Couldn't agree more, my 97 may be crusty but is far more trusty than my daily, my sister's car, and my dad's 2017 ram. Ole girl takes a beating and keeps on ticking
@Frrrrrrr4L Don't tell my wife. But if I were given the opportunity to trade her for a single cab long bed 12 Valve NV5600 in white, I'd have to seriously consider it.
Great history video once again Jon. When I was a teenager I got a chance to drive an ‘89 Cummins model owned by a old man that was a tractor trailer diesel mechanic. The 12V Cummins at the time was the only pickup diesel he liked and trusted. It served him well over 400k miles as his daily driver.
The 2nd generation Ram is the best looking truck of all time in my opinion Just timeless, they still look modern today, but also hint at the classic pick ups from the 50's with its rounded front fenders. I have a couple of them, but one is a 2001 Mexican market only RamCharger, it has 2014 Ram 20" chrome clad wheels, and people think its a car that was just released in 2023, i get it all the time, so crazy to me.
I was an 80s kid to I remember two of my uncles but dodge rams both had the same customization. The difference is is the colors that they had customization was 15 by I think 289 or 305s with tires. Of course the wheels were brand centerline, or Eagle wheels it had a fiberglass body kit that goes around. The fenders becomes a step and continues on to the back of the truck over the wheel my uncle on my mom side. The color on his truck was a red at the very bottom of the truck and once it gets to the middle, it becomes orange and then once it gets to the top it becomes beige and the truck on my dad side has started a dark green in the very bottom, and once it gets to the middle if it becomes turquoise and at the roof is a almost white light green
Thank you for sharing this video. I worked as a transmission mechanic at a Ford dealer from 1983 through 2006. Perhaps the best job I ever had. In 1996 the dealership owner became part owner of a Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep-Eagle dealership which didn’t have a transmission mechanic, so I was doing transmission repairs for the Ford and CDPJE dealers. Let’s just say I made a small fortune until both auto manufacturers moved toward replacing automatic transmissions on warranty repairs rather than repairing them. And I get it; it. It made it possible to return the vehicle to the customer within a couple of days as opposed to a week or longer. Especially since there were times I was waiting for repair parts for several days. But that’s all beside the point. I absolutely loved Dodge Ram trucks. I had a loyalty to Ford trucks because that was my base dealer, but I never owned one. I so badly wanted to buy a Ram but was never able to afford one. Not because I didn’t make enough money- like most married men I have to buy what the wife wants. My wife has always been partial to BMWs, so that’s what we’ve always owned. This never made my boss happy, but hey- I sleep with my wife, not my boss. After the Ford dealer closed in 2006 and he sold off his share in the CDPJE dealership, I went to work as a fleet mechanic for a utility company that owns both Ram and Ford pickups. I am still very drawn toward the Ram pickups. Very well designed and nice looking.
I was lucky. My wife pointed out the old 1999 2nd Gen Dodge Ram for sale on the side of the road. I got it for 1500 and it's my weekend vehicle. I just need to haul stuff my wife wants hauled sometimes.
I've had a 40 Dodge truck for over 35 years. Started out as a hotrod put it on a 4 wheel drive. Now my son and grandson are putting the body on a S-10 frame with air bags nitrous and 350 engine lol. It is so unique that I've over the years have had people talk to me and of course the thumbs up
They should still be called Dodge Trucks. Dodge and Ram should have never been separated at all. Stellantis, put Dodge and Ram back together right now. That's what is needed right now.
Enjoyed this video. My dad worked for Dodge Truck from 1965 to 1980 as support to engineering staff. He had a 1973 Adventurer with a 318 V8 and 4-speed manual transmission and later a 1993 D250 with the Cummins Diesel. I've owned a 1990 Dakota and 1990 D150. I currently own a 2014 RAM 1500 Crew Cab that I've owned since new. I love these trucks.
About 8 months ago, I came across Dodge history documentary. My dad's middle name is Frederick last name Haynes. Was a funny coincidence. Love the history of Dodge and the brothers. A true American dream tale from my perspective. All started with building bicycles.
The offering of the Cummins turbo diesel turned things around for Dodge in '89. Had a '93 D-250 5.9L. Put 225K miles on it. It's still on the road today with it's 3rd owner. You could pull a house off it's foundation w/ the bastard. A 5 speed, it could start out in 4th gear if need be. Best truck ever.
I’ve been a loyal Dodge truck owner since 1972. My first one had the slant 6. I bought my last one in very early 2010. In 2003 I bought a 2500 with the 345 hemi. Timberline green with the lower part silver. The most beautiful truck I’d ever seen. 7 years later after developing hip trouble from getting in and out of it, I traded it in for my 1500 also with the 345. I hope to still have it when I die. Never given me one bit of trouble. 14 years in the salt laden roads of New Hampshire and I still get comments on what a beautiful truck it is. Mopar forever. Never even had to replace a light bulb in it! The only minus I have is the headlights suck.
I’m a proud owner of a third generation dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9IL turbo diesel cummins engine. I have her since 2006 and planning on keeping her until death do us part… amazing rig!!
I'm seeing many more of the OLDER Dodge pickups around my area. Back in the day you couldn't hardly give them away... But I think the reason that everyone is seeing the older pre-1994 Dodges is because those people want an older pickup, but don't want to pay the exorbitant prices of the Fords, Jeeps, and Chevys.
