How dependable are newer trucks with higher mileage?

[Wildcat63]

So I am starting to look for a new to me truck and can’t believe the prices for used trucks these days. I really want a crew cab long bed so I am looking at 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. This will probably be my daily driver but not a lot of miles put n it each year.

My question is if I get a truck with 80-100,000 miles on it will it start having issues that will have to keep being fixed or will I need a transmission in 20,000 miles. I will be picky in what I buy but what have others experienced. I live in an area where any real old trucks are either rusty like my current truck. I don’t want to buy a money pit.

[Huntindog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:
Don't buy a 2019 or newer Ram (new or used). The trucks are substandard at zero miles and the only way to expose the problems is by driving them. They can pull heavy trailers, have great exhaust brakes, and are quiet on the highway when towing. But, the rest of the truck has too many problems. Unfortunately, the typical long time dodge/fiat/ram owner only cares if the truck can pull a heavy trailer. So, the manufacture produces a substandard truck knowing they can get away with it.

Maybe you can elaborate. ONLY issue and it's rare is they went to the CP4 injection pump for 2019 and 2020. The 2021 RAM's now have gone back to the CP3 pump.

For those with the 19 and 20's you have a 5 year 100k powertrain. IF something happens it WILL be taken care of.

So please tell us about all these "substandard" issues.

Ram at least had the sense to move away from the CP4 quickly. Though the one in my 2011 GM never caused me any trouble... I became well aware of the potential and when it was new truck time last year, GM was the only one not using the CP4. So I got another GM. Had Ram been the only one not using it, I would have bought a Ram. My reasoning is simple.... Every motor will eventually need a fuel pump. One where that cost is in the 5 figures is ridiculous.

I would have given the F450 a real hard look.... But it has a CP4.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.

Only problem mentioned was a heater. Nice to get some real examples

[FishOnOne]

Devo the dog wrote:
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems.

I don't understand how a truck can be considered great with constant annoying problems or perhaps my expectations are simply too high.

[Devo_the_dog]

MFL wrote:
Other than maybe the need for a DEEPER pocket, I would wonder why DEVO did not purchase a 2019 SuperDuty? Maybe I missed the reason?

Jerry

Simple reasons. The dodge fan-boys talk up the cummins and I when I decided buy a new truck, I thought I'd check out the Rams. This was when the 2018's were out and the production of the 2019's was still unknown.

I was disappointed in the 2018's for two reasons. For starters, I was shocked that you couldn't buy a 3500 Ram with a comfortable passenger seat. Even though you could get 10 way power on the driver, 6 way power was the best for the passenger seat. I thought that was bizarre considering almost every car and truck we had owned for 18 years prior had a comfortable passenger seat. So, that was a deal breaker. The other reason was that the dealers were just plain stupid. I've dealt with a lot of dealers but never stupid dealers, at this level of stupidity.

So, I put it off. Fast forward 1 1/2 years. 2019's were out. I still thought the Rams looked better than the Fords and the GM's. In my opinion, the new shape of the DRW fenders on the Ford are ugly. And, the Ford has a small screen on the interior.
For the most part, the specs on the Ford and Ram were almost identical. There's just a few minor differences. At the time, the Ram had better pricing and a better warranty.
So, I ordered one the way I wanted it. I got a great price too. I sold my XJR and kept the F350. My wife loves the F350, hated the seats in the XJR, and the F350 has been bulletproof. It's a great truck so I figured I could use it as a work truck (dump runs, hauling stuff in the bed, etc) and keep the Ram clean, my daily driver, and on trips towing our trailer.
Other than the constant annoying problems, the Ram is great. I just wish it didn't have the constant annoying problems. For example, it would be nice if the heater turned on when you turned it on. And the list goes, on. Plus, it would be nice if the dealer did something if you took the truck in for a recall and fixing other stuff. But for some reason, Ram dealerships are full of idiots. I think it's just because they set their standard so low and consequently, they think they're high achievers. But, they're too stupid to know how stupid they are. LOL.

So, that's the story.

BTW, I have no idea what a deeper pocket has to do with the discussion. Obviously, it's an issue for you because you mentioned it and capitalized DEEPER.

[Lantley]

I was concerned about the Dodge/Ram wrapper around my first Dodge Ram, it was a better truck than my last two Fords, the current is still nice.

The only conclusion I can get from all of this is buy a Chevy!:B

[rhagfo]

Devo the dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Let me use one of the engineering and manufacturing problems as an example:

The AC.

