Used 1997 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Consumer Reviews
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A Love & Hate Relationship
The Love: I love how this truck looks, especially in Black w/the black f&r bumpers; why Dodge put chrome mirrors on this one is beyond me? Grey interior w/a beige headliner is also weird! Nothing I can't change easily through the use of after market accessories. I also love how this truck sounds after adding a "TRUE" dual exhaust system with flow master American Thunder mufflers. The power was lacking so I installed a K&N FIPK, a JET Stage II Chip, JET throttle body spacer and Bosch +4 spark plugs, and fully synthetic Amsoil engine, trans, case and diff oil and the truck breaths fire now. It has been very reliable so far. The HATE: The dash is cracked all to Hell. After market!
Love This Truck
When i bought the truck i was skeptical at first about gas mileage but i soon came to realize that the 5.2 L is really a pretty economic motor. My truck has 119K on it and i haven't had any problems since buying it in Feb. of 07.
211,660 and still going
Bought it with 100,000. First Dodge truck I ever had. Wow! I will always stick with Dodge from now on! What a dependable truck. Same engine & transmission, no rust or clear coat peel, I wax it a lot. Replaced, brake line, pads and rotors, battery, oil and filters. Just regular maintance. Daily driver. The carpet is worn and stained from Michigan winters and mud from off road. I pull a boat in the summer (17 feet) and my boy's lawn service equemptment. I change the fluid and filter one year and flush it the next. Also, use the +4 transmission fluid. It's more pricy than most but it is recomended by Dodge. Has not failed me yet!
Ram Tough is right!
I have owned my Ram since new. I have used and abused this truck more than the average person would ever consider doing to their vehicle. The whole time I have owned it, the only problem I have had was the starter died at 120,000 miles. The 4wheel engagement is strong and possitive, you don't have to guess whether it has kicked in. You can't beat the solid front axle in the 4WD for strength. The body refuses to rust, even through 6 NorthEastern winters. I have driven it in salt water that was up to the waist line of the truck, with no problems, and no body rust. The interior space is unmatched in any standard cab.
No good
I bought this truck with 65k miles on it and it now has 90k after 4 years. I have had it in the shop at least twice a year since I bought it, mostly for big items (tranny, fuel injectors, etc). I like the look of the truck but it's the biggest money pit I've ever owned! This truck may just be a lemon, but I would suggest doing my research before buying one. I've heard similar tales from other Dodge Ram owners.