I am getting ready to buy a 99 1500 with about 145000 mi on it from a buddy of mine. I have always owned ford in the past but wanted to try something new. I am going to lift it shortly after I buy it and was hoping for some do's and dont's on dodge trucks around this year. What are some problems these trucks have? What are some good things about them that I could use to my advantage. I am in the Army and live on post so it will be a play toy more than a daily driver. But still am going to drive it quite a bit.

 

Plenum goes bad. (see stickied thread)

Transmissions are weak.

Front suspension design leaves a bit to be desired. (track bar mostly)

Lifting over three inches gets expensive in a hurry. (need new control arms as well.) Not quite as bad as the IFS trucks though.......

Don't go over 35" tires on the stock axles. They simply don't hold up well to larger tires.

Not as much aftermarket support as I would like to see. There is some, but, nothing like you see for the older chevy's and fords....

Aside from the plenum, the engines are basically indestructible, the transmissions can be rebuilt to be beyond bulletproof, swapping to heavier axles is a relatively easy operation, some excellent resources for information/help available online. And then, of course, there is us. Best Dodge Truck forum on the net.

 

Gears,gears, gears. Did I mention gears?