I had a 1958 Power Wagon in the mid 1970's for my landscaping business. As this video reminds me, it was a W100. On the firewall was a little plate riveted to the firewall saying that it was made by The Dodge Brothers with serial number. No VN's back then. Weirdly, although a half ton, it had dual rear wheel capability and ran large 17.5" tubeless tires. The rear springs were minimal, so I added major helper springs. Every spring I sold a shit load....joke, you will see....of cow manure. I bought it for $2 a load, loaded, then sold it for, I don't recall, $15-$20? It was incredibly hard work to unload, and during the summer we had plenty of dirt, more manure, and gravel to shovel out. Oh, for a lift bed! Well, a friend spotted one for me and I installed it by cutting frame sections and welding in the hydraulic lift. Also, the PTO off of the transmission and drive shaft to the pump in the lift. Looking back now, I'm amazed at the "engineering" and untested skills I had to do this. The engine was the standard two barrel V8 and getting pretty worn out by then. I found a 1955 Chrysler 354 Hemi V8 in a junk yard. Good god, the torque! The ex and I got a cab over camper. With three small kids, a visiting teen relative, and all that load, I could climb the 7% Eisenhower Tunnel approaches and 10,000 feet.....in high gear! Even at 45mph, I passed plenty of vehicles of all types. Also from that Chrysler, I took the two electric trumpet horns that sounded just like a truck or locomotive. We would pass slower vehicles and blast the "air" horns if there were kids in the car; they would do the pull the hand down signaling to do it again. I always obliged, of course. During the tumultuous times of our divorce and the ending of the landscaping business, I abandoned the truck in a friend's nursery field. Once in a rare while I have a dream where I have it again. I hope someone got it that could appreciate it and keep it going.
I've got a restored 1953 b4c pilot house dodge truck in my garage. I'd have to say after driving the 53, then hop in my 2017 ram. We have come a long way. Thanks for the video!
My favorite era is 1972-1979. Last of the available big block motors and IMO best styling, especially the “Adult Toys” variants.These were also the last to have grilles made of metal.
All manufacturers, no matter which one have their all star vehicles and their flops. It all comes down to what you prefer in a vehicle. I've been a Mopar lover since I've been a child from the cars to the trucks they have engineered some of the best vehicles on the planet. I have the feeling the best is yet to come.
my mother bought a 97 2wd swb single cab automatic and 5.9 360 brand new. we still have the truck to this day and the rear end went out on it. still runs and hopefully soon it will be driving again soon. the truck has been a great truck and served us well. the 2nd gen ram will always hold a special place for us.
i drove a 97 ram 2500 with the v10 as a company truck and i absolutely loved it. the note coming from the exhaust was music to my ears. it was my baby, i miss driving it and hearing that v10 roar
Love the Dodge truck line. Currently running an 02 Ram 1500 with the 5.9l Magnum. One of the last to see the Magnum series engines before the switch was made to the 5.7 Hemi
Luv the video. You could also add Chrysler owned New Process gear which produced transfer cases and was the largest supplier of all full size 4x4's including Ford and GM.
I purchased my 2020 Ram Hemi 4 +4 while I winter in Florida during the pandenic. It listed for 47 k and I got it for 33k due to they we re not selling anything during that time. I have had it for going on three years, and recently turned down 40k for it. If you have anything with a hemi in it, keep it. The value will just keep going up and up. Crazy. Good show.
My grandfather owned a 76 Dodge pickup as well as a 94 Dodge Dakota. Ive have driven two Dodge trucks, one of them I bought from my dad a 96 Dodge Ram 1500. Which he bought off of my uncle. Who used it to haul scrap metal. We used it to haul brush and firewood. Couldn't keep water pumps in that truck. My first real truck was an 88 Dakota with a 4 cyl and five speed. I used it in high school to haul my lawnmowers.😊
I have a 1964 w200, a 1967 w100, a 1970 d200, a 1992 Cummins, and a 2022 ram 1500… this weekend I’m picking up a 1984 w350 to use for a body swap with my clean d200. All my trucks run and drive
Ram is my favorite out of Ford and Chevrolet. I’m kind of bending towards Mopar nowadays maybe because I miss the days when Dodge had a full car lineup (even as recently as 2020). Dodge is like Mitsubishi; they exist, but not like they used to be.
I had an idea years ago for Chrysler to reuse it's minivan plaform, especially the 4th gen to produce a small unibody based truck. That plaform offered easy ways to "beef up" the stock suspension and had AWD option capability. If anyone would do it out of the big three it would have been Chrysler and it would have been very cost effective especially as demand for the minivan dropped. It would have given consumers a entry level truck at a time when truck prices had been climbing. I pitched the idea to Ford too when it was looking for something to replace the aging Ranger. The Ford Windstar/Freestar platform was fairly beefy, but didn't offer awd optional. I never offered my idea to GM because their van was far too narrow and wasn't exactly open to new ideas. It might have sounded a little radical in the early 2000's but I thought it was fairly logical. Now it's just like well we have all these little front wheel drive trucks...
@timothykeith1367 Yeah but it's not like these uts are the least bit heavy duty. Most are based on car platforms and Chrysler automatics before the A604 fiasco had been fairly reliable. I would say no worse than their GM counterpart.
