General Discussions Purchasing soon, Ram 1500 4x4 vs 2500 4x4 durability
This is a discussion on Purchasing soon, Ram 1500 4x4 vs 2500 4x4 durability within the General Discussions forums, part of the 3rd Gen : 2002 - 2008 category!
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I'll soon be the owner of a 3rd Gen Dodge Ram but I'm ...
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02-02-2012, 05:22 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gastonia, NC
Posts: 10
Ram Year: 2006
Engine: 5.7 HEMI
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Purchasing soon, Ram 1500 4x4 vs 2500 4x4 durability
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I'll soon be the owner of a 3rd Gen Dodge Ram but I'm not 100% on which model would be best for me. I currently own an 06 Jeep Commander Limited w/ the Hemi and Quadra-drive 2 4x4 system w/ 60k miles. It has a mild lift and some 32 inch AT's.
I've loved this thing over the last 3 years I've owned it but my needs have changed since purchasing a home with a couple acres of wooded land. The amount of hauling building materials and landscaping requires a truck.
My only complaint with it has been the IFS and steering system. Since I've owned it I've replaced sway bar bushings/links twice, ball joints, and now my struts and steering rack are starting to fail. I haven't been too hard on it off road, just a couple trips to Uwharrie and regular back road trails. To me, it concerns me that Chrysler would use considerably weak parts on a vehicle that is "supposedly" trail rated, especially one with the heavy 5.7 engine and awesome 4x4 system.
My point is, should I be concerned about the durability of the IFS and other components found on the 1500 4x4 models? I intend to install a mild lift and probably 33's or possibly 35's within the future. I'd like to hit some moderately remote trails occasionally and have a little fun.
I've been super impressed with my brothers '00 Ram 1500 Sport 4x4. After installing a 4 inch lift and decent tires it's seen hell and back without any issues. I'd go for a second gen but I'm a huge fan of the wanna be Hemi.
I'm definitely getting a QC/SB regardless of chassis. Fuel economy is not much of a concern, I'm currently getting 13 mpg city - 17 mpg hwy. If money wasn't a concern I'd go straight for the 2500 without a doubt but they are a few thousand more than the 1500 with similar miles and options. The idea of a SFA and the heavy duty suspension components is reassuring especially with larger tires. It appears that the 2500 4x4's sit higher from the factory, I may even skip on a lift at that point.
I guess at this point I would like some input from members who know from personal experience what to expect. From what I'm seeing the IFS on the Rams is probably similar to my Jeep because of the amount of threads pertaining to ball joints, tie rods, control arm angles, etc. Maybe I'm just paranoid? haha
Thanks in advance, sorry about the rant.
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02-02-2012, 05:44 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 1,348
Ram Year: 09
Engine: 5.7 Hemi
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Sounds like a 2500 with a solid front axle would be best for your needs. Especially if you plan on larger tires and a small lift then a SFA would hold up better during off road use.
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02-02-2012, 05:57 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Pittsburgh/State College
Name: Cody
Age: 21
Posts: 2,708
Ram Year: 2005
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
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I would think you sway bar link problem was caused by your lift and not poor quality jeep parts
I think the weight of what you plan to haul is important.
From what you said a 1500 would do what you want
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02-02-2012, 06:28 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gastonia, NC
Posts: 10
Ram Year: 2006
Engine: 5.7 HEMI
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I have mixed opinions about the lift causing problems, its a 2 inch spacer lift which I know is cheap and not "correct". My concerns come from the reviews I read from this forum and others.
How much stronger are the 2500 suspension components in comparison to the 1500? I'm sure there are stronger aftermarket parts available from companies like MOOG to replace worn out parts on the 1500's.
The materials I'll probably be hauling the most would be rock, dirt, yard waste, lumber, etc and occasionally towing a car trailer.
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02-02-2012, 08:49 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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3rd Gen / Site Mod
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Springfield, IL
Name: Wendy
Age: 33
Posts: 7,048
Ram Year: 2008
Engine: Hemi 5.7
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Welcome to the forum. 
I can say from personal experience that leveling a 1500 does wear out the front end prematurely. I had my front end rebuilt after about 4 years of a 2.5 leveling kit. I was told the factory parts of these 1500 just don't hold up well to the stress.
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RamForum.com Moderator
2008 Ram 1500 QC SB 4x4 Hemi in Sunburst Orange
SC3815, BFI, Power Wire, 2.5" Ready Lift Leveling Kit, 34" Nitto TG's, 8k Bi-Xenon Direct Fit Projectors, 6k Fogs, LED Tails, 6k Hellas behind the grill, BakFlip G2, BedRug, Wheel Well Liners, Debadged, Flowmaster 40 Exhaust, Kicker 12" CVR in Custom Console, Kicker 400.1 amp, OEM Tow Mirrors
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02-02-2012, 08:52 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Supporting Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Name: Ryan
Posts: 739
Ram Year: 2002
Engine: magnum 5.9
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I would go with a 2500 HD is a pickup that will hold up and last.
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02-02-2012, 09:07 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Supporting Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: B-more careful, Murderland
Name: Dan
Age: 32
Posts: 7,689
Ram Year: 2006
Engine: 4.7
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SFA (solid front axle) is what I'd suggest. 2500.
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02-02-2012, 09:10 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Name: Kurt
Age: 26
Posts: 1,459
Ram Year: 2006
Engine: 5.7
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I will never buy a 1500 again...The front end doesn't hold up...just explained the other day to my wife why I want a 2500 myself. She understood and suprisingly agreed my next one would be a 2500...Now to talk her into a diesel :-)
***Disregard any and all typos as my large thumbs cannot fit the keyboard correctly***
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2006 RAM 1500 Hemi Sport
Hell Bent Steel 2" Level
20's Wrapped with Cooper Zeon 275/60's
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02-02-2012, 09:29 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: South Texas
Name: Esai
Age: 19
Posts: 629
Ram Year: 2007
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
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I will say the ride on a 2500 is much rougher then the 1500 if that bothers you. Other than that, I say 2500 FTW!
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02-02-2012, 09:38 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Schertz, TX
Age: 26
Posts: 427
Ram Year: 2012
Engine: Hemi 5.7
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Originally Posted by infernoredram
I will say the ride on a 2500 is much rougher then the 1500 if that bothers you. Other than that, I say 2500 FTW!
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I don't know about the 1500, but my PW rides smooth as hell
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