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

[crackerjack1957]

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.

That mechanic got a deal..........

 

[06 Dodge]

Oh heck why not just install a reliable Cummins 4BT that will most likely out last your truck body

 

[EdGs]

That mechanic got a deal..........

One hell of a deal.

 

[JHoward]

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.

... my truck was not worth the headache fighting with the insurance co., the collision repair center reused my bent fenders, hood and "twerked" both driver/passenger side doors to fit in alignment with my original bent cab/sheet metal. On the repair orders list of parts the collision center billed the insurance co. for new refurbished parts(mine).

My truck was an "off the frame complete mess of restoration/rebuild" ...very shoddy work.

So, the engine being pulled and slapping in a new one wasn't going to satisfy me.

Hind sight is 20/20 what I could or should have done and at the time and duration, I just wanted my truck back ... the wreck killed it, so ...

... I had to let it go.

... apologies to the OP for high jacking his post.

 

[IcemanwithaRam]

I purchased one of those engines from Robert, he had 4 of them to choose from, that came from 2024 Durangos that were in a train derailment while on their way to the stealerships.

I have not opened it up or done anything with it yet. Will be swapping it over the holidays. It does look like an engine with only a handful of km's on it though. Very very clean on the outside.

 

[Magfan2]

If you have a non dealer Service / Mechanic you have used and trust, check what they will do and what it will cost. Dealers I have dealt with have generally been good, but costly.

 

[Dean2]

Nope that's Robert or Robertus as he posts as,those are reman engines.
Natty's engines are brand new take outs,and are complete right down to injectors/coils and exhaust manifolds.With Roberts engines,you're reusing all your old parts,including sensors.

Wild

Do you have Natty's contact info please.

 

[jc56berg]

To Frank_The _Tank: I did a rebuild around 2008 on a 1992 Chev. 2500 H/D w/350 throttle body injection with 260K on the clock. Had the bottom end machined 0.030 over and Edelbrock top end package (heads, cam, manifold) installed. Can't remember the price but maybe 6months later the tranny spit the bit and at the time was 3K w/secondary cooler installed. Then came blown head gasket. Long and short of it for what I put in on this rebuild I could have put a very nice down payment on a new truck. I also have to agree w/rzr6-4 about the devil. I'm 70 you are most likely way younger then me. I don't think I'll be getting many more car loans. My 2020 Lonestar was paid off in April w/50K on the clock. I would say go new or almost new if the truck checks out. Just speaking about MY experience and my opinion after reading the full thread here. But we all know what opinions are like the saying goes. Best of luck to you.

 

[jc56berg]

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.

Cold liquid wrench..... gotta remember that one!

 

[Wild one]

Wild

Do you have Natty's contact info please.

Robertus and Natty work together Dean.Robertus has an add on Marketplace right now

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[Dean2]

Thanks a bunch Wild. That is perfect and exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Rado]

A old thread and interesting read !
How about a Update on what you did
Thanks