So my ram stopped working a few months ago. So I've been in the market. Then I find this little number at a car auction lot.

I go in and check it out. It's pretty clean. 5.2 5spd. But upon further review I noticed that the front drive shaft is gone. I ask the owner about it. And he says that he knew it was missing he has the truck moreso as a show piece to get peoples attention so he doesn't have too much info on it. But since it's on the lot it's technically for sale and says he will take $5000 for it.
What do you guys think? Deal or no deal?

 

How many miles are on it?

It looks pretty clean, I don't think that's a bad price as long as it runs well. Missing that front driveshaft sorta bugs me though... Did someone just not finish the lift properly? Or did it fail? Or what? I'd bug that one out personally. Check the yokes on the axle and transfercase for any evidence of damage.

 

the Odo says 207xxx but he's claiming the engines been replaced. The missing drive shaft is bugging me too... From the outside it looks as of they just didn't finish the lift or was satisfied with a lifted 2wd... Is there anyway to know without opening up the front axle?

 

By bolting in a driveshaft. Might be able to find one at a junkyard. Pretty sure you would need one from a 1500 with a 5 speed and not auto. Could be wrong though.

I wouldn't buy it without paper work for the engine replacement...

 

Agreed.

 

Could be that the rear diff ratio was changed for the bigger tires, and not the front (to save $$), and they pulled the front driveshaft to avoid a "bang" if someone engages 4x4.

 

If he didn't have a lift it would have to be from a manual. With the lift IDK if the manual would be long enough. The auto shafts are longer than the manuals, you'd really just have to measure it to find out what size it'd need.

But I'd really dig to the bottom of it and find out why the front shaft isn't on.

There is nothing wrong with running the truck without the front shaft, it won't hurt it, but without knowing why they took it off it's hard to tell why it's off.

 

Some people believe removing the front drive shaft will improve fuel economy.....

 

With the CAD front axle it doesn't do anything, maybe good for 1hp

 

Not sure if the dealer would let me put a drive shaft in.... Not sure if I could even put one in...