I think I saw an '80 Ram exactly like that one you showed drive by me the other day. It had "Dodge Ram" across the tailgate, which would be an awesome retro design.
I've been hooked on Dodge trucks ever since my father bought his 1978 Li'l Red Express.....Then he bought an "82 Ram..Then an "84..Then I bought a 2001 Ram and then a 2012 Ram Express......Love "em or hate "em,I've always had good service out of Dodge trucks.....My next truck will be a Ram.
Hi! That was a very entertaining "history of..."! I believe there is only _utilititarian_ and _ugly_ in store for our once stylish, outrageous, and daring cars N trucks we all drool over. These histories make sure newer gens will always know what they missed!! Boy, that "Warlock" was deadly!!! \m/
Jeepers Jon you powered through that script pretty fast. I had to back up a couple times to catch up. You covered everything albeit all too short! Right on Brand. Cheers 🇨🇦
Thanks for being here! I get some criticism for being a bit long winded and s l o w, so I did try to step it up a bit. Also, it maked the editing a bit easier when I don't have to dragggg some of the images out longer because I'm not getting to the point! :)
A Power Wagon was a Dodge truck exclusive. It was a winning truck. It followed the book on 4WD. By rustproofing and weatherproofing your truck, it lasted for decades. A '74 Power Wagon was namely good. I did not get that blessing.
I learned how to drive in a '74 D200 Adventurer with a twin cab. Three speed manual and manual everything else. My Dad figured if I could drive it, I could drive almost anything. I was surprised to hear they increased the amount of galvanized steel by then. When I started driving it in 1982 rust had already been eating away at the cab and bed for a while. Though it was purchased in Germany to replace our 1968 VW Camper and Volvo 140, so maybe European spec versions were built different. I don't understand why they got rid of the twin cab design. Four doors and seats 6 might be a niche market, but there weren't many practical substitutes available at the time. Side note, the VW replaced an AMC Rambler. Apparently my father wasn't big on brand loyalty.
Great video I enjoyed the history of the Dodge trucks. While I’ve always considered myself a Ford guy first, Dodge has always been my second choice. I always really liked the 94-01 Ram 1500. I had one as a company truck years ago and it was a really good old truck. Very comfortable too. I owned a 95 Dakota Sport but it gave me a lot of problems. After it was totaled I went back to a Ford
my dad bought a 2000 3500 brand new off the lot (but sadly the dealer had to drive it to our house) and we had that truck for years. even had a accident where we were driving home during the winter and hit a bad ice and had the truck flip over with my dad, brother, sister and i in the truck. thankfully everyone was fine but it was a interesting night seeing the Sheriff come to the house and whatnot. this was 20 years ago i think as well? don't remember the date though. sadly he had to sell it few years later to a friend and he still has it and my goal is to someday buy it and restore it as much as i can. :D
I have a 2018 v6 SLT 4×4 flex fuel. Great truck. Eventually in time I will need to replace the engine but i will keep this truck for life. 90,000 miles. No issues.
I had a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab truck, with an 8-foot bed, 360ci Magnum V8. Sadly, a drunk driver crashed into it in April of this year, and I now own a 2017 Durango SXT. Interesting fact: 2024 will be the 110th anniversary of Dodge.
My first truck was a 70 Fargo. At 6 years old almost everything was wrong with it. I foxed it up and had a great trick for about 12 years untill it rusted away. Now the back is my trailer.
I remember seeing the first mega cab as a young teen when they first came out and I was hooked. Got a 2014 2500 Laramie longhorn mega cab I was pissed it didn’t come with mega cab badges like the first models did. So you know I went and bought some off eBay 😂 and she’s a Cummins. I also had a buddy with an early 90s Dakota with the V8 and that thing was nasty legit a sleeper
'A very comprehensive and enjoyable historic automotive video production, despite the crew cab glitch previously commented upon! Please keep up the great research as well as the high quality presentation and production qualities, without AI or ChatGPT shortcuts and diminishments!! Bravo! 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚
If there was one truck that I don't have anymore that I wish I could have back, it would be my 1991 Ram 250 with a 12V Cummins, 4x4, single cab. Used to be a Canadian Hydro truck so it had a beefed up suspension that made it look lifted. Truck had numerous recurring issues. - Electronics never worked, even when fixed, they'd die a month later (Heat and AC never worked. Radio was flitzy) I ended up boring a hole through the dash into the engine bay then ran a piece of duct into the cab then glued a little battery fan to the dash to dethaw the window. - 2nd gear in the 5 speed manual transmission didn't work right. Would always bog down and stall, so I'd have to bring the truck to 2400rpm (Redline was 2600 if I remember correctly) then drop it right into 3rd - 4x4 always got stuck in 4WD HI. You could take the actual shifter out of 4WD and put it back into 2WD position but the little couplings that connected the drive axels on the front would always remain engaged. I replaced it with a 1997 F250 with a 7.3L which was overall a better truck but I do deeply miss all the quirkiness of that truck and kinda wished I hadn't gotten rid of it
I have a 1979 Dodge W200 crew cab with 360 I bought in 2006. Originally used by Alberta Government, it was auctioned to someone who used it for snow plowing apartment parking lots. Still looking for Ramsey 200R pto winch parts.
