Buy or Bust? 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 High Miles Review! 

I got a 2003 1500 with the 4.7, my dad bought it new and its been a great truck ever since. 315k and running strong! My favorite ram generation hands down. The 5.9 in these 1500s are un kill able. Tried and true motor they're a bit of a gas hog but extremely dependable

I just brought a 2002 1500. I love ever thing about this truck. Very strong and sounds like a Monster! I changed the gas cap, put on Flow Master mufflers, Belt, plugs and wires and oil change. This truck went though MD Safety Inspection with flying colors. Very nice truck 150K miles

I have the 02 ram with the 5.9. Bought it in 03 with 23k miles. It now has 320k miles on it on my 3rd trans. But all in all its been a great truck. Still runnin strong

I own a 2005 4.7 and I have had absolutely zero problems with it and it is currently at 117,000 miles. Its got 4x4 and a fully intact dash with no cracks which I am super proud of.

2002 SLT love it , yes ball joints went out dash plastic broke the exterior paint is lost to the sun but value of that 5.9 engine is worth it my opinion 140k miles regular maintenance going strong.

Appreciate the info on the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500! I own a 2003 3/4 ton that I purchased new. The interior is in excellent condition, original engine with 295000 miles and runs like a champ. If you take care of these trucks, they will last for ever. The 5.7 Hemi is an amazing engine. Keep up the good work, thank you!

I just pulled the trigger on a 2005 RAM 1500 4x4. Your video was the deciding factor that helped me decide. Thank you.

Still driving my 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 with the hemi, it's been a great truck and the 4x4 in the winter is a beast

I've had a nearly identical Dodge quad-cab 4x4 truck for 2 decades and it's been a great truck. Though I haven't had all the problems you've listed, I did have to replace the dashboard as I dad this truck in California for 15 years. I'll mention that this is a big truck but the handling is nimble and in a parking lot, it is easy to maneuver.

I’m a total Ford guy, but I bought a 2002 Ram 1500 with the 4.7 and a 5 speed manual. It is absolutely base model, I’m talking manual seats, windows, locks, vinyl floor, and obviously manual transmission. Almost all of the common electric problems are non existent in my truck due to that. My dash has absolutely zero cracks in the main part although I replaced the defrost vent half of the dash. It has 240k ish miles on it and supposedly a new motor at 195k or so. Transmission is the NV3500 5 speed and has all 240k miles. Honest to God, I absolutely love this truck. I have done lots of work to it, like any old truck would need, but the motor runs good and strong, and the transmission shifts. Not great all the time and it’s ready for a new one, but it still goes and I can still make quick shift if I need to. I love Ford, but 2000s f150s vs Ram 1500s, I would take the dodge any day. I love my truck and have nice plans for it and it should be looking even better as time goes on.

I have the exact same truck but 2wd. Started driving it at 16 and now im 18. Ive had some hiccups but its really put up with my typical teenage irresponsibility/abuse. Ive put 15,000 miles on it just going from work and school to home and im actually very astonished. I have the dash delete mod. Very helpful with weight reduction. Gained a whole mpg from no dash but it has since been replaced. Now just saving money for that front end which is slowly going bad on mine. Your video was spot on buddy😂👍

Got a 2011 4.7, with 173,000 miles. I am broke and I need it for work so I'm praying to the ram gods that it lasts.

I have this same exact truck with the same motor in it and it’s only got 180k on it and I’m on the stock trans engine rear end etc. I’ve did all maintenance and it’s still going strong . Just little stupid interior things that don’t work or are broken but that don’t bother me much. Love this truck I’m keeping mine forever

I had a 06 hemi and luved it. Super quick truck for a 5,600lbs truck

Excellent review. I still have and will have my bought new 2004 Quad Cab 4x4 Hemi. Looks great, runs great and zero issues, though it only has 115K. Drives and rides very comfortably. The biggest issue with the one you reviewed is the interior and most of that is just due to poor care, except the dash. They must of changed plastic type because mine feels rock solid. I'm surprised the pull handles didn't have issues, but that is an easy repair to make them extremely solid without buying new ones.

