the drive shaft. Now at 160k miles, feels like torque converter is slipping, but shop says I have a clogged catalytic converter?! I will never buy a dodge again!

10th Dec 2006, 01:11

Well, I'm sorry to hear all your problems with this truck. I've had my 1998 SLT 4x4 for almost 2 years now and I have not had any problems with it.

When something does go wrong, this will be the first place I look because here it seems like you people talk and discuss things promptly.

5th Apr 2007, 09:16

I purchased new a 2000 Dodge Qcab4x4 Laramie with now has 119k miles...This truck was assembled in Mexico...not USA. It has not had ANY major issues, driven daily. I was told that the vehicle assembled in Mexico are of better quality due to the workmanship there. I now believe it.

21st Apr 2007, 12:31

1998 dodge quad cab. I bought this truck used, it had 60,000 miles. Transmission began leaking and there was a nasty growl in the rear end. ABS light came on. Replaced transmission and torque converter, rear end, breaks and ABS total $5000 did the work myself, 10,000 miles after this the transmission stopped shifting into 3rd or 4th gear. Two transmission shops say transmission is OK. They think the problem is external any suggestion? My first dodge was a 96 4x4 manual transmission bought it new and got 100,000 miles without a problem then replaced cat converter, ball joints, water pump and other misc parts. 1996 was a good truck the 98 is a pos it has cost me $20,000 for 10,000 miles. Boy do I feel dumb.

Servicemanagers@aol.com.

22nd Jun 2007, 23:07

I own a 98 Dodge Ram 1500, I'm having a problem with the battery being dead after the truck is parked for over 48 hours without starting it, I've made sure nothing is on in the cab, but still am having trouble. I know it's probably a short, but was hoping there was a quick way to diagnose the prob.

Secondly, my engine light is on, my code reader says it's an external speed sensor malfunction. Any idea what this is? Where is it? What does it cost? Is it really necessary? Thanks, Rex III.

23rd Jun 2007, 08:00

Well, what can I say. I went in debt for a '98 dodge ram 1500 club cab a year ago. we are living on a VERY tight budget and was told that these "later model" dodges were "tough". so I thought that in the long run we would be better off, thought the thing would last. not so. truck had 105,000 miles when I got it. interior and exterior looked like brand new. engine was spotless. drove the truck about three months and the crank shaft broke. had to let it set for about two or three months until I could come up with the money to get another engine.. all the while paying a 306 dollar a month payment on it. have had the truck back about two weeks and the overdrive in the trans. is jerking so bad you have to drive with it off. I don't even want to know how much that is going to cost. rear end roars like it is coming out. was told this is normal. if I can get rid of this thing I am going to find me a older ford or chev. never again will I go in debt for a dodge. I can't afford this!!!