Yes, I'll fill out the profile as it would help. And all this help from you guys is greatly appreciated.

My truck is a simple 1997 1500 with extended cab. 2 wheel drive.

I'm trying to decide how much I want to put into this thing or just get another one. I need more than the ball joints. I could easily put into this thing what it's worth. It's been a great dependable truck for 13 years.

 

Guys/gals:

1997 1500 2WD 5.2L 246,000 miles

I've posted recently about my ball joints that need replacing. And I've asked about door hinges lately. And who knows...what I might be posting about soon that this ol' lady might need.

This 1997 1500 was my first Dodge and it has performed wonderfully for the past 13 years. Kelly Blue says it's worth $2600. At what point do you just say "I'm going to just let her go and move on to something else".

At what point did you just stop throwing money at it and get another one. If I got another one, it be used and I'd spend $6-9k on one.

Thanks for the help.

 

I guess the real question is can you afford to replace it? If so, then that might be the better option. A truck of that year and mileage is just going to keep costing you money, especially if you don't have the ability to fix it yourself. I love my truck, but if it had that many miles I would reconsider putting any more money into it.

 

i think if you call around some several tire/front end shops and ask for a quote on replacing the 4 ball joints, you can get some much better pricing. you'll need an alignment afterwards, so make sure that's included in the price. i'd think you could get it done for about 300-400-500 bucks.

when they quote you a price, give'em the sob story about, gosh i just don't have that much money, and i'm layed off from work and can't make payments, and already got chistmas debts, blah, blah,
and finish with - "are you sure you can't do it for any less"

 

I replaced all ball joints, inner and outer tierods and sleeves, idler arm and pitman arm and front shocks plus front end alignment and new tires and spent right at $1000 dollars and $500 of that was tires. I did replace everything myself.
Must have a ball joint press, good 1/2 drive impact socket and breaker bar to turn the press and a 4ft pipe to go over the breaker bar (the tighter it fits the breaker bar the better). Even with 4ft pipe there was still lots of gunting involved. I may just be out of shape too. LOL.

Hope this helps Dave.

 

that's waayyyyy to high for 2wd.. unless they threw in wheel bearings, universals, and a case of beer....