Need advice - 99 Dodge Ram

[Deleted member 214]

Looking to upgrade from my 4-banger Sonom to a half ton. Found a 99 Ram 1500 Laramie SLT x-cab 4wd with no rust (rare in Ohio), only 71,000 miles. Guy said he has replaced the brakes and u-joints, hub bearings. I heard the trannys around these years need rebuilt at about 100k - he said he had his serviced every 25k and is good. Anybody got any ideas what else to look for or ask about? Thanks!

 

[detmatt1]

I just turned 230,000 on my `97 1500 SLT 4 X 4 and have never touched the engine or trans outside of scheduled maintenence. I did tighten the one internal band when I changed the fluid and filter once a hundred thousand miles ago. I have just begun to notice things are not as tight as they used to be but I attribute that to allot of pulling around a notoriously heavy trailer more often lately. I have been told by a few people now that the reason these transmissions go bad is caused by an in-line check valve on the coolere line that doesn't allow the converter to drain its fluid in between use. This check valve will commonly stick and not allow the fluid to circulate and kaboom. I haven't done it yet(removed check valve) but it's located less then a foot away from the radiator on the passenger side, open the hood, reach down on that passenger side next to the front of the engine until you each the trans lines and you will be on top of it. Only thing is after you remove that you have to allow the converter to fill back up with fluid before getting underway, but it only takes a few moments. I love my truck and will be sad when it finally does need to be replaced, but I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another one from the same era with low miles, in fact I keep my eyes open for them!

 

[65-440]

besides the drivetrain, check the a/c ... those evaporators are very known too leak .... i know its not a total turn off, but if you cant do it yourself i will get costly ! ..

 

[detmatt1]

My a.c. hasn't been charged in years, I gave up and am now used to having the windows down, gas is to pricey anyway.

 

[Deleted member 214]

Thanks! My mechanic said one of the reasons some trannys died early was that they weren't maintained and by the time somebody got around to adjusting the bands they were so worn they ended up overstressed and breaking. Had they been adjusted regularly they would have been gradually tightened and able to handle it.

 

[Cranky]

I finally fixed the evap in my 97. Too hot in Texas and now that I'm an old fart, I don't like the road noise and grime that comes in. All the evaps seem to be made in China so look around for the cheapest one. I found one on line for 79 bucks and O'Reillys met it! They didn't like it but did. Screw the China made crap and the ones making a ton of money on what comes from there. Btw, my trans has 140k miles on it but the truck is also a diesel.....

 

[65-440]

detmatt ... come on down to VA, i'll take care of that evap for ya !! ...

cranky.. you would believe what the new. mopar heater cores look like out of the box. youd swear the found them on the bottom of the ocean !! some of them actually look worse than the ones they were replacing !!

 

[Budnicks]

Looking to upgrade from my 4-banger Sonom to a half ton. Found a 99 Ram 1500 Laramie SLT x-cab 4wd with no rust (rare in Ohio), only 71,000 miles. Guy said he has replaced the brakes and u-joints, hub bearings. I heard the trannys around these years need rebuilt at about 100k - he said he had his serviced every 25k and is good. Anybody got any ideas what else to look for or ask about? Thanks!

The Oxy. sensor in the exhaust are probably due & speed sensor on the trans some times quit around that mileage also, they are both cheap fixes. If it has big tires with large offset wheels the bearings will need to be serviced regularly. Depending on the price & if it has a 5.2/318 or a 5.9/360 or Cummins they are good trucks for the right price.

 

[detmatt1]

detmatt ... come on down to VA, i'll take care of that evap for ya !! ...

cranky.. you would believe what the new. mopar heater cores look like out of the box. youd swear the found them on the bottom of the ocean !! some of them actually look worse than the ones they were replacing !!

Thanks, nice offer. That's all I need is to put another quick thousand miles on it lol!

 

[65-440]

Thanks, nice offer. That's all I need is to put another quick thousand miles on it lol!

HaHa, i know huh ! sounds like you got enough already !!!!