+1. My experience is consistent with yours. The absolute worst patrol car I ever had was an '82 Dodge Diplomat followed by my '85 Ford LTD (midsize). Best were the Crown Victorias, IMHO the best patrol cars ever made.
No Dodge NO!
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+1. My experience is consistent with yours. The absolute worst patrol car I ever had was an '82 Dodge Diplomat followed by my '85 Ford LTD (midsize). Best were the Crown Victorias, IMHO the best patrol cars ever made.
Dodge has made some great motors. They will run fine even after the body falls off the frame.
Corner cutters. Friend had a Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 pick up. Rear axle bearing went out. Tore it down. Unbelievable, no race on the axle, bearings road right on the axle shaft. Every similar axle in every junk yard is gone (a sure sign a rig has a real problem in that area). Parts house sells a off set bearing that partially rides on un worn part of axle. That didn't last long. Only real solution is either new axles or go find, modify and install a real axle out of a Ford.
Corner cutters. Friend had a Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 pick up. Rear axle bearing went out. Tore it down. Unbelievable, no race on the axle, bearings road right on the axle shaft. Every similar axle in every junk yard is gone (a sure sign a rig has a real problem in that area). Parts house sells a off set bearing that partially rides on un worn part of axle. That didn't last long. Only real solution is either new axles or go find, modify and install a real axle out of a Ford.
Daaaamn .. lots of action on this topic.. guess I'll share my experiences, both as a dodge owner and as a mechanic. I've owned Dodge trucks since 01, purchased my 1st dodge dually diesel.. loved that truck, all the options, white with black trim... towed my drag car an 36ft matching white trailer all over the country. Beat the snot out of it too... had more truckers give me the horn and thumbs up as I passed them doing about 80mph more times than I can remember. Traded it in for an 02, same truck in silver.. it's just breaking in now at about 230 miles and plan on keeping it for a long time to come... a few normal repairs due to normal wear and tear. All I can say is I abused the heck out of it. In between the last 15 years, I've has several dakota 4x4, all with over 150,000 miles and all have been great trucks. My last new truck was a new 2016 Ram1500 eco-diesel.. amazing truck, the wife loved it, had alllll the bells and whistles.. traded it in this summer for a new 2019 Charger Scat Pack... now I can tell you, this is the most amazing vehicle I have owned in my 50 years of driving. I can say the same for my wife, she just gushes every time she drives it.
Over the years, I've owned all brands of American trucks, the Doges have been my favorite.... for cars, can't say I have any complaints. My new in 89 S10 blaser, went through ball joints every 35-40,000 miles. My 78 F150 4x4 was pretty good, I could complain about some of the problems I had.. but I can honestly say most issues were self inflicted by trips into the woods and burying the truck in mud and water more times than I can remember. Think I had like 3-4 Ford trucks back then.... 77,78,79 .. had a 94 F250 that was a good truck too.. My sister had a new 69 cuda that was a great car .. 318 motor and rtan like crazy.. we beat the heck out of that one too. Only issue with it was couldn't keep a rear end in it. My father had several new Chrysler Satelites with the 383 motor, they ran great, till he totaled them... he rarely traded in his cars... he usually totaled them.
I also owned lots of chevys when I was young, from 55 to 65 chevys, biscaynes, impalas and corvettes.. lots of fun there..
To sum it up, being in the auto repair business all my life .... they all have issues, doesn't matter what brand or model... if you see enough of a variety of cars and trucks... some model years of any brand will have a particular issue. In all honestly, I don't see any more issues with dodge\chrysler than I do in the others.. Our choices in and issues with cars and guns can be easily compared .... because we had a problem with one brand or model ... doesn't mean we all do!
Over the years, I've owned all brands of American trucks, the Doges have been my favorite.... for cars, can't say I have any complaints. My new in 89 S10 blaser, went through ball joints every 35-40,000 miles. My 78 F150 4x4 was pretty good, I could complain about some of the problems I had.. but I can honestly say most issues were self inflicted by trips into the woods and burying the truck in mud and water more times than I can remember. Think I had like 3-4 Ford trucks back then.... 77,78,79 .. had a 94 F250 that was a good truck too.. My sister had a new 69 cuda that was a great car .. 318 motor and rtan like crazy.. we beat the heck out of that one too. Only issue with it was couldn't keep a rear end in it. My father had several new Chrysler Satelites with the 383 motor, they ran great, till he totaled them... he rarely traded in his cars... he usually totaled them.
