Looking for comments!!

[Aggressive Behavior]

Looking at buying a 2005 Dodge Ram SLT 4x4 with 5.7L hemi loaded..but not leather....54K on it...

using it for D/driver and to haul my jeep around on a flat bed...

What does people think of this truck???

PLEASE people that have this truck or drove this or knows about it...

Not looking to know what is the best truck, just about this one,and if you would buy it again...


Thank you
Rod

[tothewall]

Had this EXACT truck. Mucho power. 9-10 MPG empty. Big $$$ for a DD. Tows ok, but with your Jeep on a trailer (6000 - 7000 lbs loaded) you will be COMFORTABLY into the single digits.

Nice truck. If money was NO object, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. ;D

[4X4PLAY]

I know you are not looking for comments on other than that truck Rod but I just have to share my experience using Grant's Dodge Ram 3500 Turbo Cummings Diesel. If I were to buy a tow rig, this truck is the one fer towing, more frikken power than needed and no worse on gas pulling a Jeep behind than not pulling anything.
I drove with the ZJ on the trailer from Kingston to Springhill, dropped the ZJ off, went to pick Becca up in the HRM and back to springhill and when I went to fill the tank it took less than a stock TJ would've taken, I honestly started looking for another tank thinking that this big truck had to take more gas than that but surprisingly it didn't...I was amazed...that is what I want to tow with!!

my comments whether you wanted them or not

Cheers!
Jeff

['Roach]

1500? I have an '03, just went thru inspection. Talked with the mechanic a bit about them, as I'm still working on a year of ownership. The front ball joints will wear if its a 1500 (basically a Dakota suspension). My boss had an '03 1500 for 4 years, always putting ball joints in for inspections. Get the good balljoints with the lifetime warranty

if its a 2500, mechanic said watch out for the steering. The parts like to seize and you usually break more stuff taking them off to replace tie-rod ends and the ends are worth.

I can't comment on the Hemi tho, mine and my bosses were both 4.7L.

[Aggressive Behavior]

Jeff

a big diesel would be nice , but it will be my d/driver ...and it has to look good too...


Rod

Not liking what I'm reading so far

[tothewall]

thats why I put in the "money is no object part" ;D

When I get rid of the Dodge it will be to replace it with a Cummins.

[Big G]

Jeff, what year is Grant's? I hear the older ones get WAY better mileage then the newer.

[Hawkes]

I was recently shopping for one, the good is they are dirt cheap to buy, the bad is owning one will cost more than buying one. I opted for something different, but if money (and the wife parking it) was no object I'd have one.

As for diesels, big money to buy, higher maintenance costs and marginal fuel economy improvement running around town. You really need to work it to justify it's existence, unless money is no object.

The market is flooded with trucks, make sure you are going to keep it for a long time, or you will lose a lot of money in a short time trying to resell.

[tothewall]

I am really happy with the Dodge. Once I got the gearing (4.10) right and the tire size (265 75 16) as well as a good street tread, I am good to go. I got about 12 MPG on my long trip through the States last fall. She pulls along fine at about 70 MPH... 55 MPH is not in the powerband at ALL and she DRINKS the gas.

[dalguy]

I have an 2005 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and I constantly regret not getting a 2500. Mostly because of tire/wheel/suspension options.
Does it have MDS. On mine with MDS and the AWD transfer case I see about 11-12mpg around the city (8 or 9 if I drive like an a**hole) and the best milage I've seen was about 16mpg on long trips from the foothills back to Edmonton. Pulling a 12'x6' enclosed trailer I got about 10mpg as long as I keep it under 2500rpm. Oh that's all from the onboard computer too. I'm way too lazy to calculate it out.

Billy

[Johnniemac]

2005 would not have MDS if it is a 1500 or 2500-Reg/quad or Mega. 2006 was 1st year for it. 2nd Gen MDS was out in 2008.
16 spark plugs...yummy

[KubanKrawler]

Last year when I was looking for a truck I considered a new Ram1500 (nice truck), but after looking at the stats I went with something a little heavier. When I bought my current truck I had in the back of my head I was going to make another trip down through the states (towing the Jeep this time instead of driving it), which I think would be a touch trip on a 1/2 ton. The hills down through the Catskills would be murder on a 1/2 ton drive train/auto trans.

[Hawkes]

Has Rod given up yet? Can we hijack his thread?

My neighbor has an '05 Dodge Power Wagon, quad cab, 3/4 ton, hemi, 12K winch, leather, 4.56 gears, blah, blah.....

He also has an '06 Mustang convertible, and a few days ago brought home a new '09 Hummer H2. The Hummer has a vortec 6.2L I just looked up the list price $75,210 MSRP*

I hope he hides the for sale sign on the Dodge if it gets one....That's a keeper truck for sure.

[dan]

I did a bunch of reading when the powerwagons first came out, and heard the HEMI is way underpowered for hauling around a truck that size, with all of the extra weight it has on it. would still be nice to have though

[Hawkes]

Jan 30, 2009 19:20:03 GMT -4 dan said:

I did a bunch of reading when the powerwagons first came out, and heard the HEMI is way underpowered for hauling around a truck that size, with all of the extra weight it has on it. would still be nice to have though

I think that's where the 4.56's come in. 345 hp / 375 torque, same as the 6.0 Chevy. Forgot to mention it also has electric lockers. The auto trans has 2 overdrive gears, to offset the 4.56's on the highway with no load I guess. If it was kept in high gear it might feel a little sluggish, it is something like .67:1.