tomorrow i'm going to be taking my road test for the second time after having learners permits for 5 years (ran a stop sign hidden behind a tree the first time; stuff kept happening preventing retesting until now). if all goes well (read: all trees are properly trimmed) i'll be getting my license tomorrow and i'll be looking at this truck with debit card in hand. it's at a dealership pretty much right next to the SOS (michigan's version of the dmv).

what i want and need to know is what to look out for? i know dodge trucks have a history of ball joint issues, but what else? drive shafts? electrical? belt drive? there is a little rust on the body here and there but i'd be very suspicious if there wasnt at this price ($5k). interior appears to be in good condition from the pics.

also, what is a realistic life span for this engine? the 3.3 in my mom's '05 grand caravan has lasted over 220k and it started life out as a florida rental and she hasnt always been on top of oil changes (i know for a fact it has gone over 10k twice). will the trans or transfer case need attention anytime soon?

 

As with any used vehicle you do not know the maintenance history, so its hard to say how much life it has left in it. I would do an extensive test drive, not just around the block. Let it get up to operating temperature, turn on the a/c and hold foot on brake and make sure it doesn't stumble at idle. Mine had this issue but was resolved with a TB cleaning and a couple new sensors. Check the speed of the power windows, some trucks(mine included) have a slow passenger front window. I still haven't done anything about that because it really doesn't bother me. Also run the VIN for the airbag inflator recall. I see you said something about being in MI, do they salt the roads in the winter there? If so take a good look underneath for any out of control rust/rot. Good luck with the test and the truck.

 

thanks man. we do salt the roads here and i already had the intention of looking underneath because of it. i had the truck put on a lift and the undercarriage was as rust free as you could expect a 12 year old truck to be. probably taken care of real well by the first owner, garaged most likely. no holes in the exhaust, struts were all in decent condition, didnt hear any creeks as it was lifted (2 post), frame had no real rust to speak of at all (which kinda surprised me). the body has a fair bit of rust, but that's why it's so cheap for the condition of the remainder. worst of it is in the bed where the wheel wells meet the bed walls, it's rusted through. i have a welder, so i can patch that up pretty easily.

interior is fantastic, engine was smooth with little more than the normal v8 clicks and bumps. i heard some grinding and it was a little rough getting out of the dealership but both disappeared on the highway. i'm guessing the grinding was the brakes rubbing and the roughness was the transfer case, diffs and/or trans from just sitting for a while. it did feel sluggish, but i have never driven a 4wd truck before. only my brother's '97 ram 1500 2wd with 5.9 and a stick shift.

one of the 2 reasons i didnt take it home today was because of the airbag recall. i first saw it in the shop when the mechanic was just about to do the work but we took it for a test drive instead. turned out he didnt have the right part anyway. other reason was apparently the card i was paying with had a limit of $2k today for some unknown reason (i have spent more than that at once before). we ended up settling at $5082 after a $550 deduction for the near-bald general grabbers. the salesman asked what i thought a set would cost and i knew by the pics they were worn so i had already priced them out. i'll have to go to 245's instead of 265s that are on there now, but i dont think that'll be a huge deal... hopefully. i'm gonna go back in tomorrow after they call and pay the remainder in cash. i'll take some pics then.

 

Yea, I run 245's on mine. I used to get the Dakota branded tires from Pep boys, but they quit carrying those. I had to put some dextero tires last time, 265 is hard to find in my area and when you find them they charge more. You can still drive it with the airbag recall active. I drove mine for two months after I got the notice because it took that long for the dealer to get an ample supply of parts.
Well, I hope it all works out for you with the money deal and we can see this truck soon.

 

got him home today. i drove my mom's '15 grand caravan to the same dealer to get it's free first oil change and drove my truck off the lot for the first time by myself. after playing with my nephews for a little bit (read: doing donuts and generally screwing around in the back yard with them in the back seat) i got the call that the oil change was done so my brother-in-law took me to pic up her van.

i took a detour on the way home and stopped at harbor freight to get a 3 ball hitch with hook. got home, slid the hitch in hook up and immediately went out back and chained up a small bush stump that may garden tractor couldnt pull nor could my sister's bu-ick rendezvous with bald tires. pulled it out like it was nothing. these were taken shortly after.




fair bit of rust, but not too bad for a michigan vehicle of this age. dont know the story of the dent, but i'll be hitting a pick and pull in search of a replacement fender.



i later learned that the little key on my key ring does not fit the topper hatch... i'll have to see about ordering a replacement. that fresh dirt covered mass of roots is the stump i had just pulled.



dont know why this side has less rust, but i'm not complaining. couldnt get a wider shot due to the small trees i was standing against.



here's why i saved $550. in case you cant tell, that's the wear bar in the middle of that general grabber.



i'm really surprised at how clean and intact the interior is. i do get a faint aroma of menthol cigarettes. doesnt bother me, reminds me of childhood.



had to use the jack handle because the gas struts are warn out. need to get replacements for those too.



this one isnt too bad. a small patch should do the trick.



this one wont be so easy.



i have no clue what the condition of the floor is. havent removed the mat yet. kinda afraid to. rest of the bed seems in good condition, as does the topper.

i have 2 gripes i discovered later on. first, the front speakers dont work. no clue if there's a blown fuse, a damaged wire, blow speakers or what. it's got the stock head unit, so i doubt it's been messed with too much. i can figure that out myself, and may take the opportunity to get some better speakers in there.

the second i'm gonna go make a big fuss about tomorrow. the reverse lights dont work. they are half filled with water. the right side bulb is actually floating in the water... that kinda pisses me off. both at myself for not thinking to check and at the dealer for not checking. i checked the blinkers, but not the head lights, brake lights or reverse.

 

just ordered a set of general grabber at2's from tirerack. going down to the south bend location to have them installed in the morning. then i'll see what this thing can really do!