I found a 99 1500 quad cab 4x4. 88000 miles,

What are some thing I should look for? anything that should be blatantly obvious? What are some maintenance things average Rams have to deal with about this time? Anything huge?

Thanks

Dave

 

5.2 or 5.9 engine.. ? LB or SB?
i've heard the 5.9 is questionable.

my 99 hasn't had anything Major needed except new u-joints.. they were the old OEM sealed type..
now i've got them with the nipples..

any rust?

sounds like you may have a decent truck otherwise.

 

welcome.
take it on an extended, hard, test drive. i mean drive the **** out of it for a good 10-15 minutes. i don't mean real fast, but stop and start a lot and stomp the gas to get the transmission hot and then see how it shifts and acts. transmissions are weak, its the most common complaint on this forum, also the most expensive repair $1500-2500. its also the most common reason people sell them. don't be fooled by cool/cold operation. shifting and shuddering problems often only show up when everything gets good and hot. if its towed a lot, assume it needs a transmission...

plenum leak is so common that unless its already been fixed with an aluminum plate, then its just a normal, semi expensive maintenance item. they're all that way - nothing you can do about it but fix it. front end wander and looseness due to track bar, u-joints (4wd), ball joints, steering shaft and steering box is also common, and also expensive to repair. most everything else is pretty solid.

 

I hope it is the 5.2, but if it is the 5.9, oh well....It is a Larimie if that makes any difference.
It is also the SB. It is pretty clean on the outside, no rust from what I could tell. The bed is already rhino lined too. I have been watching out for trucks used for towing. Most of the ones I have seen have had a 5th wheel setup, but this one did not.

I will be driving it tomorrow and will put it through its paces, more to come on that

 

imo, nothing wrong with 5.9. good engine, other than mpg sucks.
if the truck has a 5th wheel or goose neck ball or the guy has a 20' camper sitting in his back yard i'd pass on it unless its a 2500 or 3500.

 

You should buy my 98 Check for ruston the bottom of the doors and ask if they ever drove with over drive off, if they did I would feel much better about the tranny.

 

Did not have a goose neck or ball...

What do you guys recommend for transmission upgrades? And what Plenum are you talking about? Intake right?

 

http://www.hughesengines.com/partDet...amp;eTypeID=10

 

Trannys arnt as bad as people say, if they are maintained and not abused...

Check the tranny fluid, made sure its red and not really burnt.
If its REALLY red, like brand new I would be scared because maybe the person was trying to fix the trans by flushing the fluid, but it dident work... or i would be scared if its brown casue thats a problem...

Mine wasent perfectly red, but wasent at all bad and mine has last me about 24,000 miles since I bought it and its been fine.
There is NOTHING wrong with having a slight clutchy smell, or a slight discoloration after liek 10,000 miles on a flush.

Also, mopar says that color and smell are no longer an indicator of fluid condition with the new aft4... its probably has a hint of truth to it but you can still tell by the looks of the fluid.

 

brown isnt a problem, just means you should be changing the fluid quite soon.. mine was a brown when i did a proper flush, the tranny's never felt this good.
what is reccomended is a full filter replacement flush once a year., that will increase longevity, and help with alot of piece of mind.