Well, yesterday I bought a 1500 for my birthday. Been wanting one for a long time and I made up my mind (between the two from my previous thread). I bought the '98 with the 5.2 the four doors. Also has a cap and running boards. Currently, there's a little bubbling up and a few rust spots that I could cover with dimes.

I took a look at it and didn't see anything major and then took it to a mechanic for a second look and so they could put it on a lift. The only thing they found was that the water pump was leaking so I was able to knock down the price a bit and I'll replace the water pump myself.

It runs like a dream. For over 130k miles and being a '98, it does run smooth. It has an aftermarket muffler that is a little louder than stock, but sounds beautiful. Louder, but not the obnoxious loud. The tranny shifts smooth and the fluid was beautiful looking. It also has the 8ft bed which I had really wanted.

Overall, very happy with it. I've noticed that with the size and extra noise, I don't have a problem getting lane changes when I want them. I don't live in a city, but did end up Indianapolis tonight with the wife. I was a little concerned, especially with the size, but learned it was to my advantage and no one gave me trouble or tried to crowd in on me.

I've already started on some customizations. Got some floormats that won't get stained (I'm am aircraft mechanic) and picked up some seat covers. Got a nice one for the driver's side then my wife saw one with some pink so I got it and told her I'd put it on her seat in the truck. Also picked up a couple other small things. Next is the CB radio getting hooked up and installed. I'm thinking o putting it just to the left of the cupholders. It'll cover the ashtray, but I'm fine with that.

There are other things coming. I'm just getting started. Thinking some roof marker lights. I always thought those were cool. Do I need them? Nah. But, sometimes you gotta splurge a little. I've been wanting my own truck my whole life and I was finally in a position to do it and I plan on babying this thing (well, work her as a truck, but keep baby her mechanically) and keeping her for a long time.

Sorry for the long ramble. Just really excited. My wife was on the phone with her mom today and mentioned that she's surprised I'm not sleeping in there. Not that I wasn't tempted.

 

Congrats on the truck! If it was me, I'd try to nip that rust in the butt before it turns in to major rot and becomes a problem. Rust is like cancer and can (and usually will) always come back but there are definitely things that can be done to fight it! I'm winning the fight with mine right now, but who knows for how long. Also, you should plan on dedicating a weekend to do some good solid maintenance on it...change the timing chain with the water pump and pull the throttle body to get a good look at how the plenum is doing. Odds are, it needs to be addressed. Good luck brother!

 

Congrats on the purchase of the truck. Photo's are mandatory here! Lets see this new rig.

Well not only did you get a new truck you got a mistress as well, expect to spend some time with her lot's of time and some money. Read the plenum sticky thread, clean off your tools and get to work. First step is a comp test post the results here, then move onto the plenum job. The sooner you get this work done the happier you will be.

 

I too offer congrats. Owning a 98 1500 rust is minimal (it's usually the roof
and hood mange if it was without a garage life). I've addressed the hood,
I'll tackle the roof this spring. Mechanical is always an ongoing effort
(my full time gasser).


I'm getting a 97 ready (water pump changed, intake gasket in progress, 180* tstat). The 97 will be complete soon. I'm on the hunt for a 95 or 96
V10 4wd.


Best of luck with your purchase. K.

 

congrats on the purchase (& happy b-day). now where are those pics.

 

I got my '98 for my B'day in '98... I'm still lov'n it all these years later.
Congrats for the day, and the present.

 

Congratulations on the truck, happy belated birthday and welcome to the forum

 

Welcome to the forum! And for the cb radio, I went with the smaller radio's in my ram's and they fit sideways, with the ***** facing my leg, underneath the cup holder on the wall. With it being longways left to right, and the bottom of the radio against the wall, I mounted my radios that way. Getting a center mat, I ran the cb cable under it and to the rear of the cab. I removed the dash piece under the steering wheel, and slipped the power wires behind that, then put it back on. That price is great for placing a toggle switch to keep from draining your batter with the radio. The power cables can run out one of the plugs in the fire wall behind the gas petal high up in there. Take a knife and make a slit big enough to put the wires through, and so it's snug, you don't want any bugs or critters coming through that hole, so don't remove it, run the wires through the plug.

Pictures please!

 

Congrats on the new truck! I also have a 98 with 318, but unfortunately, the cancer has gone too far in my case. The door bottoms are completely gone to the point where when my window shattered, I slid most of the glass through the bottom of the door... So I would take care of that rust before it gets out of hand lol

 

If your interested in a other option for a CB mount Geno's Garage makes a mount that works well. I had one installed in my 02 and now in my 06. The bracket slides between your center seat and the floor bracket.


http://www.genosgarage.com/CB-MOUNT-.../#.UrJJWXmA2Hs





Congrats on the new (to you) truck. I have owned trucks since I was a kid. My first truck was a 1954 Dodge 1/2ton truck. It had a 6 cyl engine and 3 speed on the tree. Miss that truck and really wish I had kept it.