Alrighty, last week I decided to give into my childish dreams and buy a $1000 99 sport. I've wanted one since I was a teenager, I bought a Ram 17 Express last year and love it, and before that an 06 BH. Only problem is I know almost absolutely nothing about this generation of rams, let alone the differences in sports and non sports models. I have learned the hard way that sports in 99 are an absolute b**** to get genuine parts for on the cheap. It's has 168k miles, with the 4x4, 46RE if I saw correctly, and the 5.9 motor. How far is too far for this? The bumpers are shot (Rust, dented, and scratched to all hell. The hood is also pretty roughed up. What mechanically should I be on the look for? Motor feels strong, trans shifts just fine. Suspension is pretty iffy, but it is jacked up with some bigger tires on it. The goals a work truck, but if I don't know a damned about what usually goes out, it'll probably bite me in my ***. Thanks guys, and this forum has answered so many of my random questions 😂

 

The differences are mostly cosmetic. Front bumper, grill, body color bumpers, quad headlamps, and I think that's about it. I *think* you can still find rear bumpers, but, your front should be mostly plastic? I think..... Those are going to be fun to find. Car-Part.com would likely be your best bet. (search the southern states to find something that hasn't rotted away.....)

Plenum gasket was a problem pretty much across the board. There is a thread stickied at the top of this forum on that particular topic. More info there than I could cover here.

Trans check valve likes to clog, and toast your transmission. If the trans has been rebuilt once already, likely that's been addressed, if not, something to look at.

Brake line running along the frame rail to the rear is known to rust out and break.

Lots of folks will install larger tires, but do nothing about the gearing. Most of these trucks came with 3.55 gears, and when you start going over 33" tires, that puts a strain on the trans, shortening its life.

Typical body rust. Bottoms of the doors, wheel openings, bumpers.... (in case you haven't noticed..... )

Steering boxes are known for wearing, and being sloppy.

With over 100K on it, probably want a new timing chain.

Since you just bought it, first things first. Catch up on maintenance. If you don't know the last time it was done, it's time to do it. Fluids, filters, tune-up, (copper plugs only please). Scan for codes. If something doesn't work the way you think it should, find out why. If you have questions, this is the place to ask 'em.

And, not to forget, get a service manual for your truck from here. LOTS of useful info there, especially if you are doing your own work.

 

Haha, I went down that list going...oh no...My steering is well ..sloppy. pulls hard to the right, but I just assumed tires/time etc got to it. I have done all new fluids tho. And boy did it come with one hell of a power steering leak. Must've blown whatever was holding that old hose together on the drive home. Turned out to be a sending line. And that was an absolute bitch to line up and get in, at least while under the truck to the gear box. Oh and the brakes 😂 well, fella informed me they did Infact rust out. So he just cut em and capped em. So no back brakes, since it's so rusty under there it stops good enough, no plans to fix it or even acknowledge it. And since where I live, nothing but 98 ram sports apparently so no cheap parts for me!

 

Just get one of the generic lines the appropriate size from your local parts store, and route it however you can. You want your brakes working properly.

 

You definitely want to run lines to the rear and get your brakes working on all the wheels.Depending on how long they've been opened and cut, your wheel cylinders (cheap) may need replacing and the shoes and hardware may be rusted in place. Not an overly difficult or expensive repair, but really a good idea to attend to.