1997 Dodge Ram Van Consumer Reviews

Great work truck

Written by: Phone Man on 02/25/2009

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 3500 Maxi Ram Van Extended

Review

Just want to say this has been a good van for our company bought with around 100k currently has 232k still on original engine 5.9 with overdrive. Van hauls all our equipment well with room to spare, pulls trailer fair. Just been a good reliable rig.

Favorite Features

Good power and reliable still take 300- 500 mile a day trips with no problems. Engines are smooth and sound great with custom exhaust!

Suggested Improvements

Factory seats can be improved, dash is dated but works. The interior is loud from road noise needs extra sound deadner to help.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Clifford, The Big Red Dodge

Written by: Mike on 11/22/2008

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 1500 Ram Van Extended

Review

To set the record straight I bought my 1997 Dodge B1500 from a private party for $300 when the vehicle is worth $2500. It is a conversion van made by Primetime and I fell in love with it as soon as I drove it, though it stalled from a dry gas tank and the serpentine belt snapped, I felt like I had to have it. It is reliable for it has a small block v-8 and my father and I were shocked to see it still running strong with the work it needed and how bad the oil in it was. I.E. in severe need of a tune up and brakes. It still needs a bit of work but it preforms great! Gas economy is good too: 17-21, no lie! It is my first car and I love it greatly!

Favorite Features

Because it is a conversion I must say the seats and its engine. You should see the look of the guys on the freeway, in their sports cars and they're passed by a full sized van. It has great take off too!

Suggested Improvements

Leg room for the passenger and the mirrors. This is pre-1998 so the mirrors have a common problem of an O- Ring disintegrating and causing the mirrors to come loose and move at free will. Also, the dash is like being teleported to 1971, it's all flat.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Nice Van for the Money

Written by: Scott on 07/14/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 2500 Ram Van

Review

I leased this van as a used conversion van from the dealer in '99 with 20,000 miles on it. We have taken it on 2 trips to Florida and 1 to Green Bay Wisconsin from NY. It has been very reliable with the 3.9 V6 and 3 speed auto tranny. The ride in higher wind gusts is much better than that of the Ford or Chevy. Most who drive a full sized van probably have been blown all over the road, but this van is much more stable.

Favorite Features

I love the ride.

Suggested Improvements

Better seats would be the only improvement I could suggest but I think these were chosen by the conversion company. The captain's chairs could be a little more supportive in the lumbar area

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

i miss this van

Written by: JLJones on 12/07/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 1500 Ram Van

Review

I purchased this van 1 year old used, a former fleet van. I have owned a 1991 dodge van previously. 1997 van had 3.9l v6 and 3-speed automatic trans. drivetrain not high on power but reliable and the transmisson worked well only problems were a cracked catalyst caused by using bosch platnum plus-4 spark plugs. ran this van overloaded most of the time and regularly exceeded tow rating bu 1500-2000 lbs van held up well to 3-years of my abuse then i traded it for a new 2001 dodge van. my 1997 sold to a friend of mine had 56,000 miles at trade now has 130,000 with no trouble while my 2001 van has been a nightmare 38,000miles 3 sets brakes weak 318 v8 and terrible tranny, eats rear tires, leaks, junk. will buy a ford van next time

Favorite Features

1997 dodge ram van the old 1978 dash design, 3.9v6 3speed pulls as good as my 2001 5.2v 8 both 3.55 gear, old 777 3-speed auto rock solid reliable

Suggested Improvements

dodge B- series vans have been around a long time since 1971, it id time to retire this design. i have noticed a decline in quality since the mercedes merger and the new sprinter van is too expensive and thin skinned.

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Grand Caravan overall review

Written by: Phil Balyeat on 11/30/2002

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Ram Van 2 Dr 1500 Ram Van

Review

Just got new Michelein tires and paid $277 to stop a couple of little oil drips under van.Otherwise this has been a very reliable vehicle to drive.

Favorite Features

Comfort of the seats and sitting up high whee you can see the roadway ahead

Suggested Improvements

Lighted keyholes or bright colors around keyholes so you cn see at night.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post