I really like the Ram , I have a 1999 model that I’m rebuilding it has the 5.9 liter with 4 wheel drive and I’m having fun with it while I’m rebuilding it.😁😁👍👍
My uncle still has his 33 dodge pickup with factory suicide doors. With gold flake bronze fenders. Still the most beautiful truck ive seen. He put a buikt up 318 in it. That little truck hauls ass. My first was a 59 D100 then later on i bought a 57. Total ive owned 27 dodge trucks back when noone wanted them. Still miss my powerwagons. (46)
Overall, a wonderful video of the Dodge Ram timeline. I would like to make a couple of corrections to the 2nd gen Ram timeline though. The Club Cab wasn't offered on the 2nd gen until 1994 for the 1995 model year. In 2000 the Club Cab was only available for the 1500 SWB, and by 2001 the Club Cab was discontinued.
I had a 78 Dodge Li’l Red Express. To me the 73-79’s were the peak of design. Anything before that was just plain hideous. After the 79, they kept looking better with their designs. But their unreliability has always been an issue, that plagues them till today.
Have a look at Australian Dodge utes and trucks. Also De soto, Plymouth and Chrysler utes. Before El Camino and Rancheros there was mopar utes in Australia. Like from the 1930s.
As a ram guy. 80s going back. No matter if its a Ford, Chevy , and dodge. They all where real trucks. Real American made. Built to last forever. After 90s they all went to garbage.
A few years they decided to make RAM their own brand for trucks. I don't know why, maybe because GM has GMC, Chrysler wanted to make Dodge trucks their own brand
Great video on the Dodge trucks I love Dodge trucks as well I got a heck of a deal on a 1984 Dodge d100 prospector about 10 years ago let me tell you I have done just about everything you could do with a truck with that truck and I don't think there's any vehicle out there that I would trade that prospector for
I've owned close to 40 vehicles in my life, and of those, 30 were daily drivers. Without a single doubt, the 3 worst were two Plymouths and a 79 Dodge truck. The truck by far being the worst of the lot. There's a good reason Chrysler went bankrupt. Twice.
There's nothing I love more than a 2nd Gen Ram, best truck ever built in my opinion.
Couldn't agree more, my 97 may be crusty but is far more trusty than my daily, my sister's car, and my dad's 2017 ram. Ole girl takes a beating and keeps on ticking
I just restored a second gen and put in a 700hp Cummins 5.9 24v engine in it. She is plenty fast and 4x4 works amazing
Damn bro you don’t even love your wife or your family more ?
@Frrrrrrr4L Don't tell my wife. But if I were given the opportunity to trade her for a single cab long bed 12 Valve NV5600 in white, I'd have to seriously consider it.
2nd and 3rd gens with the hemi
Great history video once again Jon. When I was a teenager I got a chance to drive an ‘89 Cummins model owned by a old man that was a tractor trailer diesel mechanic. The 12V Cummins at the time was the only pickup diesel he liked and trusted. It served him well over 400k miles as his daily driver.
The torque of a 460 v8, with the fuel economy of an inline 6.
I remember when those came out. EVERYBODY WANTED THE CUMMINS.
The 2nd generation Ram is the best looking truck of all time in my opinion
Just timeless, they still look modern today, but also hint at the classic pick ups from the 50's with its rounded front fenders.
I have a couple of them, but one is a 2001 Mexican market only RamCharger, it has 2014 Ram 20" chrome clad wheels, and people think its a car that was just released in 2023, i get it all the time, so crazy to me.
I was a kid in the 90s, and I remember just absolutely LOVING the DODGE RAM as the ULTIMATE version of the TRUCK!
I was an 80s kid to I remember two of my uncles but dodge rams both had the same customization. The difference is is the colors that they had customization was 15 by I think 289 or 305s with tires. Of course the wheels were brand centerline, or Eagle wheels it had a fiberglass body kit that goes around. The fenders becomes a step and continues on to the back of the truck over the wheel my uncle on my mom side. The color on his truck was a red at the very bottom of the truck and once it gets to the middle, it becomes orange and then once it gets to the top it becomes beige and the truck on my dad side has started a dark green in the very bottom, and once it gets to the middle if it becomes turquoise and at the roof is a almost white light green
Sorry, I meant to say as a 90s kid
Thank you for sharing this video. I worked as a transmission mechanic at a Ford dealer from 1983 through 2006. Perhaps the best job I ever had. In 1996 the dealership owner became part owner of a Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth-Jeep-Eagle dealership which didn’t have a transmission mechanic, so I was doing transmission repairs for the Ford and CDPJE dealers.
Let’s just say I made a small fortune until both auto manufacturers moved toward replacing automatic transmissions on warranty repairs rather than repairing them. And I get it; it. It made it possible to return the vehicle to the customer within a couple of days as opposed to a week or longer. Especially since there were times I was waiting for repair parts for several days.
But that’s all beside the point. I absolutely loved Dodge Ram trucks. I had a loyalty to Ford trucks because that was my base dealer, but I never owned one. I so badly wanted to buy a Ram but was never able to afford one. Not because I didn’t make enough money- like most married men I have to buy what the wife wants. My wife has always been partial to BMWs, so that’s what we’ve always owned. This never made my boss happy, but hey- I sleep with my wife, not my boss.
