Dodge Ram

I know a couple people on hear have Rams. Just looking for a new tow vehicle, and though I've never been a Dodge fan, I love the way the '07 looks on 20's. I'm looking at a Big Horn Edition with the Hemi. Any transmition problems? I have heard this was a problem in the past. I will be pulling either a 22SSV or an Enzo 216.

I'm also looking at a Tundra, the new Sierra, and a Titan. Drove the Tundra again today. Drives like a dream but can't get over it's aweful look and the fact they are still pretty proud of it, though they are offering 0% for 60.

Appreciate any help.

I have the older('02) Ram 1500 with the 5.9 360. No issues, zero.

Do they still have the 7/70 on the powertrain? I know they were doing that when I purchased, but obviously I have had no need to put it to use.

How close is the diesel #($$$) to the hemi? I know Dodge is offering like $3000 or something on the bigger trucks(don't know about the 1500) & zero financing for 48 months or something like that......

I haven't checked into the difference, not really wanting a Diesel. I've heard as much at $5000 cash back.

Anyone buy recently and what did you get off sticker?

the hemi gets the rfe trans very few problems since intro in 99. only ha to get inside of 3 since then with only one needing a overhaul.

biggest complaint is the mileage.

7/70 left in 05

I gotta ask, why not a cummins?

I had a 2004 dodge ram 2500 with the hemi. It was a really good truck but only had power towing in 2nd gear and about 4500 rpm. The tranny was the only weak link on that truck. Maybe they fixed it but I didn't like that about it. I do regret getting rid of it.

I'm just not a diesel guy. Don't want to mess with finding diesel at night, etc. No disrespect at all, but I'm just a gasser guy and don't feel the need to a diesel to pull a wakeboat. They are very nice trucks though.

I have an '04 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and it tows a Wakesetter LSV with no problems. The gas mileage is a little rough . . . without the boat I get around 11 miles to the gallon. But that's the price you pay for having a truck like that.

got an '04 (hemi) still kicking strong, make sure you get the better tow package (includes: bigger rear-end, oil cooler, and 2nd radiator) it makes a big difference... we've got 80K on ours and it pulls our travel trailer now with no prob. got a new durango (hemi) to pull the boat... GOOD Truck!!

Nick, I was in the same boat as you.. was not really a big dodge fan and owned a Toyota Tundra access cab.. my kids were getting bigger so I wanted real back seats with real back doors. I looked at all the trucks and bang for the buck really liked the RAM.. it wasnt my first choice.. but for the money I decided to get it. It has been a great truck! I bought it brand new and it has had 0 problems. I put a 3" leveling kit, 20" wheels with 33s and it rides perfect. No regrets in buying it. If I were to do it again, the only difference is I would have bought a diesel.. cheaper gas with better milage.. good luck!

Nick,

The 48r auto resolved the tranny issues in 04.

Just sold my 04 1500 Hemi. Loved the truck, no problems with tranny or anything. Pulled like a champ, even when I had over 300# of lead in the nose.

I have an 05' 1500 4x4 Hemi, Laramie trim package. I love that truck.

If I was buying it again I would defintiely, without a doubt buy a diesel. Btw, I have never heard someone say "yea I bought a diesel, wish I had gotten the gas engine".

My wife's car is a diesel too (06' VW Jetta TDI).

We live in Texas and diesel is easy to find. Maybe if I lived somewhere where it was not it would be a different story.

In any case, you don't want a diesel. Then I would buy a 3/4-ton truck for a few simple reasons.

1. On the Dodge it only cost about $2K more over the 1500 if you don't get diesel.
2. The suspension is better on the 2500. Handles weight better and cheaper and easier to lift if you ever decide to do that.
3. Stronger rear-end
4. Stock wheels are better on the 2500 (20" wheels on a 4x4 are not a good idea IMO)
5. Straight axle vs. IDF front end

I've had zero problems with my truck. If I was to buy a truck today it would be a tough choice though between the new GMC and the Dodge.

If I was going to buy a 3/4 ton truck I would get the Diesel. I don't want to spend an extra $2k, would rather put that toward gas, don't need a better suspension, don't think the wakeboat is too much for a 1/2 ton, don't care about the stronger rear end and I actually like the 20" wheels.

