Hi guys. I'm new to this forum and looking for some advice. I am in the process of trying to purchase a truck that we can use for pulling a horse trailer. I have found a 2000 Ram 2500 Sport with the V8 gas motor and I would like to know what I should be looking for when I go to inspect it.
I wanted a diesel but with the way the used truck market is it just won't fit in our budget.

 

run while you can !

 

Welcome to DF!

For towing, you really want the diesel.... They are out there, just a bit harder to find. Might have to expand your search area some, but, there are deals to be found.

That said: For the gas engine, pull the air cleaner, look down the throttle body, see any oil? Plenum gasket is blown, and needs replaced.

Transmissions (automatics) on these trucks were weak from the factory. Check fluid, if it is burnt...... no towing for you. At least, not for long.

Check coolant level. These trucks also had issues with the factory heads being not the best..... prone to cracking.

those are the big issues. Other than that, just do the usual used vehicle inspection thing.

 

Thanks. I have been trying to surf the forum to see what I can learn. I did see the issue about the plenum and it appears to be a fairly easy thing to fix. I did see the open sticky thread on the tranny's so that makes sense.
I hadn't seen anything on the heads yet so that is a good heads up.
We would love to get a diesel but here in Connecticut trying to find a diesel that is fairly priced is like trying to find hen's teeth. Most of them are running $10-12 grand and if they are less then they tend to be in the +250K mile range. I am sure a well maintained diesel will last much longer I am very leery of an inexpensive used one.
Unfortunately we are right on the middle of horse show season during which we have been borrowing a truck. I can't continue to do that so I am up against a bit of a deadline and therefore I don't have the luxury of just waiting until a deal comes along.
Are there any other common issues I should be looking at on the body or drive train (other than the tranny)? i.e wheel bearings, carrier bearings, or peeling paint, etc.

 

Nothing beyond what you usually look at on a used vehicle. On the four wheel drives, the hub and bearing assembly, is serviced as a unit. (also on the older 2x4's) No repackable bearings there.... and the aren't precisely cheap. But, a full front end inspection should be part and parcel of your pre-purchase inspection in any event.

I understand the time crunch thing...... Gotta run with what you can find.

Found this one..... are you looking for anything specific?

 

Good advice on the hubs. I didn't realize they were a one piece unit. I am taking a dealer mechanic friend with me when I go look at the truck we found.

Thanks for making the effort to look for one. We did find that one but the dually long bed is just a bit too big for us to want to deal with. When we are not towing, it will be a daily driver for my wife or most likely my teenage daughter when school starts again. Whatever we find this will be her first truck that she can take with her when she goes to college.
I think we are just going to have to take what we can find and make the best of it.

 

at least its a 2500 so its not a half ton, the 5.9 will last you a long time if taking care of , same with the tranny.

there fun trucks

 

We knew enough from the truck we were borrowing that we needed a 2500 or F250. The one we were borrowing was a 2500 with the Cummins in it. it worked great but it was a bit loud at the Dunkin Donuts drive thru or so the family said.
Thanks for all teh help and if we end up with this one I will post pictures. I am sure that I will be back with many many questions as I get to know the truck.
I do have a question about the towing mirrors. I searched the forum and found that we can add the manual ones as a bolt on.
How about the powered ones from the Gen 3 trucks? Can we add them even if I have to make a few mods or run some extra wiring? I really like the ones with the built in turn signals.

 

cool welcome to the forum !