After the Ford dealer closed in 2006 and he sold off his share in the CDPJE dealership, I went to work as a fleet mechanic for a utility company that owns both Ram and Ford pickups. I am still very drawn toward the Ram pickups. Very well designed and nice looking.
I was lucky. My wife pointed out the old 1999 2nd Gen Dodge Ram for sale on the side of the road. I got it for 1500 and it's my weekend vehicle. I just need to haul stuff my wife wants hauled sometimes.
I've had a 40 Dodge truck for over 35 years. Started out as a hotrod put it on a 4 wheel drive. Now my son and grandson are putting the body on a S-10 frame with air bags nitrous and 350 engine lol. It is so unique that I've over the years have had people talk to me and of course the thumbs up
They should still be called Dodge Trucks. Dodge and Ram should have never been separated at all. Stellantis, put Dodge and Ram back together right now. That's what is needed right now.
I am interested as to why you think this, please share?
@@JamisonBox-kz1fk When most people think Ram pickups, they think Dodge. They don't see Dodge and Ram as separate brands. I certainly don't!
@@johnnymason2460 i agree. But why do we need to merge the two when they are already seen in that way and marketed somewhat in that way
@@JamisonBox-kz1fk Because it will allow Dodge to survive. I don't want Dodge(or Chrysler for that matter) to go away.
@@johnnymason2460 yeah, true. Hopefully with the new i6 stuff coming out they will grow
Enjoyed this video. My dad worked for Dodge Truck from 1965 to 1980 as support to engineering staff. He had a 1973 Adventurer with a 318 V8 and 4-speed manual transmission and later a 1993 D250 with the Cummins Diesel. I've owned a 1990 Dakota and 1990 D150. I currently own a 2014 RAM 1500 Crew Cab that I've owned since new. I love these trucks.
About 8 months ago, I came across Dodge history documentary. My dad's middle name is Frederick last name Haynes. Was a funny coincidence. Love the history of Dodge and the brothers. A true American dream tale from my perspective. All started with building bicycles.
The offering of the Cummins turbo diesel turned things around for Dodge in '89. Had a '93 D-250 5.9L. Put 225K miles on it. It's still on the road today with it's 3rd owner. You could pull a house off it's foundation w/ the bastard. A 5 speed, it could start out in 4th gear if need be. Best truck ever.
I’ve been a loyal Dodge truck owner since 1972. My first one had the slant 6. I bought my last one in very early 2010. In 2003 I bought a 2500 with the 345 hemi. Timberline green with the lower part silver. The most beautiful truck I’d ever seen. 7 years later after developing hip trouble from getting in and out of it, I traded it in for my 1500 also with the 345. I hope to still have it when I die. Never given me one bit of trouble. 14 years in the salt laden roads of New Hampshire and I still get comments on what a beautiful truck it is. Mopar forever. Never even had to replace a light bulb in it! The only minus I have is the headlights suck.
I’m a proud owner of a third generation dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9IL turbo diesel cummins engine. I have her since 2006 and planning on keeping her until death do us part… amazing rig!!
Again, short, sweet, and incredibly informative. Jon, you did it again, kudos!
Thanks again!
I'm seeing many more of the OLDER Dodge pickups around my area. Back in the day you couldn't hardly give them away...
But I think the reason that everyone is seeing the older pre-1994 Dodges is because those people want an older pickup, but don't want to pay the exorbitant prices of the Fords, Jeeps, and Chevys.
The OBS Ford and Chevy trucks are also popular because they are numerous, parts are cheap and they are dependable.
I had a 1st gen Dakota Sport. Good little truck. 4 cyl was ok if you didn't use the AC.
I had a 1958 Power Wagon in the mid 1970's for my landscaping business. As this video reminds me, it was a W100. On the firewall was a little plate riveted to the firewall saying that it was made by The Dodge Brothers with serial number. No VN's back then. Weirdly, although a half ton, it had dual rear wheel capability and ran large 17.5" tubeless tires. The rear springs were minimal, so I added major helper springs. Every spring I sold a shit load....joke, you will see....of cow manure. I bought it for $2 a load, loaded, then sold it for, I don't recall, $15-$20?
It was incredibly hard work to unload, and during the summer we had plenty of dirt, more manure, and gravel to shovel out. Oh, for a lift bed! Well, a friend spotted one for me and I installed it by cutting frame sections and welding in the hydraulic lift. Also, the PTO off of the transmission and drive shaft to the pump in the lift. Looking back now, I'm amazed at the "engineering" and untested skills I had to do this.
The engine was the standard two barrel V8 and getting pretty worn out by then. I found a 1955 Chrysler 354 Hemi V8 in a junk yard. Good god, the torque! The ex and I got a cab over camper. With three small kids, a visiting teen relative, and all that load, I could climb the 7% Eisenhower Tunnel approaches and 10,000 feet.....in high gear! Even at 45mph, I passed plenty of vehicles of all types. Also from that Chrysler, I took the two electric trumpet horns that sounded just like a truck or locomotive. We would pass slower vehicles and blast the "air" horns if there were kids in the car; they would do the pull the hand down signaling to do it again. I always obliged, of course.
During the tumultuous times of our divorce and the ending of the landscaping business, I abandoned the truck in a friend's nursery field. Once in a rare while I have a dream where I have it again. I hope someone got it that could appreciate it and keep it going.
