I picked up a 1995 Ram 1500 a couple of days ago from a guy I found in the news paper. The truck was in very good shape but I suspected that for the price I got it for and the miles on it I was probably in for some repairs.

I took the truck to Dodge today to do a vehicle inspection and it had a myriad of somewhat minor problems (brakes, pulleys, belt, tranny fluid, oil, exhaust, etc) as well as the plenum problem that seems to plague these vehicles. Most of the issues don't sound like things that can lead to more serious problems right away, but I want to get the plenum gasket repaired ASAP. Most of the information I have found on the forums has dealt with DIY repair, but I am ashamed to say that my mechanical skills are not up to that task.

My question is this... Dodge quoted me $650 to replace the gasket. What have you guys paid to have an independent mechanic do the work, and were you able to have the mechanic replace the factory setup with a hughes kit to ensure that this problem doesn't repeat itself?

Thank for the help!

 

I was quoted $450 labor plus parts. I did it myself.