I appreciate the opinions from everyone, going to go take another look this afternoon.

i've got the '05 laramie and it's okay....i just can't seem to get real excited about a truck...maybe if ferrari made a truck it would be a different story. the hemi is fun but sucks the gas...pulls just fine, but i came out of the 4.6L ford so of course it will pull better. the only thing i don't like is the fit and finish are just so cheap. other than that...absolutely no problems....except my axle smacking my frame when there's no air in the bags!

good luck!

Forget a dodge or for that matter forget a dodge, ford, or chevy, get a new crew cab tundra. The new Titans are pretty sweet too.

I know this pic is the older model but doesnt it just look good.

fwiw....i will definitely be looking at a lifted titan on my next go.


not big on this color...but a clean truck.

I was reading that the titan has the worst reliability by consumer reports

Best & worst models

These 2007 models earned the highest and lowest predicted-reliability ratings, based on CR's 2006 reliability survey. Models marked with (2006) have been redesigned for 2007. Models with * use data based on one model year only.

Least reliable

Vehicles listed in scoring order, starting with the worst score.

LARGE SUVS: Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator, Hummer H2.

PICKUP TRUCKS: Nissan Titan, Ford F-250 (TurboDiesel), Dodge Dakota (4WD), Cadillac Escalade EXT (2006).

http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023544

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Mine is a 2003 Dodge 1500 4wd Hemi
I love it
I put flowmasters on it and on long trips the louder exhaust can get old

I would probably go with a 2500 diesel for my next truck.....but I don't see getting a new vehicle

I have a 2004 Ram with a hemi on 20's. Pulls great, nice room inside for the family and I feel is one of the best looking trucks around. The gas mileage is a little ruff though. But no problems towing boat or trailer.

I went and looked at a black Hemi 4x4 Big Horn Edition a little bit ago. Sticker is $35,1xx and I've got them down to what I consider about $26,1xx when figuring in my trade and the $6k in bonus cash. Any chance I can go lower. Edmunds say about $4k under sticker plus bonus cash which would put me in the $25k neighborhood. To me this truck is pretty bare bones, bench seat, single CD, no steering wheel stereo controls, etc. It's definately a step down in interiors from my last 2 vehicles, an '05 Acura and an '04 F150 Lariat. I only paid $27,100 for the Lariat loaded in Dec. '04. I would rate the Dodge #1 right now in looks on the outside and dead last on interior comfort and style. Going to look at the Titan in a little bit.

Jay, I looked at the Crew Max Tundra, but they wanted $36k and wouldn't move on an SR5. No way I was paying that kind of cash even at 0% for 60.

Ditto to what everyone else has said...

I have the '04 1500 HEMI Larimie. I love the truck. I have gotten more compliment on that truck than any other vehicle that I have owned.

Pull like a champ. I get about 13.5 not towing. Not sure about mileage towing as I don't tow often (boat lives on a lift).

As for the fit and finish comments, I think that it is two sided.

1. Personally I think that the FAF of the Dodges are way better than any other truck out there aside from maybe the Sierra Denali. I looked at the denali but I did not like the lack of a center seat in the front.

2. It's a truck. Just my opinion but if I wanted the interior of a luxury car I would buy a luxury car.

Just a side note to that topic, I went from a 99 Denali (back in the days when Denail actually meant something) into this truck and am not starved for any of the features that the Denali had that the truck does not except for the auto dimming side views. That is the best feature on a vehicle if you ask me...

(Message edited by zo1 on June 21, 2007)

I think the reliability issues of the Nissan is just the bad press from when they first came out and had the brake issues. That was redesigned on mid 05. I pull mine (22 Launch SS) with an 05 Armada, my neighbor has both the dodge and a armada and when he hauls his toy hauler to the desert,.. he hooks it up to the Armada.

Have you test drove the Nissan (Titan) you will be plesently surprised at the power that 5.8 puts out. put a cat back and an intake on it and mpg improves another 10%.

Nick -

Gamble has that HD Ram and I've ridden in it, its pretty stout but he said it sucks gas like crazy...

what grade of fuel do yall run in your Hemi Dodge

I run regular unless I am pulling the boat, then I run Premium
I know that's not what the manual says...but....

look at the GMC 1500 with the vortexmax 6.0 its a great truck with the best tranny,& if you wait a couple of months it will have the tranny in it thats in 07 2500 & 3500 gasser's its a heavy duty six speed. (not the allison though).

