Hey everyone, my names eric i just got on this forum. I have a 7.5" lifted 99 cherokee 2 door 5 speed on 35" ssr's, locked with 1/2 ton axles, chromoly axle shafts, snorkel, winch, bumpers & armor and all that crap. I have decided to not use it as a daily driver anymore and just use it for wheeling, and am looking for a Ram for my new dd.

I cant really afford a diesel right now, nor a late model like I would prefer (2006-2008), therefore I am looking to get a 2002-2005 Ram short bed quad cab 4x4 1500. I have found a few around $10k which i am interested in but really want to spend around $8-9k.

One i found i can get for like 9k and its a SLT+, loaded 2002 model with only 90k miles and a new transmission. it has the 5.9 though, what kinda of gas mileage are you guys getting from that engine? I had prefered the 5.7, but what do you guys think?

Any general advice on what to look for when buying one of these bad boys would be greatly appreciated. I really want a bigger V8 (5.9/5.7HEMI, not 4.7L) seeing that it will be receiveing a 6" fabtech and 35s.

Thanks guys!!!

 

5.7L will get better mileage than the 5.9L plus it has a ton more HP. 100 more to be exact and an additional 40ft/lbs.

If you can find a high mileage 5.7L, you should be able to pick one up for about $9-11k but it won't be loaded with leather...etc.

 

yeah man thats what i hear, that is a TON more power wow i didnt know it was that much. i heard that the 5.9 also uses a less efficient transmission or something? anyone have any words to add about the 5.9's transmission?

The 5.7 seems like a good choice, and your right for around $10k they can be had with around 80-120k miles, which hoenstly isnt that bad. Do they have 5 speed autos? How are these holding up for everyone?


Thanks guys

 

5.7's have 2 diff tranny's i believe. 4spd and 5spd. Not sure which truck have what??? 4r5fe and 5r5fe i think is what they are. I haven't heard of any problems with the 5spds at all. Better check on this info as I'm just throwing it out there.

I would never buy a 5.9L as they are notorious for sucking down oil and having lots of blow-by. I can't even count on my fingers how many 5.9L's I have seen come through my detail shop with under 90kmi blowing smoke like crazy upon start-up.
I stayed away from the Ram's until i found out they came out with the 5.7L. Take your time and spend your money wisely, but now is the time to buy with people not sure what's going on with Chrysler.

 

i have the 5 speed auto in my hemi, i looked at the door tag its a 5-45RFE

 

I see, so it seems its settled then, avoid the 5.9Ls, gotcha. I hear the 4.7s suck pretty bad, too. My brother worked for a Jeep Dealership where they also had Dodges and said the 4.7 Rams were doggggs, just as slow as the V6. Seems they dont get much better fuel economy than the HEMI anyway.

I've narrowed my search to the 2004-2005 Rams due to the fact that I like their interior a lot better than the 2003s, and the 2002s don't even come with the HEMI, heres an example of the kind of 1500 ive been looking at. its i asked him down to $10k plus fees and tax and stuff, and its got 107k miles, clean

http://www.autotrader.com/***/vdp.js...e=b&make=DODGE

what do you think? am i looking in the right direction guys?

 

linky no worky


I would definatly stick with a hemi 04-05 would be the best.

 

link dont work but that price is to high for the miles that rig is 7k tops
hell i own a 04 hemi 4x4 with only 30k on it and book is 9k
id tell that guy to get fuked

 

WOAH! No way? It seems all of them are priced like this though, now im a little confused. What about this one?

http://www.autotrader.com/***/vdp.jsp?car_id=260637751

 

Okay just realized that link doesn't work either, I give up haah