I think the answer is yes. However I need another project like I need a hole in the head. The v10 needs a front diff rebuild, the pinion bearings went out and now I am contemplating a gear swap. So adding this to the docket will strain what I can get done. I will add some photos later after I get home. The truck is a 00 or 01 ram 2500 5.9L with service body, 273k miles. Here is what precipitated this idea.

 

Not sure how the video relates to the post. My yard is full of carnage from trucks i thought deserved to be saved (all of them). Usually end up parting out because no body wants to buy em anyway. I like to learn and explore so i pick my challenges based on what i do and do not know and want to learn. I have not rebuilt a diff on my own since graduating tech school, its still something I want to tackle but there's nothing top priority on my list to do it on. I wanted to 3.92 swap my 98 1500 but i think ill end up just buying 3rd gen axles to gain disc brakes. I know that guy in the video has the best battery and electrical system in history to have a 4 year old battery have enough power to crank a stale motor. I'm also curious why the shift light came on in and automatic truck at key cycle. All my 98 plus trucks I've ever driven, even the manual ones never lit up ever lol

 

Clarification: I am the guy in the video, I had a jump pack on it. Its an 00 or 01 ram 2500 with service body, and its a fairly decent truck. It needs water pump bolts extracted, that's how I acquired it for dirt cheap. Ran and drove to where it is currently parked (trailered it home). I had originally wanted the axles but changed plans. I am considering saving the truck now as it is worth more together than parted out, imo.
I currently need to do the diff project on my other truck (the v10 in my sig) which if I re-gear, will cost some extra money and time. Hence the dilemma of saving the service truck, which would cost even more time and $$, or part it out. I have less than $300 into the service truck at this point which means I could potentially make ok money on it.
I don't know why the shift light illuminated either. Every automatic has the spot but this is a first for me seeing it lit up as well.

 

The timing covers are still available, it's not fun trying to extract steel bolts from aluminum..... New pump, cover, timing set, and have a running truck?

 

I noticed the tachometer didn't move when it fired up. Does the transmission pull okay? If it runs and pulls okay, it's worth returning to service. Since you need to remove the timing cover to get the water pump bolts out, I'd check the timing chain while you're in there. One bolt and a gear puller is all the extra work needed. Will you be able to sell it for mucho bucks? Probably not. Will you hve something to work with until you get your V-10 going agin? Maybe.

 

Tach moved fine? Transmission is unknown, but it had been in use when the water pump went out. Seemed to move in and out of gear and drive fine the little I moved it around. The gentleman who brought it to the shop I worked at did not want to put more money into it when he was told about the seized and broken bolts. He slammed the drivers door so hard he broke the window, which I replaced when I bought it, mostly cause he didn't care about the truck. The door hinges need some love as the latch is not lined up and a pain to open and close. As evidenced by the broken interior door handle. It does need tires, badly. Even one that is now flat is still bulged in the center. How he drove that all the way to town I don't know. It was quite wet by the steering rack. I'll post some pics later. The body and service body are really straight. The dash is intact even. I did receive the new water pump with the truck as well. Yes I would do a new timing chain, even a double roller set is only $30 now.
My dad has an 03 chevy 2500hd I could borrow if I needed a truck. Its not in my sig but I have a 2010 charger r/t awd I daily with new snow tires so I don't even need the v10 to get to work in the winter.

 

What are you going to use the utility body for? Maybe swap it for a bed.The second gen trucks are one of the best looking trucks ever! Why not save them?

 

It was too dark when I got home but here some pics from this morning. Its not in bad shape, especially for 273k miles, virtually no rust. It is a base model, crank windows, vinyl floor. I think it has AC which is the most important part.

 

Rust free trucks are always worth saving inmy opinion, where ya located, ill come grab it if you dont want to lol, im only 5-6 hours away, you can even keep the service body.

Id find rust free box for it and drive it. Id even be tempted to pick up a rotted out or wrecked cummins truck to body swap it.

 

I have an idea for putting it back to work, so we'll see if that pans out. I'll keep that in mind however if you are serious.