Used 1996 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Regular Cab Consumer Reviews
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Won't buy anything but a Dodge again
Have owned a 1996 Dodge Ram 4x4 since it came off the mfr floor. It's sort of like the energizer bunny. 179,000 miles and counting. And I run it hard, haul stuff, get it stuck and pull people out with my winch. I won't sell it because I am emotionally attached.
Not quitting any time soon
My father gave this to me 5 yrs ago with 170k on it. It now has 226k. Not many repairs probably $2500 since 2005. I'm a big guy 6'5" 350lbs and the reg cab is great. No complaints really. I drive it everyday to work, 75 miles round trip. Shooting for 500k. No car payment $200 a yr for insurance, 22 mpg. 3.9l v6, 5 sp manual.
- 1996 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500MSRP: $5,9951,610 mi away
'96 Ram 4x4
I bought this truck 7 months ago and it has been all around a good truck. The power is ample and the 4 wheel drive works great. The ride isn't overly good and neither is the gas mileage, about 400 km for a tank (98L). Automatic transmission sucks. It is poorly designed, shifts very sloppily, and kicks in and out of OD when it feels like it. Reverse is starting to go on it as well. The interior is simple and easy to to read and use the controls, but is very cheap looking although my dash hasn't cracked yet. Cups fall out of cup holders and are in an inconvenient location (blocks radio controls). As far as I can see the styling and engine are about the only thing this truck has going for it.
What would Lee Iacoca say?
Returned it the day after purchase because the security system was installed improperly. Two weeks later it went back in because the transmission failed. A week after that it went back because the vehicle would lunge when cold - supposedly because of modification made by Chrylser to the program on the engine's chip. Anti- lock brakes locked up when stopping. 1,000 miles out of warranty, third gear "disappeared". Chrylser's engineer said the valve was designed to wear out at about that point (I have his testimony on tape) and said it would happen again.
Satified with 96 Dodge
I liked the "new" style Dodge trucks since they came out in '94. When my Blazer crapped out leaving me stranded on the highway, I decided it was time for a change. This truck has been very reliable so far. Maintenance is a must, . I don't drive my stuff into the ground then complain about it. Part of the cost of ownership is regular maintenance and abusive treatment will ruin any vehicle be it Ford Chevy or Dodge. If you want to own one of the coolest trucks ever made, get one of these models. If you want "me to" or boring then F & C are there for you.
Tough truck
I have 208k+ miles on my truck.It has the 318 automatic. It has had NO Trans. or engine work done on it. I put a fuel pump in it at 190K and routine oil changes, brakes, tires, etc. Trans started to slip at times around 195K. TONS of interior room. Since it has a solid front axle it kinda rides like a brick but I've been in much worse. I use my truck a lot for HEAVY hauling (8000 lbs). I do not wheel my truck but it does see its fair share of dirt and rough roads. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we have harsh winters. No rust on the box but the rockers are getting a bit rusty. This is an extremely well built and tough truck. Best 4x4 I have ever owned or driven
dodge half tone
have had very few problems -- nothing that should be unexpected, warranty has been hassle-free,
Underpowered, but still does the job
The V6 isn't powerful enough, sheet metal is weak, & the brake design isn't the best. It gets decent gas mileage & is reliable. It will haul the load, but won't get you cross-country fast. The 5- speed makes it fun. It was easy towing my friend's 66 Chevelle with a tow dolly on the tongue. The truck is good for city driving & mild highway driving. It can handle front impacts, but not side impacts. I've seen a 98 Ram get T-boned. If there was a driver in the vehicle, he/she would have been seriously hurt. The driver's side door was pushed in & almost touched the steering wheel. I should have went for a V8, 4 wheel ABS, & limited slip, but am satisfied for now.
200 and counting
I love my truck I have 215,000 miles on it now and I expect to at least see 300K. It has been very dependable and comfortable even on 34 hr straight through road trips stoping only for gas and coffee. I have over loaded it many times and it just keeps powering on. I don't have 4x4 but I have only been stuck once that I needed help to get out of. That says alot because I am not the smartest about where I shouldn't be able to go. She just keeps me looking like I know exacaly what I am doing and we keep on trucking.
Good Truck
I've had this truck a little more than 4 years, and the only major work I've done has been the fuel pump. The truck now has 98000 miles, rides and drives like new
I bought my 1996 Dodge 1500 brand new. I still hav
It has 205, 000 miles running great no major problems over the years. Wouldn't have anything else. People tried to buy it but it's worth more to me. Than they would want to pay. Thank you Dodge.
