I wish I could offer some relief. As my buddy Ed(RIP) had a '97 that was a poor ownership experience. 5.9 V8 gas RAM 2500 4WD.
Ed used this RAM as his only car and I did most of the maintenance including OCI's and changing the ATF-3/4 and filter/screen annually to avoid tranny issues...Yeah Right!
Ed drove like the old man that he was and just liked driving a truck...Ed replaced:
Computer
Fuel Pump/Float Assmbly
3 Trannys
Burned oil like crazy...adding oil weekly
Major susspension parts replaced
Sloppy steering
Loss of power, had to replace the Catalitic Converter due to the burning oil(high zinc)
Poor design under the the hood for air filter replacement and distributor cap.
Wires drooped and rested on the exhaust manifold causing short(easy fix)
The solenoid that allows the TC to go into 4WD got replaced 3-4 times...I think that's what it's called, IDK!
And too many other thing to remember but, this RAM was in the shop all the time. Nice lookin' truck and decent to drive and I sure hope they're better today. I hear not!
Ed passed away in '05 and the truck was 8yrs old & had 115K miles and 3 trannys.