Another awesome history video. I remember the Dodge Truck of the 1980s and early 90s. My favourite was the 1990-95 Ram with the Cummins Turbo Diesel.
I've got a restored 1953 b4c pilot house dodge truck in my garage. I'd have to say after driving the 53, then hop in my 2017 ram. We have come a long way. Thanks for the video!
Right on!
My favorite era is 1972-1979. Last of the available big block motors and IMO best styling, especially the “Adult Toys” variants.These were also the last to have grilles made of metal.
Yes. The Macho version was awesome.
When i was a kid the Gen 2 came out I thought it was absolutely ground breaking. Still love it
All manufacturers, no matter which one have their all star vehicles and their flops. It all comes down to what you prefer in a vehicle. I've been a Mopar lover since I've been a child from the cars to the trucks they have engineered some of the best vehicles on the planet. I have the feeling the best is yet to come.
my mother bought a 97 2wd swb single cab automatic and 5.9 360 brand new. we still have the truck to this day and the rear end went out on it. still runs and hopefully soon it will be driving again soon. the truck has been a great truck and served us well. the 2nd gen ram will always hold a special place for us.
i drove a 97 ram 2500 with the v10 as a company truck and i absolutely loved it. the note coming from the exhaust was music to my ears. it was my baby, i miss driving it and hearing that v10 roar
I knew a GM truck assembly worker, he said the Dodge truck was the best kept secret. Most of the workers would have driven one if they could.
😂 Rams are garbage.
You should’ve mention how RAM offered a manual in the full size trucks up until 2018, which was longer than the other brands
Love the Dodge truck line. Currently running an 02 Ram 1500 with the 5.9l Magnum. One of the last to see the Magnum series engines before the switch was made to the 5.7 Hemi
Glad you included Graham history... Not including them would have been like not including Maxwell in the story of Chrysler.
Luv the video. You could also add Chrysler owned New Process gear which produced transfer cases and was the largest supplier of all full size 4x4's including Ford and GM.
I sure wish they would bring back the Dakota....miss mine...owned 2 of them.
I purchased my 2020 Ram Hemi 4 +4 while I winter in Florida during the pandenic. It listed for 47 k and I got it for 33k due to they we re not selling anything during that time. I have had it for going on three years, and recently turned down 40k for it. If you have anything with a hemi in it, keep it. The value will just keep going up and up. Crazy. Good show.
Thanks for sharing!
I loved my short bed slant six 1984 Ram. I put 300k miles on that thing and it was still running when I sold it.
My grandfather owned a 76 Dodge pickup as well as a 94 Dodge Dakota. Ive have driven two Dodge trucks, one of them I bought from my dad a 96 Dodge Ram 1500. Which he bought off of my uncle. Who used it to haul scrap metal. We used it to haul brush and firewood. Couldn't keep water pumps in that truck. My first real truck was an 88 Dakota with a 4 cyl and five speed. I used it in high school to haul my lawnmowers.😊
I have a 1964 w200, a 1967 w100, a 1970 d200, a 1992 Cummins, and a 2022 ram 1500… this weekend I’m picking up a 1984 w350 to use for a body swap with my clean d200. All my trucks run and drive
Ram is my favorite out of Ford and Chevrolet. I’m kind of bending towards Mopar nowadays maybe because I miss the days when Dodge had a full car lineup (even as recently as 2020). Dodge is like Mitsubishi; they exist, but not like they used to be.
I have always liked Dodge RAM , and the Dakota, really came up with a great idea, not big nor small
Chrysler are missing out on the midsize truck market in the US. It's time to bring back the Dakota.
Best trucks in the world I love my D series, its super intuitive to fix and that 318 is awesome.
I had an idea years ago for Chrysler to reuse it's minivan plaform, especially the 4th gen to produce a small unibody based truck. That plaform offered easy ways to "beef up" the stock suspension and had AWD option capability. If anyone would do it out of the big three it would have been Chrysler and it would have been very cost effective especially as demand for the minivan dropped. It would have given consumers a entry level truck at a time when truck prices had been climbing. I pitched the idea to Ford too when it was looking for something to replace the aging Ranger. The Ford Windstar/Freestar platform was fairly beefy, but didn't offer awd optional. I never offered my idea to GM because their van was far too narrow and wasn't exactly open to new ideas. It might have sounded a little radical in the early 2000's but I thought it was fairly logical. Now it's just like well we have all these little front wheel drive trucks...
I hope they both send you little residual checks for your idea!
@AllCarswithJon It would have been nice. Great videos Jon. I definitely enjoy these throwbacks.
The front drive minivans did not have enough space for a heavy duty transmission
@timothykeith1367 Yeah but it's not like these uts are the least bit heavy duty. Most are based on car platforms and Chrysler automatics before the A604 fiasco had been fairly reliable. I would say no worse than their GM counterpart.
My first dodge truck was a 1975 model, tough old vehicle, my next trucks were dodge d150s. Powerful, durable and great to drive.
The Gen2 Dakota was the best truck I ever owned. Good size V6, dual range 4x4, factory big tires. Christ do I miss it.
I think I saw an '80 Ram exactly like that one you showed drive by me the other day. It had "Dodge Ram" across the tailgate, which would be an awesome retro design.
