Hello,
I'm looking into buying a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab 4x4 sport witha 5 speed manual transmission. The truck has 190xxx miles on it and the tranny was replaced 3 years ago. Can anyone tell me what to look for when looking this truck over? Any problems that the 98s are prone to?

Also I'm trying to figure out what size engine it has. It's either a 5.2 or a 5.9. The badges say V8 magnum. Did dodge make a 5.9L magnum? Thanks in advance for any help

 

I'm pretty sure there should be a little sticker under the hood some place that says the engine size, somewhere by the hood latch. It could either be a 5.2L (318ci) or a 5.9L (360ci), both are V8 Magnums.

Mmmmmmm, 5 speed manual.....

 

What does that mean?

Thanks for the reply, I haven't been able pop the hood since all I have are pictures of the truck.

 

Oh, that just means I wish mine was a 5 speed manual.

 

If it's a 1500 and a 5 speed it's a 5.2L unless the 5speed was swapped in because don't the 5 speed 1500's only come with a 5.2L I thought the 5.9Ls only come with the auto. Isn't that how it is?

Anyway check for the pleneum gasket, if the rear end has a lsd the clips could be broken off, maybe do a compression check before you buy it to make sure it doesn't have a cracked head or anything as that seems to be a sort of halfway common problem with these trucks, maybe check and make sure the hubs and stuff like that are good too.

 

I believe you are correct hometheaterman, the 5.9L in 1500s only came with an automatic tranny, so that means 5 speed = 5.2L. That is, unless a custom conversion of some sort was done.

+1 for the things he listed to check as well.

 

+1 Home.

As always check the truck for leaks and rust underneath. If you can take the truck to a mechanic you like & trust. Get his opinion too.

Jeff

 

Yes, take it to a good mechanic and pay for a thorough check on all 4x4 parts as they are expensive to replace and wear out often. Things like track bar, ball joints, hub/bearings, tie rods, u-joints and steering box are common problem areas. The engine should have a sticker on the driver side valve cover for engine size but from the factory, if you have a five speed, it's a 5.2. Kind of surprised the tranny didn't last longer--unless someone was really rough on it. If you get it, do a full tune up and run seafoam through it. Then replace all fluids and you'll be good to go!

 

Thanks for the replies. I plan on taking it to the local dealer and having them do a thorough check, I just wanted to hear from some people who have actually owned these trucks. I don't know if I'll like the manual trans or not. The extra mile or two per gallon will be nice, and not having to worry about the tranny taking a dump for a while is also a plus, but I've never driven a manual truck before. Only motorcycles and quads.

I have to sell my dak before I buy another truck, but if I do end up getting the ram, I'll let you guys know. Thanks again.

 

how much are they asking for the ram?