Hi there folks!
I have a little side gig renting out a couple cars in my local market, and I've been looking at adding a pickup to my fleet. I recently ran a little poll in a local facebook group and got lots of positive feedback, so it sounds like it could be a hit!
Since then I've been on the lookout for something and last night I came across a pair of Ram 1500s, one is an 04' and the other an 05'. They have 175k and 181k miles on them respectively. The only real difference is that the 04' has cloth seats and the 05' has vinyl, other than that, equipment wise they are pretty close to identical. Both are base model, white, long bed, single cabs with 4.7l V8 engines, automatic RWD. And to top it all off they are priced identically at $4k each.
Based on the pictures, the 04' has some light body damage (dents on hood and tailgate, as well as what looks to be some scratches on one side of the bed). The 05' appears to be a cleaner on the outside, but has one mismatched rim (painted black instead of silver like the rest) and the interior looks maybe slightly more worn, though it is vinyl, which will be easier to keep clean.
What would be some common issues I should look for on these trucks if I go to take a look? Assuming they are both solid mechanically, which would you pick and why? Did Dodge make any real changes between the two years that would make one better or worse?

 

I would go for the 04' by the way you describe it. Sounds like it wasn't abused as bad (a couple of dents tends to happen with work trucks). There's a variety of things to check on these trucks, especially the 4.7 V8. Obviously check for any leaks or non-working parts like the AC Condenser Fan. Make sure all the lights work, and check for rust. Test drive them at low and high speeds to make sure they're smooth. Cold start them too. Obviously this is only a small list of things, but it's mainly the basics. Someone else can add on

 

If I were picking. It would be the one with the most oil changes.... but realistically both these trucks at this mileage are ticking time bombs....its just a matter of when?

 

Yup, go with whatever has better records. But try to pay less than 4k. I sold my 02 for $5200 with 112,000 miles in great condition (originally paid $3200 when it had 108k miles). Those are some steep prices...

 

I think buying a truck with north of 150,000 miles on it, to be used as a rental vehicle, is just not a good plan. You will be spending more on repairs than you will make from renting it.......

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm in southern California, so rust is pretty much a non-issue, but truck prices are a bit inflated here compared to the rest of the country, hence the higher prices... These are actually the cheapest 3rd gen Rams that I've been able to find (or at least the cheapest ones that aren't either super high miles, or completely beat to hell). I've been looking at a few other options as well (mostly Fords), and I'm trying to keep the mileage under 130k if at all possible.

 

The 4th gens were released starting in 2009, so these trucks are 3rd gens

 

OOPS, my bad, that's what I meant, haha.

 

Not sure if this is the case with the Rams, but I own a 2003 Dakota with the 4.7L and pretty high mileage....

One thing I believe contributes to the longevity is that it has the factory tow package with the heavy duty cooling. This means a larger radiator with two rows and also a beefy transmission cooler. So I'd be looking for the tow pkg, especially at high mileages. It also helps that I installed an aftermarket drain plug in the transmission and drain it every 25K.

Aside from that, carry a code reader with you in case the seller is hiding something. Some will clear the CEL right before you arrive, but it still gets stored in memory. Also, have seller gas hard in place (they will protest doing this but insist) so you can see what comes out the tail pipe. Smoke is not good.

One last simple thing... a dipstick will not have a dirty handle and glazed blade, if the owner practices checking the oil. I'd say over 75% of the population only finds out their oil is low, when the oil change place tells them.

 

whatever you do dont buy a 4.7 those engines have trouble seach the net and you will see..Buy one with a 5.7 hemi much better engine.