This is my first post on this site. I've been on LS1tech for a while now. Here's my question. I'm looking at getting a 1998 Ram 1500. Its an Xcab 4x4 with 191,000 on the clock. My question is how much will these engines take? It has the 5.9 in it. The guy states that the engine and tranny had been overhauled at 140,000. To make a long story short, I'll probably be getting this truck for less than $1500. The truck seems in pretty good shape. It will probably be nothing more than a daily driver and a hunting truck. What do you'll guys think? I've never been a big dodge fan, but for the price and the mileage I wanted some other opinions.

 

I had a 5.9 99 Ram Sport and I hate to say it and I loved that truck but it was a piece.... dam I hate to say that..... I REALLY loved that truck but it had a lot of problems The engines are reliable and I have seen some of them go for 400,000 miles before an overhaul. I have never understood why you add a overdrive to a 727 and they become crap, I lost my tranny at 60,000 and I NEVER raced that truck ( dog ) or towed with it ( twice, small loads the only exception ). The brakes are the other big disappointment. The front rotors are the size of an older model S-10 and funny thing the rotors are even stamped GM go figure. that created a situation where every 20,000 miles I had to change the pads on the front AND the rear shoes or you would have to replace the rotors and drums ( and I had to replace rotors and drums the first time around, could not believe it ). Ask anyone with the 2nd Gen trucks and they will tell you, put a load on it and it will NOT stop. Paint was also another BIG issue and mine was crap from the factory. I also had problems with the A/C, window regulators.....
ahh what the Hell.... perhaps my truck was made on Friday!!! What did I do? I traded the truck in on a 03 Dodge Ram Sport ( just like my other one ) but this one has a HEMI!!!!! and this one STOPS and GOs

TJ

 

My main concern is the miles. I'm going to be using it to hunt and other small things. I don't want to be in the middle of the desert and the thing fail me. No more than its costing me, I guess I could throw a new engine in it. I just wanted to hear about some of the problems that I might be looking forward to. It is a sport and the paint is already off the bumpers and grill, but I figure I could throw some full replacements on and solve the bumber issue.

 

I had a 98 ss/t with the 5.9 in it. I was getting the occational stall in it at 100K miles. I had the rear main seal go at about 60K but that was replaced under warrenty. Tranny was fine up till then, and I abused that truck, was a lot younger then.

 

i just bought me a 97 scsb with a 5.9 and its got 202k on the clock.... runs and shifts fine... should be a good truck.... i hope lol