Yup; I bought my 1996 Ram 1500 4x4 new the summer of 96. So far it's got 207,500 miles on it and still going strong.



It started out that silver driftwood color; this last time I had it painted (and hopefully the last time) we painted it 2015 Corvette Shark Gray Metallic.

And in case anyone is wondering, the roof rack is from a Chevy Tahoe.

 

My wife purchased her '01 in Spring of '01, drove it 'til I took over Jan. '12.

 

I got my '98 in May of '98 (3 days after it rolled off the line)... so that's 17 yrs, and 184,000 miles on mine.

I just gave it a coat of paint... it has no rust and is going strong.

 

bought my 2000 diesel in 2008 a month after my 2002 diesel jetta was rear ended and totaled.

 

I,m the Original owner of a 1996 Laramie slt 2500HD-360 with 70,000 Original miles. Bought new in january 1997.

 

Although I'm not the original owner, this truck has been in the "hood" since it was new. I bought it from my neighbor about 5 years ago with 96K miles and a good maintenance log. Old fart... like me. Everything is stock...it has just 105k on it today, and all I've done is normal maintenance. No abuse, good mix of highway/town driving history...some 5th wheel towing... Runs, and drives like new...no complaints...but one... Gas mileage sucks...thank goodness for the oil glut!☺ I paid $1200 for the truck.
Any suggestions/advice on what might be around the corner as far as "Big$" problems would be appreciated.

Here's my original build sheet correspondence from Dodge:

Thank you for contacting the Ram Customer Assistance Center.
In response to your email, we are pleased to provide vehicle build information as you requested. As per our records, your 1996 Dodge Ram
1500 was equipped from the factory with the
following:
Sales Code Description
*P1 Premium Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
ADAP Light Group
ADJ Heavy Duty Service Group
AHC Trailer Tow Group
AJKP Convenience Group
AJPP Power Convenience Group
APDA Lower Two Tone Paint
ASPP SLT Decor Group
AWK Travel Convenience Group
BAZP 136 Amp Alternator
BCQP 750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKAS 11x2 Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CGTS Driver Air Bag Only
CHEP Deluxe Headliner
CKEP Front Seat Area Carpet
CLAP Front Floor Mats
CSRP Passenger Assist Handles
CUNP Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGTS 4-Spd. Automatic 46RE Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRBS Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
EML 5.9L V8 MPI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GNKP Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
GNMP Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GPPP Power 6 x 9 Bright Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGAP Hood Insulation
HGBS Dash Liner Insulation
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBP Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJP 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
K17P STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING
LAAP Ignition Time Delay Lamp
LBAP Map/Courtesy Lamp
LBCP Glove Box Lamp
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LPEP Cargo Lamp
MBFP Bright Rear Bumper
MCTP Bright Front Bumper
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFDS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MPBP Black Tailgate Applique
MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
MXBS Front Air Dam
MXCP Front Bumper Sight Shields
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFWS 26 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHMP Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PGFA Emerald Green Pearl Coat
QFAA Prairie Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASP AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCVP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS Tire Carrier Winch
TYFP P245/75R16C BSW All Season Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WLBS Steel Spare Wheel
WNDP 16X7.0 Cast Aluminum Wheels
XBSS Pickup Box
XCMS Vendor Painted Cargo Box
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
YEP Manuf Statement of Origin
In addition, we have updated the name and address mentioned in your email as the current owner of the vehicle.
Thank you for being a part of Ram, have a nice day!
Sincerely,
Alyssa
Customer Service Representative
Ram Customer Assistance Center

Here is a list/explanation of the options/packages & prices available in 1996:

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Packages & Options

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Packages
ADA Light Group/ST - $126
One passenger assist handles; Overhead partial console with open storage box; Cloth/felt headliner upholstery; Illuminated entry system; Illuminated glove compartment; Front reading lights
ADJ HD Service Group/LT/ST - $211
Heavy duty alternator; Heavy duty battery;
If: [ELF] Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8;
Or [EML] Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8 And [DD-] Transmission - 5-Speed Manual (Std); Heavy duty engine cooling system; If: [ELF] Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8; Or [EML] Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8; And [DGB] Transmission - 4-Speed Automatic; Heavy duty engine cooling system; If: [ELF] Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8; Or [EML] Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8; And [DGB] Transmission - 4-Speed Automatic; Auxiliary transmission cooler; If: [ELF] Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8; Or [EML] Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8 And [DD-] Transmission - 5-Speed Manual (Std); New Price 277.00: If: [ELF] Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8; Or [EML] Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8 And [DGB] Transmission - 4-Speed Automatic; New Price 341.00:
AGG Sport Appearance Group/ST 4x2 - $925
Front body color bumpers; Front and rear wheels; Front and rear tires; Excludes: [K17] Molding - Body Side; Includes: [JAY] Tachometer
AHC Trailer Tow Group/LT/ST - $242
Excludes: [4XM] No Rear Bumper; Requires: [ADJ] HD Service Group/LT/ST
AJK Convenience Group - Deluxe (Speed/Tilt) - $390
Cruise control; Steering wheel

