1st post here!! i am looking at buying a used Ram 1500. I have never owned a dodge before and currently have an 01 Sport Trac, so this is a huge upgrade!

Truck 1: 06 Ram 1500 with 4.7 V8, 70k miles, running boards, 2 dvd players in head rests, aftermarket flip out radio. List is $15,900. will give me $3k for trade in

Truck 2: 08 Ram 1500 Big Horn, Hemi, 70k miles, all standard equip, no running boards, list is $17,999. not sure about trade in yet, haven't looked at my truck.

i don't know a thing about ram trucks, but from what i'm reading Hemi is the way to go. I only drive about 9k miles a year. i do have a sled trailer i pull sometimes and would also like to throw my 4 wheeler in the bed when i need to.

Comments/suggestions on the 2 trucks listed? i am on a budget so price is important. I would like the running boards so my kids can get in and out of the truck easily.

 

That seems pricey for the 4.7, I don't think anyone on this forum, that i've read anyway, regretted getting the hemi. That seems a decent price on the hemi, you can probably talk em down some too. I would try to get service records if I could for sure. Also you can find plenty of hemi's with a few more miles, around 100,000 for 5-6k less than that, maybe not an 08 but certainly an 06. I wouldn't let a few more miles scare me either, especially with a service history, taken care of these engines last forever. Running boards aren't thaaat expensive, maybe 3-4 hundred new. You may be able to negotiate that into the price too.

Good luck, post up some pics if you buy one! And may I say again, hemi!!!

 

is there anything i should be asking the dealer about in regards to mechanical issues on a truck w/ 70k miles? i've read some things about timing chains at 60k, ball joints, trannys...this will only have a 60 day 3k mile warranty and i don't think i'm going to purchase an extended one

 

Definatley get the Hemi IMHO. I had the 4.7 in a 08' Grand Cherokee and while it was good in the small SUV I wouldnt want it in a truck personally.

 

If you're in NY you may want to look into getting a 4x4. If those two trucks are already 4x4 then they are good prices but if not then they are pretty high. I've also heard you get less on a trade in if they know you're going to buy a vehicle from them so I would say whichever truck you decide on I would trade the 01 in at the other dealership. But that could all just be a bunch of hoopla. But definitely go for the HEMI! More mods available, more power (which will be welcomed with what you tow) and the same MPGs if not better than the 4.7

 

^^^^ Yeah....your in NY....for god sakes get a 4x4.

 

They both are 4wd....should i be relatively safe without a warranty and just expect the usual maintenance?

 

06 4.7L has higher engine HP/TQ than the previous 05-prior models. 2006 had some issue's with the trailer circuit within the tipm. It would short out causing a fault and require the tipm to be changed out or re-configured depending on the circumstance. If they were caught prior to any issue's, Dodge re-programmed the circuit to accept more amperage eliminating the issue.
New tipms are $6-900 depending on year. They are Totally Integrated Powertrain Module(TIPM). It's a circuit board of electronic relays. 2006+ all have them. Very few fuses.
Both trucks get similar fuel mileage. 5.7L sells better and has fewer issue's than the 4.7L. Actually, it's gotta be 10:1 as far as 4.7L to 5.7L issue's that are posted up. Mostly 4.7L overheat w/radiator and head problems and valve issue's. Not too many 5.7L issues other than the notorious Hemi tick.

Main page has a Sticky for Dodge Ram Related problems. Check those out as well.

 

id be all over the big horn, love them trucks! plus correct me if im wrong dont 06's have that ugly amber stripe on the bottom of the headlight? god i wish theyd bring this body style back...

 

ok, i think i'm going to head back to the dealer and see how much they give me for my trade in. hopefully can pick this up for $15k. Here is a pic of the 08