Hello from S GA.
 

Hello,

I have been lurking here unregistered for a few weeks.
I recently purchased a 1996 Ram 1500 sport 2wd to replace my older d-50.

I will surely need some help...It has a few ailments. I think the first thing is new ball joints. Anyone care to point me to a thread for a 4x2 replacement. Any do's or don'ts?

Left side smokes occasionally when it comes to a stop and you take off. (Someone cut the cats and made straight duals with cherry bombs and flared chrome tips). It seems not to burn much oil. I am guessing its valve seals.

Additional Needs:
Windshield
Dash (need whole dash not cover because there are just pieces left)
Tires
Shocks

And probably a lot more...but for $1400.00 I ain't complaining...yet....
btw it has about 158k.

Gas mileage is much better than I would have guessed with a generous 15 around town.

Thanks to all who can help.

Welcome to the site. Check out the second generation Ram section,
FF

welcome. too bad you not closer to Ok my brother is a glass installer. look around salvage yards for the dash. good luck get that ram in tip top shape

Thanks,

The glass is lower on the priority list, though it was the first thing that popped into my mind.

I live in S. Ga. The sun has detonated every dash in every used dodge that I have ever seen. They are all missing huge chunks and cracked to pieces. A more northern latitude that doesn't see such extreme summer temps and direct UV rays might have some good ones around, but around here not a single junk yard has a completely intact dash.

My main concern is the ball joints...Any suggestions? I found several 4wd threads on replacement. But not any 2wd. Maybe I haven't been looking right.