Hey guys, just sold my chevy (i hate chevy's) and looking to buy a 1/2 ton or maybe an HD truck. Found a 1999 Ram 2500 V10 4x4 locally for $2200. Needs tires and brakes and has peeling clear coat on hood and roof, everything else is solid according to the ad. I know my way around cars and trucks but just want to get some advice on what to look for/common problems. Has anyone had the clear coat/paint repaired on these and how much? I've seen A LOT of ram's with the same problem. I daily drive my motorcycle on short trips, this truck will be used for home depot trips and such as well as towing the boat/sea doos and taking the dirt bikes to the desert. What kind of MPG do you guys get unloaded? I've heard 5-15. 5 would suck, 10 is acceptable, i'd be stoked for 15. Most of all just let me know what to keep a look out for, hopefully i can go look today.

Thanks!

 

I have one and love it. Figure 8 mpg on average. Some guys get a little more, some less. On the highway at 62-65, I can get almost 14 out of it and that's with 33's and 4.10 gearing.

The clear coat issue is common as you know. You'll either have to repaint the whole panel or live with it.

 

Thanks. Unfortunately that truck sold within about 2 hours of being posted so I didn't have a chance to see it. I've got a line on a 1999 1500 4x4 5.9 that's super clean for about $3k so hopefully I can pick that one up. I had a 5.9 in my 1998 Grand Cherokee so I'm familiar with those and that was a great engine. I've always wanted a 1/2 ton truck with solid axles

 

I get 10-12.5, 4.5" lift on 35s. 5.2l, just tuned up EVERYTHING. And I have a lead foot.

Clear coat peeling you will need to repaint it all. My shop does it for $3500-$4500, but I've done a few friends for $200 labor and for paint and all supplies around $800-1000 for a quality job. Good luck with the ram.

also, Lookout for rust in the wheel wells and under the doors and under the tailgate, make sure your frame isn't bent anywhere underneath, and take a code reader just incase he wants to hide some codes.

 

Look at the plenum, examine the cat and listen for any weird noises coming from the exhaust.