Looking at used Ram 1500s.. Help

[Hessian]

Anyone own a 2007-2009 Ram 1500?  I've been looking at a few; I need something that can tow my Charger.  Any opinions on dependablity?  Any known gremlins that are particular to these models?  How much mileage (depending on care of course) can I expect to get from one.
Thanks in advance~

[Chatt69chgr]

I've got a 2005 and the years you mention have the same heater/ac box that mine has.  The various solenoid operated doors in the box and I think there are 5 end up breaking at their pivots.  They will all break eventually.  The charge to fix is something like $1200 to $1500 to fix at dealer.  And they put in the same crap that failed.  See the heatertreater.com website for aftermarket fix and info.  I believe they took care of this (redesign) in 2010.  No help from dealers on earlier models even though this is a design fault.

O/W, my 5.7 hemi 4X4 quad cab has performed well.  14 around town.  up to 20 in interstate.  Almost forgot, the tie rod ends fail (38K miles).  Bought some from MOOG and had them installed.  I believe this has been a problem for modern MOPARS for years.  I wonder why they won't fix it with good parts.

[Rolling_Thunder]

yes - tie rod ends have been a problem with the Durangos, Rams, etc for a while.. 

[Cooter]

Watch buying the Automatic transmission and the 4.7 Version. Not totally bad engines or trans's, but have their problems...

[Kern Dog]

I have 132,000 miles on my 2007 Ram 1500 reg cab 2wd, Hemi.  At 57,000 miles a lifter failed, sticking partially open. It was an easy $3500 fix. The warranty first refused to cover it but later came through. The rear brake pads lasted 119,000 miles. I replaced the fronts at 123,000. Trans has been fine. All interior stuff still works like new. The rear axle pinion seal is now leaking though. Just yesterday I replaced the first burned out headlight bulb.

[Hessian]

Thanks to all for the help... been doing some more research as well.  Found a '07 one owner with only 26k on it.  Looks pretty nice.  Single cab with 4x4 and the two package.  Engine is the 5.7 Hemi.  These are generally reliable from what I've read. 

For "Red 70 R/T", what size engine do you have?  Is it the 4.7 FFL or 5.7?

Also someone said that in 2007 Dodge offered a lifetime warranty on its trucks... can anyone here confirm this and if so, is it transferrable?

Thanks again!

[Kern Dog]

Sorry that I forgot to mention!
Mine has the Hemi, 5.7.  The one that you are looking at only has 26,000 miles !!?? REALLY !!??

[Hessian]

Sorry that I forgot to mention!
Mine has the Hemi, 5.7.  The one that you are looking at only has 26,000 miles !!?? REALLY !!??

As impossible as it sounds, yes.  It's a one owner regular cab SLT with the 5.7 hemi also.  After reading your troubles with the lifter I'm going to try and do some more research to see if this was a common problem.... did the guys that fixed yours give any indication that this was a design flaw or common issue?  Hopefully not as the 5.7 is also in the 1969 resto mod I just bought  

You guys werent kidding about those tie rods being crappy... according tot he carfax, the orig owner of this Ram had them replaced at 18k!  Along with the front shocks...   At least I should be good on tie rods for another 20k...  

[chargerboy69]

Anyone own a 2007-2009 Ram 1500?  I've been looking at a few; I need something that can tow my Charger. 

Found a '07 one owner with only 26k on it.  Looks pretty nice.  Single cab with 4x4 and the two package.  

Since you stated in your initial post you plan on pulling your Charger, may I suggest you re-think this truck.  I would never buy a single cab truck for pulling anything with much weight.  I would suggest a four door with a long bed.  The reason is, the longer the truck, the better the ride will be.  I would also step up to a minimum of a 2500 or even a 3500 if pulling any type of distance.  The Dodge suspension and steering is the weakest of the big three, so there is no need to max out the weight on a 1500 when a 2500 or 3500 will be a much better and safer ride.  I own a RV dealership, and I pull all sizes of campers on a daily basis, so I am very familiar with towing properly.  And unless you just have to have a Dodge, I would suggest you may want to give a much better built F-250 or F-350 a look. Just my opinion.