Hello everyone and sorry in advance for my poor english.

I am from the Rio Grande Valley. My dad, who lives in Mexico City just bought a 1998 RAM 1500 5.9L GAS and he is giving it to me. The odometer marks 269K miles but the truck runs smooth at least in short distances.

I was wondering if there is a recommendation on what to check, change or replace in order to make sure the truck makes the trip up north. The trip is 750 miles long and im planning in making it in two days.

 

Personally, I'd give the truck a good tune-up (copper style spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap with brass inserts & rotor), oil+filter change and coolant flush. I'd also ensure that the windshield wipers are good and working properly, in addition to all of the lights (headlights, brake lights and turn signals) and horn. Hopefully, the front end components and tires are in good shape, in addition to the transmission fluid being full.

Given the mileage on the truck, hopefully some of the necessary maintenance has been done on it already, otherwise, it might be a good idea to tow it home with another truck and car trailer.

 

According to previous owner the truck has been maintained reguraly. Still, the mileage being this high, would this be a reliable truck for city use at least?

 

Absolutely! I'm still driving mine and plan to keep it for many years to come, unless I can find a 4 door long bed Ram at a really reasonable price. As long as the body of the truck is in good shape and not badly rusted, it can last a very long time with decent maintenance.

 

If you have records, look 'em over, if something hasn't been done in recent memory, get it done. Also, take a hard look at the tires...... if they are worn, weather checked, or otherwise questionable, replace 'em.

Probably don't wanna do the plenum before you go. (time being a factor....) pay attention to your oil level, and carry some extra with you.

 

It wouldn't hurt to check things for yourself. Trans fluid nice and red? Brown or something in between means it was not "well maintained". Check the front end for worn ball joints, tie rods etc. Are they well greased? Look for rust on the rear brake line going to the rear axle. They burst right next to the gas tank. Make sure the check engine light works, It will come on when starting then go out(that is if no codes). Check for any sighs of anything leaking. Has the fuel pump been replaced? If not it probably wont last to much longer.

 

Many items often overlooked is belts and hoses .... if serpentine belt has any cracks in it, is due to be replaced.
Radiator hoses and vacuum hoses also just get old and fail .....

Naturally will be better to just drive it home and inspect later while it is home ..... just things to look at before making the trip.

 

Towing that truck home with a truck/van and car trailer looks better and better the more I think about this deal. Nothing worse than breaking down on a 750 mile route home. Since you are being given the truck, the worse expense would be to rent a truck/van and car trailer (U-Haul) plus fuel and motel. I'd say that's a decent trade-off to get the free truck back to your home where it can be fully evaluated and any repairs can be made at your leisure to make it safe and road-worthy, given it's mileage.

 

I gotta agree with this assessment...... If the u-haul breaks down, they will come and fix/replace it..... if your truck breaks down, you are stuck till it is repaired.