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I will have this truck FOREVER
Other than the starter I replaced at almost 113,000 miles and the re-man transmission @ 60,000, I've replaced only the wiper motor and usual wear and tear items. I've had 2 after market mufflers rot out and three tail pipes because I don't drive it enough. I bought this truck new, and took very good care of it waxing it all the time, but the paint is still faded out and flaking off, yea, it eats front brakes and I'm on my second set of you joints on the front axle
Dodge Ram Sport
Was in the shop twice for tranny problems. The first time was the day after I bought it - O-ring installed improperly. The second time a spool valve needed replaced (made tranny noisy in reverse). Also, the FM section of the Infinity stereo comes and goes. Actually, no major problems. I plan on keeping it for many years.
This truck kicks @ss!
I've had my truck for almost 8 months now, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It is amazingly powerful with the 5.9L V8, and it is truely fun to drive.
1500 Ram 4x4 sport slt laramie
Overall a pretty good truck. Plenty of power. Nice interior. Too much road noise. Door hinge sag problems. Paint problems. Clear coat peels off. The gas gauge quit working years ago, but its attached to the fuel pump in the tank so to buy it you get both for $450.00 or more. I just fill up and watch the odometer. The cruise control has also broke and no longer works.
Good truck overall
I bought this truck because I wanted a vehicle that could do almost everything, and be a solid vehicle to start out with. I got that and more. I just wish that it didnt cost as much as a BMW to maintain. To date I have replaced the head gaskets, one transmission, and am on the third transfer case at 100,000 miles. I have the truck on 33" tires, and It is known to be the slowest truck of all my friends (318 v8). I dont beat on it, or take it further than it should go. But if you dont mind those few things, my truck will do everything and way more.
Sweet ass truck
This truck has been very reliable for me and has never had any mechanical problems.
Good truck
Bought this truck from a friend with 70k on it, and it has been trouble free. Rear brakes have to be adjusted manually to keep to pedal firm [no hassle].Change trans filter every 15k and you won't believe the difference. Not a good truck to tow with as the 5.2 is a dog with the 3.55 gears [what were they thinking]
A good work truck with power.
The truck has never left me stranded. I use it to move fire wood, shingles, wood, and rock a lot of times weighing about 1 ton and I really don't notice it. Engine wise it has the power to move anything I need it to.
The best "cheap old truck" I ever bought!!
This is compared to other old beater trucks I have bought for under $2000. I bought this truck 3 years ago with 142K on it for $1700. I put a $400 set of tires and $40 set of rear shocks on it the first week I had it. I replaced a $120 alternator a year ago and have changed the oil religiously using only Mobil 1 high mileage since I got it. It had a broken cruise control that was just a vacuum hose off. It needs u-joints in the drive shaft now-$20, 2 hrs. A window switch went bad after I left the window down in the rain...$5 at u-pull junkyard and 1 hr. 168K miles on the truck now. Not a bad list for an old beater truck in 3 years of daily use. Get the SLT Laramie package!! This truck has the most comfortable interior out of all the trucks I have ever spent any time in. The 40/20/40 split bench cloth reclining seats are very comfortable for big people. I'm 6'2" and don't have to slide the seat all the way back, nice for a regular cab truck. The moveable cargo tray system behind the seat is very useful. The Chrysler Infinity sound system is amazing! The head unit in my truck is aftermarket, but all the Infinity speakers are still installed and sound great. The sound deadening is good for a truck. The Bad: The clearcoat has baked off long ago and the truck needs paint but, no one knew how to paint cars in the 90's. Chevy's, and Fords are the same. Something to do with regulations and V.O.C.'s or something like that is what an auto painter told me once.
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BEAST
I love my 96 dodge ram 1500 . Almost 300,000 and still running strong.very reliable. All i will buy is Dodge
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Last dance with Dodge
I bought my Dodge 1500 with 82000 miles about 3 years ago. Since then I have replaced the rear end, replaced most of the front end, water pump,air conditioner and turn signal master switch and valve job. Where's the quality? I have always tried to buy American trucks but this is the last straw. I will never buy another American made car or truck.
Another quality Chrysler Product?
Why do Dodge trucks spend so much time at junk yards? Picking up parts that are unavailable from the manufacturer and taking these parts off relatively low-mile junk-yard carcasses. BTW just because the new trucks have a Hemi emblem doesn't mean it has anything to do with the Hemi of the 60-70's. It ought to say Lemi. So my Dodge, 176k miles currently on second engine and transmission. Actually not bad considering it's a Dodge. I wouldn't be happy with that low of a performance out of a quality automobile like Nissan or Toyota, but it's just a Dodge. So, now that it isn't American anymore why would anyone buy one? I guess the next 12 months will gives the answer to that.