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Options
4XM No Rear Bumper - $0
6C- Paint - Two Tone "Center Band" - $276
6D- Paint - Two Tone "Lower Break" - $183
6F- Paint - Extra-Cost Monotone Pearl Coat - $77
Pearl paint
BGK Brakes - 4-Wheel Anti-Lock - $500
ABS
CKQ Floor Carpet - Delete - $0
DD- Transmission - 5-Speed Manual (Std) - $0
Manual five-speed transmission
DGB Transmission - 4-Speed Automatic - $927
Automatic four-speed transmission
DMC Axle Ratio - 3.21 - $0
Excludes: [DSA] Axle - Sure Grip/15 4x2
DMD Axle Ratio - 3.55 - $50
DMH Axle Ratio - 3.92/15 - $50
Requires: [DSA] Axle - Sure Grip/15 4x2
DSA Axle - Sure Grip/15 4x2 - $257
Limited slip differential; Excludes: [DMC] Axle Ratio - 3.21
EHC Engine - 3.9L MPI V-6/ST SWB - $0
Excludes: [AGG] Sport Appearance Group/ST 4x2 And [AHC] Trailer Tow Group/LT/ST
ELF Engine - 5.2L MPI V-8 - $587
5210 cc 5.2 liters 8 V front longitudinal engine with 84.1 mm stroke, 8.9 compression ratio, cast iron block, cast iron head, overhead valve and two valves per cylinder; Power: , 220 HP @ 4400 rpm; 300 ft lb @ 3200 rpm; Performance:
EML Engine - 5.9L MPI V-8 - $857
5898 cc 5.9 liters 8 V front longitudinal engine with 90.9 mm stroke, 8.7 compression ratio, cast iron block, cast iron head, overhead valve and two valves per cylinder; Power: , 230 HP @ 4000 rpm; 330 ft lb @ 3200 rpm; Performance:
GFD Window - Sliding Rear - $134
Sliding rear window
GPC Mirrors - Dual Bright 7" x 10" - $48
Driver and passenger externally adjustable chrome door mirrors
GPP Mirrors - Power Dual Bright 6" x 9" - $99
Driver and passenger power chrome door mirrors
HAA Air Conditioning - $797
Air conditioning
JAY Tachometer - $76
Tachometer
K17 Molding - Body Side - $102
Black/grey body side molding; Chrome/bright trim on side of body
LNC Lamps - Cab Clearance - $80
MB8 Bumper - Delete Rear - ($234)
MBQ Bumper - Rear Step (Body Color)/ST 4X2 - $50
Rear step; Requires: [AGG] Sport Appearance Group/ST 4x2
NAE/C Emissions - CA - $102
Emission control level California
NAE/M Emissions - MA - $102
Emission control level Massachusetts
NAE/N Emissions - NY - $102
Emission control level NY
NHK Heater - Engine Block - $34
Block heater
RA8 Radio Delete - ($122)
RAS Radio - AM/FM Stereo Cassette - $210
Stereo audio system with AM/FM; Four speakers
RCD Speaker System - Four - $50
Four speakers
T9-- Deluxe Cloth 40/20/40 Split Back Bench - $0
Split bench seat; Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional cloth
TX-- H.D. Vinyl 40/20/40 Split Back Bench - $0
Vinyl seat upholstery with additional vinyl
TYF Tires - P245/75R16C A/S BSW (5) - $130
Front and rear tires
WND Wheel - Cast Aluminum/ST 4x2 - $0
Front and rear wheels; Requires: [AGG] Sport Appearance Group/ST 4x2
YCF Emissions - Border State - $102


PIX


k

 

I bought my first, 97 Reg Cab 1500 4x4, in 99, and then traded it off for a 96 CTD Club cab 4x4 in April, 2002..still own it!

 

My first one was a '96 Green Reg Cab brand spanking new. Had it for a year, joined the Army and had to get rid of it. Payment was more than I made in a month. Couple years later purchased a used '99 Green Reg Cab. Drove it for a couple years and traded it on a '99 Solar Yellow QC. Had that truck two days when a guy T-Boned me and totaled it. A few more years later in '07 I purchased a '01 Graphite QC. I still have that but it is no where near stock Also the proud owner of a '13 Blackout Crew.

 

Ive only owned my 99 2500 for a year Lol! But i remember my dad getting his first 99 1500 back in like 03 or 04, i was only 10 but loved the truck, knew thats what i wanted when i got older

 

Picked it up in June1997 with 8 miles, still have the window sticker somewhere. 176k now and last work anyone else did to it was a side view mirror replaced under warranty at 30k