Brando_SLT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2018
- Posts
- 237
- Reaction score
- 105
- Location
- Orange County, CA
- Ram Year
- 2005
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
Hey everyone. It's been about 4 years of ownership with my 3rd gen Ram. I got the truck for $3,000 with a hair over 197k on the odometer. I've put about $6800 in parts (not counting my labor) into it, including a top-end job. I've now got roughly 230k on the clock and it feels like the truck is getting "long in the tooth". Here's why:
- Ride quality. Not sure if it's due to a lack of quality replacement parts or frame fatigue. After new shocks and all-new front end the ride quality is just... meh. Compared to a new(er) truck it just feels like day & night difference.
- Power & acceleration. Before I did the top-end job my truck felt... anemic. However, with fresh heads it does feel like it has "woken up", but it's still tied to a 545FRE transmission that has sluggish shifting. I am getting left in the dust by mini-vans when I really need to get-up and go. Maybe it's the overall gear ratios.
- Cab size. Now that my truck has become the "family trip" vehicle, I use it to tow the tent-trailer and transport the family. The back-seat is not the most comfortable for adults while on long 1-2 day drives. Then put a car-seat in the middle.
- Parts availability. I'm starting to see certain parts are becoming "No Longer Available". Trim pieces, interior bits, certain frame & suspension components... Buying "lightly used" parts from dismantlers runs its own risks.