I Did A Bad (According to PPOT)

Brando · Brando's Garage

I bought a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. SLT, quad cab with 5.7. It has almost 200k miles and still pulls strong with no leaks. It's getting new shocks this weekend, wheel bearings all around next month, brakes in the near(ish) future.

It's far from pristine condition but I don't care too much. It's more for utility: Carting around my daughter and her crap, towing a camper trailer, towing motorcycles, etc.

From the basic searches I've done here there's not a lot of love for the Ram 1500. I kept away from the diesel but I could not find much bad about the 5.7L Hemi.

Thanks!

Bill Douglas · 11-09-2018, 11:44 AM

Shame on you.

It looks really nice!

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Before the 'experts' arrive

.... that Hemi is just getting broken in. Had nearly 275K on our '04 Durango with many, many towing miles and still running strong and burning no oil. Wife bought it new, daughter still has it. Only problem ever: a broken exhaust manifold bolt.

Arizona_928 · 11-09-2018, 12:01 PM

Not my favorite cab. I think the backseat is too small and worthless. Those also have the cheaper interiors. The 5.9 with the mega cab was the highlight to my high school years.

But that said I bet you got it for a song, and if it satisfies your needs. Is it 4wd?

Pazuzu · 11-09-2018, 12:06 PM

Those 5.7L Rams were much better in the station wagon configuration

mepstein · 11-09-2018, 12:19 PM

My '04 hemi durango blew the engine at 95K miles. I put in a rebuilt engine and then the body started rusting apart. Both common problems but Dodge, dodged the issue. Got rid of it recently. Never again.

BeyGon · 11-09-2018, 12:19 PM

We used those Dodge trucks for years as survey trucks and loved them.

fastfredracing · 11-09-2018, 12:52 PM

At least it won't rust there !!
It looks nice. I think there are good ones, and bad ones, you just roll the dice and hope you get the former
Ive seen motors out at 80k, and other guys run the crap out of them till 250k, when the rocker panels, are gone, and the bed sides are flapping in the wind .
Good luck with it

Brando · Brando's Garage

Thanks guys.. So far I have been enjoying driving it, definitely needs some interior work in the future.

AZ kid, sadly just a 2wd version. I needed the quad cab for passenger room. This little bug is growing up fast! My options were limited and this deal sprung up for $1500, couldn't pass it up.

Fred, anything you would recommend service-wise? With $200k it's time for wheel bearings and new bushings all around.

speeder · 11-10-2018, 06:49 AM

That's a lot of truck for $1500. As long as you don't have to sink too much $$ into it, you scored. Hopefully it's just an occasional workhorse, as a DD it will get expensive on fuel.

Cute baby!

LakeCleElum · 11-10-2018, 06:55 AM

A bargain at $1,500............I was gonna so: You can't go Wrong, but I don't wanna lie. I used to have to drive Chrysler products at work in the late, 70's and early 80's. Enough to never go back.......

onewhippedpuppy · 11-10-2018, 06:58 AM

For the money, if it breaks you can just scrap it and buy another one! I like the Hemi motor, they make nice power and drive well.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

My son recently had to sell his truck because he found he couldn't fit his growing family and the dogs in it. He was upset when he also found he couldn't afford to keep it around just for HD runs. He'd planned on it being his 'forever' truck. First new car he'd ever bought.

He had 100k on it with no problems and had it all debadged and trick lights on it.
I had used it once to haul stuff up to my brother's place up north. It was a nice ride but I couldn't afford the gas. I would have liked to be able to keep it 'in the family' but it wouldn't fit in my garage either.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

2005 Hemi 1500 SLT quad cab with 5.7. Bought it new...still looks and runs great after 155K. It's our 2nd Ram and, if I bought a new truck, I'd probably get another one.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

At least it won't rust there !!

This 2005 is considered "mint" for northern Ohio. Rockers still intact with only rust bubbles.

Brando · Brando's Garage

Well, that sucked. Driving along this evening and the engine stalled out. Acting like it's a dead fuel pump - cranks, catches, stalls. Wonder how much that will be parts & labor

Definitely wishing I had a 2-car garage and lift.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

Yeah, I also screwed up about 4 years ago and bought a 2007 Ram 1500 Sport with the 5.7 and 4WD. Got it cheap. Basic maintenance hasn't been bad and parts have been cheap (compared to my garage of German stuff). The pinion bearing in the rear end did go out; wasn't too bad to have fixed.

fastfredracing · 11-12-2018, 05:57 AM

$ 4 ish with parts store fuel pump. 450 on the high side. Here in Pa, would most likely involve some fuel tank straps., and a little extra time to remove rusty bolts . Good luck !

fastfredracing · 11-12-2018, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

This 2005 is considered "mint" for northern Ohio. Rockers still intact with only rust bubbles.

Wow, that is minty ! Not even ready for foil tape, and expanding foam yet !!

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

We must be one of the lucky few. Our upper midwest 2000 Durango with 195k miles taken last fall. Though they did cheap out on the interiors from 2002 to about 2013.