Hey everybody!

First off, I want to say I find it awesome how active this forum is! It's non-stop with you guys and I love that!

I've been lurking in the shadows pretty much for the past couple of weeks. Reading and absorbing the immense wealth of information this forum has to offer.

The point of this thread is that, I need opinions what my first truck should be!

I used to drive around in my 07 Mustang Gt, but it's getting harder and harder to drive daily. With over 500 hp to the wheels, and soon to be pushing 600, it's just not going to be very practical.

I've always loved the Rams! My name is Rami, so it only seemed fitting to be driving a Ram one day LOL.

Anyway, back on topic.... Used rams aren't very easy to find over here, I'm currently living and working in Saudi Arabia and will probably be here for a while. There are only two right now that i found:

1. Black (w/ silver rocker panels) 1995 1500 4x4 V8 Magnum 5.9 Ltr AT Laramie SLT Regular cab (w/ Gray interior) with 54,000 Miles on her. GREAT condition, very well taken care of. Engine, Transmission and Driveline have been very well maintained.

2. Black 1997 1500 4x4 V8 Magnum 5.2 Ltr AT Laramie SLT Regular cab (w/ Tan interior) with 40,011 miles on her. Also well taken care of. Engine, Transmission and Driveline have been very well maintained.

The owner of the used car lot used to be a Chrysler dealer back in the day. He was also one of the biggest GM dealers around here too. Now he's just this really old super rich guy who just collects cars (he's got an insane collection, from 50's Chevys, Mercs and Cadillacs).

The price difference between the two is almost negligible, with the 95 being just a little cheaper.

The only thing that's bothering me is that the 97 looks like it has a fresh coat of paint. When i asked the salesman he said no it hasn't been painted just polished. I don't think so, it looks like it has JUST come out of the paint shop!
Could it have had a lot of rust? or maybe been through some sort of collison? There's no way of getting any sort of history on the cars seeing how they've been here for about 6 years just sitting at the lot.

I was almost set on the 95, until i figured it having OBD1, any performance upgrades would be very hard to tune for.

I'm already thinking of things like Heads, an Edelbrock/Hughes intake and maybe a mild cam. In this case the 97 would be a better choice. But... that 5.9 Ltr in the 95 is a monster! I've always worked on my own cars and i'm just itching to get started on one of these!

What'd you guys think?

Wow i just noticed how long this is LOL... I'm sorry i just can't make up my mind!

 

i have a 95 with 199K, the rockers are rusted out, but the rest of the trucks paint is flawless and its original. look at my sig picture. its all original paint, and when waxed/polished, it looks like its brand new (aside from rockers). So i can be the original paint job.

Also the 95 has a 46RH transmission which i hear are tougher than the 46RE's which would be in the 97

 

Knowing what I know now I wouldn't buy either one unless it has 4:10 gears or I was willing to spend the money to install them. Other than that,I'd go with the 5.9.

 

Z does your new truck have 4.10's?

 

Oh i'd definitely be wanting to do gears. I can probably do the install myself (unless it's a lot more complicated than putting in 3.73's in a mustang).

What gear though depends on when i do a 5" suspension lift and get some tires (33's or 35's)

 

I didn't know that... Thanks for the heads up!

 

get 4.88 or 4.56 gears for 33's or 35's

I run 265/75/16 tires with 4.10 gears in the front and rear, and i think its a perfect combo.

 

front and rear?

 

Yes, you have to do the front and rear axles on 4x4 trucks. If you dont, you're gonna break something the first time you put it in four wheel drive. If you plan on getting 35's go with the 4.56 gears

 

4.88's if you want more power.