1998 Dodge Ram Van Review
1998 Dodge Ram Van Review
View more photos
Used Ram Van for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Seriously undercuts Chevy, Ford and GMC competitors
Cons
- Original engineering dates to the Nixon presidency
What’s new
A freshening this year includes better build quality, so we're told. Of note are the appearance of dual airbags in the revised dash and upgrades to the brakes, front doors and sound system. The V8 engines have also been relocated forward to reduce the size of that annoying "doghouse."
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Ext Van and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded in Indiana.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Indiana
$299/mo for Ram Van 1500
Ram Van 1500
vs
$312/mo
Avg. Midsize Van
Vehicle overview
Dodge's full-size vans and wagons haven't changed all that much through nearly three decades of existence. Squint your eyes and focus away from the front end (which was revised for 1998), and the latest big Rams could almost be mistaken for 1971 models. Does that matter to their fans? Not in the least. Dodge's brawny haulers have earned an enviable reputation over the years, proving their worth against rivals from Ford and General Motors. Like those makes, Dodge offers a bewildering selection of models, in three capacities with payloads as great as 4,019 pounds -- not to mention the dazzlingly long list of options to be considered. Wagons can be equipped to carry as many as 15 passengers.
Dual airbags are now standard, and all Rams have rear-wheel antilock braking (four-wheel on the Wagons). Base engine in the 1500 and 2500 series is a 3.9-liter V6, but most buyers would be better off with a V8 (standard in the 3500 series). With 295 foot-pounds of torque on tap, the 5.2-liter V8 yields a rewarding combination of strength and economy, but no Ram vehicle ranks miserly at the gas pump.
For demanding applications, whether in cargo-carrying or passenger-seating, the 5.9-liter V8, packing 330 pound-feet of twisting force, might be a better bet. To compensate for thirsty engine choices, Dodge includes a 35-gallon gas tank on all Ram Vans and Wagons.
New this year is an entire one-third of the components. Most noticeable is an updated front end, a less intrusive forward position for the V8 engines and improved brakes. The interior gets dual airbags in a revised dash and a better sound system.
Plenty of RV converters turn out fancied-up variants of the Dodge Ram, but even the stock models can be fitted with a few comforts and conveniences to make driving pleasant, if not exactly posh. Wagons can have a power driver seat, for instance, and you can even get a CD player with a graphic equalizer and Infinity speakers. An upscale SLT Wagon Package includes cupholders, seat map pockets and cloth trim panels. Standard gear includes dual side doors, tinted windows, power steering and a front stabilizer bar.
We find the Ram Van and Wagon to be packed full of value and think that they are a reasonable alternative to the full-size offerings from Ford and Chevy for those on a strict budget. When searching in this market segment, price is often the only thing separating somewhat unequal competitors.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Dodge Ram Van.
5 star(27%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(23%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(0%)
26 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.38 out of 5 stars
i miss this van
JLJones, 12/07/2004
1997 Dodge Ram Van 1500 3dr Van
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
5 out of 5 stars
1996 Dodge Ram b2500
donnie71281, 05/14/2010
1996 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
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.
2.88 out of 5 stars
Nice Van for the Money
Scott, 07/14/2005
1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500 3dr Van
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.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great work truck
Phone Man, 02/26/2009
1997 Dodge Ram Van 3500 Maxi 3dr Ext Van
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ram Van since its last redesign.
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1998 Dodge Ram Van info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 2018
- Used Bentley Continental 2020
- Used Dodge Journey 2018
- Used Honda Pilot 2019
- Used Lexus LS 400 2012 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 GT-R
- Tesla Model Y 2023
- Luxus Ux250H
- 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2025 Tesla Model Y News
- F150 Lightning
- 2023 Honda Odyssey
- VW Jetta Car
- BMW X1 BMW
- BM WZ4
Research other models of Dodge
Other models
- Used Lexus RX-400H in Dekalb, IL
- New Cadillac XT6 for Sale in Billings, MT
- Used Acura RL in Lees Summit, MO
- New Chevrolet Silverado-1500 for Sale in Secaucus, NJ
- Used Cadillac Ats in Clinton, IA
- Used Lexus RX-350 in Dyersburg, TN
- Used Chevrolet Equinox in Gainesville, TX
- Used BMW 2-Series-Gran-Coupe in Jacksonville, IL
- New Mitsubishi Mirage-G4 for Sale in Fort Wayne, IN
- Used Infiniti Q45 in Normal, IL