So after 3 months of looking within a 300 mile range an off-road package truck finally came up for sale. I went and test drove it and loved it. Those 4.10s really make the difference and the suspension was really nice. However the truck was in need of trans work (badly), needs some touch up and was full of little dents, it was a sport with a laramie rear bumper and tailgate off a different truck, and you could move every part of the steering almost an inch by hand, it has 160k on it and they still wanted $8,000 for it. A non off-road truck would only be like $3500-4 in the condition that one was. I want one so bad but I can't justify that kind of money for a few extras that I don't have now. Mainly the LSD and 4.10s. So here my question to those who have one, are they really that special that there is a $2,000-4,000 premium on these? I can get a 2500 v10 cheaper here.

 

Heck no. Definitely not for the condition your describing. At the age of these trucks, everything is pretty much shot. You'd be better ahead making the upgrades to the standard 4x4 model.

Pass on that one.

 

ONLY LOOKING FOR 3 MONTHS??!!! I looked for ram sport and off road models for nearly 3 years and every one I found in a 150-250 mile range was an over priced pile of junk that the north east winters took their toll on..


the garage kept rust free one owner 120K mile SS/T I bought last year just fell in to my lap as I was on my way to meet the guys I ride with for breakfast one day...


it was in a lowes parking lot with a for sale sign and thankfully was never put in the paper or online for sale.. I knew it needed the plenum done just by the way it ran on the test ride and a set of tires as the set of eagle GTs on it had dry rotted with age but it had rebuilt transmission, and many brand new parts including water pump, complete front brakes including rotors. calipers, etc, etc..


thought I over paid at $4k and ended up putting close to $4k more in to it BUT the truck is 100% and a lot of that $4k was things I wanted and weren't needed for every day use..


I look on the bright side I could have had a newer truck at $300+ payments per month or the BEAUTIFUL 2ND GEN ( I really love this body style ) I currently own

 

I bought my 01 ORE about a year ago around St. Louis for $3400. It had about 148K on it at the time. I've probably put another $2500 into it to replace some things that were wore out due to age and wear and tear. The body was decent when I bought it, but the rust is now starting to show through. Rust is typical around here, though. I love my truck, but if I had to do it all over again I'd probably look for the best condition 98 or newer 5.9 4wd, level it, and be done. The 4.10 gears are the main draw of the ORE in my opinion. The LSD is okay, but aftermarket options are better, apparently. About $1000 of the $2500 I've put into my truck was due to one of the clips coming off of the LSD clutch packs and turning into a lathe on my axle housing, which necessitated a rear end rebuild with a salvage housing. I do love my truck, though.

 

Well that was St. Louis. We are finally seeing a relieve in used vehicle prices after the oil boom has cooled. I used to be if it ran and had 4wd then you could get $2000 minimum not matter the condition. It was totally ridiculous. I did find an ORE 2 weeks ago that someone didn't advertise as one and it had aftermarket wheels that was 200miles away for $5500 with 120k on it. But he never responded to calls or texts and about a week later the ad got pulled.

 

Find a nice truck and add the gears and a locker if you want one.

 

Why not look for a wrecked Off Road Edition with good axles and swap them out on your truck?

 

I did, the only one I could find was 600miles away and the truck had 220000 on it when it got wrecked. The more I look the more I find they are really rare in this area. I have found a few in Minnesota but they were all rusted out from the huge amount of salt they use there and over 400miles away.

 

Just find some 2500 axles with 4.10s. Much more common

 

Thing is I can find v10s in good shape with less than 140k for less than $6000, I just don't need a v10.