Hello,
I'm considering the purchase of a 1999 Dodge Ram base model with a 5.2 liter and automatic tranny. It was state owned and has 108,000 miles. It's a base model. The body and interior look good. Are there any common issues I should be looking for when I go inspect the truck? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Todd

 

check the transmission fluid....our trannys typically dont last to much past 150K....and 150K is good....ive heard of trannys going at 60-70K....Must check while running in NEUTRAL. if it smells burnt or looks dirty, expect to have some maintenance done.

Also drive it...and go kinda hard on it....should have nice firm shifts, and see how the O/D works.

Take off the air cleaner and look into the throttle body. If theres oil the plenum needs to be changed. Do a search here theres thousands of threads on it, Its a factory defect, if yours isnt blown...it will be.

We have weak fuel pumps as well...thought you should be aware of this.

 

oil pressure
trans
leaks of any kind
start it up dead cold and listen for noise
drive it for atleast 20 min

so many common problems... do a search

 

Transmission (auto trans) and plenum leaks are the main ones. Anything else is possible just like any vehicle, but these are two of the weak areas with these trucks.

 

Thanks for the info. Did read about the plenum plate upgrade. Do any of the later model tranny's work in the 99?
Todd

 

Anyone have some MPG figures for a standard box regular cab with this motor? Just looking for ballpark. Thx

 

I get 11-12 mpg, 75% city - 25% hwy and I drive like an old lady.

 

Wow! That sucks! How did they manage to take a 318 and get that kind of mileage? My 89 Silverado with a 350 used to get ~16 in town. May have to consider this... Thanks for the info.

 

I have a '99 1500 4x4 extended cab, and when I bought it in stock condition, it got about 14 mpg on average. I was able to get as good as 16 at one time. Now I get around 10-11 in the configuration I run today.

 

my 2001 dodge ram 2500 has gone threw 2 trainsmissions so checck tranny and also if you get the truck, fill up the tank and put slick 50 in the gas tank it will clean out your intake system you can pick it up at walmart or an auto store.