dodge ram help

[steveo2155]

I am thinking about buying a dodge ram 1500 probably used between 2004 - 2008. I have owned a couple Silverados in the past but never a ram. Just had a few questions I was hoping to get help with. 1. How do those years of rams stand up to silverado in terms of reliability and quality? Are they known to last 200k plus miles? 2. Can you put a rear bumper from 09 and newer ram with the dual exhaust cut outs on 2008 and older ram? 3. Im sure the 5.7 hemi v8 is a great engine but how is the 4.7 v8? 4. Any other input on the year range for rams I am looking in would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[steveo2155]

???

 

[JPT]

I have a 2003 4.7 with 86k miles on it (Got it Feb 2014 with 82k miles). It is going strong. I would have gotten the 5.7 hemi if I could have found one stick. I really wanted stick.

 

[RonJon '06]

If it were me I would go with the 5.7 Hemi. 2006 and newer 1500s will have MDS which helps with the MPGs but IMO is just one more thing to go haywire. I've had to replace a lot of front end stuff on my '06 which I guess is pretty common. Don't know about the rear bumper.

 

[Harley Harrold]

I own a 07' with the 5.7 Hemi, I love it and have made many mods to make it truly mine. I wouldn't have anything but the Hemi motor.

 

[89gtcs]

the rear bumper has been done. Not sure how much custom work was involved though.

In terms of reliability they are pretty good. The 5.7 engine is the best for the 1/2 tons. The trans is stout.

As long as you get detailed maintenance records I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just stay away from ones that have been neglected.

 

[Elfster55]

Got my 07 QC with 98000 miles still runs strong,

 

[Harley Harrold]

If it were me I would go with the 5.7 Hemi. 2006 and newer 1500s will have MDS which helps with the MPGs but IMO is just one more thing to go haywire. I've had to replace a lot of front end stuff on my '06 which I guess is pretty common. Don't know about the rear bumper.

I have a SuperChips Cortex Tuner, I can turn off the MDS very easily in the event the MDS takes a dump. I turned it off for a while, but I calculated my fuel economy dropped, so I reactivated the MDS to recover my fuel mileage.

 

[Guido2112]

I have an 05 with 128,000 on the Hemi. Only issue I had was U joints on driveshaft.

 

[05daytona]

I have an 05 with 128,000 on the Hemi. Only issue I had was U joints on driveshaft.

Me too! Lost the drive shaft doing 75mph! Thank God for four wheel drive.

 

[TheSatinPumpkin]

Same on the ujoints but that was after removing and reinstalling after putting in 4.88's.
She does not get driven much other than going to the dump but she has sure been a trooper for the last 11 years (2004 RCSB 2WD).