1996 Dodge Ram Van Consumer Reviews

bad design

Written by: 2500 mad owner on 10/14/2009

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 2500 Ram Van

Review

I have a leak on my upper radiator hose. What a joke this engine design is. There is not consideration of maintenance . I was a Air craft mechanic for many years and I have never seen a miss like these full size Vans. You have to take the Alternator out and a bunch of other stuff to get at the bolts on the thermostat housing. Did any one thing of Quick disconnects for the Electric lines? And why not add on to the engine block to install the thermostat. I am going to look into buying a Toyota Van . No wonder they are going out of business.. And this is the second Dodge Van that the differential went bad on. This Van only has 100,000 miles on it and everything going bad.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

redesign the entire van. Thinking about maintenace make it easy to work on. Redesign the the differential so it last longer

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Dodge Elk Conversion

Written by: Tom on 06/09/2007

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 2500 Ram Van

Review

1996 Elk Conversion. This vehicle is great for traveling with 5 or more people I also have a Suburban which is better on the highway and in winter driving and is more comfortable for the driver, but has nowhere near the passenger rooom that this van has. Driver visibility is good and I have had very few mechanical problems to date. This has been a good reliable vehicle for our family.

Favorite Features

Rear passenger leg room is unbelievable.

Suggested Improvements

Suspension is soft. Improve gas mileage.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Excellent reliable work van

Written by: kabinfeevr on 01/19/2007

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 2500 Ram Van

Review

I bought this vehicle new and performed all scheduled maintenence as directed. Vehicle has been in for major cost service only once and that was to replace all belts, hoses and filters (voluntary) after 100000 miles. I use only Mobil-1 synthetic oil in all of my vehicles. I have hauled tons of equipment and supplies in this van and it never tires of the punishment. I still drive it 13 hours at a clip on I- 95 between VA and FL with no worries and no trouble. I also use it to tow my 21' cuddy-cabin sport fisherman. It is highway/road noisy, but remember folks, it IS a cargo van.

Favorite Features

HD transmission, great 318 engine, typically excellent Chrysler/Dodge A/C system, chills the entire van with ease. Seats are surprisingly comfortable on long trips.

Suggested Improvements

Could have used a better audio system. I replaced mine with an aftermarket system designed to overcome the road noise.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Dodge 2500 Ram Van V6

Written by: FN on 12/04/2005

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 2500 Ram Van

Review

Timing Chain and gear replacement at 75000 miles. Thermostat replaced at 76000. Hard to start and keep running when cold. Noisy engine overheats. Leaks rain at all doors. Bad roof design retains rain water, encourages rust-through. Build quality shabby. Door stops breaking. Metal at front hinges cracking. Roof welds show movement. Paint flakes for no apparent reason. Rear muffler hanger fails. Driving: Crosswinds push vehicle around. Gutless on long moderate hills. 13 mpg avg. Cramped legroom.

Favorite Features

None.

Suggested Improvements

This was a body style that should have stayed in the 1970's, not been carried on into the 90's with minor cosmetic tweaks.

4 out 18 people found this review helpful

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