Hey all. I've been sniffing around here for a couple of weeks and I wanted to say hello. Great forum with lots of good info. Glad I found it.

So a good friend of mine I've known for the last 20 years bought a new Ram in 1998 off the lot. He has been talking about selling it for the last couple of years to buy a 4 door truck instead. He finally did and I happily scooped up his Ram for $800 last week. Now it's no beauty queen and has the typical clear coat peeling and some lower door and rocker rot, but it looks great from 20 feet away and runs like a top.

It's a 4wd short bed regular cab Laramie SLT auto with the 318 motor and 3.55 gears. It's got 137,000 miles on it and it runs and shifts great. It has new brakes all around, new brake and fuel lines, recent ball joints and wheel bearings. It has the Heavy Duty Service Group and Trailer Tow Group. The tranny cooler is bigger than the one in my 96 F250 powerstroke. It's never plowed and the only towing it did was infrequent and light. Hopefully the transmission is a healthy happy one. So far so good. The interior is absolutely perfect. It's had seat covers on since 1998. No cracks in the dash, no tears or wear in the rugs. Just really clean and comfortable. At least it feels comfortable compared to my F250.

Mechanically it needs a water pump, shocks all around, fuel filler neck replacement (rusted out), one tank strap but I'll replace them both, and the 4wd won't engage. I'm planning on new tires at some point, but it's not urgent just yet. I've already replaced the plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, all of which my friend bought but hadn't installed.

Check out the pics. I have all 4 chrome rims, but there is a spare on the back right now. I'll post the build sheet too if anyone is curious. It's pretty long though.

Thanks for looking.
Chris-

*R1 Premium Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
-C3 Mist Gray
ADAP Light Group
ADJ Heavy Duty Service Group
AHC Trailer Tow Group
AJKP Convenience Group
AJPP Power Convenience Group
AMRS Storage Group - Behind Seat, Modular
APCA Center Band Two Tone Paint
ASPP SLT Decor Group
A05P 5.2L Engine(ELF)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGT)
BAZP 136 Amp Alternator
BCQP 750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKAS 11x2 Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CGDS Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CGZS Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch
CHEP Deluxe Headliner
CKEP Front Seat Area Carpet
CLAP Front Floor Mats
CSPS Passenger Assist Handle
CSRP Passenger Assist Handles
CUDP Mini Overhead Console
CUVP Behind Seat Modular Storage System
CUYP Storage Tray
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGTS 4-Spd. Automatic 46RE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHKS Shift-on-the-Fly,231HD Transfer Case
DJCS 195MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRBP Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
EAGC All Gas Engine
ELF 5.2L V8 MPI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GFD Rear Sliding Window
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNMP Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GTSP Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGAP Hood Insulation
HGBS Dash Liner Insulation
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
KBDP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KRXS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KTXS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K1XP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K17P STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING
LAAP Ignition Time Delay Lamp
LBAP Map/Courtesy Lamp
LBCP Glove Box Lamp
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNC Clearance Lamps
LPES Cargo Lamp
MBFS Bright Rear Bumper
MCTS Bright Front Bumper
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFDS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MPBP Black Tailgate Applique
MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
MXBS Front Air Dam
MXCP Front Bumper Sight Shields
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKP EVAP Control System
NFWS 26 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHMP Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PX8A Black Clear Coat
QFAA Prairie Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASS AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCVP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMP Tire Carrier Winch
TXW P265/75R16 OWL On/Off Road Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WDB 16X7.0 Chrome Wheels
WLBP Steel Spare Wheel
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WMJS Center Hub
XBSS Pickup Box
XCMS Vendor Painted Cargo Box
XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

 

not to bad good luck with it

 

Looks like you got a purdy good deal

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm happy with it. I just got a water pump, 4 monroe reflex shocks and filler neck shipped for 242.00 from amazon. I had been looking for a decent 1500 in the $4K range, but here in the salt belt it's tough to find one with low miles and in good mechanical shape without rot. This truck spent it's life parked across the street from the atlantic ocean so I'm surprised the rust/rot isn't worse. I know this trucks history from day one so when my friend let me know he was selling it I figured why not? It's no 4K dollar truck, but I got a truck and $3200 still in my pocket.

 

When you do the water pump, reseal the timing cover as well. Otherwise, you are likely to be forced to do it in a month or so. Might want to do timing chain and gears while you are RIGHT there. (double roller timing set is an excellent upgrade, and the morse style chains that come stock, do like to stretch. Timing set was on of the best repairs on my truck as far as power gains, and smooth runnin' go.)

Make sure you check your plenum. (see the stickied post in the tech section.)

 

HeyYou,

You've said before that your plenum was really blown, did you do the timing chain at the same time as your plenum? If so, how can you tell what you gained from the new chain?

 

thanks for the info HeyYou.

 

I ended up doing my timing chain about two weeks (or less.....) after doing the plenum. Long story. I think I may have posted it somewhere... been a while ago though.