Hey guys, I sold my Dakota and am looking at a replacement truck. 2nd gen Rams seem to be fitting my budget for an occasional use truck. (hauling mulch, lawn mowers and the occasional dryer/refrigerator). Seems to be a few 2nd gens around me in my price range but most are at or over 200k, quesiton is whats the longevity on these trucks? What should I be on the lookout for? I see cracked dashes on many of them (common issue?) and rust over the rear and front wheelwells. Thanks for any tips you can provide.

 

There are a lot of Rams that can go over 200k, but most are usually beaten.
If you can get a clean one that still has 200k it shouldn't be too bad.

We have bad plenums, crappy auto transmissions and cracked dashes.
The t-cases like to let loose every once in a while as do the rear ends if they have the LSD. Rust over the wheelwells is pretty common for northern trucks.

They also drink gas like an alcoholic drinks whiskey.

If you can get a nice one, you'd be doing good but you'll still have issues. Which is why you have us.

 

Thanks, which plenum are you referring to? Intake? HVAC? Easy fixes?

 

Intake, read the plenum sticky.

 

Yea the plenum is a big issue. The t cases and tranny letting go?? Nahhhh never lol

 

The stock heads crack at the valve seats. Improper spark plug wire routing will result in misfires, typically along the passenger bank.

 

Interesting reading. Is the plenum issue common among all second gens or did Dodge manage to put a fix in place?

 

It's common, and you fix it yourself or have someone do it, with the parts listed in that sticky thread.

 

Read up on the heater core replacement procedure in the DIY. That's for when you have a heart attack when a shop quotes you $750 or more for the job. It's a PITA that will take a first-timer the better part of a Saturday to accomplish.

 

if you can afford it, go for a cummins. better in every way. 200k is just breaking the motor in. they are known for going over 1 million miles with no rebuilds or major issues.

no "plenum" issues because there is no plenum. they do have injection pump issues on the 98.5-02, but that can be avoided or fixed in 2 ways...1. upgrade to an aftermarket lift pump and get a fuel pressure gauge to ensure it gets proper fuel pressure, or two convert it to a p-pump (p7100 injection pump off the 94-98 12v motors)

other than that the engines are damn near bullet proof and average 17-24MPG on a stock truck depending on gearing and tire size.

moderately modified like mine...14mpg with occasional hot-rodding in that calculation...


as for ALL second gens...cracked dash is an issue for warmer climate states...not a problem in my area and its almost unheard of in my area due to the mild climate and trees everywhere. LMC truck sells replacement dashes for couple hundred bucks that gives you a new dash, and its more resistant to sun damage and cracking than factory dashes.

rust is an issue in the wheel wells and the lower door panels.

these things are notorious for steering issues. (even 3rd gens are plagued with them) if you have a 2000 or later truck you can retrofit 08.5-2012 steering assemblies in the truck and go with an aftermarket track bar to eliminate most of the steering issues...then theres the junk steering columns that creek and pop. "rock solid ram steering fix" for that. (its a bushing kit you put in). and the gas v8's have their plenum issues and severe gas binge drinking problem...good trucks otherwise though.