Used 1997 Dodge Ram Van Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Ram Van, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ram Van since its last redesign.
i miss this van
JLJones, 12/07/2004
1997 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Van
21 of 21 people found this review helpful
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
1996 Dodge Ram b2500
donnie71281, 05/14/2010
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
I find this to be the best Van we have owned. Runs like a tank and has never left us stranded. Now it has around 124k on it and runs as well as the day we got it. This year I've spent time doing preventative maintenance since it is now 14 years old. These vans are also very easy to work on. Gas mileage is also very good for this giant van. I get 10mpg-14mpg city(depending on the weight of my foot)and 26mpg on the freeway. The 5.2L 318 is a fantastic engine.
1997 Dodge Ram Van for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- BaseMSRP: $7,9001,189 mi away
- 3500 Cargo VanMSRP: $9,9501,448 mi away
Great work truck
Phone Man, 02/26/2009
1997 Dodge Ram Van 3500 Maxi 3dr Ext Van
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
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.
Nice Van for the Money
Scott, 07/14/2005
1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
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.
The only kind of vehicle I will own!
Shawnerr, 10/01/2008
1992 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I absolutely love this van! I've always owned large vans since the age of 18. Mine is actually an 1987 passenger van. These vans are Reliable, Dependable and Safe. These vans ARE practical and they have a million uses for pleasure, business and family. They are truck based, Rear Wheel Drive and have a solid live axle. They are ok on fuel, nothing that's gonna blow your mind or anything but are better than some SUVs and trucks I've seen. These vans offer excellent towing capacity combined with having people and/or cargo in the van. Excellent head room and leg room. I personally have NO problems parking this van at the mall or any other tight space. Tip: Convex mirrors really help!
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 - specifics
Ian, 03/09/2016
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
I am the third owner and here is my one year review. The second owner had it for three months. Original owner only used it to tailgate redskins games so I got my van with 86,000 miles on it and the interior was near immaculate. I took out the rear bed/bench seat and the middle right hand seat for easy loading. I bought this van for my band and I mainly use it once a week for local shows that are less than 14 miles away. I have driven from Washington DC to Atlantic City NJ once. I have the 3.9 v6. (shorty version) It is good on gas. It handles highways well. The wind against the side of the van while going over the Millard E Tidings bridge is a very scary experience. You will have to replace a few things. You will have a leak of some kind. I am changing the water pump, temp gauge and that is why I am writing this. Once that goes you will start breaking down once the engine gets hot after driving 2-4 miles. Rear springs are getting replaced because of all the hauling of speakers and leaving them in the van all the time. I suggest you empty the van and not leave heavy things in it constantly. The engine area is cramped and hard to access things like power steering reservoir. Or if you wanted to fix things yourself. This van will get rusty underneath it. I am a little concerned about the amount of rust I see. I looked at a few before buying my current van and some have frame rust so make sure you get underneath and look for that in the rear and the front behind the bumper! The fit and finish are horrible. Very poor quality compared to foreign brands of the same era. However as a work truck it will be good enough. Road noise it loud. You will have leaks in the rain. I have sealed them with silicone and now all is fine. The rear upper middle brake light plastic has rotted. Getting a new one costs $100. SSo make your own or get one off of another truck. (hopefully you will get an exact fit) I changed the light inside there to an LED and it was easy to do. Due to water getting in there the bulb will constantly blow. So some silicone, some tape and the LED are now making it work for much less. This truck bounces when you go over things. I bought it for $2000. put $1000 in it with the dealer when I first got it home so that it would be reliable. THen the water pump leak, temp gauge, tune up and springs have just cost me $1391 at AAMCO. So in total after one year I have spent $4391 on this van not including gas and insurance. My insurance is low because I do not drive it a lot. Were I to have rented a UHaul for all of the events it would have cost just shy of this number. So hopefully more things will not break in this next year and the cost of ownership will pan out. This full sized van is a great hauler. When my gear is in it there is not much difference in feel. It does not seem sluggish. Make sure you add power steering fluid or it will shut off when turning. Power steering fluid need not be empty for this to happen . It can just be somewhat low and you will notice it. I seem to have a very slow leak in power steering fluid. Once full it is okay. A/C does not work. No cold air on hot days. I think it needs freon. They told me it would cost another $250 so I declined and I drive with windows down when hot. Heat works. I don't drive it enough to make it necessary. The spare tire is on the back door. If you take it off and take out the little locks in the doors the dorrs can then open fully wide. However you will likely crack your rear brake light as the mechanism for holding the tire hits the light. So you have to decide if you can live with one rear door only opening 75%. Which is what I do. Which makes for awkward loading at times. Just poor design really. That is all.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Clifford, The Big Red Dodge
Mike, 11/22/2008
1997 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Ext Van
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
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!
