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97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? #1705661
12/02/14 01:44 AM
12/02/14 01:44 AM
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Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline OP
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A guy at work is looking to sell his 97 ram 2500. 12v Cummins, extended cab, long box, stick shift 4x4 with 280k miles on it. I took a look at it, was his dad's work truck and looks it. Transfer case is toast so it's not driveable.

I can get it for 1000 bucks. Part of me says buy it, sell the engine out of it and stick in one of the low mileage gas engines i have sitting in the corner, do the transfer case and have a cheap tow rig for when i need it. Other part of me wonders if its worth fighting with at that mileage. Am i wasting my time?

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705662
12/02/14 01:51 AM
12/02/14 01:51 AM
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ky.
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kenworth_goose Offline
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Buy it, fix it. Why would you not want to repair it and drive it?

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: kenworth_goose] #1705663
12/02/14 02:08 AM
12/02/14 02:08 AM
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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This had 460k on it, runs like a top, just sold it for $7k. Everyone wants a Cummins with a manual trans.

Sheldon

8348618-Seans93001.JPG (85 downloads)
Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: kenworth_goose] #1705664
12/02/14 02:10 AM
12/02/14 02:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
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Missouri U.S.A.
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71yelladustr Offline
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Convert it to a gas engine??? No way. The 12V cummins is probably the most reliable thing on the road. Should have many more miles left in it assuming it was serviced the least bit. The suspension and steering components will be what needs attention. The 5 spd may give some trouble too but can be made to last also. At $1000 bucks, I don't see how you could go wrong.


392 gen III hemi on E-85 727 trans Dana 60
10.02@134
Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: 71yelladustr] #1705665
12/02/14 12:19 PM
12/02/14 12:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline OP
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I thought about keeping it as-is too. Not sure I'd be able to willingly put a gas engine in it either.

Truck looks to need a lot of little things. I'm guessing by looking at it that nothing but minimal repairs have been done in the last 50-100,000 miles. Rockers are rusted, will need to be replaced, as will most of the signal and tail light lenses. Tires are worn out.

A couple years ago I sold my 99 2500, 24v quad cab 4x4 long box, auto. I miss it sometimes. That one had 240,000 on it, but it was well maintained when I bought it. This one, not so much. Am I buying it just for the engine at this point or is the rest of the truck worth keeping around?

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705666
12/02/14 04:14 PM
12/02/14 04:14 PM
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dogdays Offline
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IMHO you could buy it, get it driveable and flip it with at least a thousand profit.
What it's actually worth depends only on the market and those Cummins trucks are in demand. Everyone "knows" the engines are good for half a million miles, whether that's true or not.

My '93Suburban has 253,000 miles and it isn't worn out yet, although the seal in the front of the transmission is.

But for a grand it's a no-brainer.

R.

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705667
12/02/14 06:08 PM
12/02/14 06:08 PM
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Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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Flip it. If you don't absolutely need a diesel then you don't "want" a diesel either.

We replace injector pumps, head gaskets, injectors on them for customers all the time and I don't know why people keep punishing them self with the expense and headache of diesel. The benifits only out weigh the draw back if you are doing a lot of towing of something really heavy. Even given that I would take the MPG hit and buy a V10. You can buy a whole lot of fuel with the money you save purchasing it and stock VS stock I like the way they tow better, price of oil changes, cost to replace the engine, cost of injectors, smell better... I could go on for a long time. Just flip it to a diesel nut and you can buy a nice gas burner with the profit without doing all that work


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: HotRodDave] #1705668
12/02/14 08:44 PM
12/02/14 08:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,042
colorado
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savoy64 Offline
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colorado
i sold a 97 cummins with 450,000 on it and only did clutch jobs and 5th gear nut upgrade---a guy down the street has one with 750,000 and nothing on the engine has been touched-----the people with problems are the ones doing injector upgrades and turbo upgrades and they are the ones throwing out the big money and causing their own problems----keep it stock and drive the stink out of it------but if you have to have a pretty truck there is flip money to be made on it ----the engine could net $2500 and the NV4500 $1200 and crush the rest for $500....bob

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: savoy64] #1705669
12/02/14 09:10 PM
12/02/14 09:10 PM
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Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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I have seen them hit 1,000,000 miles but those are the ones I am talking about, highway miles don't seem to bother them as much. Not to mention the fact they are on average 20 years old and no matter how good they were new they are no longer new. If a customer brought me a blown up V10 I could replace it tommorow parts and labor for about $1200 out the door, that is a lot less than an injector pump on a cummins and we have had to replace them on stock motors


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705670
12/02/14 09:56 PM
12/02/14 09:56 PM
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Canada
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Lugnutz Offline
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Quote:

A guy at work is looking to sell his 97 ram 2500. 12v Cummins, extended cab, long box, stick shift 4x4 with 280k miles on it. I took a look at it, was his dad's work truck and looks it. Transfer case is toast so it's not driveable.

