I am considering to trade my 2000 F150 4.2V6 5-speed for a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 w/ 5.9 auto. Has anybody had good luck with these trucks? Just how bad is the 5.9 on gas? What about power, towing? How smooth is the ride (I know they have solid front axles, where as my ford has indepentent front suspension). How is the overall reliability? Is it easy to work on? I've heard ball joints are a problem? And what's this I hear about the strange cupholders??

So there is a 96 Ram at a dealership. The truck has roughly 84,000 miles on it. The only bad thing is that the dealer wants 9,995 for it, which is WAY overbooked. Any tips on how to deal with him to reduce the price? What would you guys pay for this truck? BTW it is an extended cab SLT (has all the power options). The dealer also said its a one owner, which is a plus. If the dealer backs down his price, I will trade my truck in on it. I just wonder about going to a 96 from a 2000. Is there any reasonably priced aftermarket products (exhaust, air filter/intake, etc) to increase the mpg on these trucks?

 

Nothing to really help mpg's. Might gain 1-2. Maybe 3 with an added e-fan conversion. Normally, it seems that 10-15 mpg is average, depending on how you drive. The plenum is something to look at. There's a sticky at the top of the tech page for it. Read it.

Vacuum lines to the cad for 4wd like to rot out.
Brake line to rear next to fuel tank like to rot out.
Nothing really helps in the power department other than a "built" motor.
Dashes crack and fall apart.
Ball Joints can be troublesome.
Track bar is of **** design.
3rd brake light likes to leak.
Headlight switch like to go out.
Tranny's are **** for the most part. Some need rebuilt at 80k miles, others have gone 200k.
The steering sucks for the most part.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

But to add, I bought mine with 102k miles 3-4 years ago. I have 149k now. I've hauled 2k+ in the bed. I've towed 10k+. Plus I plow. And I have the 5.2L. These trucks IMO, will not win a race, but will work like hell.

And my trans. is original.

 

don't even stop and look at a 96 that's priced at $10,000.
that truck's only worth about $3K

if you want one of these trucks, get an 00-01 "offroad edition" for about $5-6K
it has 4.10 gearing which will accomodate the larger tires you'll want to put on it.
also better brakes, better computer, capable of tuning, etc.

 

96 for $10,000??? Are they insane? For reference, I got my 97 4x4 extended cab with the 318 for $2800. It had 174000 miles. The transmission promptly **** itself about 2 months later. I got around 13-14 MPG.

 

For a bit more reference, last September I got my 01 off road edition, ext cab, 360 with 76k miles on it for $7000...now granted it needed a little body work on the doors but still....$10k for a 96 is absurd even with the relatively low mileage. I'd go no more than 5 or 6 thousand maybe

 

I got my 96 for about 2600..... (including the trade in value of my blazer with a bad trans.)

NADA says, in PRISTINE condition, value is 6100.00...... The dealer is trying to gouge you.

 

I don't care about the price but have you driven one of these trucks at all? You are going from ifs to a solid axle, going from nice steering to sloppy steering, mpg most likely will be much less than what you are getting in the f150, have you got tools and are you mech inclined cuz you are going to need both unless you like to pay mechs. I suggest you read through this forum and go from there and take one of these truck for a drive, not a 10min drive around the block but a good 1 hr ride on the hwy and in the city.

 

yall trying to scare him away from a dodge? Like all other trucks, they have their inherit faults but they are pretty damn tough. Biggest issue is trans and plenum gasket. If those are good and have been maintained it is a tank. Everything else mentioned is minor and is not just a dodge problem. What truck with over 100k couldn't use ball joints.

all that aside, it still is overpriced. i paid 9k for my 01 but that included all the finaincing and it was loaded to the gills. my 01 3/4 ton cost me $2400 cash. both of them are 2wd.

 

Yes, we are trying to scare him away that way we can have more for ourselves.