Ok so I have narrowed my decision b/w two trucks that i really like.

1) a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab with 186K miles. Has the 5.2 engine. Its a clean truck in and out. No rust. Seems to be well taken care of mechanically. $3500

2) a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg cab with 127K miles. Has the 5.9 engine. Clean truck with minimal rust that many dodges seem to have above the fender well. Again this truck seems to be mechanically taken care of. 2" leveling kit with extended front shocks, has a tool box and MOOG trackbar as well. $3600

I guess my only concern is the huge difference in miles. I would like a quad cab but there is no apparent reason to have the extra seats other than just for the luxary of having them. So if i could get your opinions on this issue I would hugely appreciate it.

Thanks in advanced.

 

Get the rust free truck.

 

Are both 4x4? Both auto tranny? If so I'd go with lower mileage one. But if your not gonna get the rust fixed on it, you might as well just get the rust free one.

 

I would go for the rust free quad cab.

believe me, the extra space always comes in handy when you need to go grocery shopping, or haul some chicks around, etc.

 

Before buying either truck make sure to read the about the plenum issues involved with either truck and plan spending $$$ to fix the issue if it has not been done by the previous owners. This can be a major expense if you cannot do it yourself plus other things that should be done when the plenum fix is done. When buying a truck with that many miles I sure would feel better if I had a maintenance record history if possible. That being said I would go for the rust free truck if you are going for one or the other. Good luck!!

 

Thanks for all the input. Yes they are both 4x4 and both autos unfortunately. I have read about the plenum gasket and plan on doing that fix myself this summer along with the timing chains. apparently the previous owner sprayed an undercoat over the rust which i heard was bad so im not sure how i would go about getting that fixed?

 

If it's an oil based type it's a good thing and a preventative measure for future growth (even though it's already too late..). If it's the spray on rubberized crap then it won't help much.

It's hard for us to help you make a choice when all we have to look at is a block of words. My advice is get under both trucks and take a good look for rot. See that this "rust free" truck actually is rust free. Fact is, if you live in an area with salted roads and the truck isn't a garage queen or hasn't been heavily undercoated, there's a good chance it's a 16 year old rust bucket

 

Trucks in question:

1) http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/3633235405.html

2) http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/3640523183.html

 

I would never go to another single cab...had single cabs in the past and always wanted more room. sometimes with the quad cab I wish I had a trunk haha. kinda wish it was a long bed some times just so I could fit a toolbox back there and still get the dirt bike in the bed...

 

Get the club cab.