Potential Ram Owner
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From: Utah
Potential Ram Owner
Hello from the Rocky Mountains! I'm looking at a 98 1500, 105K miles, wants $6K for it; drives nice, looks good, no obvious leaks, guy has all the maintenance records. Any potential problems or anything I should look for? I'm looking at something that I could potentially put some some $$ and time into to get a fairly decent looking truck. Thanks!
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From: NH
Make sure the tranny works perfect, and take the air cleaner assembly off and open the butterflies and look down the TB and see if there is any oil pooling in the intake. Either way, even though gas prices are down , I think 6000 is too much, unless it's pretty much perfect.
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
these are pretty good trucks, strong, reasonable durable, with a list of common problems that can cost a lot of money. beware of what you're buying into.
cosmetics - cracked dash. expensive to replace ~750-1000.
rusty fenders and doors in areas where the roads are salted.
paint - prone to clear code bubble and erosion.
engine - good, except for leaking plenum plate/gasket. you can fix it yourself for not too much $ and some time, or pay someone else $500+. either way, be sure to replace the steel plate w/aluminum.
318 w/ 3.55 gears is a little underpowered.
mpg is poor on all. 12-14 city and 14-16 hwy.
transmission - pos. be prepared to replace for $1500-2000.
front end. strong and durable, but when you need hub bearings, axle u-joints, axle seals, or ball joints, its a major piece of work, and expensive in parts and labor.
track bar - common failure. not too expensive.
4wd engagement problems. common. usually simple.
as said above, test drive it hard for 10-15 minutes and get the transmission good and warmed up. that's when the still developing problems start showing up. if it does ANYTHING not right, anything at all, like not upshifting, not downshifting, shuddering under load, rpm's jumping up/down, excessive shifting - then you just found out why he's selling it - and it needs a transmission rebuild.
ok, that's the bad news. the good news is that once you've replaced the transmission and plenum and dash, and done the other expensive maintence whenever the time comes, they're nice trucks.
that 98 is a 10 year old truck. you should check NADA and KBB private party values. assuming its 4wd, and depending on condition, in my mind its only worth 3-4-5k. beware of the story - its got a newly rebuilt transmission. if its not a transferrable 3 year warranty, then its a negative, not a positive.
any pics or links ?
by the way. a buddy of mine just bought an 04 or 05 ? ford f150 ext cab 2wd with 75k miles on craigslist for 6700. trucks are a dime a dozen.
Last edited by dhvaughan; Nov 16, 2008 at 01:53 PM.
understatement of the year..
these are pretty good trucks, strong, reasonable durable, with a list of common problems that can cost a lot of money. beware of what you're buying into.
cosmetics - cracked dash. expensive to replace ~750-1000.
rusty fenders and doors in areas where the roads are salted.
paint - prone to clear code bubble and erosion.
engine - good, except for leaking plenum plate/gasket. you can fix it yourself for not too much $ and some time, or pay someone else $500+. either way, be sure to replace the steel plate w/aluminum.
318 w/ 3.55 gears is a little underpowered.
mpg is poor on all. 12-14 city and 14-16 hwy.
transmission - pos. be prepared to replace for $1500-2000.
front end. strong and durable, but when you need hub bearings, axle u-joints, axle seals, or ball joints, its a major piece of work, and expensive in parts and labor.
track bar - common failure. not too expensive.
4wd engagement problems. common. usually simple.
as said above, test drive it hard for 10-15 minutes and get the transmission good and warmed up. that's when the still developing problems start showing up. if it does ANYTHING not right, anything at all, like not upshifting, not downshifting, shuddering under load, rpm's jumping up/down, excessive shifting - then you just found out why he's selling it - and it needs a transmission rebuild.
ok, that's the bad news. the good news is that once you've replaced the transmission and plenum and dash, and done the other expensive maintence whenever the time comes, they're nice trucks.
that 98 is a 10 year old truck. you should check NADA and KBB private party values. assuming its 4wd, and depending on condition, in my mind its only worth 3-4-5k. beware of the story - its got a newly rebuilt transmission. if its not a transferrable 3 year warranty, then its a negative, not a positive.
any pics or links ?
by the way. a buddy of mine just bought an 04 or 05 ? ford f150 ext cab 2wd with 75k miles on craigslist for 6700. trucks are a dime a dozen.
these are pretty good trucks, strong, reasonable durable, with a list of common problems that can cost a lot of money. beware of what you're buying into.
cosmetics - cracked dash. expensive to replace ~750-1000.
rusty fenders and doors in areas where the roads are salted.
paint - prone to clear code bubble and erosion.
engine - good, except for leaking plenum plate/gasket. you can fix it yourself for not too much $ and some time, or pay someone else $500+. either way, be sure to replace the steel plate w/aluminum.
318 w/ 3.55 gears is a little underpowered.
mpg is poor on all. 12-14 city and 14-16 hwy.
transmission - pos. be prepared to replace for $1500-2000.
front end. strong and durable, but when you need hub bearings, axle u-joints, axle seals, or ball joints, its a major piece of work, and expensive in parts and labor.
track bar - common failure. not too expensive.
4wd engagement problems. common. usually simple.
as said above, test drive it hard for 10-15 minutes and get the transmission good and warmed up. that's when the still developing problems start showing up. if it does ANYTHING not right, anything at all, like not upshifting, not downshifting, shuddering under load, rpm's jumping up/down, excessive shifting - then you just found out why he's selling it - and it needs a transmission rebuild.
ok, that's the bad news. the good news is that once you've replaced the transmission and plenum and dash, and done the other expensive maintence whenever the time comes, they're nice trucks.
that 98 is a 10 year old truck. you should check NADA and KBB private party values. assuming its 4wd, and depending on condition, in my mind its only worth 3-4-5k. beware of the story - its got a newly rebuilt transmission. if its not a transferrable 3 year warranty, then its a negative, not a positive.
any pics or links ?
by the way. a buddy of mine just bought an 04 or 05 ? ford f150 ext cab 2wd with 75k miles on craigslist for 6700. trucks are a dime a dozen.
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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 L Magnum ,Grizly rail guard ,Ultra chrome wheels, running boards, Husky diamond plate toolbox, Pioneer CD, Premium sound,new BF Tires, Heavy Duty clutch Heavy Duty torque converter, Motor chip performance, sprayed bed liner,tow package ,electric brakes hook up ,cone air filter.MANY MORE EXTRAS ++++++TRUCK ON STEROIDS KABOOM!!!! WANA BUY IT CALL 510-508-2573
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a truck like that is going for $4000 around here.
Spend a few more and get a 3rd gen, you will thank for me that later.
I hate how my truck constantly breaks.
I have a list of things i have replaced. I put in $6500 in repairs in less than a year.
now I have a clunk in the passenger side that i can't figure out. I am sure thats another $500. LOL
Spend a few more and get a 3rd gen, you will thank for me that later.
I hate how my truck constantly breaks.
I have a list of things i have replaced. I put in $6500 in repairs in less than a year.
now I have a clunk in the passenger side that i can't figure out. I am sure thats another $500. LOL