1995 Dodge Ram Pickup Laramie SLT review from North America

Have had to replace serpentine belt at least every two years. Beginning to think it's faulty tensioner.

Replaced front bearings at 110,000. Also replaced steering wheel at this time. Original steering wheel's outer covering had worn away revealing unsightly brown material beneath.

Replaced transmission pan seal (was leaking) around 115,000 miles. Started to also notice significant driver's side seat wear about this time. The seat's left seam is disentegrating.

Replaced broken cup holder at 130,000 miles.

Replaced leaking transmission lines at 137,000. The lines were only leaking at the quick-disconnects, but had to replace the entire lines all the way back to the transmission. The two lines cost $120.

Replaced all front ball joints at 140,000 miles. Also replaced noisy bushings in upper and lower control arms.

Headliner fell at 150,000 miles.

Currently has small oil leak near front of pan. Leaks a little under a quart in 3,000 miles.

Front bearings are starting to whine again. They probably need to be repacked.

Second steering wheel is now starting to show some wear. It won't be long before this one shows the unsightly brown material underneath the covering.

I was extremely nervous about buying a truck with 100,000 miles. Additionally, I was already very familiar with Dodge and their transmission issues. My previous vehicle was totaled (not my fault), and I needed a replacement fairly quickly. I decided to the take risk on this truck.

I installed an after-market transmission temperature gauge, and I keep a close eye on it. I would recommend this for anyone with a 94-95 Dodge with an automatic transmission. Dodge had issues with a valve leading to the transmission cooler. This can easily clog, starving the transmission of fluid. This can lead to transmission overheating or failure.

I have really enjoyed this truck. It has never left me stranded. The maintenance I performed above relaly didn't bother me. None of it really caught me off guard for the mileage. I'm actually still waiting for my water pump and fuel pump to go.

I do wish Dodge had chosen a different design for their transmission lines.

I drive my truck conservatively. I accelerate relatively gradually, and I back off at the shift points. I'm religious about maintaining clean fluids. I change the transmission fluid about every 20,000 miles.

The 360 gets 15 miles to the gallon with my gentle driving. I can't complain with 160,000 miles on my truck. The engine is very strong and hasn't complained hauling 2,000 pounds.

The weak link on this truck, in my humble opinion, is the automatic transmission. Mine has never shifted as well as I'd like.