The best motor ever built 3.9
shovelhead, 08/27/2008
1994 Dodge Ram Van B150 3dr Van
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought this van with 160,000 have replaced the water pump and a rear wheel bearing (that I should have replaced 30,000 miles earlier) This baby never failed me or stranded me. The mileage is currently 207,000 and counting. The trans was rebuilt at 100,000 but the motor is original and purrs like a kitten. This is the most reliable vehicle I have ever had. Rust is an issue as the leaf spring has torn through the bed. If you are thinking of buying a used ram van with a 3.9 but are hesitant because of high mileage don't sweat it if it rides good on the test chances are good if you drive sane and maintain it, it will last over 300,0000. I won't hesitate to take this puppy across country. Rock on 3.9
Molly's A Good Girl!
Molly's Mom, 05/20/2004
1994 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Bought this vehicle new in 1994. Have put 220,000 miles on it and it still runs great. No problems ever with a/c or engine. Transmission was rebuilt at 175,000 miles. Burns oil now. Have changed hoses, belts, water pump, transmission lines, batteries and lots of tires. Acceleration is slow, especially with a/c on. Molly is a great vehicle for trips. She has become a member of the family, complete with a name! My teenagers hate her because she "isn't cool", but I love Molly! Upholstery and carpet are in exceptional condition considering her years.
Not too shabby
Will Cap, 08/11/2010
1996 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Van
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have nothing bad to say about my 1996 Dodge B1500. I have just passed 202,000 miles and the engine runs like a horse.The interior holds up well i have kids so thats important. Gas Mileage is also very good for a van of this size.But i do have the 3.9 Liter V-6. I would recommend this van any day to anyone. Good Job Chrysler!
Some problems but
Msmary, 10/03/2010
1997 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Van
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
We purchased the van new in 1997. It had been a good running vehicle other than every 3-4 years we had to replace the water pump. Pump cost 100 buck putting it in was 400. We never had a brake job until 2007. Took it in and the brakes fell off in the guys hand. But with the van at almost 150,000 miles, we are having more problems. I have already put in over $1000 into it and now the transmission is going out. They (mech) told me the brakes are going bad again also. I've also notice it getting a bad oil leak now. But for 13 years she served her purpose. Overall, it was a nice family vehicle. If I had to do it over again. Dodge...yes
The Shady Van
TriTNF, 06/05/2004
1992 Dodge Ram Van B150 3dr Van
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought a 1992 B-150 from an autoparts store in May 2003. With 186,000 original miles, I decided to drive the world renowned Dodge 318 across country (and back)! Despite blowing a fuel pump in Colorado, I had absolutely no mechanical difficulties. LONG LIVE THE DODGE 318, AND MY SHADY VAN!!!
Like, but sort of hate it
iamnatman, 08/03/2014
updated 08/08/2016
1991 Dodge Ram Van B350 3dr Van
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Not sure what to say about it... I bought my B250 about 4 years ago for a stupidly cheap price. My biggest complaint is the gas mileage. I think on good days I can get about 11-14 mpg. I think I've had about 6 break downs in the 4 years I've owned it. Changed fuel pump twice (my fault on one), u-joints, evap core, radiator/hoses, and cat converter/muffler. Funny enough, the core engine/transmission itself is great... It's the little bits on the side that keep it going that seem to fail. It always fires up when those bits work, and the engine never burns oil, and the trans. never slips. I'd say back in it's day, it was a pretty reliable vehicle. EDIT: 8-7-2016 Edmunds emailed me and wanted an update on this vehicle. I currently no longer own it, but I can add a few things that went wrong. The voltage regulator went out, and on these vans, it's located in the ECU. If you're unfamiliar with that, it's basically the "brain" of the vehicle. Most do NOT have this part located in the ECU. Everything else functioned on the van that was controlled by the ECU, but this one component went out. It costs a substantial amount of money to replace the ECU, and on top of that, you have to get it programmed at a Dodge dealer to your specific van/vin number, and hope to god they still have the machine that can do that. I dug around on the internet and found this is somewhat of a common problem, and you can wire a separate regulator outside of the ECU and bypass it. I bought a regulator for a 1980's model and wired it to the alternator so it could properly charge the battery. The problem was fixed, but doing this causes the check engine light to always be on, because the ECU thinks the battery isn't getting charged, even though it is with the bypassed regulator. Shortly after, I decided to sell it with the cost of gas being too high at the time to daily the vehicle. Ironically, gas prices started to rapidly drop not long after I sold it, but... oh well. In the end, I'll stick with what I said about the core of the engine. It's pretty reliable there. It never smoked, burned oil, ticked, or knocked. It always fired up even on the coldest mornings. It's just all the electronic bits on the side that made this a pain for me. Towards the end, I think I got most of them fixed, so whoever bought my van probably got a nice deal on it. I may have gotten a dud, so if you find one in decent shape, you might be alright. I'd just ask who's selling what's been done on it.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
We love it!!
