95-99 Ram Opinion

[Sleepychallenger]

I am looking to buy a 95 - 99 Dodge Ram when I get back to the states and keep seeing them needing transmissions or tranny work. Anyone got any opinions on these trucks, good, bad or indiferent?

[Moparal]

Maybe Terry will chime in for you Drew. I observe the same problems , when reading the local 4 sale adds here often.

[Sleepychallenger]

some ads say easy fix...i am wondering if their definition of easy fix is replacing the tranny. I like the looks of the trucks and the price range is awesome for some decent trucks. I need cheap and able to pull a trailer. then i have preferences of extended cab so my son can ride with me and sliding back window. found some really nice looking ones for 2K but am worried about the tranny. right now it seems no one is buying so i figure i can get a really good price when i get back on the ones that have been reposted for like 2 months.

Depending on where it is,,,,may be a good excuse to come visit for a day Alan. 

[CrazyPete]

my 94 was a rock great truck never had a trans issue in almost 14 years just regular maintenance had a brake line collapse few water pumps batterys cat conv but nothing bad

[Bullitt-]

Get a Diesel with a Manual tranny 

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/2047508059.html

[Chryco Psycho]

If you are looking at at diesel the troque converter is weak & will fail under the torque of the diesel , this will kill the tarnny , put in a better torque converter & there is no issue with the actual trans

[heminut]

I've got a 99 Ram 1500 w/5.2 and auto trans. The truck has 140K on it and I've pulled trailer occasionally. I've never had any problems with the tranny at all.

[JH27N0B]

I've got a '95 1500 with the 5.9 and 103K miles.  The trans sometimes hangs up in 2nd gear and you have to let off on the gas for a moment and then it will upshift into 3rd. I've heard that is a common problem.  This is the only trans trouble I have had in 12 years. 

[Skunkworks Challenger]

In 1997 I ordered a Ram with a Cummins and it has been a most wonderful truck.  I have 170,000 miles on it and have had zero problems outside the normal wear and tear maintenance items.  It has the automatic and I tow a fair amount with it, usually in the 8-10,000 pound range.  I've heard about the "weak" tranny problems but have not experienced it.  Even without the Cummins it is a great truck with no squeaks, rattles or other pesky problems.  The paint and upholstery are still in great shape and after 13.5 years the original batteries are still working fine.  Definitely a great truck!  PK

[Street_Challenged73]

Personally speaking, they're pretty good trucks for the price.  My dad's '96 V-6 1500 has somewhere around 213,000 original miles on it.  As JH27N0B mentioned, the transmission will hang up around 35-40 mph so you need to let off the throttle a little & let it shift, but other than that it's been a tough truck that's lived a hard life.  I do know the front ends on the 4x4 ones do require additional work, but that's about all I've ever really heard bad about them.

[CHL2T]

Whew! Where to start..... My 97 Ram has been through two tranny rebuilds and a complete long block replacement. All before 67,000

The truck now has 115,000 and needs another tranny rebuild, another long block as well as bearings in the rear end.
It still starts and runs/ drives fine except for the clacking #3 wrist pin, not wanting to shift into third and a howling rear end.....

[AARCUDADEN]

I've got a 99 Ram 1500 w/5.2 and auto trans. The truck has 140K on it and I've pulled trailer occasionally. I've never had any problems with the tranny at all.

Same here also 

[quapman]

I've got a '95 1500 with the 5.9 and 103K miles.  The trans sometimes hangs up in 2nd gear and you have to let off on the gas for a moment and then it will upshift into 3rd. I've heard that is a common problem.  This is the only trans trouble I have had in 12 years.

That's because the lining on the band is pretty-well GONE. Expect to replace the drum when you get your tranny rebuilt. (This was my experience, anyway.)

I have a 99 with a 5.2, two wheel drive. You WILL need the tranny rebuilt around 100K miles. Mine had 106 and I'd hoped the previous owner had done it. Nope. $1800 later, she's good for another 80-100K.

You'll be paying someone to r&r the heater core, too. Mine's leaking enough to give me a sinus infection. The whole dash has to come out to do the job.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this vehicle, but the trannies are pretty lame. A friend of mine with a 96 4WD went through 4 of them in his.

[tx9aarcuda]

I bought a 97 1500 two wheel drive new still have it, I think i have a little over 100,000 on it with no troubles. I hope I don't have the tranny problems  that every one else is talking about

[BIGSHCLUNK]

We sell every trans we get. Motors/rear ends not that much of an issue. 4X4's harder on trannys than 4X2's. I'm basing my opinion on the normal course of call/sales we get.