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Dodge Ram

hammermachine

hammermachine

1/2 ton status
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I figured I'd ask the experts. I'm looking at a 2002 Dodge Ram to trade into. I'm going for test drive Saturday before we talk trade. Does anybody have any feedback about these trucks? Its going to be a DD, local family hauler/ get me through another winter truck. Please as usual only useful comments...:doah:
 
dodge truck

i had an 2001 4x4 off road package i put a 5" lift on it and 35"s i never wheeled it ,it was my daily driver it had factory 410 gears at 70000 miles the planetary gear went on the trans i was told that dodges are known for tranny issues i loved the truck but 2500.00 later in a tranny rebuild made me more of a gm fan so look into the 2002 trans good luck
 
1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton? 2wd or 4wd? 3.9l, 5.2l, 5.9l, 8.0l, 5.9lCTD, 5.9lH.O. CTD? Auto or 5/6 speed stick? Some combinations of these will have more problems than others, so knowing what you are looking at will get you more usefull input. If it is a 3/4 or 1 ton 4x4 with a cummins and a 6 speed, I'd say go for it. I did enjoy driving the v10 with a 5 speed but fuel economy was pretty consistent between 8-10mpg. A 1/2 ton auto with a 3.9l v6 and I would say pass.
 
 
Looks like a reasonable deal, but still a few questions unanswered. Does it have the 4.7v8 (mini hemi) or the 5.9mpfi? Both are very similar as far as power goes, but the available transmissions are different depending on the engine and as I'm sure you are aware, dodge autos have a worse reputation than the good old 700r4. The 4.7 will have the same 5speed auto (45rfe) that is used in the newer 1/2 and 3/4 tons equipped with the hemi. I had cooked my first one in my 2003 3/4 ton hemi around 65,000 miles and then the dealer had to replace that one less than 200 miles later (failed TC) but I have had no trouble with it since in the last 62,000miles other than a noisy pump (has been noisy since new) I do tow a 10,000lb trailer semi regularly with it, so YMMV.

The 5.9magnum is virtually the same engine that was introduced in "the new dodge" in '94 along with it's 4speed auto and gets slightly less mpg than the 4.7. My brother put about 130,000 on his 2001 with the 5.9/auto and had no issues with his tranny, but had to have the passenger side head rebuilt. Although the 4 speed auto used in his 01 and the 5.9 equipped 02's is the notoriously problematic of the 2.

I would crawl under it and look for any obvious signs of overloading or abuse and if it looks like it has been "gently" used, I wouldn't avoid buying it. The obvious things would be impact marks where the rear bumpstops hit the axle, tire rub marks in the rear fenders, hitch receiver has a slight downward angle. At some point in time between 02-04 dodge 1500's were available with a sort of full time 4wd system and IMO it should be avoided. If the case can be shifted via a knob or lever, then it would be worth considering.

The 4.7 has a bit higher KBB but at $7k from a dealer, that is a fair price either way. See if you can purchase an aftermarket warranty and don't worry about it.
 
the 4.7 is a great engine if the oil is changed regularly. they tend to sludge up if worked hard and not maintained.
blazinaire is spot on with the trans info. 4.7/5.7 has a great 545rfe trans. the 5.9 has the 46re which is..... not so great. the 5.9 also will cost a bit more to maintaine, and has a few issues that might come up at higher mileage. compared to a 4.7.
here is the option list for that truck. it also has an open recall that needs done

CodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionAPASMonotone PaintBAZS136 Amp AlternatorBCES600 Amp Maintenance Free BatteryBRRS4 Wheel Disc Rr Anti-Lock BrakesCGDSFront Height Adjust Shoulder BeltsCGWSNext Generation Front Air Bags**CSPSPassenger Assist HandleCUESRear Underseat Compartment StorageDGBSAll 4-Speed Automatic TransmissionsDHESMan Shift-on-the-Fly Transfer CaseDJMS205MM HD Front AxleDMDS3.55 Rear Axle RatioDRBSCorporate 9.25 LD Rear AxleGACSTinted Glass WindowsGJDSRear Fixed WindowHAASAir ConditioningHGBSDash Liner InsulationI28SRoute 28 - NS, Buffalo, NYJAYSInstrument Cluster w/TachJCBS120 MPH Primary SpeedometerJHASVar Intermittent Windshield WipersJJASCigar LighterJJBSDual Note Electric HornsJJJS12V Auxiliary Power OutletLDASUnderhood LampLMASHalogen HeadlampsLPESCargo LampMBFSBright Rear BumperMCTSBright Front BumperMHASBlack Windshield MoldingsMURSDodge BadgeMUSS4X4 BadgeMWDSRemovable Tailgate w/Caliper LatchesMXBSFront Air DamMXCSFront Air Close Out PanelNFWS26 Gallon Fuel TankQRVSDk. Garnet Red Pearl CoatRBBSAM/FM Cass Radio w/Changer ControlSBASPower Rack and Pinion SteeringSFBSFront Heavy Duty Shock AbsorbersSGBSRear Heavy Duty Shock AbsorbersSHASFront Stabilizer BarTBBSFull Size Spare TireTBMSTire Carrier WinchWF1S17 Steel Spare WheelXBSSPickup BoxYAASBuild To U.S. Mkt. SpecificationsZ6CSGVW Rating - 6650#1AASU.S. Dealer Retail144SZone 44-Syracuse4KZS4X4 Tracking5I4SFour Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4)5ZES6 FT. Cargo Box5ZKSQuad Cab5ZLS1500 Series594SVehicle Order Tracking6USSU.S. Specifications Label633SNew York Ship to State Code933SNew York Sold to State Code Optional EquipmentCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionCodeDescription*V9Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat-DVDark Slate GrayAJKPConvenience GroupA29P4.7L Engine(EVA)/4Spd A/T 45RFE(DG4)CBEP40/20/40 Split Bench SeatCFMPRear Folding SeatCKEPFloor Covering CarpetCLAPFront Floor MatsCUSPOverhead Console w/Trip ComputerDG4Multi-Speed Auto 45RFE TransmissionDHAPLock-Up Torque ConverterEAGCAll Gas EngineEVA4.7L V8 MPI EngineGNKPRear View Auto Dim MirrorGNMPPassenger Side Sun Visor w/MirrorGTSPPower Heated Mirrors, Fold-AwayGVBCAll Vehicles W/Power MirrorsHGFPFloor Tunnel InsulationJPBPPower LocksJPDPPower Windows, Driver One-TouchK1ZPDEEP GRAY - Molding - BodysideLBCPGlove Box LampMCMPBody Color Upper FasciaMDAPFront License Plate BracketMFDPBright GrilleMTDPSLT BadgeNAAFederal EmissionsNBKPEVAP Control SystemNHMPSpeed ControlPRVADk. Garnet Red Pearl CoatRAACAll Radio Equipped VehiclesRCDP4 SpeakersRDDPFixed Long Mast AntennaSCVPLeather Wrapped Steering WheelSUAPTilt Steering ColumnTTMPP265/70R17 BSW All Season TiresTZAPGoodyear Brand TiresWF517X8.0 Painted Cast Alum WheelsWLZCAll Aluminum WheelsWMJPCenter HubYGCA7 Additional Gallons of GasZBSPSpring - Left RearZCFPSpring - Left FrontZPSPSpring - Right RearZREPSpring - Right Front2TGACustomer Preferred Package 2TG24GCustomer Preferred Package 24G3VTACustomer Preferred Discount4SPAMobility Conversion Tracking6F9Paint Order Code Special EquipmentCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionNo Special Equipment AvailableDealer Installed EquipmentCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionCodeDescriptionNo Dealer Installed Equipment Available
 
My son still owns the 2001 Ram 1500 4x4 I bought him in his senior year of highschool. It has 180K miles on the original engine and the trans has only had a converter replaced at 110K due to a bearing noise. This truck has been wheeled, chained to other trucks for a pull contest, towed with and generally driven hard for the past 5 years and has never required anything beyond maintenance items like seals and u-joints etc. He is running 35's and 4.10 gears with the 360 engine. I could not expect any truck to have held up as well.
 
Truck...

Well I'm still looking. The truck I posted price just went up another 1K. They said the original price was a mistake. (And they wonder why we don't trust car salesmen). I need to pace myself and make a good choice.
 
Traded....

Well its done. I traded my 2006 Magnum for the original truck I saw on Autotrader. It was a straight trade, no cash, no fuss. I put 175 miles on it since yesterday in it handles great. I'll take to my mechanic sometime this week just to look it over and install a alarm. (I suck with electrical). So far I'm happy, it came with a no name brand of MT's on it so its looking ready for snow.

ytuck porn.jpg
 
Cool deal, straight trades have always been the most trouble free for me. Tires look like Hankook Dynapro MT's, good tires, I will most likely be putting them on my dodge when the current 37"s wear out. Now to whore a pic!:pimp:

dodgeleft.jpg
 
Blazinaire said:
Cool deal, straight trades have always been the most trouble free for me. Tires look like Hankook Dynapro MT's, good tires, I will most likely be putting them on my dodge when the current 37"s wear out. Now to whore a pic!:pimp:

dodgeleft.jpg
Click to expand...

What bumper is that?
 
beach cruiser handlebars

A friend of mine made it... cnc plasma cutters sure make short work of cutting all those pieces of plate! We used 3/16" plate and completely boxed in around the frame horns and then sleeved 1 1/2", 1 3/4", and 2" holes through that. We could have made it bolt on, but I opted to weld it on instead. There is a winch cradle behind the skid plate, but I don't own a winch, just figured it was only 1 extra piece of tube and a couple tabs.

dodgefrontright.jpg
 
Blazinaire said:
A friend of mine made it... cnc plasma cutters sure make short work of cutting all those pieces of plate! We used 3/16" plate and completely boxed in around the frame horns and then sleeved 1 1/2", 1 3/4", and 2" holes through that. We could have made it bolt on, but I opted to weld it on instead. There is a winch cradle behind the skid plate, but I don't own a winch, just figured it was only 1 extra piece of tube and a couple tabs.

dodgefrontright.jpg
Click to expand...

It's pimp
 
Ram

Nice truck, I like the bumper, it looks ready for Baja.

Its been a week of driving my new (to me) 2002 Ram. So far its been great, nothing unexpected. (13 mpg average) Good room, a place form most everything. The dealer shipped me the replacement blower as promised (included in deal), I plan on installing that and a remote start alarm sometime this week.


One question; does anyone know what the life expectancy of these trucks are? Well maintained, and not abused?

Thanks everyone for all the advice.
 
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