from everything you have posted i would pass on all 3. either to many miles,to many problems,or to high of price. keep looking and donnt rush,there are good deals and trucks to be found.just my opinion.

 

If both are that bad dont buy either one.There are plenty of trucks out there that dont have that many problems.Fixing a dash doesnt cost 1k either.
Sounds like you keep fishing trying to get someone to tell you what you want to hear.
So here you go.
You should deffinantly buy the 95 from the shady guy.It is the coolest truck I have ever seen and would love to have it for my own.
Just a little sarcasm not trying to start a fight but you do come off as wanting the 2nd truck, and wanting folks to agree that is the one you should get.
If you want it go get it.Its your money and you have to be happy with whatever you get.
Once again I wish you luck

 

Well prices are all negotiable. But im only in the city for a little longer than a week, i am going to look at a few more trucks. But truck 1 is highly negotiable seeming he is taking best offer.

The market for specific trucks where i live is limited in a small town. So its best to buy one down here!

Well you are right that i do like truck #2 but im just looking for deeper mechanical insight if some people spot some additional problems in the pictures, or if an exsisting problem is going to cost a significant amount. Im still very open to other trucks.

 

winshield should only be about $200 new and installed from safelite or similar. checked on that when I looked at a 96 Ram 1500.. same windshield... As for the Dash, hell they all are cracked, some krazy glue to stop it,and some carpeted cover to hide it and your good. Don't let that sway your decision at all. The prices are all very steep for these trucks.. I see your in a high demand area though, so that would explain that...

Mine is valued based on options and condition at $5400, and I paid $2200, so even if I put a rebuilt in at $2500 w labor, I'm still only at $4700 so that makes it less than the cost of the 95 your lokoing at. Granted mines also a 4x2, but the 4x4 isn't much different in price, just labor is a bit more.. Now, I would definitely look around a bit more, those prices seem just too high, don't be afraid to put some mony in repair if you can get it at a low enough price.. I just wish the place that sold me this would have been more honest with me. I would have paid $1700 to $1800 for this truck with known tranny problems, but not $2200 and told it runs great.. So, really lok them over, and contemplate what the repairs are worth not just in cost, but time to get done. ANd use those as bartering tools.

 

Well i am looking at truck #1 tomorrow and hopefully another truck that has 125,000 Mi its a 1998 SLT and a 5-speed asking 3500 OBO. No pictures however, ill just have to see and call. It might be just the regular cab. You would be suprized at some of the prices out here though! almost all the trucks on autotrader, cars.com, classifieds, craigslist average 125k mi and about 6700$. I'm trying to purchase trucks in south denver, but just about anywhere in colorado trucks are in high demand, there is lots of open space in the state, lots of parks, lots of snow, lots of mountains, lots of farms. All these guys use trucks

I am really picky, i do preffer a 5-speed over an auto due to them being less prone to trouble. And they are just flat out more fun to drive. I drove both today and the standard really won me over.

But even little things like telling me the price of windshield repairs etc... really helps out alot. And whoever mentioned the stub shaft issue that helped alot too... The mechanical advice has helped tremondosly in determining the severity and cost of these problems.

 

To replace the windshield in my truck, it'd cost me less than $300. Otherwise that lists looked good.

 

i like #2. the autos are nice but i think the manual is a lot more enjoyable and more reliable. the combination of the 318 and standard shift makes for relatively good gas mileage compared to the 360. the check engine light may just be the egr valve so no big deal. if u can get it cheap it sounds like a good option.

 

option 3...one repair leads to the next for option 2...

carfax the final decision and pay a certified mechanic to check it out...if he finds something u will know and you can haggle with that info if you want. that is what i did on my truck!!

 

what about a mountain lion and a panther? and i like 1

 

Well I just got done reading this entire topic. It's blatantly obvious you want truck #2 but want someone to give you a big post on how great it is so you have your reasoning for buying it. It's YOUR decision. I looked at the pictures of the two trucks and here is what I think. Truck #3 looks super good, but seems you were being super picky with it just so you don't have to buy it. It appears it was wheeled a few times, but overall in good shape. Have it brought to a shop have them check it out tell you what they think then have a trans shop look at it and tell you what they think of the tranny on'r.

Again you seem sold on the 2nd truck. From the pictures it looks like it was abused heavily. Just look really close at the pics first off the outside of the truck is dirty and the underneath looks like its seen some serious off-roading. Which tells you one thing it had the **** beat out of it. Interior looks rough, I could see the crack in the windshield. And you even admit the guy seems shady. I think you are in for a serious kick in the a$$ if you buy that truck something else is wrong with it that he ain't telling you. But again this seems like this is the truck you favor and want so buy it. I'm sorry but you had a mechanic buddy of yours look at it with you he says its fixable but not worth the cash and now you want a second opinion from another mechanic? Seriously dude come on buy it if you like it.

I agree truck #2 and #3 are good looking trucks. I like #2 cuz of the lift and tires, but thats alot of money to flip out for something that me and alot of others think has something else wrong with it. Now I like the looks of truck #1 and it seems like a good deal. But you can always pass on all 3 and wait for something else, I don't see you doing that but it is an option.

Listen man I know this post has been brutal and sorry to be the ball kicker. But I'm gonna tell you my personal story of dealing with shady people. I bought a 96 dodge ram (mind you from a mechanic, who seemed shady) in July with 178,000 miles on it, but he had no overdrive and no 1st gear. He had a Transmission shop look at it and the tranny supposedly needed a shift solenoid's A and B. It was what I always wanted an extended cab black dodge ram 4x4 with the 5.9l. So I bought it for $3,000 I still think that was a good price. So I went to the shop he had went to and he said that was not what was wrong with it, it was the governor sensor and so I thought well what the hell I'll buy it and put it in, I asked him if the tranny was in good shape and he said yep looks great gears and everything are good just need to replace that sensor and you should replace the transducer... wound up costing me $250 in parts. So I put it in. Well Last Friday reverse went out on my truck so now I can put a new tranny it. Now I do not regret the decsion to buy the truck. However it gave me a lesson in dealing with shady people. I believe I was hosed by both of these mechanics, and it is my fault cuz one is just as bad as the other.. I'm just saying I made the choice of buying from a shady guy and it back fired big time! I still love my truck, and am super happy with it but it is sitting in my yard right now with no reverse and still no overdrive.

If you don't like the thought of the 01 with tranny problems don't buy it. But the 2nd truck just cuz it has all that you want isn't always the right choice. As stated above by other people it is easy to make a nice lift for that 01 and you will be just as happy. Play this one smart my friend. Thats my $.02 you can take it or leave it.

Sorry for the long reply.