I am considering buying a 2003 Ram 1500 w/ a Hemi ($9000). The vehicle has a repaired title because it was rolled onto it's side. The current owner purcharsed the vehicle and fixed all of the body damage. In addition, he replaced the driver side rear axle but did not put limited slip fluid in. According to him, the vehicle started to "hum" after it was run for about 1 hour and make a "noise." He saidhe drained the fluid and did not see any metal so he replaced the fluid with limited slip. Since then (10 months) the vehicledrives better but still makes a "humming" sound and will "pop" after being driven for 1-2 hours constantly. The dash light (lighting bolt) also comes on. Once he stops for a short while the light goes off and he is able to drive again. He has agreed to put new gears in the rear axle but I am wondering if there could be something wrong with the transmission, drive shaft, or something else. Anyone have any ideas???? The vehicle is priced right and in great condidtion as long as their is nothing mechanical with transmission. Thanks.

 

03's thru at least 05's and maybe newer ALL have an issue with the stock LSD, if he's doing gears and it'safacotory Limited Slip, have it yanked out while they are in there. Trust me, NO LSD is better than a Chrysler LSD.
As far as the CEL, YOU WANT THE CODE PULLED while it's on, take it to any Auto Zone, Advanced, etc., they will pull the code for free. You want to know what the issue is before you buy it.
Also, reserve the right to take it to someone YOU TRUST to look at it, even if it costs you a couple of bucks. Better to spend $50-$75 now and back out of the deal then to buy the thing and have to put thousands into it later...

 

I wouldn't touch it even if he was giving it away..

 

You might want to visit Edmund's to see what it's worth, then subtract about $1,000 to $1,200 for a new rearend. That hum sounds ominous (an' I ain't even heard it! )

 

Just did some research in the local paper from sunday (big car section on sundays) and found multiple '03s which have not been damaged ranging from $8000-$10,000 for 2wd Hemi's and $9800-$12,500 for 4x4's. Why would you even think about one with so many issues for $9000?

 

walk away. the rear end wont throw codes. lightning bolts is usually trans codes

 

the fact that it was rolled on it's side would scare me a bit, i've seen a few trucks that didn't get shut off right away and had the motors messed up from oil not circulating correctly with the truck on its side. [/align]