There is a TSB to replace the AC unit because the Peugeot was too stupid to copy the design of every other auto manufacture that exists on the planet.

The fix is to remove the dashboard, which means remove the trim, to replace the entire AC unit.

Why? Ram didn't include a diverter valve on the heater hose inlet.

Seriously? Even my wife understand how stupid this is.

So, if you do a simple Ram Forum search, the easiest way for a 2019 Ram owner to improve the AC performance to install a shut off valve on the heater hose inlet. If you shut off hot water to the heater core, it'll improve the AC performance, which is why EVERY other manufacture on the planet has been doing this for 20+ years. Ram didn't. LOL.
So, they now have a TSB to replace the AC unit behind the dash.

Whoops.

Why didn't Ram just copy what every other Manufacture has done for decades by Including a diverter valve that shuts off hot water to the heater core when you want Max AC?

Because too many owners will accept it, and defend it.

Interesting Dodge/Ram hasn’t had a coolant diverter valve for a long time. They direct the air away from the heater core and to the A/C core, I personally see nothing wrong with that design. The coolant valves are trouble prone, so good reason to not use them. I was concerned about the Dodge/Ram wrapper around my first Dodge Ram, it was a better truck than my last two Fords, the current is still nice.

[Cummins12V98]

Can do!

Thanks.

[blt2ski]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Let me use one of the engineering and manufacturing problems as an example:

The AC.

There is a TSB to replace the AC unit because the Peugeot was too stupid to copy the design of every other auto manufacture that exists on the planet.

The fix is to remove the dashboard, which means remove the trim, to replace the entire AC unit.

Why? Ram didn't include a diverter valve on the heater hose inlet.

Seriously? Even my wife understand how stupid this is.

So, if you do a simple Ram Forum search, the easiest way for a 2019 Ram owner to improve the AC performance to install a shut off valve on the heater hose inlet. If you shut off hot water to the heater core, it'll improve the AC performance, which is why EVERY other manufacture on the planet has been doing this for 20+ years. Ram didn't. LOL.
So, they now have a TSB to replace the AC unit behind the dash.

Whoops.

Why didn't Ram just copy what every other Manufacture has done for decades by Including a diverter valve that shuts off hot water to the heater core when you want Max AC?

Because too many owners will accept it, and defend it.

NICE you took someone else's quote and put my name with it.

jshupe is who said "I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Sounds like you need to Lemon Law your truck you hate so much.

Ron,

Took me bit to find, but Devo's quote post is correct to some degree! You quoted jshupe, but did not put his quote as a blatant quote of him in your post. You just used quotation marks.

So with this in mind, would you two calm yourselves down a notch or two.

thank you

Marty

[MFL]

Flashman wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Incredible.

Yes, it is incredible that Dodge could have such a cult-like following. I guess to some owners, all that matters is that the dodge truck has a cummins engine - the rest of the truck is meaningless metal and plastic.

The other manufactures understand that there is more to a truck. It can ride smooth. It can have comfortable seats, and a nice interior. It can have AC that works. A decent transmission. A radio that doesn't shut off randomly. Even a front suspension that you don't need to weld so it stays aligned. LOL.

I'm glad I kept my 2005 Ford because I have something to drive when the ram is in the shop. It's never had a problem. Not one. Nothing. All I do is change fluids and the typical maintenance and wear items. The ram has had more problems in one year of ownership than any other car my wife and I have owned over the last 20 years, combined.

Wow - a Ford fan complaining about cult following. Just goes to show.

I don't think the Ford guys are as cult like as the Cummins guys. The Cummins has a following, for a reason. The newer Ford diesels, a great choice too.

Other than maybe the need for a DEEPER pocket, I would wonder why DEVO did not purchase a 2019 SuperDuty? Maybe I missed the reason?

Jerry

[Flashman]

Devo the dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Incredible.

Yes, it is incredible that Dodge could have such a cult-like following. I guess to some owners, all that matters is that the dodge truck has a cummins engine - the rest of the truck is meaningless metal and plastic.

The other manufactures understand that there is more to a truck. It can ride smooth. It can have comfortable seats, and a nice interior. It can have AC that works. A decent transmission. A radio that doesn't shut off randomly. Even a front suspension that you don't need to weld so it stays aligned. LOL.

