I have been reading everything I can about 2nd gen rams on this site for a while now. My dad owns a few, as well as my brother. But I just want to be sure what I'm looking for in a truck.

**Burnt smell and discolored trans fluid
**any clunking with 4x4
**rusty brake and fuel lines (I live in MI)
** Normal things I don't need to list for buying a used truck

it is a 1998 quad cab short box 5.9L with around 190,000 miles. I expect the fuel pump to go out in under 10k miles (thats what my dad and brother experianced)

Is there any other issue with these to look for that I need to know? thanks a ton!!!

Dallas

 

Well the dashboard's crack, the transmission's aren't the best, I've heard of total front end rebuild's on some trucks. (so far I've only had to replace the idler arm, and driver side ball joints, passenger is next).

Of course possible the single biggest problem, in my opinion, the Plenum (because it effect's quite a bit of crap)

With 190k if the plenum hasn't been fixed yet I'd say plan on doing that right away, along with new catalytic converter and pre-02 sensor, provided there haven't been any exhaust mod's.

Also the timing chain and gears, possibly the water pump.

Mine is the first Dodge I've ever owned or DROVE. I've got a few issues to fix, a few things I want to do.

What's the asking price? I paid $2500 from a private seller with a new set of tires and a 4k mile old rebuilt transmission - still going strong.

 

The owner told me that he doesn't know about tranny rebuild. my dad has a 96 1500 with the 318. He is 4000 miles away from 400000 miles. and he hasn't had the engine open for anything other than replacing the water pump.

He's asking 2500obo, but I have him down to 2k. I don't NEED a truck, but I sure could use one. Its the wrong time to buy, but I think I like this truck. This has the premium interior as well.

To check the plenum (without opening things up) does the exhaust give off a smell? I will try to figure out what the #8 plug is and pull it to look at it. Thank you for the quick response. I really appreciate it.

 

The easiest way to check the plenum is to take a flashlight and look down the throttle body for signs of oil or carbon buildup in the corners. Rear passenger side seems to be most prominent. May also poke a magnet to the pan below in there and see if it is steel or aluminum.

$2500 would be a darn good price to buy down here, but rust is not a problem here. So depending on condition, $2000 may be a heck of a bargain if it is in good shape.

 

In this area, it seems that only a few dodges are actually being listed for blue book price. This one kbb's for over 4000 in fair condition. So i'm a little leery because it's been for sale for a while and its so cheap.

 

KBB is just a guide. Value is the price that buyer and seller agree. And most KBB and NADA data comes from dealers and not so much from private party sales.

A good test drive and tier kicking, crawl nder it and take your time. If there is something wrong with it, you'll likely be able to see it. Ask the seller why it has been for sale for so long? Also KBB doesn't take in the current economic situation very rapidly (or it didn't when I was selling cars about 6 years ago). May be for sale for a long time due to number of people out of work, people hanging onto what they have longer, and so on. Check fluids (and give tranny dipstick the sniff test) and make sure they are all pretty clean.

Good luck if it checks out good for you. (makes me want to come up ther and buy a few, do kegger and basic work, and resell down here - they hit or exceed KBB for a clean truck)

 

The bumpers were full of rust holes. but the rest of the truck looked good on the under side. It didn't steer right, so we just decided against it. Bummer, it had everything I wanted, except it just wasn't quite right.

 

This just means I have more time to research

 

Bumpers are a couple hundred each ($300) new, and cheaper at a JY.

What was wrong with steering? Too sloppy? If it is pump, that's less than $75. New Redhead steering box is around $300 and is probably one of the best on the market. National parts chains sell for around $200 to $250 I think. Maybe less. And gerabox can be adjusted is it is just too loose.

May still be worth offering him a little less to cover the cost of fixing steering.

 

Could be misalignment too. I agree with gdstock, if your really into the truck offer a lower amount given that it needs immediate repair, whatever the problem turns out to be. It's a legit reason for a low offer.