Great information .I got my ram this week 2016 5.7 Hemi . love it . and yes the fuse box is not sealed enough . Moisture gets in side .I'm going to seal it up . and I know the 5.7 engine has problems .to I'm hoping not .👍🇨🇦

Got an 02 5.9 4x4 300k+ miles and runs like a champ! Did have a solenoid seal cause transmission issues but that was an easy fix( Don't let them tell you u need a transmission rebuild!!) 9 times out of 10 you don't!

My 4.7 motor went out at 318,000. I just replaced it. Purchased it brand new in 2003 with 7 miles.

I have 03 dodge ram 1500 3.7 with 225k bought with 83k on back in 2010. She’s still running like a champ I’m never getting rid of it!!!

Good review , I changed my trans fluid often and have stock trans with 220k

Rear wheel wells have a nice size lip where dirt and salt collect. Keeping it cleaned and spraying fluid film every year and no rust after 15 years in Michigan

Love your show bro. Keep up the good work. Very informative. I just bought a 2008 Ram one owner, a love it. Has a 3.7 plenty of power. I got it for $6200.00 worth every penny. Had several guys wanting it and got it. Very please with it. My Dad had an 1975 dodge it lasted a long time. It's like buying a hand gun, you buy the one that looks good, but it jammed all the time, never reliable. You buy a hand gun that is not that expensive, but it never jammed. But it is when you need something that is reliable if a bear is running at you you don't want a gun that don't work, but one that does. I learned the hard way. Thanks bro.

My dad give me his 2006 Ram 1500 sport 5,7 L, it only got 138 000 km / 85 000 miles. running like a brand new truck. Great trucks !

Looking at tomorrow. A 2002 dodge 1500 4door, leather interior, with matching Leer topper. More rust then yours under rockers and wheel wells. But solid frame. Everything works. But 222,000 miles. For 1900 or best offer. On marketplace. And from a area I know. Going to look at tomorrow afternoon.

i got my 2004 dodge ram 1500 regular cab. still has beautiful paint, starting to rust on the bed above the rear wheels. but its been up north in wisconsin its entire life and has very little issues that have accured. rust is suprisingly minimal, has 130,000 miles, only had to replace the alternator and fuel pump due to the gasket wearing out. straight piped 5.7L hemi, installed a usb charger and bed lights. no electrical problems, except if you account for one time it was -30F out and my blinker started goin off randomly. love this truck and will probly keep it forever. easy to work on. i do all my own work. LOVE IT!

I agree. I have an '02 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD standard cab long bed with 205,000 miles on it. I like it. I bought it privately for $3500 almost three years ago and have not had much trouble. The ball joints were bad, and a PIA to replace and I put new shocks on it, at the same time. Recently, the "check engine" light, "ABS "light, and "Brake" lights all came on along and the speedo suddenly stopped working and it seems its a code P0500 which is faulty speed sensor. I replaced the one on the rear axel which is not difficult or expensive, but it didn't solve the problem and the same code still reads, so I assume it is one or both of the front speed sensors. They are a bit more difficult and pricy to replace, but not much. I'll get around to it before inspection time. Because the 4.7 V8's (which mine is) have a reputation for gunking up with oil, I ran a few cans of SeaFoam through both the gas and oil right after I bought it, and have had no problems since. The plastic dash is cracked and ugly, but it doesn't matter really. It has WAY less rust than my old 2000 F150 which rusted terribly underneath. Some little nickel and dime things, but mostly a great truck for the weekend hauling jobs. Worst thing about it is the lousy gas mileage. I drive it very conservatively and still only get about 14 MPG. I would not want to use it as a daily driver,. But I enjoy it when I do drive it and find it comfortable and reliable, and also pretty good looking. No real complaints.

I have an 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.9 v8.. got it like a year ago only has 70k miles on it. It’s only problem is it has the dash cracks, that same headlight problem and sun damage… hahaha

I havfe a 02 DR 1500 quad with 65k and aside from a misfire now and again i haven't had much problems. I did put a carpet dash cover for the cracks and seat pads, I still like the Truck and am going to keep it.

