95-99 Ram Opinion

[rallye73]

My dad has a 94 4x4 with around 120k on it with zero trans issues. He thinks the trans is the best part of the truck. Had to have the transfer case rebuilt due to an unknown leak running it dry on fluid. IMO nobody make a good automatic trans in a truck. The Fords shift horrible and the Chevies break as much as the Dodges do. How good the truck is depends on how well the previous owner to care of it.

[Sleepychallenger]

thanks for the inputs everyone, i will definately be getting a 1500 Ram 4x2 when i get home. 30 more days now!

[DetMatt1]

My `97 1500 4 X 4 5.9 gas just turned 225K with no major issues. I've replaced a lot of wear items but nothing internal with the driveline at all and I have been pulling a boat, car haulers and constantly overloading it with building materials for 11 years since I have owned it. Great truck! take care of them and they will take care of you.

[Rare_T_A]

My  98 now has 178K after pulling my trailer to Carlisle this july. We bought it in 2000 and have never had the trany out of it. Everything is still going strong!!!  It's a 5.9 with and automatic.

[hpe600rt]

i had a 96 pace truck and an 04 hemi ran and never had a trans go bad

[moprr]

My brother has a 99 ram 4x4 5.2 auto and he needed a rebuild at about 160 000 km,  can't remember what was wrong with it.

[nqkjw]

Mine's a 2000 model 4x4 1500 clubcab with KenneBell blown 5.9 and A518 auto.
It had only 52k km on it when I got it and now has only 103k km.
I tow with it but tow weight is only abt 6000lbs
I asked around before buying and found autos and rear brakes seizing can be an issue if not serviced regularly.
I get the brakes checked every 10k km and auto serviced every 40k km and all is fine.

[ChallengerGary]

Bought my '99 QC 5.2L Auto about 4 months ago with about 91K miles on it.  Put about 6K miles on it and then towed my heavy flat bed trailer and 70 Challenger with the bed stuffed full of tools and the car loaded down with parts from TX to FL about 2-1/2 weeks ago. Killed the tranny. Torque converter got wasted which caused it to start slipping and acting like it was about to give up the ghost. Took it to a tranny guy I know down here in FL and he said it was a good thing I brought it by.  Cost me $950 to fix it but he said if I drove it much more it would have really been toast.

Otherwise it was a great buy at $2100. My only complaint is the way the Quad Cab doors open.  Not very parking lot friendly.  I'll be saving my money for a used '02-08 Quad Cab as soon as I can.  MUCH better truck for my wife and 3 kids...

[JH27N0B]

My  98 now has 178K after pulling my trailer to Carlisle this july. We bought it in 2000 and have never had the trany out of it. Everything is still going strong!!!  It's a 5.9 with and automatic.

Hey Ken
How did your 1500 do with towing that big enclosed trailer around?
My poor old 1500 has one foot in the grave thanks to tinworms.  Someday in the near future I might be getting an enclosed trailer to haul my e-bodies around, and from stories I have heard, had been thinking I really ought to get a CTD 2500 for my 1500's replacement if I want a truck up to that chore. But hearing that you made a long trip out to PA and back doing that with a gas 1500 has me wondering if I really need to spend the extra $$ on a used truck and maintenance buying a diesel or if I might be OK with another 1500?

[mopar12372]

if  you want a good gas 1500 buy the sport  with the 360 + tow package .
tons of power to pull cars around . dont over heat the magnum engines as the heads will crack like an egg shell and the after market replacements need some porting to regain the factory fower back . just keep up on the maintnance intervals and youll be fine .

[Sleepychallenger]

i am looking for good gas mileage, but also need atleast a extended cab to fit the kids if we ever get to take the trip to carlile.

[ChallengerGary]

How many kids & how old/big?  I have 3, ages 12, 9, & 8.  My two older sons both complain about the lack of leg room in the back seat - both are a little over 5' tall and it is VERY tight back there. I cannot imagine how tight it will be when the both grow even more.  Like I said, I will be looking for a newer body style quad cab very soon at the rate they are growing.  Just a little food for thought...

[NoMope Greg]

My opinion is, if you have kids, don't even bother with an extended cab for long-distance travel.  Spend the extra $$$ and get a later model crew cab.

[quapman]

What do you consider "good" gas milage? My 2WD 5.2 gets 15mpg consistently.

[Sleepychallenger]

How many kids & how old/big?  I have 3, ages 12, 9, & 8.  My two older sons both complain about the lack of leg room in the back seat - both are a little over 5' tall and it is VERY tight back there. I cannot imagine how tight it will be when the both grow even more.  Like I said, I will be looking for a newer body style quad cab very soon at the rate they are growing.  Just a little food for thought...

Ages are 4 and 9 months. As they get older I am sure that I will look to invest in a nicer newer truck, but for now, they should be fine for what I am looking to spend.

What do you consider "good" gas milage? My 2WD 5.2 gets 15mpg consistently.

15.2 is fine by me. just something that is above 10 on the highway is good for the timeframe that i am looking for.

The initial purpose of the truck is to move my car and all the car parts that i have to Texas from Florida. Then it will be my daily driver to and from work until the chally is back up and running.