so what I got was a 97 1500 4x4 extended cab short bed. I was told it has the 360 in it (how can I tell?) has 125k on it and a rebuilt trans from less than a year ago. the body is in pretty bad shape but the motor runs great. it was missing the fan shroud and thanks for your help with that got one from the junk yard today for $10. the temp gauge will climb halfway from the middle and then drop back down and does it more when not moving would missing the shroud cause this? any way alot of questions in one but I paid $2400 for the truck.

 

Not sure what the body looks like but that sounds like a good deal. Mines a 97 1500 4x4 5.9 121000 clean in and out and i got it for $3200
problem could be thermostat. get a 180*

 

yea the fan shroud plays a role in keepin it cool, but i dunno how much exactly. maybe ur t-stat is goin bad?

 

Dont know if you got a good deal. GOTTA POST UP SOME PIC'S.

 

yeah ill put some pics up tomorrow and ill change the t stat to 180 just to play it safe

 

should say it on the core support.....also email dodge and get the build sheet for it too

 

I only paid $900 for my 95 1500 4x4 200,xxxmi it has bad track bar and was on flat tires but no other probs.... yet any way but hey for the right price anything is worth buying

 

around the middle of the VIN number, Y=5.2 Z=5.9
this tells you what originally came in the truck.

 

Meh, I wont say a used Dodge at any price is a good deal, but it was cheap.

Welcome to Dodge Forum.

 

my ram did the same thing. I replaced my thermostat with a 180* one and new upper and lower radiatior hoses and clamts at the same time afterwards the temp gauge held steady