1997 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 User Reviews

Great If You Can Afford V8's Haha — Long lasting rides almost like new.. blew the engine once, but it wasnt the engines fault i had a mechanic work on it, and he messed it all up. I love the truck, it's very comfortable! I just wish V8's didnt cost so much in gas!

Primary Use: Family transportation

It's A Truck — Well I like that I only paid about 500 bucks for it. I borrowed it from my Father-in-law for a few months before I bought it. while borrowing I put about 800 bucks worth of repairs so in reality I got it for about $1300. It's a good all around truck for hauling things and getting work done around the house.

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)

Work Horse Of A Truck That Drives Like A Truck — We bought this truck for a great price, private party sale, in 2000 with over 70,000 miles on it. We've loved having it ever since, and now it's up over 190,000! We've used it for just about everything imaginable: towing a 26ft travel trailer; hauling trash/construction debris, rock, building materials, lawn mowers, and pulling other vehicles (with a tow rope or on a flatbed); we've taken it all over the country on the interstate, and been off road in the mud and muck; it's hauled our family of four to the grocery store and all around town from when the boys were in car seats till they were tall, lanky teenagers (now). The back seat is a little tight for them now, but for short trips, adults can fit three across. We got the good price because it didn't have the third door, so car seats and such were a little inconvenient, but workable. We originally bought it in VA, took it with us to TX for four years, and now have had it in SD for the last six. It stays cool in the heat and handles great in the snow with the 4WD, and I have yet to find a stuck vehicle I couldn't pull out. She's a little cold-blooded at the beginning of winter, and the transmission slips a little when it's cold too, but overall I've been very pleased with how easy it is to keep this thing running. I'm a very part-time weekend warrior mechanic, but with the help of my Hayne's manual, I've been able to do just about everything needed on this truck. Besides the expected wear and tear for 190K+ (lines and hoses, belts, batteries, shocks, etc.), we've only had to replace the A/C compressor, power steering pump and gearbox, water pump, and a seal on the transfer case. You can basically climb into the engine compartment if you need to do anything in there, and you can crawl right under with the clearance on this thing! It's got a solid front axle, so don't expect a luxury smooth ride, but we actually like that (except when you are trying not to spill a coffee). We upped the tire size one step to better fill those big wheel wells, and love the tight turns this thing can do (actually better than our minivan!)...makes parking a breeze. Aside from the sun-induced busted up dash cover (apparently this is an issue with the Rams of this vintage), everything still looks very nice. We love this truck, and will probably drive it until it dies...even then, if the body's still holding up, we might throw a new 360 in it and keep going...after all, it's part of the family.

Primary Use: Family transportation

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 — great truck for someone on a budget rides great. There are maintanence issues but it is a 16 year old work truck. Gas guzzler but good power out of it. Ton of fun off road mine has personally pulled out many jeeps and a hummer from some off road spots.

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)

Ram — its a beast! its been in my family since '97 and has never let us down. its amazing in the winter and off-roading. the fuel economy could use a lot of improvement but thats the only problem with it. the braking is perfect!

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)