From the other side of the fence, I can see that Stumper nails it.
There's a lot more to building a car than engineering. Often, engineering gets the second or third go at it, after styling and bean-counters have gang-banged it into mediocrity.
Ever change the oil in a later model Ram with a 5.7 Hemi?
The dang filter is right above the boot for the steering rack. If you don't have a rag, it soaks the boot and I'm sure eventually that would lead to a failure.
A young mechanic told me that the A/C drain in the 2002-2008 Rams is above the trans dipstick hole. In some cases, the water can get past the dipstick seal. Once water gets into the trans, it is not good.
