ktmrdr85

I was thinking about getting a 2001 or 2002 Dodge Ram truck. The only thing is (and please nobody take this the wrong way) that I have heard a lot about the quality of the 2nd generation trucks and let me tell you, even though I like the way that they look, the things that people have told me is kind of scaring me.

I have heard things about how they put the seats in, I have heard bad things about the truck developing bad squeaks. My buddy has a '97 Ram and both of his doors squeak when opening them and closing them.

Is there any kind of reassurance that you second generation owners can give me? Or can you guys maybe give me the amount of miles that are on your truck and tell me what problems you have had with the truck itself (no drivetrain) to this date?

1-2-3

Plastic parts of the interior will be the worst thing. before getting one, test the fuel pressure, and if you get it, job 1 willbe installing a FP gauge. If the lift pump gets weak, it cankill the injector pump. Keep it fed and you'll be ok. There's plenty of them out there with hundreds of thousands of miles on it. I know of one that had 700,000 miles on it two years ago, pulling a backhoe every day of it's life. I need to ask the guy who has it what his count is now.

mahdey

remember, if you can get it to 1 million miles on the original motor cummins will buy you a new truck.

haloman

Not true. My 91' has over a million on the clock and Cummins didnt want anything to do with it. There response was "they are supposed to last that long."

CoastalDav

I have 190,600 miles on mine. Mine might not be typical but I've replaced
one Map Sensor and One Crankshaft Position Indicator on the engine.
Lift Pumps, First one at 95,000 second one 86,000. No other issues with the engine. Original VP44.

Now, that said, 3 A/C units (use them alot down here) By contrast my 96 has the original A/C system in it at 279,000.

My drivers door is rusting out at the bottom and the passenger door is starting. Look under the door. If its started you'll see it there first. It appears the door drains plugged up somehow or they just never had any primer inside the door.

Brakes; I consider the brake work to be normal wear and tear.

Clutch; Original Clutch pack lasted 185,000 miles.

Tranny NV5600 no problems.

Seats Leather seat on drive side is just started to come apart on the doorside edge.

Front end I have one slightly worn lower ball joint on the right side.

Thats it.

Dave

hamilton71801

I've had 4-5 Lp's (which isn't too unusual), rebuilt front end (I was throwing parts at a squeek...turned out to be a loose shock bolt and that was the last thing I checked), new tranny (from bombing truck), one mastercylinder and a few other nit-picky items that I would consider routine on a 180K mile truck. Still drives just as straight and smooth as the day I got it (actually better now). Still on my original IP too...knock on wood.

JHew84

All of the things you seem to be concerned with will and won't be an issue depending on the truck you find. Some will squeek (at best it will be a 6 year old truck, that's a lot of time to get molested) and some won't. My doors don't squeek at all, interior is suprisingly quite as well actually. I just had my dash apart to install my indash and chrysler actually put sound damping fabric around EVERY clip in the dashboard. I would take peoples opinions with a grain of salt, everyone has one and typically they conflict with the next guys opinion (who also feels it is fact!).

If you like 2nd gens I would start looking for one and just be sure to look the truck over really well before making your purchase, if you run into one that has a squeeky interior/door, move on to the next. I doubt you'll find many 2002 and older vehicles that are ALL void of any squeeks/creaks/rattles, it's just a fact of life as vehicles get older.

ktmrdr85

Thanks for the input guys.

I guess one thing that I have to be aware of also is that a lot of people join forums to fix a problem that they have/had.

Also, checking the truck over may be hard because if I got a truck I would find it on autotrader and most-likely I would get it from a dealer or some place that is around 1000 miles from here.

Therefore, I have to be weary, but at the same time, I can only do what I can do talking to the dealer and all.

JHew84

ask a lot of questions, I bought my truck from NJ (I'm from MI) and had it shipped... needless to say I was not happy with how the transaction transpired and I think if I had done a little bit more communication with the dealership before bidding on ebay (first mistake!) I probably would have passed. Don't get me wrong I love my truck, but there were definitely a lot of headaches I could have avoided if I would have just paid what I have into it now in the first place...

Just remember, LOTS of questions, and don't settle for BS answers, if they start being subversive about things just tell them you're not longer interested and keep looking. The one thing that separates a good consumer from a bad is the ability to walk away from a deal.

12 flapper

Find a 2nd gen 12v

PaulDaisy

I think that squeaky doors are not a concern. If that is the level of malfunction that makes you worry, DO NOT buy a diesel truck. Moreover, do not buy ANY truck.
They will develop squeaks, leaks and noises. They will break, any vehicle will break. But, once you determine that you want a truck, and it must have this or that, that is the time to find out on forums what to watch out for.
2nd gens will last a very long time but they also will require maintenance, parts replacement and love and care. So will 3rd gens, 12Vs and Chevies and Fords for that matter.

justme-

Remember you have to be realistic about the wear any and EVERY vehicle received daily- squeeking door hinges are from lack of LUBRICATION, which means lacking owner maintenance. Bushings wear, tires wear, so does every other part of every vehicle, Dodge, Ford, Toyota, ...Car, Truck, Motorcycle...2nd gen, first gen, next years model....

Doesn't matter what year it is if the truck in question has not been taken care of- and unfortunately many of the loudest voices are the ones who have problems, not the ones who don't.

Gary Emerald

get a 12v!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sheriffav8r

You also gotta remember, there aren't too many vehicles out there that normally run in excess of 400K miles on an original engine. I would find a truck that was a daily driver and not overly modded. Check out how the guy took care of his rig. Mine looks new inside with over 183K miles because I care how it runs and take care of it. Find someone who knows about the truck (is the original owner) and has some knowledge on how they work. Good luck....

wcbcruzer

Squeaky doors should be the last of your concerns. But I gotta admit, it's still a Dodge body. Not the best quality imo... But unless you get a Toyota, which other truck is???