Soon to be "New" Ram owner of "Old" Ram

Hey everyone! Stoked to be here and hopefully get some help and advice on a Ram truck I'm about to inherit. So my Dad passed away in '98 and this truck was his baby. We went fishing, camping, boating and everywhere in it for the last few years he was alive. My Mom told me this past weekend that she's only driven it 2-3 times a year since he's died and only for pulling her trailer. She also told me it's mine come November! I've wanted his truck ever since he passed away and am SO excited!

The only problem is, I don't know much about it. I could just ask my Mom, but my guess is she won't know off the top of her head. The thing is pretty beat up too and is going to need some work. Can any of you tell by this crappy picture what year it is? I'm GUESSING a '95 or '96. Also, I haven't seen too many with this paint color/style online. Was this custom or factory paint? (The paint is hammered and peeling all over the top).

Any help or advice would be awesome. Thanks! I look forward to chatting with you all!

Run the vin number on the Ram website and it should tell you the year. Sorry about your Dad passing. Enjoy his truck!!!

Aside from the VIN, is there any specific way to tell the year by body style or paint/color? My Mom lives a few hours away and I don't/won't have access to the truck until November. I was just hoping to do a little research on it leading up to November.

Nice RCSB, always loved that body style too. Welcome.

Looks to be pre 98 according to the mirrors. Dont assume just because it hasn't run in a while it needs work. These rams are hard workers I always have one around. Mine sat for two year and fired right up with a new battery when I came back to it. Changed the oil and trans fluid for good measure and away I went!

Awesome! Thanks DodgeTx. I'm thinking it's a '96. Yeah I know my Mom has still been driving it 2-3 times a year just for hauling so it's running. I guess I'm just assuming there will need to be little tweaks and tune-ups here and there. I'm excited to get it and start looking everything over!

boochamp said:

I guess I'm just assuming there will need to be little tweaks and tune-ups here and there.

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A complete tune-up will help. Fresh fluids, etc. Check the vent doors on acceleration for vacuum leaks. Not a hard fix. Check the suspension for possible aging. Again, not hard fixes.
That would be first. Outside of that, the older 2nd Gens run forever, so she should be pretty solid.

Mop said:

That would be first. Outside of that, the older 2nd Gens run forever, so she should be pretty solid.

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Awesome! Love to hear this. Thanks for the input Mop. I haven't ever owned a Dodge truck so I'm happy to hear good things. My Dad LOVED this truck but my Mom has been... less then attentive to it. So I really don't know WHAT to expect. It's good to get this perspective.

I would also check the tires for sidewall cracking and dry rot. That could be a safety issue. Also take your battery to be tested just to be sure its good. Bad batteries can make the PCMs in these trucks do weird things. Along with your typical engine fluids, don't forget about the differential, transmission and transfer case fluids. Transmission and differential both take ATF +4. Differentials take 80w-90 or 75w-140 (more expensive/ heavy duty). Lube all your ball joints, tie-rod ends, trackbar, and u-joints if they have zerk fittings. All of that will have the truck pretty well covered and everything will be rolling nice.

I agree with Mop, these things are tanks if taken care of properly.