Newb to the dodge forums here! I'm fairly active over at jeepforum.com, but I've decided to turn over to the dark side...after all the money and busted knuckles I've spent on my XJ I've decided to sell it for a newer 4wd truck, and the Ram seemed like a natural choice.

Just wanted to see what y'all would advise looking for if you had to buy another 2nd gen ram. I'm looking at probably a 98-01 but I'm thinking a slightly older one would be okay depending on condition and mileage. Gotta be a 4wd and preferably with the 5.9 liter. I've heard the auto transmissions are pretty weak in general, so I guess I can count on a rebuild if it hasn't been done yet?

Rather have a manual anyway, but it seems like they're pretty rare. Any info/buyers guide type insights would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Also, kinda wondering what kind of mileage you guys are getting with various motors/gear ratios/transmissions. I don't want to necessarily get worse mileage than my Jeep (which gets about 12-16 depending on type of driving.)

 

a good bank to loan you lots of money.
a good mechanic to give it all to.
a rental car so you have something to drive while its down.
a transmission shop.
stock in oil/gas.

 

LOLOL. That is scarily accurate.

Look down the throttle body, see any oil? Plenum needs changing.... Stick a magnetic pickup down there, does it stick? Plenum needs changing........

Do a VERY thorough inspection. Pay very close attention to the color/smell of the trans fluid...... and yes, it appears these tranny's are relatively weak.

I have a 96 3/4 ton, 360/auto, extended cab, short bed, 3.55 gears. On the road, I get 15 to 18. (cruising at 60-65, three people, with a load of furniture.....) Around town though.... If I break into double digits, I am doing well.

 

oh, i forgot something - you'll need a towing company on speed dial.

i'd recommend the 01 offroad and nothing else. its got a 2" factory lift and 4.10 gears. 00-01 have much better brakes.

test drive it hard for 10-15 minutes and get the transmission HOT. if it slips, shudders, spits, won't shift, or does ANYTHING not exactly right, then you've found the reason they're selling it. $1500-2000 to rebuild, and there's not much chance of a something simple/small repair.

if you don't have the energy and tools to repair this bastard, then don't buy one. i've had mine for 4 years and have had to replace all the big moving parts and all the seals and gaskets in between them.

 

wow....


or get a manual

Im definitely getting a manual now. IF i find one worth buying. DAMN.

 

ive got one .. i guess im one of the "lucky ones". of course its starting to go downhill wiht 175000 miles of hard towing and work use... second gear syncros? not so much... lol. oh well whole new trannie is 895. expensive? yes.. 2000.00? nope!

 

They only made the manual with the 5.2 v8 for the 1/2 tons. You can only get a manual with the 5.9 v8 in the 3/4 tons. So if you have been searching for a 1/2 ton with a stick and 5.9 v8 you'll never find one. Haha.

Some things to look for is if the plenum is blown or it has been deathflashed. 98-01's usually have a cracked dash but if youre lucky you can find a good one. These are pretty good trucks if you just take the effort to give them a lil loven. Good luck and welcome to DT

 

man i guess im lucky too, i have a 01' 3:90 posi gears with the 5.2l and ihave done no major fixes to it, for except what i ****ed up about a year ago. but that was my fault so yea... 108k miles too. but i get like 12-15 mpg on the hwy, with 33's on it.

 

My transmission was rebuilt last July. $1800 and that included some serious upgrades. She runs and pulls great.

 

These replies are starting to scare me...might start looking at a Ford now...

Thanks for the good info!