Hey guys
im brand new to the site, and got a few questions
im going to look at a 1996 dodge ram, 210kms, 3" lift kit. the guy said there is a little bit of front end work that needs to be done.
anything in particular i should check for tommorrow, while driving and checking it out?
Thanks
Carlin

 

Find out what front end work needs to be done. Grab the front u joints and see if they have play in them. When taking it for a test drive, put the windows down and turn off the radio and listen while making left and right turns. If the wheel bearings are bad, you will be able to hear them. Expect the worst and if you buy it be prepared to drop several hundred bucks if you rebuild the front end. More if you take it to a shop.

Also, these trucks are known for blowing plenum gaskets because of a poor factory design. (You can search for plenum gasket on this forum and find millions of threads)

Make sure it shifts smoothly...tranny rebuilds are expensive!

 

Awsome thanks for the reply. What are plenum gaskets? were they locateda and what do they do? i will do some research on em thanks

 

Im guessing its 4x4 because it has a lift, if it is check and make sure it goes into 4wd, look for leaks at the valve covers, oil filter and oilpan. Check oil and tranny fluid for color and amount(check tranny in neutral only)

 

The plenum gasket is the gasket between the intake and the belly pan. Take off the air cleaner and look down the throttle body...if you see a pool of oil then the plenum is most likely blown.

Here is a link to hughes engines which is one of the places you can buy a fix kit for this issue. If you have tools and a little bit of time it's not that bad to do it yourself. If not, expect to pay a shop about $400 in labor.
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=26190

 

when i got my ram two years ago, i bought my 96 ram 2500 4x4 with a lift, my shocks were blown, ball joints, and trac bar- try going at highway speed n go over a bump, see if the truck has the death wobble, i had it- but replacing those cured it- for now

 

Thanks for the help guys,
went and checked it out, the front end needs to be redone for sure, truck veers all over the road, u joints are super loose, 4 wheel drive has a rubbing sound from the front wheels, windsheild needs to be replaced, and brackets that hold the cab onto the frame are rusted right out... along with pretty bad rust under the floors. tranny more than likely needs some work to. im gonna wait and see if he still has it in a month or so and give him a lower offer. he is only asking 200 because he wants the money back from the tires he put on it.