Hi, I am working out a deal on a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab, V8 5.9L. with about 117000 miles. Drove the truck seems to run pretty good, front end was pretty tight even at 75mph. The truck is basically stock with no mods. Will be getting the truck checked out by a mechanic at the end of the week.
My question is what should I be looking for as far as red flags and what Im I looking at as far as maintenance. What type of mods would improve the performance as well. Thanks for your time in advance.

 

Things to look for...

1. Make sure that transmission is shifting perfectly. And I mean perfectly. If it was abused at all, odds are it will go out. Trannies are not a cheap fix, whether it be a rebuild or replacement.
2. Check out the plenum gasket (also called the lower intake manifold gasket, belly pan gasket, etc.). Because Chrysler used a steel plate on the bottom of an aluminum intake manifold, the gasket usually breaks easily. Lets oil into the intake manifold, which at minimum causes minor to major power loss, MPG loss, and has been known to ruin the O2 sensors and catalytic converter in the exhaust system. Easy to check... take off the air cleaner assembly, turn the butterflies, and look down into the manifold. If you see pools of oil anywhere, the gasket is bad and needs replacing (a light sheen of oil is OK).
3. Make sure there are no misses or anything else with the engine. Sounds like its fine in that department from what you described, but good idea to have the mechanic give it a complete once over anyway.

Others will pipe in here with other things to look for, but thats the basics.

 

shucks, Jason.W got in here before me!

+1 on #3. Have someone look it over closely. The front ends on the 4WD have a ton of parts that wear out. It seems to all happen at the same time (at least for me). My bearings went, then my u-joints, then my seal went. Not to mention my catalytic converter, then my evap core, and or course my transmission went! (there is more, but I have to check with Jason.W on what else I can complain about...).

ugh.

 

Don't worry about complaining 98. You're just providing info for the uninformed. These trucks will wear out parts over time. Some owners replace as they go, some owners never fix anything and then just trade 'em off. Unfortunately, yours was the latter. I've had LOTS of parts replaced in 100k some of them 2 or 3 times! You just got hit with all the fixes at one time which I agree will make you jaded. Keep your head up, you're in good hands!

Redfeather, do some searching as your questions are asked atleast once a week. You'll find more info that way and faster so you can join the team! Good luck.

 

Thank Ramman18. I am glad someone understands.

I like the truck... when its not costing me $$. but I tell ya... I really love the 4th gen.

 

Dang dude, all trucks cost money! I remember my wise father telling me, "now son, with a pickup you're gonna have to replace more parts, more often, for more money. But they'll run a long time and haul whatever you need." If I start adding up all the money I've spent fixing parts over 7-1/2 years I'd probably crap my pants. I figure it's like a wife. The good outweighs the cost. But the dang thing just keeps starting and running. And while the 4th gen look better than 3rd gen, there's no stick shift so that means I'll keep mine forever.

 

I don't like the 4th gens just on looks alone, I think the link coil suspension, and the 390hp 400lb/ft and the MSD to help get better gas mileage.

Sure, that motor on a 6sp manual would be really a great setup.

 

i love my truck, so much to do , if you search on here for performance for 2nd gens, you will find tons of info on anything about these trucks, if you do get it i reccomend staying on this forum, if you ever have a prob or question , we all help ,heck we all fight too ots like were a big dodge family on here lol

 

Yep, and with that post, you met your monthly quota for complaints, so you aren't aloud to do anymore.

Thats a joke, BTW.

Some of us have good luck, some of us bad. Some owners take care of their trucks, some just appear to take care of their trucks, and some downright don't do anything. Problem is, sometimes you don't find out which until after you've made the purchase.

 

Just make sure your mechanic runs a full compression test. I say this to noobs about 1/week for good reason!