I have a 2004.5 Ram 2500 quad cab with a 5.9L Cummins and 48RE transmission. The bed and cab are likely to not pass another inspection here in Maine due to rust. The frame is in great condition. So, there's a 2007 ram quad cab 1500 with the 5.7L hemi up for sale. The motor is blown and it's rust free down in Alabama. He's asking $2500 for it. Is it feasible to take the cab and bed off of his truck and throw it onto mine? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes and no. Good chance it would bolt right on your frame BUT, you'd have to swap everything (and I mean everything) from your truck interior and wiring. 2006 and up are CAN bus, yours is not. The harnesses will not interface nor work together correctly if at all. Also the 2007-08 have different headlights and taillights than what you have, which would also require harness modifications depending on what you wanted to use.

 

Ok, I had a sneaking suspicion that I would have to take the harness, which sucks, but this would save me roughly $5k-6k in rust repair. ( I was told to expect $6k-10k for rockers, corners and bed repair depending on severity). So even if it takes me a month, it would be worth it.

 

I think it'd be worth it, the bed is easy. Cab, as you suspect, more involved. Everything comes apart easily though, and a couple tools I like for harness removal below. I think I'd just swap the dash over wholesale, and while its out you can put in a new heater core and maybe replace all your vent doors. Make sure you add rust preventative to the list of chores on the new to you body :-) .

 

Keep in mind your VIN is in the lower left side of the windshield. The new cab will be different. When you start swapping VINs, things get complicated really fast. Like in Federal complications. Check with your BMV before you spend any money.

 

^^Another reason I added swapping the entire interior (besides the whole harness mismatch). VIN plate is attached to the dash, transfer your dash and you're good.

 

Ok, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for all of your input. SUPER helpful. I'm excited to try this. I'll post some pictures of the process when I get started. What kind of rust prevention would you guys recommend? I had Ziebart installed on my current truck, and it's kept the frame in good shape, but the body has turned into a rust bucket over the past six years.

 

Por15

 

Or Chassis Saver paint. A less expensive version of POR-15. I used it on the underside of a 72" mower deck. It was still there, and undamaged, (though, quite dirty) after four years. I got some where I didn't want it, and had to use a grinder to remove it. Sandblaster wouldn't even touch it.

 

Kept a 600 gallon water tank at work years back from blowing a hole out a severely rusty spot with POR15. Emptied the tank, scraped off the larger chunks and slathered it on. Bought us 6 months til the repair contract was awarded. I will say it is better if there is already some rust, even surface rust vs a nice clean frame.