I'm glad I kept my 2005 Ford because I have something to drive when the ram is in the shop. It's never had a problem. Not one. Nothing. All I do is change fluids and the typical maintenance and wear items. The ram has had more problems in one year of ownership than any other car my wife and I have owned over the last 20 years, combined.

Wow - a Ford fan complaining about cult following. Just goes to show.

[Grit_dog]

Back to the dependable part, we just traded up to a 2016 Ram from a 07. 75k miles and somehow found a decent deal, right place right time. I believe that new trucks next 100k miles will be more trouble free that the same range on the old truck (which also wasn’t bad). Most all the “issues” with the 07 are improved on the 4th gens. And it doesn’t hurt that this truck is deleted so the major concern there is 100% gone, sitting in the corner of the garage collecting dust. Lol

[Grit_dog]

Wildcat63 wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the replies, my current truck is a 93 GMC K1500 with 233,000 miles. I replaced the transmission at 213,000 and it’s reliable but getting up there in years. I really wouldn’t trust it for a cross country trip. Most of its issues are age related, like I had to replace the headlight switch and the plastic the switch screws into the dash bezel disintegrated. It’s a great hauler for stuff to the dump and running around town but it’s time to start keeping my eye out for a replacement. Thanks for the responses.

I still maintain that, that era of GM trucks the GMT 400s was one of the best platforms for reliability and total cost of ownership.
But you’re right, every dog has its day.
One word of advice, if you’re looking for trucks in the 5+ year old range, consider venturing out of the rust belt or verifying how well a used vehicle was kept up in the winters.
If you find a vehicle from greener pastures (not from the salt belt) you can reasonably step down to an older vehicle with less propensity for issues or repairs from rust.
Bottom line nothing is free and the cost of a new or slightly used is partly due to inflation, of course, partly the covid market and something often overlooked, newer = more power and more technology. And a 440hp Powerstroke with 10 cameras and adaptive cruise is bound to cost more than a comparable truck with older tech and less power.
Good luck In the search.

[Cummins12V98]

Devo the dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Let me use one of the engineering and manufacturing problems as an example:

The AC.

There is a TSB to replace the AC unit because the Peugeot was too stupid to copy the design of every other auto manufacture that exists on the planet.

The fix is to remove the dashboard, which means remove the trim, to replace the entire AC unit.

Why? Ram didn't include a diverter valve on the heater hose inlet.

Seriously? Even my wife understand how stupid this is.

So, if you do a simple Ram Forum search, the easiest way for a 2019 Ram owner to improve the AC performance to install a shut off valve on the heater hose inlet. If you shut off hot water to the heater core, it'll improve the AC performance, which is why EVERY other manufacture on the planet has been doing this for 20+ years. Ram didn't. LOL.
So, they now have a TSB to replace the AC unit behind the dash.

Whoops.

Why didn't Ram just copy what every other Manufacture has done for decades by Including a diverter valve that shuts off hot water to the heater core when you want Max AC?

Because too many owners will accept it, and defend it.

NICE you took someone else's quote and put my name with it.

jshupe is who said "I think your assumptions that those issues are widespread throughout Ram trucks are a bit grandiose."

Sounds like you need to Lemon Law your truck you hate so much.

[Devo_the_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Incredible.

Yes, it is incredible that Dodge could have such a cult-like following. I guess to some owners, all that matters is that the dodge truck has a cummins engine - the rest of the truck is meaningless metal and plastic.

The other manufactures understand that there is more to a truck. It can ride smooth. It can have comfortable seats, and a nice interior. It can have AC that works. A decent transmission. A radio that doesn't shut off randomly. Even a front suspension that you don't need to weld so it stays aligned. LOL.

I'm glad I kept my 2005 Ford because I have something to drive when the ram is in the shop. It's never had a problem. Not one. Nothing. All I do is change fluids and the typical maintenance and wear items. The ram has had more problems in one year of ownership than any other car my wife and I have owned over the last 20 years, combined.

[Wildcat63]

Wow, thanks for all the replies, my current truck is a 93 GMC K1500 with 233,000 miles. I replaced the transmission at 213,000 and it’s reliable but getting up there in years. I really wouldn’t trust it for a cross country trip. Most of its issues are age related, like I had to replace the headlight switch and the plastic the switch screws into the dash bezel disintegrated. It’s a great hauler for stuff to the dump and running around town but it’s time to start keeping my eye out for a replacement. Thanks for the responses.