I’ve got a 2004 dodge truck with the 57 HEMI and i bought it 2006 with 36000. Miles on it I’ve drove it for 16 years now it’s got 182000. Plus miles on it it’s been the best truck I’ve ever owned and I am 52 years old

Because everyone has a trusted mechanic on hand

had one of these few years ago, regret like a dog i sold it, need a new one asap, awesome design and sound ;)

'06 1500, 188,000 and running perfect

On all Rams . Change the trans fluid and filter. Mine was shifts slow and change it out .

I’ll say this, I got ONE small crack down the middle of my 2003 rams dashboard and it’s small it doesn’t go far but it’s there… used Krazy glue on it and rubbed it in with a latex glove on my hand ( shit sucks ass if it gets on your skin it will not come off it’s literally like cement I think it even states on the container that it is a substance like that) I smoothed it out nicely so you’d hardly see it get it in the crack. Been like that for years luckily it worked I always armorall the interior for protection against sunlight and it just looks brand new too

I have this exact truck, same engine and all. 02, 108k... slight rust on wheel wells, but other than that, she's great!

Great video found it very informational

03 Ram 1500 with 240k miles on it... Still rumbling and towing and hauling everyday ..

I had a 07 1500 with 5.7 HEMII and had over 250,000 miles on it & it run fine

I picked up a 2002 SLT regular cab short bed with the 5.9 last fall. I had to reseal the timing cover due to a bad coolant leak as well as the intake plenum plate (went with a Hughes Engines repair kit…money well spent)! Both of these are common issues with the 5.9. Biggest thing to watch out for in my opinion is the rear axle if you’ve got the 9.25 limited slip. The retaining clips for the clutch packs like to fall out. Damage can be minor to severe as in scoring the housing so badly it can’t be rebuilt. The fix if the housing is reusable is a rebuild with a Detroit Truetrac. Just had this done with mine. Not cheap but an excellent results! Still love the truck despite the issues I’ve had. Picking it up for the right price makes the repairs justifiable. Beats the hell out of something new!

I owned 3 of the 5.9s they was alright but the trans were trash lol I've owned my 03 dodge ram for about 5 years now and it's got the 4.7 with 312k been a solid truck

I believe that Chrysler did change the type of plastic that was used for the dash within a couple years of the 3rd gen Ram's introduction. The Pt cruisers had bad dashes for the first year or two as well, but that too, was corrected. I believe that you are correct. Chrysler products do get a bad rap. I've always been a mopar guy, and they've all been good to me

I have the exact same truck. My dash is perfect (minus a 1 inch crack on the very end on the drinker side) and interior is pretty much flawless. Looking at yours gave me anxiety. I'm still under 100K miles but should roll over this year at some point. Motor is solid, but the tranny seems to bite hard at higher speeds. Being from Minnesota, the weight reduction is real. My frame is flaky but solid. I would LOVE to have your bed. Rocker and cab corner deletes on both sides. Besides the fact I drop a cup of rust on the ground every time I slam the door shut, she's a solid unit. Will be heading south to find rust free parts soon.

MY 2002 5.9 Has 267k and purs like a lion.

My dad had a 02 Dodge Ram it was a manual it had it trans problems but that’s because we would pull past it’s weight compassing for pulling

I have a 04 1500 5.7 with 700.67.000 miles on it never did nothing .but regular maintenance.

My dash is great and solid live in northern canada though. Rust got my body pretty good but frame it solid will undercoat and replace rockers with 1/8th inch steel. Flat deck going on regular cab short bed 4x4

Not a huge fan of dodge trucks, but that one is pretty clean

I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9 full options package. 4x4. I recently had to replace the crank position sensor. Other than that it’s been a great truck 147k miles.

you can swap the 06 to 08 front clip and dash into these trucks my 04 cummins has had this done

I had a 2002 ram 2500 with the 5.9 standard cab with a mason dump body. Had less than 60,000 miles on it and 3 transmissions in it! lol Also my dash was crack way worse than that one! There were huge chunks missing... Other than that it was not a bad truck for the most part.

