Handling consisted of a traditional leaf-spring setup in back and a solid front axle suspension. Babij explains "in a day and age when manufacturers were building their 4x4 trucks with car like, independent front suspension, Dodge decided to keep it all truck and use solid axle front suspension with coil spring design. This allowed a higher degree of toughness off-road, at the expense of handling.
The solid axle did have certain issues though. Ask any current 4x4 Ram owner, and they will tell you that the front end (steering), is not the longest lasting of sorts. Other issues can be found on 2WD units, which sometimes have faster than normal wearing ball-joints in the front suspension."
A recall dealt with replacement of the track-bar in the front suspension, which may fatigue and crack resulting in vibrations and a difficult time steering. As for the ride, it's a Dodge truck without a doubt: possibly the roughest of all truck manufacturers. You certainly won't risk falling asleep at the wheel.
The mile-long list of other recalls isn't confidence inspiring. Items range from minor leaks to oversights in assembly, some of which include missing or defective parts, improperly manufactured bolts or failure to meet emission or crash test standards. It's really not sounding like an altogether pretty picture for used Ram buyers so far.
Perhaps a V8 powered manual model would be ideal for harder work, if you don't mind the fuel consumption and the ride. But this low-tech truck does impress some of the right people: the old school engines and suspension housed within the eye-catching new body seemed to strike a chord with a certain aficionado who wouldn't have given up toughness for refinement and gadgets.
Babij explains "they are neat machines, they command respect, and they are well worth looking at if you are looking at a second hand truck. I've had two of them in my years as a used vehicle purchaser, and they are by far one of the most memorable rides."
A vehicle like this one is best checked at its dealership, rather than at a private shop, before agreeing to purchase. Your dealership will know of the common problem areas to check for, and can check for the performance of recall work, so you can keep on trucking- old school style.
photo:Dodge, Justin Pritchard
 |
The solid axle did have certain issues though. Ask any current 4x4 Ram owner, and they will tell you that the front end (steering), is not the longest lasting of sorts. Other issues can be found on 2WD units, which sometimes have faster than normal wearing ball-joints in the front suspension."
A recall dealt with replacement of the track-bar in the front suspension, which may fatigue and crack resulting in vibrations and a difficult time steering. As for the ride, it's a Dodge truck without a doubt: possibly the roughest of all truck manufacturers. You certainly won't risk falling asleep at the wheel.
The mile-long list of other recalls isn't confidence inspiring. Items range from minor leaks to oversights in assembly, some of which include missing or defective parts, improperly manufactured bolts or failure to meet emission or crash test standards. It's really not sounding like an altogether pretty picture for used Ram buyers so far.
Perhaps a V8 powered manual model would be ideal for harder work, if you don't mind the fuel consumption and the ride. But this low-tech truck does impress some of the right people: the old school engines and suspension housed within the eye-catching new body seemed to strike a chord with a certain aficionado who wouldn't have given up toughness for refinement and gadgets.
Babij explains "they are neat machines, they command respect, and they are well worth looking at if you are looking at a second hand truck. I've had two of them in my years as a used vehicle purchaser, and they are by far one of the most memorable rides."
A vehicle like this one is best checked at its dealership, rather than at a private shop, before agreeing to purchase. Your dealership will know of the common problem areas to check for, and can check for the performance of recall work, so you can keep on trucking- old school style.
 |
photo:Dodge, Justin Pritchard
Article Gallery