Hello everyone.

I just purchased a 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 LARAMIE SLT 4X2 V8 regular cab for $6700 bucks with 32.5k miles on it. It is white, has pwr windows, pwr locks, cruise ctrl. tilt steering wheel, cassette, cd, factory fog lights, abs brakes, dual airbags etc. I have added a bedliner since and I really like the truck. Can you guys tell me what if any recalls are neccessary, VIN 1B7HC16Y0WS503425. Also is there anything I need to check out that you guys know about?

Thanks

 

http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/dodge/index.jsp

 

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Stop by your local stealership parts counter, and have them print you out a build sheet for the truck. It will also list any open recalls that may be pending. Mine still had the secondary hood latch one open. It's being done today along with getting the A/C recharged.

Good mileage! ... even beat out my '98 2500 w/ 52K. Bed liners are bad... I'm tossing mine out and getting it Rhino Lined. Surface rust from the plastic toss-in liner.

Since I'm a noob too, I've been trying to find out what to look out for too. So far, I've heard that the 2nd gen auto trannys require periodic maintenance and band adjustments or they will die on you. Also we must keep an eye out for intake plenum gasket leaks.

Maybe someone who's been here longer, will chime in with more.

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www.alldata.com they list all recalls plus some

 

At alldata.com you'll have to pay to get any specific info on your truck.

 

Thanks guys, do you guys know a cheap way to lift my truck up atleast a couple of inches?

 

one fatal flaw i have learned about while shopping for used trucks is the automatic transmission. i believe the model number has a 45R in it. as it was explained to me, these have an issue with the servos in the transmission clogging from friction material coming off of the torque converter lock up mechanism. The first symptoms are late shifting, and eventually it will fail to upshift. it can self destruct too. my brother had one that decided it wanted 2nd gear on the highway at about 70 mph. they say some are fixed with a good flushing and filter change, but that 9 of 10 require a new trans. In 2000, they revised the transmission, model 46R, to fix it. I'm not a transmission mechanic, but i've overheard and test-driven several examples. this is seems pretty universal up thru 1999. i can't tell you a typical mileage this happens. seems about 60 or 70k.

maybe some of the more mechanically trained folks here can fill in the details for me, and correct anything i have wrong.