Got an opportunity to pick up this 98 Ram 4X4 5.9 with 200,000 miles for possibly under $1,500.00
What say you, is it worth it ?

 

Are you sure that's a 98? I don't see rear doors on the cab.....

Does it run/drive?

 

I thought the samething about it not having rear doors on the cab, I'm thinking it's actually a 96 but it's advertised as a 98.
Yes, it runs and drives according to the owner, he said that it needs brake work and a power steering pump.

 

Think I would ask for the VIN, and run it on the dodge site, see what dodge things. It's *possible* the larger cab w/o rear doors was an option in 98...... but, I don't think I have ever actually seen one without 'em. May be a 97 as well.

 

Here is the add:
https://carbondale.craigslist.org/ct...664035154.html

 

200K miles makes me nervous..... but, the price really isn't all that bad. If it isn't real far, go check it out, take it for a drive, see what ya think. If it IS 97 or older, worst case: great parts donor for yours.....

 

It's about 20 minutes from me and the only reason that I'm even looking is it being a donor truck for my 96.
If it does turn out to actually be a 98 it would still be a good donor for my 96, wouldn't it ?

 

A lot changed in 98. So much so, that I am selling my 96, as most of it won't transfer to my 98. (older truck is V-8, newer truck is V-10....) The electronics are radically different, but, for you, a fair bit of stuff would transfer, with maybe minor modification. (driveline parts and such.) None of the interior or electronics will swap.

 

Mid-run 97 parts really started changing. I've gone through headache after headache trying to do a steering column swap, eventually went with the original column and ugly steering wheel, changing just the no-key ignition. Early in the production run of 97 the position of the shifter arm was changed as well as the linkage arms... 96 to 97 saw change in ALL if not MOST electrical connectors.
there's a lot of donor parts available out there if you look hard enough (except for uncracked dash covers) just be sure the donor part will fit for sure. Seems like Dodge changed up things quite frequently towards the end of the 2nd gen run.

 

I installed an 06 Ram steering wheel in my 96 and 2001 with functioning cruise control and radio controls. Before this I swapped to a 98-01 Ram steering wheel.