Hi! Im new to here and would appreciate some help and insight!

I have several options in buying a dodge ram...Im looking for a club cab 2nd gen with the shortbed at around 100,000 mi needs to be 4x4. Price range is under 7k...A lift and big tires is always a bonus.

Option one:

1997, 5.9L, auto, 155,000mi....owner asking $5,500 OBO, he was the only owner and it looks like the truck has not been abused or modified. Near mint interior. I feel that this truck can be bought for a lower price given the mileage...



Option two:

1995 5.2 L, manual, 95,000 mi comes with a 6 inch lift and some meaty tires and a toolbox... Owner reports that the the hub thing in the rear is cross threaded (like the big bolt behind the lugnuts)....wiper fluid motor does not work, emergency brake is not functional at the moment and it has a check engine light going... Claims the truck acts up in 4x4 because of the hub and it vibrates or something....

He's asking $5,200, but he lowered himself on the phone to $4,800...Blue book is lower so i feel i could get this truck for lower than $4,800 because of the problems. Owner needs to sell because he has fallen behind payments on it and drives a beater now. Truck is not being driven at the moment.



Option 3:

2001, 5.9L, automatic, 100k, factory sport and off road package...factory 2 inch lift leather interior with power evreything...has some extras like upgraded shocks and remote start and aftermarket wheels... asking $6,800 seems like a very reasonable price and not much neogotiation room. It's a little expensive but a very nice truck.



Now the question is what truck do you guys reccomend?
And what are some common problems that these trucks have or that i need to stay away from? I have heard of trannys going but you gota be pretty mean to your truck.
Any years to stay away from?

My thoughts on the best deal:

I really like option 2 because it has the smaller engine which will save me a little more gas but not by much. Its still 220 hp. its the biggest lift and has a manual transmission which is always more fun to drive. Its also the lowest on mileage. Im just worried how much the repairs will be. This truck bluebooks for about 4,500$ given its in average condition, obviously it needs some repairs but it runs. I have not seen the condition of the interior or seen this truck in person. Some people have told me to stay away... I am somewhat automotively inclined but not to the extent of where i would be able to repair the truck myself.

Thanks!

 

i would wait and see if you could find a manual with no issues. but if you had to pick one now i would go with the first one but talk him down. right now the money is tight so he might be willing to lower the price more. try to offer him 4,800 with cash in hand

 

1st one has lots of miles, 2nd one seems fishy too me , 3rd one i like becasue its mint looks good desent miles and has the 5.9

 

Hmm how long will your average truck run till without serious expenses or problems. i really like the paint on it, its unique... 155k is alot of miles though. Im not entirely sure i can afford the 3rd truck. I still have to sell my car though...The only thing is that id like to have a lifted truck! it still looks really nice. Im really sold on truck 2 but i dont know if that hub problem is really serious or not.

With truck 1&2 id have a 1-2g of money to fix or upgrade. but truck 3 seems like it would be the nicest interior and probably the least amount of maitenence.

This is tough!

 

I agree
the 3rd truck is my favorite of the bunch.I would steer well clear of the 2nd truck.That one looks as if it is gonna cost you a ton.
The 1st has alot of miles and is older,but still looks like a nice truck.
Just my$.02 good luck with your choice

 

okay...so far majority for truck 3 haha... It's actually just a mile or so away, so its the closest sale. Id like to throw in all 3 trucks are privatly owned...

Anyone have any mechanical input? Is truck #1 going to last like i said above? How serious is the hub problem on truck 2? cost estimate? the other fixes seem like like cheaper fixes...

 

before you buy try and get a compression test on it, also
take it to a trans shop to have the trans check out. most trans shops will do a quick free test drive

 

check kbb private party for values. all those trucks are at the top, or over, what they are worth.

mileage is not too big of a concern. the engines can run 200k+ transmission is your biggest concern. +1 on having a transmission shop test it. even if your have to pay them $50. these trucks are notorious for needing very expensive rebuilds ($1500-2000), and that's often the reason they are for sale.

#2 may or may not have a cross threaded axle nut. if it was cross threaded, i doubt that you could ever get it tight, and the wheel would visible wobble. a basic inspection by wiggling the tire should confirm if there is an immediate problem. worst case is that you need a replacement outer stub shaft. not the end of the world, but a few hundred to pay someone to fix. maybe $100 for a stub shaft, assuming the $200 bearing is ok.

i would prefer the 01. less age. 5.9. better brakes. OBDII. offroad/4.10 gears. i would also much prefer a factory 2" lift over a 6" lift. just my opinion. i'd try real hard to get him down to $6000

 

1995 5.2 L manual is nice...but sound like a fishy deal.....95 you cant get much of a tuner because the pcm is obd1. tuners are for obd2.. i would try to find a better one and get a manual if you can...or auto with new trans in...that just me

 

Here is my thought on #2
This is speaking from experiance in buying used vehicles cause I refuse to buy a new one anymore.
#2 already has a host of problems going on with it already.
Idk how much to repair the hub or even what is the matter with it.But usually when a truck is lifted that much and has all those problems there are usually many other problems you dont see right away.Sure it is a nice looking truck from the picture but who knows what its gonna take to make it roadworthy.Windshield washer and park brake r not huge issues but definantly would be annoying to me.
#1 is older and is gonna run into some issues that the 01 may not see for a few years or at least not with the frequency.
IMO the 01 already has 2" of lit and with a 2" spacer on the front and an add a leaf on the rear would have a nice 4" lift that would be very close to the #2 all for less than 500 bucks( Price is an estimate)
That and you dont have to worry about what its really gonna cost you.
In the end though you are the one that has to shell out your hard earned cash and the one that has to be happy with your decision.
I say go with which one you think is the best and go with it.You have to understand that no matter which one you get that they wil all have troubles from time to time.