I read the first post and was trying to figure out how to get $10,500 out of my 18 year old truck.... ������

 

Time travel.

 

yep right here! just got a dakota with a 5 speed and just doing some research on what to look out for!😁

 

Here's a tip. If you're ever in a used book store or at a swap meet and see something like a Trouble shooters manual from the 1930's to 40's, snap it up. I don't use mine for much anymore but I do have a book entitled "The Practical Field Guide for Field and Office". This is from an engineering publication and doesn't have a copyright date but the type font looks to be late 30's to possibly the WW2 era.

The engineers at work don't like me because I make suggestions based on it. For instance, our lift trucks had tires that would build a charge like a helicopter blade set. If you leaned against it, it would knock the bejeebers out of you. When the Golden Gate bridge was built in the 30's, toll collectors were getting shocked by static build ups in cars. The solution was they had a wire on a spring sticking up from the pavement. A car pulling up would discharge into the deck and no more shocks. I mentioned bolting a short length of metal chain under the lift trucks so they would drag. Problem solved. Too many people with lots of letters after their names think people without them don't know anything. Myself, I'm a genius with a winsome smile and girlish giggle. I just never had the money for college.

 

holy cow old thread! I wonder if the OP ever went for the deal LOL. the 2nd gens have been the most reliable vehicles I've ever had, I went through a string of rather junky cars before. Can't justify plopping down a mortgage for a vehicle when I don't put very many miles on one per year so I may just keep driving around a 2nd gen in one shape or another as long as humanly possible, I feel comfy working on them when something does rarely go wrong.

 

Original post was back in 2005, So back then it was 4 years old.

That's because the static strap got ripped off, Common problem that people don't even think about until they get shocked. And a lot has changed since the 40's!

Well i have had many vehicles before the second gens. As for trucks my 1990 was the best. It had 200K on it when i sold it and very minimal work done to it. Cant say that for my second gens. After you get past the problems (plenum gasket, heater core, rusted brake lines etc...) it smooth sailing. Comparing a new ram to the second gen is no comparison! New rams are ugly! And they don't have "Dodge" on them. Still can't figure out why they did that.

 

Static straps weren't used back then and in some states, were illegal until the late 90's. Depending on the tire compound, you can still get static charge today. That's why I keep my hand on the door frame as I get out of a car. That's why you shouldn't get back in a car or truck while pumping fuel. If you get out and build up a charge, when you grab the fuel pump handle, the spark can ignite fuel fumes. I've seen several fires due to that.

 

I love the new Rams I even bought one. Ram broke away from Dodge to adventure out into new territory. If they didn't you would not have the 6.4 Hemi or the Hellcat truck

 

I got 350k on my 5.2

 

what have you done to keep it running so long?