3rd gen Ram - importing to LatAm
Thread Starter
|
Beginner
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1
3rd gen Ram - importing to LatAm
Hey guys. I'm working remotely in South America and intend to buy myself a truck and tour around different countries in Latin America (Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia etc - bad roads, high altitudes and all kinds of weather conditions from heavy rains on muddy unpaved jungle roads to snowy mountains and dry deserts in extreme altitudes)
One of my childhood dream cars is a 2000s Dodge Ram - the 3rd generation with this grill https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...m-Mega-Cab.jpg (I hate the redesigned look of modern Rams, I want the big chrome grill with the Dodge logo ;D), so I'd love to get my hands on one. There are a lot of pick up trucks here, Chevies, F150s, Hiluxes, Great Wall Wingles etc. But those early 2000s Rams are kind of rare. And cars are very expensive here. So I'm considering importing one from Texas to Colombia on a shipping container. That being said, before I do so, I've a lot of questions:
1 Which engine & model & year is considered the most foolproof and overall best? I'd highly prefer a diesel engine (diesel is cheaper and common here + fuel economy, although gas prices are affordable here) and I need 4x4
which brings me to
2 How good / reliable offroaders the lighter 3rd gen 4x4 models are? The truck doesnt need to be on par with pure offroad cars like Land Cruisers, H1s, Nivas and Defenders, but obviously it needs to be capable to handle the different terrain that's for offer here. Or is it better to get a 2500/3500 for more power? I dont need high towing capacity that much, but more horses & torque is always appreciated
3. What are the common problem areas / issues I need to be vary of before buying a Ram of that generation? Any specific parts that I'd be better off buying off before hand for replacement / repairs that might be hard to find in South America? Bear in mind I likely wouldn't be able to check the truck in person before buying it if I import one!
4. Any one with experience of living in Latin America who could weigh in on this issue, is it just better and safer to buy a Japanese truck or a maybe a Chevy (new F150s etc are out of my price range atm) when living here for the ease of finding spare parts and mechanics who know how to repair the truck?
Another early/mid 2000s consideration I have is a Ford Excursion with the 7,3 turbo diesel, but that one might be a bit too heavy for some weather conditions, and my preference is the Ram
One of my childhood dream cars is a 2000s Dodge Ram - the 3rd generation with this grill https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...m-Mega-Cab.jpg (I hate the redesigned look of modern Rams, I want the big chrome grill with the Dodge logo ;D), so I'd love to get my hands on one. There are a lot of pick up trucks here, Chevies, F150s, Hiluxes, Great Wall Wingles etc. But those early 2000s Rams are kind of rare. And cars are very expensive here. So I'm considering importing one from Texas to Colombia on a shipping container. That being said, before I do so, I've a lot of questions:
1 Which engine & model & year is considered the most foolproof and overall best? I'd highly prefer a diesel engine (diesel is cheaper and common here + fuel economy, although gas prices are affordable here) and I need 4x4
which brings me to
2 How good / reliable offroaders the lighter 3rd gen 4x4 models are? The truck doesnt need to be on par with pure offroad cars like Land Cruisers, H1s, Nivas and Defenders, but obviously it needs to be capable to handle the different terrain that's for offer here. Or is it better to get a 2500/3500 for more power? I dont need high towing capacity that much, but more horses & torque is always appreciated
3. What are the common problem areas / issues I need to be vary of before buying a Ram of that generation? Any specific parts that I'd be better off buying off before hand for replacement / repairs that might be hard to find in South America? Bear in mind I likely wouldn't be able to check the truck in person before buying it if I import one!
4. Any one with experience of living in Latin America who could weigh in on this issue, is it just better and safer to buy a Japanese truck or a maybe a Chevy (new F150s etc are out of my price range atm) when living here for the ease of finding spare parts and mechanics who know how to repair the truck?
Another early/mid 2000s consideration I have is a Ford Excursion with the 7,3 turbo diesel, but that one might be a bit too heavy for some weather conditions, and my preference is the Ram
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
