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

[Wild one]

I’m sure that place is a scam. I asked a bunch of questions, got a response that answered none of them. It seems strange to me to have multiple brand new engines for way cheaper then most other places.

I've never dealt with GTR,so know cnothing about them,but i know Natty and Robert in Calgary have a pretty decent rep.Somebody on here bought an engine from Robert awhile ago,i forget who it was,but i'll see if i can hunt their name up in my messages for you.
@IcemanwithaRam if he's around bought an engine from Robert a couple months ago,so you might want to message him and get his opinion

 

[Sandevino]

Forgive my questions, but why would someone pull out a motor with 1000 km on it if it were still good?

Too many reasons to list but most likely a totaled vehicle that was a part out.

I’m my case, I pulled a 4 cylinder and 5-speed out of a ‘96 S-10 with 1200 miles to swap in a built 350 and 700R4.

As for your situation, replace the engine and carry on. If you’re mechanically capable, do it yourself.

 

[tron67j]

I have had high mileage Rams. I sold my first one because I was stupid. My second I sold after 16 years because I wanted updated safety features. I have put a lot of miles on many cars and putting money into them is always a product of it I know there are a number of other issues or not.

Buying a used vehicle for the price identified in the first post is likely to bring problems with it that could make your outlay much greater. Personally, after major problems with the only used truck I ever bought, I will only buy new trucks.

If your truck is solid beyond the engine, do the new engine, replace all the fluids and gear oil, and enjoy the ride for a while longer. The difference between a new engine and buying a replacement vehicle ($26,000) covers a lot of future repairs if needed. Put it in a CD and make a buck.

Good luck.

 

[JHoward]

Good question...

Paging @JHoward

... enlighten me, I'm old and don't remember many things ...

 

[star_deceiver]

Buying a used vehicle for the price identified in the first post is likely to bring problems with it that could make your outlay much greater. Personally, after major problems with the only used truck I ever bought, I will only buy new trucks.

$40k will get a lot of used truck here. Any knowledge and leg work you’re willing to do plus your price dickering ability will bring the cost down.



That being said, getting a good used engine from the Calgary guys and having someone put it in would be the way I’d go. Fixing everything else that could go wrong in the truck you have will still be cheaper than buying another for $40k.

 

[Curmudgeon]

... enlighten me, I'm old and don't remember many things ...

The open-question was why someone would sell a "perfectly good" engine out of a truck with relatively low miles. I immediately thought of your situation with your Hemi.

The point of my "paging" you was so you could add your thoughts, experience,
and maybe even your UOAs from your Ram, before and after your accident.

IIRC the body was repaired but not totaled, and nothing was done to the engine, and your UOAs showed an alarming uptick in wear metals after you got your truck back from the body shop.

Again, IIRC, this was the reason you sold it?

 

[JHoward]

The open-question was why someone would sell a "perfectly good" engine out of a truck with relatively low miles. I immediately thought of your situation with your Hemi.

The point of my "paging" you was so you could add your thoughts, experience,
and maybe even your UOAs from your Ram, before and after your accident.

IIRC the body was repaired but not totaled, and nothing was done to the engine, and your UOAs showed an alarming uptick in wear metals after you got your truck back from the body shop.

Again, IIRC, this was the reason you sold it?

Absolutely, while the UOA's were really good(I had UOA reports every three thousand miles, since new with Blackstone Labs)it was most obvious with the two oil reports after the accident that the engine sustained some internal damage.

Im not for sure or certain what you mean, maybe in reference to my situation, my engine was low miles for an eight year old paid off vehicle and with amount of damage that was caused from the accident the truck should have been totalled(My insurance paid out to the collision repair center $22,852.41).

I might not get the point, but my truck wasn't the same after I received it after six months and three weeks.

So, I had to let it go.

 

[rraulston]

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

40k for a used truck that might need a new engine next week? Nope.....

 

[97RedRam]

As you stated you know your truck, where it has been and what kind of condition it is in. If it were me I would have the new engine with the warranty installed. With a used truck you could be replacing an engine or transmission soon after purchase since you do not know how the truck was used or treated.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Absolutely, while the UOA's were really good(I had UOA reports every three thousand miles, since new with Blackstone Labs)it was most obvious with the two oil reports after the accident that the engine sustained some internal damage.

