$14K Engine vs $40K Used Truck — What Would You Do?

[Frank_the_Tank]

Hi All!!



I’ve got a 2014 Ram 1500, 5.7 HEMI, 360,000 km. Dealer quoted me $14,000 all-in for a new crate motor. The rest of the truck (transmission, transfer case, rear end etc.) is still original. There's very little rust and the interior is in good shape.

I'm getting quoted roughly the same for a reman long block by the time all the extras are put in. I think the reman will be likely more then the new crate from Mopar by the time its all said and done, and I think there would be better warranty through the new crate. I'll ask about the higher flow oil pump, but as its a dealership, I doubt they'd do it without voiding warranty.


So… do I put the $14K into this truck and run it until the wheels fall off, and keep fixing stuff as it breaks or cut my losses and put the money toward a newer used one, and possibly run into the same situation in 30,000 km. In Saskatchewan Canada


Would like to hear from anyone who’s been down this road, especially with high-mile Rams. Any other advice from guys with experience?

Thanks

 

[Burla]

Who would pay 40k for a used truck? You know you could probably find one with a 10 year warranty new for that? Your limited question is very easy almost rhetorical..

 

[Frank_the_Tank]

You can find a new 1500 truck for $40k CAD with a 10 year warranty? I'll take 2

 

[DILLIGAF]

14k hahahhaha

 

[mtofell]

I wouldn't put that kind of money into a truck with that many miles. Still plenty of other really expensive parts to fail.

 

[rzr6-4]

For my fellow Americans, converting Canuk play money to USD, that's $10,000 for the motor vs $28,700 for a used vehicle.

I'm assuming yours ate a lifter. Selling your current truck with a trash motor and high milage drive line, it'll only be work a few grand USD. The new motor is expensive but at least your truck is worth something again. Then it would have some resale value in the future.

Buying a new vehicle you will pretty much have to pocket the entire cost and you won't recoup anything for the scraps of your old one. And your "new" vehicle is still going to be used, so that will always be an unknown of potential issues.

Both situations suck which is why I don't disagree with mtofell necessarily, but in general I would favor the devil you know vs the devil you don't.

 

[Wild one]

Who would pay 40k for a used truck? You know you could probably find one with a 10 year warranty new for that? Your limited question is very easy almost rhetorical..

He's in Canada Mike,you aren't buying a new truck up here for under probably $75,000 now and at that price it'll be a stripper version.I don't think we get the 10 year warrenty on new vehicles here,but i'm not positive on that one,as i haven't actually looked at a new 2026.

 

[tjfdesmo]

220K miles and 12 model years old, you know other major component failures are likely not far behind. I'd declare victory, and move on.

 

[Frank_the_Tank]

Yes I ate a lifter. I also thought $14k was high, but I've had several quotes and they're all around that. I'm on bored with "the devil you know" logic. I've had the truck since new and know where its been, which I can't say for a used one. Yes, both situations suck.

 

[Wild one]

Hi All!!



I’ve got a 2014 Ram 1500, 5.7 HEMI, 360,000 km. Dealer quoted me $14,000 all-in for a new crate motor. The rest of the truck (transmission, transfer case, rear end etc.) is still original. There's very little rust and the interior is in good shape.

I'm getting quoted roughly the same for a reman long block by the time all the extras are put in. I think the reman will be likely more then the new crate from Mopar by the time its all said and done, and I think there would be better warranty through the new crate. I'll ask about the higher flow oil pump, but as its a dealership, I doubt they'd do it without voiding warranty.


So… do I put the $14K into this truck and run it until the wheels fall off, and keep fixing stuff as it breaks or cut my losses and put the money toward a newer used one, and possibly run into the same situation in 30,000 km. In Saskatchewan Canada


Would like to hear from anyone who’s been down this road, especially with high-mile Rams. Any other advice from guys with experience?

Thanks

You have to factor in how good the electrical and steering systems are, that can be very expensive to fix,as Ma Mopar isn't servicing many of the wiring and steering components anymore for a 14. 40K in Alberta isn't buying you much in the way of a decent low milege used truck,and i doubt Saskabush is much differant

 

[Burla]

He's in Canada Mike,you aren't buying a new truck up here for under probably $75,000 now and at that price it'll be a stripper version.I don't think we get the 10 year warrenty on new vehicles here,but i'm not positive on that one,as i haven't actually looked at a new 2026.

I did notice that, maybe he can put his license plate in his carry on and come to USA and buy the same color ram? drive it home baby

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Yes I ate a lifter. I also thought $14k was high, but I've had several quotes and they're all around that. I'm on bored with "the devil you know" logic. I've had the truck since new and know where its been, which I can't say for a used one. Yes, both situations suck.

Mopar 2009-2024 Dodge Ram 5.7L Hemi Crate Engine – One Stop Goat Shop

Yes, it's Ontario... but...$9,200 plus tax installed, or $7K plus tax for a brand new crate engine with a 4-year unlimited KM warranty

Only 2 left in their stock.

