Front end problems in steering column. Warranty replaced entire camber problems at 50,000 miles. No other problems have arisen in the 4 years of ownership.
Excellent vehicle. Super power for towing. It doesn't even feel like you have a trailer behind you. The truck out performs any 4 wheel drive vehicle I have ever owned. It's reliability out ranks all others. I can only add that Dodges Cummins Diesel is a sure bet for gas mileage, low maintenance, and smooth riding. The quad cab is roomy for all errands, and great for the child and dog!
I have the same truck except it's a 97...and I totally AGREE with everything you wrote!
Great truck!
Our 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT, Laramie has 87,000 miles on it. We use it for heavy towing of livestock in a 16 ft. trailer. Recently we have experienced a failure in the diesel fuel shut-off solenoid, ($600 to replace), the right front wheel bearings went out, the bearing race froze to the hub. The Dodge dealership we had it towed to has done all the maintenance on it and they said this "happens sometimes" ($ l,000) and now it's a month later and we have a major squeal in the engine compartment that appears to be the water pump going out. The vehicle is diesel and does an excellent job of towing, but I'm beginning to wonder about the Dodge reputation for quality.
I also have a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500/Cummins/Extended Cab/LWB.
I love the dang thing and will NEVER go back to a gasser. I've got about 130K on my truck. I use it for a daily driver and to pull my 33' travel trailer. Plenty of power, even dead-stock. I have the automatic tranny and have not had a single problem with it.
The 4WD has proven plenty strong the few times I've had to engage it. I don't think you'll find much the truck can't lug its way out of.
There are no rattles in the truck, and it doesn't leak a drop of fluid. (Other than the slight seepage I mention below)
Maintenance Issues:
At about 120K the bell-housing developed a small crack & had to be replaced.
Currently my front axle seals are seeping, and at some point will have to be replaced.
I've had to adjust the steering gearbox a couple times to get rid of the "wander". I will soon install an after-market steering stabilizer & that should be the end of it.
Twice the threaded adjustment rod on the throttle linkage broke! The first time it stranded me briefly on I-75, until I jammed the broken ends into a section of windshield washer hose and drove home. The second time I was RV-ing up in Pine Mountain, GA, and it broke while I was wandering around Columbus one day. That time I couldn't fix it, so it had to go the dealer, and I had to waste a weekend waiting for the part to show up. This particular threaded adjustment rod is notorious for breaking, and if I can track down whoever it was I saw advertising a stainless steel version, I'll definitely buy one.
I own a dodge cummins 1995 it has 300,ooo miles on it and I would not trade it for anything.
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