1990 Dodge Ramcharger LE 150 review from North America

Rear Main Seal, 100K miles

Front Brake Rotor/Hub - 120k miles (improperly installed hub.)

AC Compressor 100K miles - replaced.

Window regulators 200k miles

Transmission Seals (only Seals) 185k miles.

Rear Universal joints - replaced twice.

Fuel Injectors - 190K miles

Motor Mounts - 160K miles

Rear Door lift cylinders 210K miles

Headliner sags now-

Exhaust replaced 210k miles

Steering coupler - replaced twice.

Water pump - replaced twice

Radiator - Rebuild at 200k miles

Odometer - not functioning.

Transfer case - vacuum switch connector replace at 210k miles.

Front Brake Calipers 210k.

The best part about the Ramcharger is the drive train. It has been a very reliable vehicle. Compression is 145-150 on all cylinders. Transmission is flawless,

though I have some noise in the transfer

case from the drive chain. I will have to rebuild it in the next 10k miles.

While trying to track down the source of

high hydrocarbon emissions at idle, I just went through the sensors and replaced most of them with new - the PCV valve and hose, the egr valve, plug wires and plugs, distributer cap, and rotor. I also replaced the exhaust System and O2 sensors. The state had just implemented an emissions test for my county.

Three problems that caused this problem, the idle air controller adjustment, a dead catalytic converter, and plugged

air injection passages in the head.

You have to remove the exhaust manifolds

to clean out the air injection passages underneath the exhaust ports. With those

fixes the truck passed the emmisions test.

My Ramcharger has 4 wheel drive, but not limited slip differentials. Never been stuck. But I am have a Powertrax

no-slip setup to install in the rear differential.

You need to install heavy duty U-joints

in the rear propeller shaft otherwise they won't last more than two years.

My AC was converted to R134A - but that

wasn't effective -condenser/evaporator two small- switched to Enviro-safe HC based refrigerant which works better in this system.

My wife drove this car until 2003 and my two kids have been driving it since. They now have other vehicles. So I am

starting to convert this one to the hunting and off road vehicle I wanted when I bought it.

I am installing a receiver mounted winch and beefing up the front receiver mount.

I am in the process of converting the rear differential with a Richmond Gear Power Trax No Slip Traction Control System. I will have to get a smaller rear bumper to improve the exit angle and start adding skid plates.

This truck has had some problems, but I have only taken it to the shop twice and

only because I didn't have time to deal with the problems myself. Results were 50/50. A hub was destroyed because of

improper installation.

Parts aren't expensive or generally hard to find. I did have a problem finding a stock exhaust y pipe for the 4wd version and wound up bandaiding the old one. And

the Vacuum connector block for the vacuum harness to the 4wd wore out and

started leaking. Could not find a replacement, but made the equivalent out of vacuum elbows and tubing.

The Silver paint on the side has started to fade and I will touch this up panel by panel. Not that this won't be getting

some brush scratches.

The upholstery has been great still in good shape. Carpet though is grimy in spots and and needs to be replaced.

The short wheel base makes this truck a winner on ranch or jeep trails. Seems to have plenty of rear weight to get rear traction.

I don't see myself trading this truck off, I've had it for 10 years now

and now it's perfect for a hunting vehicle and most backwoods trails. Now that its lost some of its luster, its mine again to drive.

The truck is easy to work on

I can fix whatever breaks, and I have the factory service manual, so keeping it road worthy should not be a problem.