I'm picking up a "new" to me 02 Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4X4 this weekend...only has 36K miles. It has the 4.7L engine, Sport package, Infinity sound system, sliding rear glass, and tow package. It hasn't really been driven much in the last several years...just a few miles every week or two, but the maintenance has been kept up. What are some of the things I should be looking at, or more like what are these models weak points or common faults? BTW, I looked through the FAQ's section and didn't see this info.

 

Alrighty then...no takers. Let me rephrase, if you were buying this truck as a seasoned Ram owner what would you be looking at first and so on?

 

Well if it were me. I would have the whole truck checked over. Check for oil leaks, front end, u joints everything. I have now replaced 4 front hub bearings on mine. That's a sore spot with me. So check them as well. Also drive it at all speeds and pay attention to any vibrations it may have! Use the brake hard at highway speeds. Feel for brake pedal vibrations. This is an indication of warped rotors. I know that the rear lsd is weak! Clutch pack retaining clips come loose and could grenade the whole thing. Definitely remove the cover and get inspected. Also check the HVAC contols. Know issues with the the flapper doors braking. I have heard of quite a few steering rack complaints as well.
Also 4.7 eng ticking when cold is common. Goes away after a couple of minutes.
Check around the inside of doors for surface rust. Pay attention to the seems.
Thats I can think of at the moment.
Good luck.

 

All the standard stuff you'd look for on any used vehicle purchase, plus the 02 is prone to dash cracking, C-clips breaking on the LSD, rotor issues and the 4.7 has a real issue with sludge in the oil, especially if a conventional (non synthetic) oil was used.
That's pretty much what you need to be aware of...

 

Thanks guys, that's exactly the info I was looking for. I'll be picking the vehicle up this coming Friday from N.C. I've already looked it over fairly good and have driven it around town...I'll get to drive it home for 3.5 hrs on I-95 so we'll see how it does on the open road. I'll try and find a dirt road or two also...the 4x4 I'm sure needs exercising. I'm going to service it up with M1 once it gets home.

 

Good luck with the truck and Drive safe on the trip. Welcome to DF keep us informed on the conditiion of your truck and feel free to ask questions there are a lot of very smart people on this forum that are willing to help.

 

Thanks Reb, I'll start with a couple of questions. When I get it home I'm going to do a full fluids change. I'm a big fan of the Mobil 1 products, I know the engine calls for 10W-30, the auto tranny ATF+4, but what do the differentials and xfer cases use? Also do all 4X4's have a LSD or could I have a front/rear 2WD?