I have a 2007 ram 1500 4x4 its a 5.7 i love it i have 170000 i have had zero issuses with it runs strong pulls my duster on a trailer like a 3/4 ton little bit of rust but i live in PA im putting new doors on it now an it seemz like it will run another 100000 easy GO MOPAR !!!!

Mine has 273k miles on my 2004 with the 5.7 hemi and still running strong

Just get a cheap dash cover will make it look 10x better In the interior

i have 400,000 plus miles on my 04 .. motor has never been worked on... just spark plugs and oil changes.. the truck is a piece of junk. i have replaced everything many times. but the Hemi is amazing.

I have an 08 5.7 that I have had since 2010. 165K miles on it and have had to replace the radiator twice and I am looking at having to replace the RMS, other than that it has been great.

I personally live the 03-05s. They had the early 5.7l Hemis, and the manual transfer cases the became electronic in 2006 with the refresh. Mine is an 04 Hemi Sport with 256k miles. The rear end is a touch noisy, but it rides out super well other than that. The transmission has never been rebuilt either lol. The rust on the wheel wells, and not as big of a problem, but on the bottom of the tail gate as well is honestly the biggest flaw with these trucks. If it wasn't for that mine would look mint. My dash isn't even cracked lol. The 3rd (and 4th honestly) generation Rams are some of the best trucks you can buy.

That one is perfect it's the new redesign with the 5.9 360.. modern truck still using old-school '60s '70s 80s engine 😛.. i have a 2005 Dodge with the 4.7...

I was looking at an 03 with a 5.7 but i just found a 02 5.9 with 97k miles for 11k, might have to get this one instead

I have the 02 1500 5.9 4x4 260,000 miles on it and just got my first transmission rebuilt about 2 wks ago truck is STRONG has never let me down or stranded and I beat the crap out of it in the Arizona desert...love this truck to death...

5.9 is a great engine I have 220 k and runs like a too

Put the 4x4 offroad sticker on the back side panels on the dodge

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 no problem still runs like new everything works must be 2002

You got an 02 with 08 rims, guess someone didn't like the upgraded factory wheels. I know those are 08 wheels because I have an 08 1500 with the 4.7

Good review

I had a 2002 with the 4.7...... drove it a 100000 miles with 0 problems

I kinda just tossed my phone on my moms toyota corolla from 2010, and it landed on the vent top peice and it shattered, but the actual dash is good

They are not bad trucks, they do have a serious Dash cracking problem that is severe and when the heater core clogs up you will break it getting to it to replace.

Got a 03 dodge ram 1500 w a 5.7 l hemi it has 212k miles on it and it’s still golden 😭

My dad has a 2002 ram has 180k miles and it’s giving him issues he thinks it’s the transmission, i asked if he’s give it to me and he said he would but would it be worth it? Or is it near its life expectancy? I don’t know much about trucks but want to start learning with this one as a project truck. Thanks for the feedback

Only issues I’ve had with my 03 4.7 is when I lock the doors with the button only the front ones lock while the rear don’t I have to use my hands to lock the back doors. The middle console also gets jammed a lot now it pisses me off. The blend doors have also been replaced too. I have to control all windows with the main switches on the driver door. It’s just a lot honestly idk why I said only issues I’ve had 🤣🤣

I bought one of these after I graduated a couple years ago for $3k. The guy I bought it from didn’t take too great of job taking care of it… actually there wasn’t much oil under the valve covers but plenty of sluge. After me driving it not knowing there was sluge in the motor for 30k miles oil pump started struggling and lifters started ticking. 1 motor later and after two years I’ve put about $13-16k in the truck and I’d trust it to go to California and back. Absolutely love it tows and off roads really well and handles high speed on the high about as good as you could expect any 20 year old pick up to do. Absolutely love my truck.

Its not a switch on the doors...its the wiring joint at the door hinges

My street has a ton of dodge trucks without mufflers driving by.😂

Ball joints and the rack and pinion will wear out much faster than the transmission. Ball joints are freaking expensive, the rack can be expensive if its bought from the dealership. Track bar, drag link, all that steering stuff will need replacing.

