New to Ram questions

caseycourtney80 · Apr 15, 2014

I have always been a Chevy guy but I'm looking into the Ram. With the money I'm willing to spend I will probably be buying an 02-04 4x4 gas engine, 1/2 or 3/4 ton. I know the previous years are known to have bad trannys. What are the known problems of the 02-04? Did they fix the tranny?

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hotkarl · Apr 15, 2014

Tranny is good. Watch out for rust in wheel wells and rockers. A few minor maintenance things to address (which may have already been addressed by a prior owner). Pretty solid and dependable trucks overall. V6 is underpowered so avoid that. Check that all hvac controls function properly.

Bigdaddycodes · Apr 15, 2014

I know I love mine with the hemi, I would recommend it, it's just a 1500. So far no issues except for my custom hood and grille blowing off.. Haha. But definetly very nice trucks

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caseycourtney80 · Apr 15, 2014

Great, so it sounds like the 3rd gen is a better way to go over the 2nd gen.

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Bigdaddycodes · Apr 15, 2014

Yes definetly, nicer interiors, more parts available, I like it way more than my second gen I had

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MegaMouseGW · Apr 16, 2014

Bigdaddycodes said:
I know I love mine with the hemi, I would recommend it, it's just a 1500. So far no issues except for my custom hood and grille blowing off.. Haha. But definetly very nice trucks

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Isn't that what hood pins are for???

Back on topic though, I suggest any truck you are concidering you go over it with a fine tooth comb. There will be a few hopefully minor and easily fixable issues, also ask for the maintenance records or take it to your mechanic. If the owner will not let you take it to a mechanic then walk away.

:welcome:

to the forums.

oldskool83 · Apr 16, 2014

02 had a 5.9 in it. not a hemi motor, motor sucks fuel way to bad. get a 2004 or newer. 02's have a list of problems and 03's has a some stand alone parts for the hemi motor. 4.7 motors are junk, they get oil starved and you will see more of them replaced or rebuild by 130K miles.

rockers and bedsides rust out, fixes will cost up to 3-4K to have everything done right coated inside and out.

I rebuild my truck frame up, I know all the problem areas.

Bigdaddycodes · Apr 16, 2014

MegaMouseGW said:
Isn't that what hood pins are

Well now I know haha like I was just cruising and a semi came by and made such a huge wind gust and ripped the hood right off of the latch and then bye bye hood

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hotkarl · Apr 16, 2014

03 is arguably the worst year of the 3rd gens.
5.9 is a good motor other than being a gas-guzzling boat anchor but it is very modable.
4.7 is a great motor if the oil was changed regularly. The downside is it is the ******* child of the after market performance industry.
The Hemi is the Hemi.
Tranny is much better for the 3rd gens.
Brakes are much better on 3rd gens.

MegaMouseGW · Apr 16, 2014

Bigdaddycodes said:
Well now I know haha like I was just cruising and a semi came by and made such a huge wind gust and ripped the hood right off of the latch and then bye bye hood

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Ow.

caseycourtney80 · Apr 16, 2014

Great info thanks. It's the 4.7 going to be song enough to push 32 inch tires and be able to still tow a few thousand pound trailer and load?

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RonJon '06 · Apr 16, 2014

If you are going to do any towing with it I would get a Hemi with the 545rfe trans. Never mind my signature they are great motors, I broke mine because I was a dumb a$$.

oldskool83 · Apr 16, 2014

I test drove a 4.7 stock and it didn't have kick to break tires loose, however they are priced way cheaper then a 5.7 if money is an issue

caseycourtney80 · Apr 16, 2014

Ok thanks

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hotkarl · Apr 16, 2014

I have the 4.7 and I'm actually surprised by it's power and gas mileage.
It's not a monster by any means but it has done everything I needed out of it with no issues.
Compared to my 2011 Hemi the gas mileage is like having a Toyota!
The only mod so far is a Flowmaster cat-back exhaust. After I recover from paying the bill for my suspension repairs/upgrades I plan on headers and a few other performance mods.
The unfortunate thing about the 4.7 is the lack of aftermarket performance parts.
At some point I believe it will turn around, there are so many 4.7's out there.

caseycourtney80 · Apr 16, 2014

Awesome, thank you

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NYCruiser · Apr 16, 2014

hotkarl said:
The unfortunate thing about the 4.7 is the lack of aftermarket performance parts.
At some point I believe it will turn around, there are so many 4.7's out there.

If they haven't yet, I doubt they will seeing how they're discontinued now.

SFD213 · Apr 18, 2014

Definately a 3rd gen over 2nd gen but watch out for the pre 2003s. I believe it was the tanny (not sure) but my mechanic said that making an upgraded tranny work right was just a PITA. 1500s are more practical every day stuff with the 2500/3500 more towards anything else (hauling/towing, construction, larger lifts because of the SAS)

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