I've been hooked on Dodge trucks ever since my father bought his 1978 Li'l Red Express.....Then he bought an "82 Ram..Then an "84..Then I bought a 2001 Ram and then a 2012 Ram Express......Love "em or hate "em,I've always had good service out of Dodge trucks.....My next truck will be a Ram.
That international c-120 travelette is so cool! Would make a very cool body for a custom offroad rig!
Hi! That was a very entertaining "history of..."! I believe there is only _utilititarian_ and _ugly_ in store for our once stylish, outrageous, and daring cars N trucks we all drool over. These histories make sure newer gens will always know what they missed!! Boy, that "Warlock" was deadly!!! \m/
Jeepers Jon you powered through that script pretty fast. I had to back up a couple times to catch up.
You covered everything albeit all too short! Right on Brand. Cheers 🇨🇦
Thanks for being here! I get some criticism for being a bit long winded and s l o w, so I did try to step it up a bit. Also, it maked the editing a bit easier when I don't have to dragggg some of the images out longer because I'm not getting to the point! :)
Keep up the good work with these history videos!!. How about a history videos for Chevy,Ford,GMC,Jeep, Studebaker and International Trucks??
A Power Wagon was a Dodge truck exclusive. It was a winning truck. It followed the book on 4WD. By rustproofing and weatherproofing your truck, it lasted for decades. A '74 Power Wagon was namely good. I did not get that blessing.
Dodge RAM 1977😍🥰💪
The old Plymouth pickups had the nicest looking cabs and front ends.
My absolute dream truck would be a 4th gen Ram with the 5.9 12v.
I learned how to drive in a '74 D200 Adventurer with a twin cab. Three speed manual and manual everything else. My Dad figured if I could drive it, I could drive almost anything.
I was surprised to hear they increased the amount of galvanized steel by then. When I started driving it in 1982 rust had already been eating away at the cab and bed for a while. Though it was purchased in Germany to replace our 1968 VW Camper and Volvo 140, so maybe European spec versions were built different.
I don't understand why they got rid of the twin cab design. Four doors and seats 6 might be a niche market, but there weren't many practical substitutes available at the time.
Side note, the VW replaced an AMC Rambler. Apparently my father wasn't big on brand loyalty.
Love the 1972-1993 full Size pickups and Dodge Ramchargers particularly 1991-1993 models with its cross grill.
Great video I enjoyed the history of the Dodge trucks. While I’ve always considered myself a Ford guy first, Dodge has always been my second choice. I always really liked the 94-01 Ram 1500. I had one as a company truck years ago and it was a really good old truck. Very comfortable too. I owned a 95 Dakota Sport but it gave me a lot of problems. After it was totaled I went back to a Ford
my dad bought a 2000 3500 brand new off the lot (but sadly the dealer had to drive it to our house) and we had that truck for years. even had a accident where we were driving home during the winter and hit a bad ice and had the truck flip over with my dad, brother, sister and i in the truck. thankfully everyone was fine but it was a interesting night seeing the Sheriff come to the house and whatnot. this was 20 years ago i think as well? don't remember the date though. sadly he had to sell it few years later to a friend and he still has it and my goal is to someday buy it and restore it as much as i can. :D
I have a 2018 v6 SLT 4×4 flex fuel. Great truck. Eventually in time I will need to replace the engine but i will keep this truck for life.
90,000 miles. No issues.
I have an 06 mega cab with the 5.9, definitely been my favorite and least favorite truck all in one
I had a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Quad Cab truck, with an 8-foot bed, 360ci Magnum V8. Sadly, a drunk driver crashed into it in April of this year, and I now own a 2017 Durango SXT. Interesting fact: 2024 will be the 110th anniversary of Dodge.
Dodge trucks did offer starting 1949 the Chrysler fluid drive semi-automatic transmission as optional equipment.
My first truck was a 70 Fargo. At 6 years old almost everything was wrong with it. I foxed it up and had a great trick for about 12 years untill it rusted away. Now the back is my trailer.
I remember seeing the first mega cab as a young teen when they first came out and I was hooked. Got a 2014 2500 Laramie longhorn mega cab I was pissed it didn’t come with mega cab badges like the first models did. So you know I went and bought some off eBay 😂 and she’s a Cummins. I also had a buddy with an early 90s Dakota with the V8 and that thing was nasty legit a sleeper
'A very comprehensive and enjoyable historic automotive video production, despite the crew cab glitch previously commented upon!
Please keep up the great research as well as the high quality presentation and production qualities, without AI or ChatGPT shortcuts and diminishments!!
Bravo! 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚 🛻 🚚
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am still driving a 2005 Daytona edition RAM 1500. It's the 2wd regular cab version in mango orange.
If there was one truck that I don't have anymore that I wish I could have back, it would be my 1991 Ram 250 with a 12V Cummins, 4x4, single cab. Used to be a Canadian Hydro truck so it had a beefed up suspension that made it look lifted.
Truck had numerous recurring issues.
- Electronics never worked, even when fixed, they'd die a month later (Heat and AC never worked. Radio was flitzy) I ended up boring a hole through the dash into the engine bay then ran a piece of duct into the cab then glued a little battery fan to the dash to dethaw the window.