Dont buy the Nissan...I will get it up for this, its only an opinion, but that is one UGLy truck

Leonard, my dad has the Titan and I've towed with it. Great truck.

I've cooled my jets a little right now, decided to wait just a little longer and enjoy the better gas mileage.

Nick, my trucks sticker was 33,xxx and I got it for 21k with no cash back or rebates. thats 12k off MSRP.. american trucks have lots of pack.

I special ordered my truck. Sticker was $38,500 and I paid $31 plus TTL with 0% financing. It's about as expensive as you could build a 1500 Ram at the time.... 3.93 LSD, Laramie, heated seats, Hemi, tow package, protection package, 4x4, etc.

The Laramie trim is really nice. I had planned on a F150 until I drove the Ram. I went back and forth for a month, sometimes literaly from the Ford dealer to the Dodge dealer. The F150 just had too much going on, too many textures and colors. In the end, the interior really did for it me. Someone put a lot of thought into the interior of that truck. The arm rest is wide and shallow which makes it comfortable but easy to find things, steering wheel mounted audio controls are better than any I used including Nissan, BMW, and VW. The optioanal Infinity sound system (std on Laramie) is head and shoulders better than Ford's "audiophile" system. The design and feel of the steering wheel and just perfect. It was a hard decision but I'm glad I bought the Dodge.

Cliff... I run 89 octane.

Today would be a tough choice. I love the F250 but they continue to have problems. The new GMC/Chevy is really nice. I have no doubt the new Tundra is a good truck, just don't like it.

The new Tundra is a monster truck when it comes to its build and HD parts but its ugly as sin!

I have the 2500 with the T. diesel get 20 mpg and pulls my boat everywhere. I love my truck off the water as much as my boat. Dodges are well the bodies are built sort of thin. but great trucks esp the Dieseel

The Hemi's are great, but I would rather buy a year old CTD for the same price and enjoy "almost" twice the MPG and a powerplant that will last forever. If that doesn't move you, then resale value is far greater with an oilburner vrs. a gasser. Just more fodder for thought. Good luck with hunt.

I got an 07 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Diesel and that thing hauls ass up hills with my 07 23lsv malibu behind it

07 Ram 2500 5.9L. Pulling a Wakesetter VLX, Tons of power. I am so happy i spent the extra $$$ and went diesel...

I have the 05 Dodge Ram 1500 (2 wheel drive) with the Hemi. I pull very long steep grades out of our river with no problems. It's a gas guzzler, but I've yet to do anything but change the oil in it (knock on wood).

Cliff, I run BP (amaco) 89 at all times

Just picked up a ctd 07 2500 dodge Ram, pulls great but I only get 13mpg towing or not. All my driving is intown. I have 33 on the truck and no lift. This is my frist diesel.

you need to let it break in first before you see the true mpg numbers.

john setser - did you get the 5.9L or the 6.7L? Started looking at diesels this past week and they are giving away the Dodge's at $13k off MSRP around here. Looks like you can get a quad cab 4x4 with the 6.7L for right around $32k, $30k for the 5.9L ones.

All this Dodge talk got me so excited, I just drove down and traded in my '02 1/2 ton with the 5.9 gas for a new '07 1 ton 5.9 diesel this morning. Love the Laramie package.

I bought my 05 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT w/Hemi (quad cab) NEW in 06 for 23,500 due to their great rebates.

Sticker was 38.500 to explain the deal I feel I got on it.

Yes I got the 5.9 for 32,288.00. The 6.7 you can only run one fuel in, the 5.9 you can run all three.It is the slt big horn ed.

Also awesome looking boat Timmy.

Well, only could hold off a week. Picked up an '07 Ford F150 SuperCrew FX4 this morning. I loved my '04 I had and in the end went back. Probably not the best tow vehicle out of the pack, but it will do the job and I prefer the styling on the interior and exterior better. I'll post some pics after this little storm we are having moves through.

Congrats on the new ride!

That will work great we took the 216 to New Athens last Friday had a great day on the water and towed it home with my Nephews Ford 150 4X it towed way better than my Blazer.....I am going to have to do something about a tow vehicle

Kevin, yeah I didn't think the Acura was going to work with a 216. This should do better.

Sweet looking Truck Nick!