Or, you give me $14K and I buy this for you and personally deliver it to you and help you install it (cold liquid wrench and steaks are also on ya, too ).

I'd just budget for a new transmission with that mileage as well.

 

[Wild one]

Yes I ate a lifter. I also thought $14k was high, but I've had several quotes and they're all around that. I'm on bored with "the devil you know" logic. I've had the truck since new and know where its been, which I can't say for a used one. Yes, both situations suck.

My local market place over here in Calgary has all kinds of used and rebuilt Hemi's for sale if you want to look into them.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

This guy has some real low milege take out engines which would give you a virtually new engine.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Burla]

You can find a new 1500 truck for $40k CAD with a 10 year warranty? I'll take 2

One minor consideration, if you do get the new engine, it should have the newer 2016 lifters, a little less chance at least that item would fail.

see needle bearings

 

[Frank_the_Tank]

You have to factor in how good the electrical and steering systems are, that can be very expensive to fix,as Ma Mopar isn't servicing many of the wiring and steering components anymore for a 14. 40K in Alberta isn't buying you much in the way of a decent low milege used truck,and i doubt Saskabush is much differant

Yes, There's not much here either. Steering and electrical are good so far as is everything else. If I swap this engine, ill be married to this truck for another decade, which is ok. Id not consider this if everything else was falling apart. It does suck to put that much money into a high mileage truck, it also sucks to be buying a 40k used truck and possibly run into a whole other batch of expensive fixes in a year or 2

 

[Wild one]

Yes, There's not much here either. Steering and electrical are good so far as is everything else. If I swap this engine, ill be married to this truck for another decade, which is ok. Id not consider this if everything else was falling apart. It does suck to put that much money into a high mileage truck, it also sucks to be buying a 40k used truck and possibly run into a whole other batch of expensive fixes in a year or 2

What part of Saskatchewan are you in,i'm originally from the Kindersley area,and still a die hard Rider fan,lol.
Natty has a pretty decent rep with his engines,and you can probably grind him a bit on a low milege used one.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Frank_the_Tank]

I'm in Moosejaw area. I'll get the wife to log into the Facebook later and check that guy out. I can't see it as I don't have facebook. Some of the used ones I've found were still $5000 and I'd have to rip them out. I'm not opposes to putting in a lower mileage used one if I can find one.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Yes, There's not much here either. Steering and electrical are good so far as is everything else. If I swap this engine, ill be married to this truck for another decade, which is ok. Id not consider this if everything else was falling apart. It does suck to put that much money into a high mileage truck, it also sucks to be buying a 40k used truck and possibly run into a whole other batch of expensive fixes in a year or 2

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/ram/1500%20classic/ingersoll/ontario/5_65590568_20241213195144575/?ncse=no&orup=1_1_1&pc=L8M%202K4&sprx=100&lstIdx=1&srtOrd=ScoringProfileBoostDesc&lstName=advancedSearch&modalXS=1

Ontario, again, but a new-ish dealer demo - and V6....


Here's a Canada wide search for a new 23' to 24' 4th Gen

https://www.autotrader.ca/cars/ram/1500%20classic/?rcp=15&rcs=0&srt=39&prx=-1&loc=L8M%202K4&hprc=True&wcp=True&sts=New&showcpo=1&inMarket=advancedSearch

No doubt some dealer would make a cash deal to unload a new 23' to 24' 4th Gen for ya

 

[Wild one]

I'm in Moosejaw area. I'll get the wife to log into the Facebook later and check that guy out. I can't see it as I don't have facebook. Some of the used ones I've found were still $5000 and I'd have to rip them out. I'm not opposes to putting in a lower mileage used one if I can find one.

Natty has some with less then a 1,000 clics on them,for roughly $6500.He gets them from trucks that Ma Mopar has deemed unsellable, most are because of shipping damage.He's got a brand new complete drivetrain from a supercharged TRX with less then 10 kilometers on it,if you have deep pockets and really wanted to upgrade your truck,lol

 

[Marshall]

Yes I ate a lifter. I also thought $14k was high, but I've had several quotes and they're all around that. I'm on bored with "the devil you know" logic. I've had the truck since new and know where its been, which I can't say for a used one. Yes, both situations suck.

Hi From Sk, I have a 14, but low milage.
About 1-2 yrs ago my SIL dropped a good used motor into his 2012 , it was a cracked block they said, I think it may have been a head gasket, but its done.
Be gave the shop about the same $$$$ as you are talking for the new crate motor.
It was some small shop in Saskatoon.

But now I see he driving a newer one , he sold the other for good price.
I have a hard time getting my head around the price of motors these days.

Is it still together? you could toss it on market place and see if some one needed a good body for their wreck.
Check SGI salvage as well if you haven't, my 2010 ended up there with vg motor, but that was yrs ago. There is one in MJ , but haven't been in it for a few yrs.