- 2nd gear in the 5 speed manual transmission didn't work right. Would always bog down and stall, so I'd have to bring the truck to 2400rpm (Redline was 2600 if I remember correctly) then drop it right into 3rd
- 4x4 always got stuck in 4WD HI. You could take the actual shifter out of 4WD and put it back into 2WD position but the little couplings that connected the drive axels on the front would always remain engaged.
I replaced it with a 1997 F250 with a 7.3L which was overall a better truck but I do deeply miss all the quirkiness of that truck and kinda wished I hadn't gotten rid of it
Those were minor fixes for that truck..
I have a 1979 Dodge W200 crew cab with 360 I bought in 2006. Originally used by Alberta Government, it was auctioned to someone who used it for snow plowing apartment parking lots. Still looking for Ramsey 200R pto winch parts.
My first truck was a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.9L Magnum V8 2wd single cab
Got a 2022 Laramie wow ride and handling off the chain fit and finish spacious interior best in the biz i call it a Mercedes that you can haul in
Jon - I own a second generation. Bought new in 1996.
I really like the Ram , I have a 1999 model that I’m rebuilding it has the 5.9 liter with 4 wheel drive and I’m having fun with it while I’m rebuilding it.😁😁👍👍
I have owned my GEN 3 Ram 2500 HEMI now for 14 year's. No major problems. Just predictable reliability 24/7. Love that truck. MoPar No car!
Great Video!!
Thanks!
Love my mopars, and only wish i could own an old power wagon. I had to settle with making a shirt with one on it. lol
My uncle still has his 33 dodge pickup with factory suicide doors. With gold flake bronze fenders. Still the most beautiful truck ive seen. He put a buikt up 318 in it. That little truck hauls ass. My first was a 59 D100 then later on i bought a 57. Total ive owned 27 dodge trucks back when noone wanted them. Still miss my powerwagons. (46)
Overall, a wonderful video of the Dodge Ram timeline. I would like to make a couple of corrections to the 2nd gen Ram timeline though.
The Club Cab wasn't offered on the 2nd gen until 1994 for the 1995 model year. In 2000 the Club Cab was only available for the 1500 SWB, and by 2001 the Club Cab was discontinued.
One correction the 81-93 were still d and w series but were rams
I own many dodge truck 1/64 scale models
That 1936 example was sweet.
I remember in Vietnam seeing the Fargo trucks,
Plymouth pu .etc. kinda odd bu interesting. 67-68-69.
I had a 78 Dodge Li’l Red Express.
To me the 73-79’s were the peak of design. Anything before that was just plain hideous. After the 79, they kept looking better with their designs. But their unreliability has always been an issue, that plagues them till today.
I have and still driving 85 dodge stepside shortbed.. the ecu box still works lol. And the tape player still works...
I've wanted a late 90's Dodge since they came out.
The most beautiful Dodge Ram truck ever made are the 1972-1993 D-Series models!!
I had a 1979 dodge back in 91 when I was 18 years old
i love my 86 W150
I own a 98 dodge ram 1500.
And I love it
Even though it has 201 000 on the odometer.
Unfortunately after the Dodge brothers died, Dodge's quality went down. The Dodge brothers make sure their cars/trucks were built good quality
Have a look at Australian Dodge utes and trucks. Also De soto, Plymouth and Chrysler utes. Before El Camino and Rancheros there was mopar utes in Australia. Like from the 1930s.
More and more, from more and more videos I do.... I feel there's a "History of the 'Ute" video that's needed!
@AllCarswithJon In 1965 to 1978 Chrysler Australia made Valiant utes. The base version got a Dodge badge.
Very interesting content! Could you make one for Cummins?
As a ram guy. 80s going back. No matter if its a Ford, Chevy , and dodge. They all where real trucks. Real American made. Built to last forever. After 90s they all went to garbage.
You can't imagine how much This hurts but... agreed.
Well done. Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
A+ Big John ***** perfect video thank you. So good.
Thank you kindly!
"Intrepid truck isn't real. He can't hurt you."
Intrepid truck: 11:21
I graduated in 94 when the new dodge came out
A few years they decided to make RAM their own brand for trucks. I don't know why, maybe because GM has GMC, Chrysler wanted to make Dodge trucks their own brand
Just different marketing to adapt
Great video on the Dodge trucks I love Dodge trucks as well I got a heck of a deal on a 1984 Dodge d100 prospector about 10 years ago let me tell you I have done just about everything you could do with a truck with that truck and I don't think there's any vehicle out there that I would trade that prospector for
Awesome! Thanks for the comment!
You could also put a lot of good miles of them, and they lasted for a long time. My dad put over a quarter of a million miles on his before it went.
I've owned close to 40 vehicles in my life, and of those, 30 were daily drivers. Without a single doubt, the 3 worst were two Plymouths and a 79 Dodge truck. The truck by far being the worst of the lot.
There's a good reason Chrysler went bankrupt. Twice.
FYI The Fargo name was used in Canada until 1980
I'll take one with "The Dude" package, and a 318 with granny-gear 4 speed. Oh, and I want dealer-installed glass packs. 😊
2nd gen dodge is just a very beautiful truck gah lee
Ram emblem looks great . Dodge truck have a grille and looked like a semi truck
The problem with contemporary Ram trucks is poor quality, just like most Chrysler products. 😢