Need advise for purchase of a Dodge Ram p/u
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Need advise for purchase of a Dodge Ram p/u
Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and joined because I'm in the market for a Dodge Ram pickup.
Ideally, I want something between a 1996 and 2001 that has a V8 and preferrably a 4 wheel drive. Extended cab would be nice too, but not necessary.
I'm primarily going to use the truck to tow my boat (24' boat, older boat, so it may be a little heavy).
In shopping for a truck, is there anything in particular that I should stay away from? I'd imagine that since this is a Dodge forum, noone will say "get a chevy!" haha. But seriously, any particular year where the transmissions or engine packages are better than others? Should I stay away from a 4x4 even though that would be the most ideal?
I don't know much about the engine packages and if any particular year has a better or more reliable engine (for example, was the fuel injection system the same on a 1996 as a 1998?? -- I don't know these kinds of things).
I'd prefer the 318 engine over the 360, but am curious if there are many differences in reliability (I'd imagine that there is a difference in gas mileage)
Anything to look for or stay away from when shopping for a truck?
I really like the look of the Dodge pickups and like the body style much better than Ford or Chevy.
Oh, also, is this the same engine and transmission package that you'll find in the Jeep Grand Cherokee???
Any advise is really appreciated.
I'm new here and joined because I'm in the market for a Dodge Ram pickup.
Ideally, I want something between a 1996 and 2001 that has a V8 and preferrably a 4 wheel drive. Extended cab would be nice too, but not necessary.
I'm primarily going to use the truck to tow my boat (24' boat, older boat, so it may be a little heavy).
In shopping for a truck, is there anything in particular that I should stay away from? I'd imagine that since this is a Dodge forum, noone will say "get a chevy!" haha. But seriously, any particular year where the transmissions or engine packages are better than others? Should I stay away from a 4x4 even though that would be the most ideal?
I don't know much about the engine packages and if any particular year has a better or more reliable engine (for example, was the fuel injection system the same on a 1996 as a 1998?? -- I don't know these kinds of things).
I'd prefer the 318 engine over the 360, but am curious if there are many differences in reliability (I'd imagine that there is a difference in gas mileage)
Anything to look for or stay away from when shopping for a truck?
I really like the look of the Dodge pickups and like the body style much better than Ford or Chevy.
Oh, also, is this the same engine and transmission package that you'll find in the Jeep Grand Cherokee???
Any advise is really appreciated.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Oh - one other question - how easy is it to work on these trucks? I currently have a '96 chevy blazer with a V6 and I hate working on it...the engine seems crammed in there and everything is hard to get to.
Grand Champion
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
The main issue to be aware of if your looking for a Ram to tow with is the transmission. The auto transmission (46RE/RH) has a reputation for not being too reliable. If I where in the market for a truck with the main goal of towing, i'd definetly hold out for a manual trans.
As for the 318 versus the 360, the 360 is more powerful, but the 318 has a reputation for being more reliable. Honestly, the power difference between the two is not that great either. A few mods on a 318, and you wan run with a 360 any day of the week. So don't let people tell you that a 318 isn't powerful enough, because it is. Finding a 318 with a manual transmission is nearly impossible though. They are a hidden gem if you can find one, rare to say the least. Most manuals are 360's or cummins diesels.
Our trucks tend to be geared kinda low from the factory for towing applications in my opinion. 3.55 gears are basically the norm. If you can find an off-road edition Ram (available in '00 and '01 I beleive), they have 4.10's from the factory. Otherwise, you might consider regearing for better towing performance.
Another common issue to watch out for is what is known as the plenum leak. There is a steel belly pan on the bottom of the aluminum intake manifold. The gasket between it and the manifold can fail, causing oil to get sucked into the intake manifold. After this happens, the truck will lose gas mileage, and ping bad under load. Power will decline. Not something you really want to have if you're buying a truck to tow with. The way to identify it is through a vacuum leak check, but the faster way (for someone like you who is looking to buy a truck and trying to give it a quick inspection) is to look down through the throttlebody into the intake manifold with a flashlight. If you see significant oil film or even pooled up oil, the plenum is already blown and leaking. It's fixable, but it's a decent job to do yourself (time wise) and expensive to have shop do it. So just something to look for. Even if you find a truck that isn't leaking, there is no guarantee that it won't develop the leak sometime after you buy it. Having been around these forums for almost 7 years now, it seems that the # of reported plenum leaks is rising as these vehciles get older.
These trucks are very easy to work on in my opinon. Lots of room. The hardest thing to get to is the distributor because it is tucked up under the cowl behind the air cleaner. But everything else is pretty easy to access.
Have you considered a diesel or even a v10 Ram? They would tow your boat much better then either of the v8's. Just a suggestion.