I can get it for 1000 bucks. Part of me says buy it, sell the engine out of it and stick in one of the low mileage gas engines i have sitting in the corner, do the transfer case and have a cheap tow rig for when i need it. Other part of me wonders if its worth fighting with at that mileage. Am i wasting my time?




Let me know if you're passing on it, I would be interested. I have a 98 short box and can never have enough 12vs in the driveway.

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: Lugnutz] #1705671
12/03/14 02:58 PM
12/03/14 02:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline OP
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I'm still waffling on it, but for the price I have a real hard time saying no. I do want to eventually get a car hauler and a 5th wheel camper and I'm not looking for something to use as a daily driver, and I would prefer a 3/4 ton for a tow rig. My main concern was how badly bagged out is the rest of the truck going to be at this mileage? Like I said, mine had about 40k less miles on it but was well maintained when I got it. This one looks like it's ready to be put out to pasture.

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705672
12/03/14 03:01 PM
12/03/14 03:01 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,046
ky.
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kenworth_goose Offline
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If you don't want it, tell me where and who to contact and I'll gladly pay That for it!

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: kenworth_goose] #1705673
12/03/14 09:08 PM
12/03/14 09:08 PM
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Canada
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Lugnutz Offline
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Quote:

If you don't want it, tell me where and who to contact and I'll gladly pay That for it!




Hey, get in line....

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705674
12/03/14 09:23 PM
12/03/14 09:23 PM
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Posts: 1,261
Canada
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Lugnutz Offline
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Quote:

I'm still waffling on it, but for the price I have a real hard time saying no. I do want to eventually get a car hauler and a 5th wheel camper and I'm not looking for something to use as a daily driver, and I would prefer a 3/4 ton for a tow rig. My main concern was how badly bagged out is the rest of the truck going to be at this mileage? Like I said, mine had about 40k less miles on it but was well maintained when I got it. This one looks like it's ready to be put out to pasture.




In all seriousness, you will have to determine how much money it will cost to get it road worthy and then what it will require to pass a Provincial safety, which will include body integrity, rusted out areas. From your description I would say you're looking at a few thousand dollars, yes/no?

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: Lugnutz] #1705675
12/03/14 10:07 PM
12/03/14 10:07 PM
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Kissimmee Fl.
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dusturbd340W5 Offline
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I would buy every one I could find at 1k.
its a no brainer, you couldn't give me another gas burner as long as I own an rv I have to pull.


70 duster full chassis super pro 416 CNC Indybrock heads 727 w/brake

best so far 1.212 60 6.219 in 1/8 at 110.88 9.768 at 137.81 1/4
Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: dusturbd340W5] #1705676
12/03/14 11:46 PM
12/03/14 11:46 PM
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ky.
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kenworth_goose Offline
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I don't care what it looks like or what it needs if I run across a Cummins truck that has a good running engine for 1000.00 I'm buying it on the spot! I don't care if the body is falling off of it I'd buy it on the spot before someone else does!

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: kenworth_goose] #1705677
12/07/14 01:09 AM
12/07/14 01:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline OP
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I decided to snag it. He said yes for the 1000 bucks. Will be hauling it home next weekend then will see what I've got to work with. Now just to warm the wife up to the idea....

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1705678
12/07/14 01:25 AM
12/07/14 01:25 AM
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Posts: 3,462
Back in NJ....
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EWJ Offline
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Back in NJ....
Good deal! You cannot loose at that price.


Ed
EastCoast Land Yacht Assoc.
1967 Newport Conv: 440/4 speed
1969 GTX: 440/4 speed, TX9/TX9, A34, N96
1970 Super Bee: 383/4 speed, B5/B7
1970 Coronet RT: 440/4 speed, A34, N96
1970 Coronet RT: 440/auto, A36, N96
1970 Road Runner convertible: 383/4 speed TX9/D6XW
1970 GTX: 440+6/727, A32, N96
2001 Dodge 2500 HO CTD, 6 speed, 4x4 quad cab long bed
"The early bird may get the worm, but the 2nd mouse gets the cheese".
Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: EWJ] #1705679
12/07/14 01:44 AM
12/07/14 01:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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Good deal, fix it and then decide to use it or make profit on it.

Sheldon

Re: 97 ram 2500 w/ 280k miles. Wasting my time? [Re: EWJ] #1705680
12/18/14 01:59 AM
12/18/14 01:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline OP
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Picked it up over the weekend. Runs great and sounds exactly like my old 99 24v did. Did some more talking to the seller and looks like a reasonable level of maintenance was done on it by the trucks owner before he passed. Son drove it briefly before the transfer case went out on it and it looks bad because it's been parked under a tree for 2 years. If I want it to look nice I see myself doing at least lower door skins and rockers. Passenger side isn't as bad. Box is in decent shape. Said his dad paid a body shop to chop out the rust under the flares before painting them and putting them on. Not sure how I feel about the painted flares but we'll see underneath after I take them off.

All in all I'm feeling good about this one. If she works out ok she'll be a keeper. I will miss the rear doors and newer dash my 99 had, but for the cost I can't complain.

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