Limey, 03/02/2010
1993 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought a converted B250 van to drive down the states in a few years ago. It's kitted with captains chairs, a bench/bed across the back and windows all round. We only had one break down in it on the whole trip down the east coast and back up, and that was just a U joint in the drive shaft. We lived in the UK then, so it's hardly been used since. Glad we kept it now we're here. I love driving it, as it's so comfy and just cruises along. Something that I miss on modern vehicles is the small quarter-light windows that open on the front doors. They really get some fresh air on you when it's hot. It always starts, even after sitting untouched all winter.
yahoo
England1, 10/11/2002
1993 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
very reliable vechicle. can't say enough about this van.
Excellent reliable work van
kabinfeevr, 01/19/2007
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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.
Does it's job
B250Guy, 02/04/2008
1991 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Was a delivery truck, now I use it to haul my race bike. 318ci is worn and gutless, giving 14mpg. 3spd auto with OD never wants to "kick down" unless you floor it. Odometer, fuel gauge, and oil pres have all malfunctioned. Found used cluster to replace them though. Even though it's weak and tired, it runs flawless, burning no oil, idles smooth, and climbs hills (slowly). Lots of wind noise from windows and poor fitting driver door seal. Zero rust on this desert van and passes California smog. Having to replace bushings lately, which is fair for the age. Too small mirrors make city driving difficult.
DO NOT BUY THIS VAN!
Laundry Van, 10/11/2004
1992 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We have a 3/4 ton van with the 318 (which has been great), but everything else wants to break. The transmission, fuel system, even the odometer have all quit on me. This thing burns your feet when you drive for Heaven's sake!
The best vehicle I have ever owned
vanman, 02/20/2007
1992 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Ext Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Since I have had it (five months and counting) I have put 9000 miles on it and have not had one new problem. I did have a problem with it dying at every stoplight since I bought it, but it was nothing a good carburetor cleaning didn't fix. It rides superb surprisingly, it's amazingly quick, and gas mileage is nothing to jump up and down about but could be worse. All in all I would recommend to anyone!
Powerful and reliable
nomo1, 02/01/2003
1993 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Van
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
With 230000 miles, it passed smog test in los angeles without any problems.The 5.2 liter is very powerful and very reliable.
bad design
2500 mad owner, 10/15/2009
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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.
Grand Caravan overall review
Phil Balyeat, 11/30/2002
1997 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Van
3 of 8 people found this review helpful
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.
Dodge Elk Conversion
Tom, 06/09/2007
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
Dodge 2500 Ram Van V6
FN, 12/04/2005
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
8 of 29 people found this review helpful
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.
the twister van
researchnut, 09/28/2003
1992 Dodge Ram Van B250 3dr Ext Van
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
this vehicle is a dodge ram 250 coversion van high top with all the extras including power steering, brakes, windows, and power locks.
Best engine and the worst body/electrical ever
Woodsman in Oregon, 01/25/2024
1996 Dodge Ram Van 3500 3dr Ext Van
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 1996 B3500 Ram Van is still running strong, and while I put very low weekly miles on it I have driven it on several trips 1,500-to-2,500 miles. It was a government cargo van in Louisiana when I bought it in 2009 and I lived in Memphis. The engine is a beast and I can tear along at 80-90 MPH for 20 hours straight and it just yawns and keeps on going. In 15 years, I've never had the transmission worked on and just do the usual maintenance on it. I've replaced the fuel pump twice (8 years apart) and the engine control computer. I've just replaced the upper ball joints on the suspension, which finally wore out after 28 years. Minor stuff like an ignition coil were also replaced. The electrical system is the pits, and my speedometer is broke (I can live without it). The windshield spray washer has disintegrated, the tail lights wiring had to be replaced, dash lights went out and the horn is fussy. The AC runs but it doesn't blow cold air and replacing the refrigerant worked for about a week before fading away. It's a major repair and I can live without that as well. The body is pathetic. The paint (granted, original) is peeling or rusting all over, the roof is designed to gather water, the driver's side door latch system is all busted up and I use two gate latches to close the door from the outside or inside. The sliding door is a mess and barely latches, but it latches. The passenger door and rear doors do work fine, though. The van is massive, of course, and I can fit 10-foot lumber with ease and have routinely bought 4x8 plywood or drywall and it stacks flat in the rear. I've traveled with 2,000 pounds of cargo in the van on some of these cross-country trips, going 90 MPH for hours, and the van just laughs and says "is that all you got?" It's a piece of crap to look at and barely functional in several ways. And I love it. I bought it for $2,000 15 years ago and could sell it for $3,000 today because it has well under 100k miles on it. But despite the lousy gas mileage, it's so versatile and cheap to own and such a great hauler I'll probably just keep it. The engine will outlive me at the rate we're both going.