First time Dodge owner

[syvpunk]

Hello all, new Dodge owner. I have a 97 ram 1500 5.2 regular cab short bed. I was wondering if there are any major issues with this generation Ram i should look out for. Truck has 153xxx miles.

 

[Johnn123]

Weak auto transmissions, cracked dashes, blown plenums mainly. Front ends become a problem when lifted with bigger tires. Head over to the engine and performance section and read up on the plenum in the plenum sticky.

 

[Stegs]

Hello all, new Dodge owner. I have a 97 ram 1500 5.2 regular cab short bed. I was wondering if there are any major issues with this generation Ram i should look out for. Truck has 153xxx miles.

very first thing I would do is get a trans cooler on your truck

on a 97 I wouldn't worry about the cracked dash, that was more a issue in 2000 and 2001 (but that's not saying it wont crack, just less likely)

at 153k id check the plenum gasket, see if its leaking, go to hughes for a fix or get a whole new intake manifold to wake your truck up

but first things first
1. trans cooler
2. check brakes and front end (ball joints, ujoints, tie rods) check for wear or excessive play
3. use good oil, I like penzoil or Valvoline high mileage in these truck, use a napa gold filter or a mopar filter from the dealer (don't cheap out on oil or especially the filter)

they are good trucks, rust is another issue, but you either have it or you don't

id worry about just these basic things at first, oil and filter is a cheap start, a good napa gold air filter is another thing that's cheap and easy to do

trans cooler will be a great idea, should be done fairly quick and they are cheap, less than 100 to do for sure

 

[crxlvr]

This is my first dodge too. Anything different I should look for on a 99 sport 2wd?

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[dodge dude94]

Same stuff.

 

[Stegs]

This is my first dodge too. Anything different I should look for on a 99 sport 2wd?

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the number one thing I can say to a new dodge owner:

don't go with the "cheap" parts, if its worth fixing, its worth spending a little bit more money and getting quality parts

for any repair parts, I suggest napa. Id stay away from autozone and advance for replacement parts

or a dodge dealership, you will pay more for the part, but then its a genuine mopar part...you know it will work

if you have a napa, they offer good parts, not the cheap stuff

 

[leadrofthepak]

I have used Advance Auto parts to replace a lot of stuff on my 2g, never had any problems with any of it. You couldn't pay me to go to Napa, I have not noticed a quality difference and (at least at the store around here) Napa employees have a holy-than-thou attitude towards customers and that does not fly with me, lol.

 

[dapepper9]

you'll get that in different regions though. Around here the Napa guys are pretty good but our Napa is focused on farm equipment so I don't usually go there. Oreilly's is a little more expensive for me and the manager is a lazy pos but i got a buddy there that isn't lol and helps me out. Plus with several other Oreillys nearby and the regional warehouse about 45min away its easy to order anything I need and have it in a week at most

 

[BBartow]

I buy all my parts online. Only time I set foot in an auto store is to pick up stuff for an oil change or wash supplies.

 

[leadrofthepak]

With promo codes (that are almost always available) Advance Auto online prices are tough to beat, especially when I can go pick up the parts an hour later. If I can wait and save a few bucks, I will use other online parts stores too.
I save going to the dealer for emergencies or dealer only parts... Frikkin Dodge and a $36 hub nut... but I needed it so

 

[Stegs]

the napa around here is really good. Great parts, never let me down.
the people behind the counter are really friendly and helpful

now, autozone and advance, those people (in this area) have got to be some of the dumbest people around.

typical wait in line is 5 min no matter what, either b/c there is people in line or they are smoking who knows what in the back room

bought a duralast battery (the best one) and it lasted a little over a month. I went back, they gave me a new one under warranty, and that one went bad after 3 months

finally on the third time I got a good one and its been ok. Its 3 years old and I just had it tested and it going to be due for a replacement this summer*

I think duralast parts and sub-par to napa, but that's my opinion. Napa is the place for me or the dodge/jeep dealership

*I store my truck all winter here, but it stays on a battery tender, I was told from autozone guy, batteries plus guy and the dealership that my battery tender does not hurt the battery at all, its good for it b/c when its fully charged it shuts off automatically*

 

[dodge dude94]

I use O'reillys and have better luck with them than AutoZone.

 

[Stegs]

I use O'reillys and have better luck with them than AutoZone.

I don't have a O'reillys near me....my choices are dealership, napa, advanced or autozone

only reason I go in either AZ or Advance is for armor all or pblaster

 

[crxlvr]

I use Napa for parts as they are very close to me or I order online

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