Concerns about a 2003 2500 Ram......

[JimsRamTruck2012]

I'm looking at a 2003 Ram 2500 4wd as a 2nd truck. It has 74,668 miles on it and from the pictures it looks clean. The seller states no one smoked in the truck and it is well maint.

My concern is there anything I should look out for? The seller is asking 12k for the truck.

Any information would be very helpful.

Thanks.

 

[m4mckeen]

what motor?

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

what motor?

It's got a hemi.

 

[m4mckeen]

well in my car buying experience, unless he has repciets, i would replace all the fluids (tranny, diffs, oil, antifreeze, even brake fluid) and either you or a mechanic give it a full inspection.

One thing I like to do is ask the buyer if i can take it to a shop and have them give it a once over. If he's not hiding anything he should have no problem letting you do this.

I would also feel and look in the rear wheel lip in the bedside. they tend to rust at the top.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

That's some good advise. He has been forth coming with information and requests.

Almost all of your post I'm planning on doing.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

Looks like I will not be able to take a look at this truck this weekend. It's suppose to rain and I would like to get under it to see what's up.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

Son Of A B*h!!!! I just found a 1500 from the same year in black with less miles and more features for the same price. Gotta Love Truck Shopping!!!!

 

[RonJon '06]

If you're still shopping around the 03 and 04 Hemis had some problems with weak valve springs. The 03's also have a separate PCM and TCM and don't have any trans tuning if that matters.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

If you're still shopping around the 03 and 04 Hemis had some problems with weak valve springs. The 03's also have a separate PCM and TCM and don't have any trans tuning if that matters.

The PCM/TCM thing doesn't matter. Not planning on tuning it. The valve spring issue does raise a flag with me since the motor is the 5.7 L. Which seems to be the standard size for the Hemi.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

My error on the post about the 1500 it's a 2002. Sometimes my memory is worthless.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

Just found out that 02 truck was in a minor accident, but still has a clean title and no major mechanical repairs done that they know of.

If I make an offer it's going to be a low one.

 

[korby05]

My error on the post about the 1500 it's a 2002. Sometimes my memory is worthless.

I thought 03 was the first year of the hemi? I have an 02 abs it still has the 5.9 magnum

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

I thought 03 was the first year of the hemi? I have an 02 abs it still has the 5.9 magnum

You know how non Chrysler dealerships are. They will confuse an old guy like me.

Anyhow because of the rain I didn't get a chance to go on down and look at it.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

03 is the first year for the hemi, if it is a 02 then it has something else. Good luck..

 

[korby05]

03 is the first year for the hemi, if it is a 02 then it has something else. Good luck..

Yeah I was going to say it either has the 4.7 V8, 5.9 Magnum V8 (like mine) or the V6.

I love my 5.9. It runs great for a 13 year old truck.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

03 is the first year for the hemi, if it is a 02 then it has something else. Good luck..

Thanks! So far it's all sounding good, but until I look at it I will not know for sure.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

Well I just found out that the black 1500 just got sold. Oh Well!!!!

The 2500 I found out was lifted and with t-bars I know how the ride is. So looks like I keep on looking.

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

Found 3 other trucks all got sold out from under me. oh well!

Called about a low milage 2002 SLT Quad Cab in blue. They still have it and are updating the photos. It only has 54k on it and car fax says very clean. Let's hope this one doesn't disappear on me.

Oh and they only want 14,990 for it and it has a Hemi.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Read post #16.....

 

[JimsRamTruck2012]

I shall double check the year. I maybe wrong about it.

I'm an idiot it's an 03.