That’s my truck that exact same color and everything

Can’t go wrong

I am going to look at a 2001 ram truck. 114 miles new trans. A little rust weel wells? Owner told me.. Any help on this yr. Would be helpfull Thanks!

It’s a great truck I think

5.9 Dodge ram is amazing. I have 2000 1500. Love it bought it and repairs . Makes me money very amazing strong truck Better than Chevy

I can tell you what in PA every Silverado I see the frame is just about rotted out Even the 2010s to 2013s . Very rarely do I ever see these trucks with frame rod It's usually the wheel wells or the cab corner on the driver side.

I think I prefer the 2006 to 2008 design of the third Gen more.

just bought a 2002, dodge 1500 with 172k miles, has really awful control arms, switch inside for ac setting tends to break tbh, and the condenser fan for ur ac that’s OEM will eventually give out.

Good Lord the dash. I bought brand new 02 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 4x4 SLT 5.9, heavy duty with the towing package and the high end stereo. 208k miles later I have replaced 2 gas caps from engine light/code. The factory fubared the 3.92 limited slip clutch pack which had to be rebuilt at about 75k miles. The reverse spring clip in the tranny showed up in a fluid change at 200k so I had that replaced with the one from the diesel tranny setup. Rear door wiring harnesses can break wires repaired drivers side still ok. But my dash is in excellent shape. But I take care of my stuff. If the engine ever fails I'll drop in a stroker because she always was a bit under powered but she still gets 15 mpg at 60 on the level.

Is a 2002 ram with a v6 a reliable truck or is that engine junk ?

I had a 4.7 2002, it was a bust. The 5.9 is solid and the hemi is good, but I'll never own another 4.7. I will add that the rear doors having issues is NOT the switch, it has broken wires in the jambs. Trust me, been there done that.

My Dad He Got 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 165,000 Miles

Please need a confirmed experience of dodge ram 4.7 4x4 is it as reliable as f150 or not? Includes diffs, electric system ect

02 Ram 1500 5.9 - abs and brake lights on at 35 mph. Speedo and Cruise works. Scanner saying "intermittent rear abs sensor" Replaced sensor and still getting lights. Any suggestions?

Good trucks

The rear doors don't work because we're the wires go in to the door the bend so much that they break so you have to re wire the doors

Buy

Can you fit 2 car seats in these trucks

i had a new 2005 with the 4.7 as well----super smooth super quiet---but just a turd pulling ANY trailer---i needed to get the 5.7---of which i do have one now--BUT i was going to tell you--if you start stretching oil change times out past 4500 miles on these little 4.7 engines you will kill it dead as 4 o'clock, i examined many breakdowns of locked up 4.7's and 99%was oil starving issues related to not being serviced as the manual states--the return oil portals are not as big on these engines and if you leave old oil in it too long--what happens? you cook it to sludge---starts decreasing oil flow then next thing you know--boom engine locks up! this size engine should have never been put in the ram quad cab--TOO big, single cab would be ok---still too small engine, i had NO issues with mine whatsover, but did trade for f250--pulls my tractor like its not even behind it.......5.7 has 110 more hp in my truck at least--and get better fuel mileage believe it or not......

if it is HEMI NO! we had 2012 hemi, very well maintained, 69000 miles, and lifters snapped off fu hemi

More of a chevy guy when it comes to cars but i like dodge trucks

You forgot to do a burnout in your truck

I dunno about the 5.9, but the 5.7.. complete junk. Harmonic balancer on two trucks both worked their way back eating into the timing chain cover. Thought it was a fluke. Got another truck because it was cheap and had lots of parts, looked under it and same thing with this one, but it's way way worse. I've not looked much closer,but I'm betting this one has actually made it all the way to where it's actually against the timing chain.

Can I get a nice one for $5,000???

Ford sticker on a dodge that’s a first

I have a 2003 on here with 397,000 mile in it. It is a fantastic truck. Check me out!!!!!!