As for the 318 versus the 360, the 360 is more powerful, but the 318 has a reputation for being more reliable. Honestly, the power difference between the two is not that great either. A few mods on a 318, and you wan run with a 360 any day of the week. So don't let people tell you that a 318 isn't powerful enough, because it is. Finding a 318 with a manual transmission is nearly impossible though. They are a hidden gem if you can find one, rare to say the least. Most manuals are 360's or cummins diesels.
Our trucks tend to be geared kinda low from the factory for towing applications in my opinion. 3.55 gears are basically the norm. If you can find an off-road edition Ram (available in '00 and '01 I beleive), they have 4.10's from the factory. Otherwise, you might consider regearing for better towing performance.
Another common issue to watch out for is what is known as the plenum leak. There is a steel belly pan on the bottom of the aluminum intake manifold. The gasket between it and the manifold can fail, causing oil to get sucked into the intake manifold. After this happens, the truck will lose gas mileage, and ping bad under load. Power will decline. Not something you really want to have if you're buying a truck to tow with. The way to identify it is through a vacuum leak check, but the faster way (for someone like you who is looking to buy a truck and trying to give it a quick inspection) is to look down through the throttlebody into the intake manifold with a flashlight. If you see significant oil film or even pooled up oil, the plenum is already blown and leaking. It's fixable, but it's a decent job to do yourself (time wise) and expensive to have shop do it. So just something to look for. Even if you find a truck that isn't leaking, there is no guarantee that it won't develop the leak sometime after you buy it. Having been around these forums for almost 7 years now, it seems that the # of reported plenum leaks is rising as these vehciles get older.
These trucks are very easy to work on in my opinon. Lots of room. The hardest thing to get to is the distributor because it is tucked up under the cowl behind the air cleaner. But everything else is pretty easy to access.
Have you considered a diesel or even a v10 Ram? They would tow your boat much better then either of the v8's. Just a suggestion.
Last edited by Silver_Dodge; Apr 3, 2010 at 10:20 AM.
Champion
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 2
From: Ft Campbell, KY/TN
They are very easy to work on. That is the reason I got a 2001 after i drove the wheels off my 1996.
The 5.2 and 5.9 are pretty much the same. The 5.2 in my 1996 had more ***** than the 5.9 I have now. But my 2001 5.9 is all stock. My 1996 was slightly modified (see signature).
THe gas mileage is the same. Maybe 1 MPG difference. It just depends on how you have it tuned.
DO a search on this words:
Plenum
Death Flash
As far as wanting to buy one. Follow these rules:
1. Buy from a non-off roader or a guy who has kept his truck STOCK
2. Look for a truck driven no more than 70K miles (look for a 2001)
3. You will need to know what the Death flash and plenum to get the seller's price down.
The death flash is the factory software "upgrade" that basically kills your truck's performance and fuel mileage in order to increase longevity.
The plenum is a design flaw that didge did. Instead of the intake being one solid piece of aluminum. They made the bottom of the intake a separate piece. It is a steel pan that bolts into the aluminum intake. THat pan warps over the years from constant expansion and contraction and messes your truck up.
--Dan
The 5.2 and 5.9 are pretty much the same. The 5.2 in my 1996 had more ***** than the 5.9 I have now. But my 2001 5.9 is all stock. My 1996 was slightly modified (see signature).
THe gas mileage is the same. Maybe 1 MPG difference. It just depends on how you have it tuned.
DO a search on this words:
Plenum
Death Flash
As far as wanting to buy one. Follow these rules:
1. Buy from a non-off roader or a guy who has kept his truck STOCK
2. Look for a truck driven no more than 70K miles (look for a 2001)
3. You will need to know what the Death flash and plenum to get the seller's price down.
The death flash is the factory software "upgrade" that basically kills your truck's performance and fuel mileage in order to increase longevity.
The plenum is a design flaw that didge did. Instead of the intake being one solid piece of aluminum. They made the bottom of the intake a separate piece. It is a steel pan that bolts into the aluminum intake. THat pan warps over the years from constant expansion and contraction and messes your truck up.
--Dan
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you very much for your advise. I really appreciate it.
I thought of one other question... I don't know much about the body styles and when they may have changed or stayed the same... For example, does a 1996 look any different than a 2001?
I thought of one other question... I don't know much about the body styles and when they may have changed or stayed the same... For example, does a 1996 look any different than a 2001?
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Gord.
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
94-01 is the 2nd gen body style. They all look the basically the same. In 98 the interior and side mirrors changed. In my opinion how the truck was taken care of says more than the mileage. I bought my 97 with 172,000 but it was owned by 2 older guys before me and it had been maintained well. Whose to say that you find an 01 with 75,000 miles but someone beat the mess out of it? Main thing is to drive it then go from there.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you again everyone. I think they are nice looking trucks. And, as far as the manual transmission goes and I hate to say this because I love driving stick shift, but I want an automatic. I just don't like dealing with stick shift cars while on a boat ramp.