Im not for sure or certain what you mean, maybe in reference to my situation, my engine was low miles for an eight year old paid off vehicle and with amount of damage that was caused from the accident the truck should have been totalled(My insurance paid out to the collision repair center $22,852.41).

I might not get the point, but my truck wasn't the same after I received it after six months and three weeks.

So, I had to let it go.

Yep - this was exactly the point. As I recall your truck and engine both had fairly low miles. So if you really wanted to you could have pulled that engine and sold it.

It would have appeared on the market as a "newer" engine pull with low miles. The OP in this thread is looking to either replace his engine, or buy a used truck, and was wondering why someone would pull a good engine from a truck.

Perhaps without even realizing it you provided the backstory I was looking for but could not remember all that well myself. What happened to your truck makes a strong case for regular oil changes, and regular UOAs. You had the perfect proof.

 

[Marshall]

some where in this post on why there are almost new motors sold ,
( BTW that looks like the way to go)
It was stated that they where pulled out of new trucks that where damaged (wrecked) in transport.
there was a couple trains last couple months in Sk that jumped the tracks and ended up in the field. Makes a hell of a mess and wrecks stuff.

In central Canada, floods are quite rare unless you drive into rivers or lakes.

Regina drivers flood cars in the railway underpass when we get heavy rain,
stupidity is high in Regina. that is where government live.

Then you have the semi drivers that can't drive a semi, but good at killing people,
2 cases I know about, as I am sure most know.
some of those trucks are on semi trucks and while there are great drivers, seems like some suv drivers are not.

So Insurance writes them off and this fellow buys the wrecks, or motors.
My understanding on the situation.

 

[etbrown4]

None of the choices are great, and there's some risk with the options other than a crate motor, but 14k seems high, even adjusting for Canadian.

Regarding a used motor, beware, beware, beware. I know two salvage yard owners and they lie continuously. They all claim their 200 and 300k mi motors have 60k miles. Lying is endemic in their trade.

You will NEVER know the truth on a used motor unless you personally know the previous owner, and I don't care if the salvage guy or motor shop owner is a part time priest.

If US used Ram prices are way less, then maybe that's an option. At least you can drive it before you buy it, and hopefully get a decent warranty.

 

[Rocketman35]

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

2016 Ram 1500. Lifters went bad. I love this truck so I haggled with a local shop and got a crate motor put in for $10K. I have about 10K miles on the new engine and it is smooth and quiet. Hemi engine. I obviously didn't want to put this money into it but no way I am paying for a new truck at the current prices.

 

[Red Diesel 94]

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-miams. Any other advice from guys

 

[Jim113]

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.

Ram trucks DO get the 10-year 160,000 km (100,000 miles) warranty in Canada on the 2026 model year ... Just an FYI ...

https://www.ramtruck.ca/en/warranty

 

[jjjefferson]

I have 15 with 155K miles. I'm swapping the motor because the rest is in great shape and I know the history of the vehicle. Buy used and it's a crapshoot.

 

[Wild one]

Ram trucks DO get the 10-year 160,000 km (100,000 miles) warranty in Canada on the 2026 model year ... Just an FYI ...

https://www.ramtruck.ca/en/warranty

Thank you for the update. I haven't looked at a new 2026's window sticker,so i wasn't sure if us Canucks got the same warrenty as the southern guys do

 

[slbenz600]

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

Don't waste your money on another 5.7L Hemi, the 6.4 L has 3 to 4 times more miles ? I am just shy of 200,000 miles with NO problems.

 

[macandrac]

I had a 2015 Ram 1500, 5.7 Hemi w/175K Miles and shop quoted me $12K to replace with used engine. The Blue Book was around $12K so I decided against fixing it and purchased a 2019 Ram 1500, 5.7 Hemi (4 Wheel Drive w/Longer Bed) for just under $30K. I ended up selling my old truck to Mechanic for $2K - he tore into it and discovered busted valve spring (which is a common known issue with this model). To me, it makes no sense to sink $12K to $14K into a Decade+ old truck because something else is going to let go. In my case, it was a blessing in disguise because I wanted a 4 Wheel Drive for the Mountains and the longer bed comes in handy. It also has better AC and my ABS System on my 2015 truck had gone South so no Cruise control so enjoy having that feature back for my long drives.

 

[EdGs]

I think a crate would be great!