Dave2018
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2018
- Posts
- 459
- Reaction score
- 377
- Location
- Texas
- Ram Year
- 2018,Previous 1998
- Engine
- 3.6L,Previous 5.9L
I ordered this one new from the factory in 1997. Got it with 9 miles on the odometer. 23 years later, she still runs and drives with the original motor, transmission, rear end. Engine runs great, transmission still works but not as well as my 2018 8 speed but that might be just an impression. Interior still looks great, seats headliner carpets door panels. Dash is all cracked, but that is a common problem with many trucks of this age. What really amazes me is the paint. it was called driftwood, it's a silver pearl. Never been waxed still shines after a wash. Interior wise, I had to replace the heater fan motor and the radio and the seat spring for the drivers seat plus a couple of window motors and the passenger power door lock.
On the engine: Replaced the crank sensor, the cap and rotor and plugs finally did the wires a couple of years ago, it was probably 2018 it still had the 1997 wires and there wasn't anything wrong with them, just felt because of the age they should be replaced. It's had a serpentine belt tensioner and belt, a water pump and 2 radiators. A starter. 2 pitman arms, still on the original tierod ends and drag link. Replaced rear end speed sensor, Master Cylinder, High pressure power steering hose. fuel pump and of course upper and lower ball joints. Still on the original rotor's and drums calpers and wheel cylinders too!
In 2018 I bought a new silver RAM 1500 quadcab to replace it. But the trade in offers were so rediculously low I decided to keep daily driving it while paying off the new truck. Saves the new truck from door dings and parking lot scrapes.
So now looking ahead to 2021, I've got 9,000 miles on my 2018 paid off RAM and almost 200,000 on my 1998. That is a testiment to a great truck. The 2nd Gen's rule! While they don't get the gas mileage or have the power of the newer trucks, they are there, reliable and start everytime! I'm still happy with it after 23 years. I've owned a new ford, a chevy and 2 Dodge pickups, and I can say without hesitation, The 2nd Gen Dodge Ram beats the rest!
On the engine: Replaced the crank sensor, the cap and rotor and plugs finally did the wires a couple of years ago, it was probably 2018 it still had the 1997 wires and there wasn't anything wrong with them, just felt because of the age they should be replaced. It's had a serpentine belt tensioner and belt, a water pump and 2 radiators. A starter. 2 pitman arms, still on the original tierod ends and drag link. Replaced rear end speed sensor, Master Cylinder, High pressure power steering hose. fuel pump and of course upper and lower ball joints. Still on the original rotor's and drums calpers and wheel cylinders too!
In 2018 I bought a new silver RAM 1500 quadcab to replace it. But the trade in offers were so rediculously low I decided to keep daily driving it while paying off the new truck. Saves the new truck from door dings and parking lot scrapes.
So now looking ahead to 2021, I've got 9,000 miles on my 2018 paid off RAM and almost 200,000 on my 1998. That is a testiment to a great truck. The 2nd Gen's rule! While they don't get the gas mileage or have the power of the newer trucks, they are there, reliable and start everytime! I'm still happy with it after 23 years. I've owned a new ford, a chevy and 2 Dodge pickups, and I can say without hesitation, The 2nd Gen Dodge Ram beats the rest!
