i am in the market for a 1500 4x4 95-99. i know that their are tranny concerns and rot issues. what should i be looking for when buying one. also what is better on gas 5.2 or 5.9? i have been told they are the same. what is the best way to test for tranny issues?
thank you for your time,
barry north providence ri

 

Plenum: Look down the throttle body, see if you see any oil. If you do, intake needs to come off. If you can do the work yourself, about a 200 dollar fix.

Trans: take it for a test drive. Drive it hard. If it slips, doesn't wanna shift, or, exhibits any other type of undesirable behavior...... trans is suspect. Also check fluid level. (MUST check in neutral) and color. If the fluid looks/smells burnt..... probably a sign it is on its last legs.

Little if any difference in gas mileage between the two V-8s. (or the V-6 for that matter.....)

96 is the first year for OBDII. Trans changed from a 46RH, to a 46RE. (hydraulic, or electric shift control....)

 

96-01 is the best because the have obd2 .

 

Try running the 4x4 as well, take it to some dirt road or trail and make sure it slips in and out of 4wd easily.

Keep an eye out for any bubbles around the wells, to get it fixed at a reputable body shop will run you about $+600 per rear well, if done right. But hey if you don't mind the looks, you can argue a heck of a lot off of the price for one with wheel well rust (or any rust, really).

As HeyYou said, gas mileage between 5.2L, 5.9L V8 and V6 are about the same. Go for a V8 if you plan on doing anything with the truck besides driving is my opinion.

 

Take a look around the front axle ends too, it will be obvious if the front seals need replacing. A shop will charge a pretty penny for that fix. DIY is not bad.

 

thank you. that is great info. i appreciate it. thanks again

 

cab corners, bottom of doors.. wheel wells..dash board "cracked" .. intermediate steering shaft. and as stated above.. Plenum.. mine is a 5 speed.. I had trouble with the shift fork..

 

baddnet ill trade u trannys, id fight with a bad shift fork all day long if it meant i didnt have an automatic lol

 

because the throttle body has to come off if i see oiol is that just to replace the intake gasket or is it something else?

 

Plenum gasket. Gotta yank the intake to change it.