I also owned lots of chevys when I was young, from 55 to 65 chevys, biscaynes, impalas and corvettes.. lots of fun there..
To sum it up, being in the auto repair business all my life .... they all have issues, doesn't matter what brand or model... if you see enough of a variety of cars and trucks... some model years of any brand will have a particular issue. In all honestly, I don't see any more issues with dodge\chrysler than I do in the others.. Our choices in and issues with cars and guns can be easily compared .... because we had a problem with one brand or model ... doesn't mean we all do!
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4506517
Member
I was thinking about this yesterday, and apparently I overlooked an important point.
We (our agency, not my family) utilize Dodge 1500 Ram pickups.
They routinely go well over 100,000 miles and seem to never have issues.
Not sure what powerplant they use (V6 or V8) but they seem to give good service.
We (our agency, not my family) utilize Dodge 1500 Ram pickups.
They routinely go well over 100,000 miles and seem to never have issues.
Not sure what powerplant they use (V6 or V8) but they seem to give good service.
Sounds like a lot of unhappy campers unfortunately. As for me only had a 70 Challenger 46 years back. Not too bad but could not keep a heater core or brakes in it for long. And I think Chrysler invented the hydraulic brake.
Never had a Chrysler product, never will. Had three Ford trucks. A 1970 f250 4X4 with a 360 and 4 speed, a1981 f350 4X4 with a 400 and a 4 speed, and a 1996 F250 powerstroke XLT 4X4 that is still here. Bought the first Ford truck in 72, second in 83, and the last in 96 with 22K on it.
The only Chyrsler product I've had that was pretty much trouble free was a 96 Dodge Ram Indianapolis 500 Edition Truck. Man that thing was sharp and my wife's father worked for Chrysler so I got a heck of a deal on it. The big 360 showed gas no mercy so when gas went nuts I sold it to a Mexican painter and he still has it. 250,000 on the motor though it's ragged out pretty good, paint job mostly. Here it is one week before I sold it.
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MORSNO
US Veteran
Not to point fingers but it seems like those who like their modern Dodge/Ram/Chrysler's replace them every few years before they inevitably start falling apart. I see previous posts confirming the 3 or 4 year replacement cycles, crazy!
A friend who owns a mechanical contracting business has 7 or 8 work trucks and has owned all the brands over the decades, and he now owns all Ram pickups and one Chevy. He bought the Chevy just to try something different and a few months later gave it to one of his employees to drive and bought himself a new Ram. A lot of guys in construction around here are the same way and Rams seem to be everywhere when I'm driving down the road but 20 years ago Chevy and Ford were much more popular.
My first car was a 1956 Dodge Coronet,,,built like a tank! For the rest of my adult life I bought Oldsmobile's, always loved my Olds until GM screwed them up and quit making them.
In between for second cars and trucks I've owned Ford, GMC, Chevy and alas one Dodge! And there was always an Olds in the garage!
The only vehicle I ever owned and really had problems with was my 80's vintage Dodge Ares K wagon. Purchased as a back and forth work vehicle and used it for my fire service detail as well, carried my turnout gear and such in the back.
Well that Dodge was nothing but trouble,,,,Why? The Japanese engine that was under the hood. Nothing but problems, no power and constantly blown head gaskets!
Have never owned another 4cylinder car again let alone a Japanese one.
My two now owned Chrysler products give me everything I want and no problems!
In between for second cars and trucks I've owned Ford, GMC, Chevy and alas one Dodge! And there was always an Olds in the garage!
The only vehicle I ever owned and really had problems with was my 80's vintage Dodge Ares K wagon. Purchased as a back and forth work vehicle and used it for my fire service detail as well, carried my turnout gear and such in the back.
Well that Dodge was nothing but trouble,,,,Why? The Japanese engine that was under the hood. Nothing but problems, no power and constantly blown head gaskets!
Have never owned another 4cylinder car again let alone a Japanese one.
My two now owned Chrysler products give me everything I want and no problems!
LVSteve
Member
Funny how so many in the US abhor 4-cylinder cars. Suggested such a thing to a coworker years ago when he was looking for a commuter vehicle. You would have thought I had asked to commit some felony with his favorite niece from the look I got.
As for Japanese cars blowing head gaskets, that can often be traced to US mechanics not understanding that aluminum heads need a specific anti-freeze.
03hemi
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