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Mid 2000’s Ram Hemi 1500

jerem0621
Explorer
Explorer
Hey Everyone,

I hope your day is going well.

How did the Ram 1500 with the hemi pull in the 2003-2008 model years with the 3:55 or the 3:92 rear axle ratios? I have ruled out the Ford and GM twins.

Any feedback would be appreciated, especially the ones with experience.

The mission is going to be a basic around the home truck with the occasional use as a utility trailer hauler and a smallish TT/Hybrid hauler.

Thanks,

Jeremiah
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~
17 REPLIES 17

Frostbitte
Explorer
Explorer
I had a 2006 4x2 Hemi half-ton quad cab with the 3.92 rear axle. It pulled great. But as with all half-tons, power wasn't an issue. It's when you get near your max tow weight that stability and whatnot become more of a factor than power.
I'd be comfortable towing 4-6000 lbs with one of those again if need be.
2011 RAM 3500 Laramie 4x4 6.7 Cummins 6-speed Auto 4.10
2004 Prowler 275 CKS (Sold)
2014 Sabre 36QBOK-7 5th wheel
2016 Forest River 8 x 20 Cargo Trailer

NJRVer
Explorer
Explorer
Stay away from the '03 Hemi.
I had one and after it broke a valve spring at just over 100,000 miles, the dealer mechanic said that they have had quite a few doing that.
Should have known first year.

TTCrewmax
Explorer
Explorer
I've never heard of transmission problems either. I have an '08 that I've owned since new and have had zero problems. At 120K so far and almost all miles are pulling a trailer of some sort.
There's a reason the resale value on Tundra's are high. Get what you pay for...

jerem0621
Explorer
Explorer
ib516 wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback.

Yes, I am also considering the 07 and up Tundra. But wanted personal experience on the Ram as well.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I believe Toyota fixed the issue after 08, but they may have had transmission issues in 07 and 08. A co-worker had his auto trans fail in a 2007 Sequoia at around 90,000 miles. It has never towed anything. He's not a car guy, so I helped him out. I was surprised to read that transmission issues are common in the early models.

Something you might want to at least look into.


Thanks IB...I’ll be on the lookout for those issues. I like the Tundra but I can get a pretty competent Ram for half. There are still 07-08 Tundras selling for 20-25k plus for some crazy reason.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~

mudfuel07
Explorer
Explorer
That's interesting, never heard of any problems out of the Tundra transmission and they're still using basically the same one.

I would second an early 07-09 Tundra, but I've had three of them and no problems to speak of.
2020 Ram 2500 6.7 CTD 4x4 Tradesman(with a few toys)
2020 Puma by Palomino 32RBFQ for the kids!

ib516
Explorer
Explorer
jerem0621 wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback.

Yes, I am also considering the 07 and up Tundra. But wanted personal experience on the Ram as well.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I believe Toyota fixed the issue after 08, but they may have had transmission issues in 07 and 08. A co-worker had his auto trans fail in a 2007 Sequoia at around 90,000 miles. It has never towed anything. He's not a car guy, so I helped him out. I was surprised to read that transmission issues are common in the early models.

Something you might want to at least look into.
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

jerem0621
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback.

Yes, I am also considering the 07 and up Tundra. But wanted personal experience on the Ram as well.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~

Community Alumni
Not applicable
I had an 02 and an 08. The 02 Ram gave me a few problems. Both the diff and front hub bearings failed pretty early on. The dash turned to dust and random interior plastic cracked. The radiator tanks leaked and I blew a few coolant hoses. Those problems were not uncommon with the 03.

My 08 was a great truck. I would still have it if I didn't outgrow it and had room for an extra truck. The only problems I had with it was the front hubs also failed early and a leaky water pump was replaced. The hub issue is fairly common with that generation of Rams. That truck had 3.92 and it was pretty fun. We always towed ± 20 lbs of the GVWR. We never had any driveline or powertrain issues. The 06-08 refresh addressed a lot of the problems with earlier year trucks.

Ductape
Explorer
Explorer
At the time I was towing a modest fifth wheel around 8k lbs using a 275 hp Powerstroke. That was a more than adequate combo at the time and I was well satisfied. Had the opportunity to tow through a section of the Appalachians next to a Hemi with a similar trailer one day. He could overtake me almost any grade unless the slope was just perfect for my gears.
49 States, 6 Provinces, 2 Territories...

rwess
Explorer
Explorer
I traded my Chevrolet 2003 1500HD for a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi with 3.92 rear end. It took me a while to get used to the Dodge and its instrumentation, but when I got used to it I really liked it. This was prior to the recession and it was a Dodge Ram and not a new FCA Ram. I never had a single probem with it for 60,000 miles when I traded it for a 2010 Chevy 2500HD with the gas 6.0. Going back to the Chevy from the Dodge Ram was like going backward. Its instrumentation and handling was like going back in time. I still have the Chevy almost 9 years later. It is a truck and very reliable. Most of its 111,000 miles is towing, very reliable and durable, but I have always missed that 2007 dodge Ram, it was a great truck.
rwess
USN Ret.
2017 Open Range 216RBS
2010 Chevy 2500HD Z71 4x4 LT

TTCrewmax
Explorer
Explorer
Unsolicited - But have you looked at an '07 or '08 Tundra? When it comes to a mid 2000 1/2 ton truck they are one of the best.
They haven't updated the **** thing in over 10 years - but it was one of the best 1/2 tons when they initially released that model.

dodge_guy
Explorer
Explorer
parker.rowe wrote:
A little tidbit...not sure the exact years, but mid 2000 mega cab 1500's had 3/4 ton 8 lug differentials.

Looked at the door card for a 2006 and did a double take when I saw the front and rear GAWR's(~5k/6k) and the GVWR(8500lbs).


Yep, gotta love that. Basically a numbers game to give people a 1/2 ton mega cab back then. The only difference was a 1500 badge and a door sticker!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

parker_rowe
Explorer
Explorer
A little tidbit...not sure the exact years, but mid 2000 mega cab 1500's had 3/4 ton 8 lug differentials.

Looked at the door card for a 2006 and did a double take when I saw the front and rear GAWR's(~5k/6k) and the GVWR(8500lbs).
2015 Starcraft TravelStar 239TBS 6500 GVWR
1997 GMC Suburban K2500 7.4 Vortec/4.10
1977 Kawasaki KZ1000

MetalGator
Explorer III
Explorer III
I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab with the 5.7 hemi and the 3.92 gears. Purchased it new in August of 2005 so it's just over 13 years old. I have 105,000 miles on it and it has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. The only thing I have done to it is tires, brakes and oil changes. I had all the fluids changed at 80k and got the spark plugs changed as 80k as well. The only repair I can think of is I did have a leaky pinion seal that was replaced under warranty. I had two recalls for air bags. It was my daily driver for the first 10 years of it's life and I still drive it a couple of times a week.

I pulled a boat and a 30' travel trailer with it. The TT was probably around 6500lbs loaded and it pulled it great. I live in Florida so most of my towing was in flat lands but the few times I was in the hills it pulled just fine. I got about 9-10mpg while towing. I probably put about 30,000 miles on it towing my 4500lb boat and 6500lb trailer.

Burch
2018 Miramar 35.3 Motorhome
3 fur kids (Monty, ZuZu and Pinto)
Rainbow bridge (Murphy, Petie, Lola)