Looking at a 1999 Ram EX 4x4. Not really versed on Dodge's, so what are some things I need to look for or even if the price is fair? Normally I would have my mechanic check it out but I won't be able to this time. One thing he did say is that the reason he is selling it is he usually gets tired of vehicles after 3-4 months. So that has me concerned. But it might also be a young kid who literally does do that!

I know like every vehicle there are people that post online that these are the worst trucks out there. But that goes for all vehicles I'm sure!

Any help before I take a look at it this weekend would be great

 

Price really isn't that bad for your area. Still, I would try and talk him down to around 3500.... just for giggles. (be prepared to pay more though.)

Major issues on these are transmissions, and the two piece intake manifold. Before you drive it, pull the air filter housing off. (need a flat blade screwdriver) Have a look down the throttle body, use a bright flashlight. See any oil? Gonna need the intake pulled, and fixed.

Take it for a test drive.... drive it kinda hard. Make sure you get all four gears, and tcc lockup. Should shift smooth, and RPM shouldn't spike between gears.

Make sure it does indeed run good, AND stop good.

If the intake needs to come off, take at least 500 right off the top of the price. If everything else seems good, and it drives nice, could be your potential new truck.

 

test drive it for at least a 15 minute drive around town, with it shifting up and down, and in/out of overdrive. if the transmission hiccups one single time, its $2000 max.

assuming transmission shifts ok, with cracked dash - its $3500 max.

consider your driving habits and the cost of gas. that truck will get a max of about 12-13 mpg city and 14-15 highway.

welcome to df. they're pretty good trucks, require some maintenance, and drink gas. don't overpay for one.

 

thanks guys. i'm going to go look at it tomorrow.

heyyou, when you say to take off the air filter housing and look down the TB, what part of the housing needs to come off? the black box on top of the engine in the pic below?

 

There's a worm drive ring on the collar of the throttle body that needs to be removed. Thats what he was talking about.

 

Yep, that would be the one. Crack the throttles wide open, and have a look down there. (bring a good flashlight) If you see oil, there is a problem.

 

a light coat of oil is fine though, if there is a pool in the back usally means there is a leak

 

This is true BUT, don't be fooled into thinking that just because there's a lite coat of oil, that you don't have a blown plenum. When I did my air gap install, I noticed a lite coat of oil threw the throttle body and thought that it was because of the PCV valve...a common thing. However, upon inspection, I noticed that the plenum gasket was blown.

 

when I changed my plenum, my plenum was so clean i could eat off it. I just did the plenum because I pln on keeping the truck for 10 more years (it only has 56K on it right now). And I know the PCV is working great. Took off the velvecovers and there was nothing baked on. Just clean oil and metal.

I think that 168K miles and 3500 is still too much. I would start at 1800. Would not pay more than 2200. Cracked windshield, cracked dash, dings on the outside. That is a truck in FAIR condition.

TRADE IN VALUE: $2900

I would stick to trade in value. That is all he will get for it. Excellent condition would be 3,525. And it is far from that.

About 10% over trade in value is a fair offer IF he can provide service records. However, if it has any problems with the tranny. I would not even buy it. And I would not pay a dime over 2000. And even then I would feel like I got kicked in the nuts.

 

Blackbeast,
You can rest assured... the folks that have commented so far know their stuff! What they have given you is very solid advice. The only thing I would add is if it doesn't already have a dashboard (top) cracking and falling apart, it probably will... eventually... unless it has been covered since it left the showroom.