Is My Rusty 2004 Ram 1500 Worth Fixing or Just Drive It Till It Drops?

[DylanE]

Hello all,

A couple of months ago, I picked up a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab Laramie 4X4 with the 5.7L Hemi V8 for $3,000. It has 213,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, and overall, it’s been a solid truck so far. I’ve replaced the radiator and recently changed all the fluids. There are a few issues I’m aware of: the exhaust was cheaply done by the previous owner and leaks, it needs a new fuel injector, new exhaust manifolds, and new tires. I'm okay with investing more into it, but here’s the problem. While replacing the oil and parking brake shoes yesterday, I found a mess of rusted bolts and a disintegrating parking brake system. The frame has a lot of flaking, and rust seems to be pretty widespread underneath. A VIN check showed the truck spent most of its life in Michigan before moving south, which explains the corrosion.

So, here’s the question: Given the rust and the work it needs, is it worth continuing to fix up this truck? Or should I just drive it until it gives out and then send it to the junkyard?

I’ve attached some pictures to give you all a better idea of the condition.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[rzr6-4]

Yikes....

I would say it's worth maintaining enough to keep it on the road if you need it for a daily, but that's about it. Wouldn't be putting any upgrades or accessories on it. Biggest thing is the frame, I don't see any bends or cracks on it from your pics but that's definitely something you should closely inspect every time you are under there doing an oil change.

My Sierra is old and pretty rusty, I won't turn any bolts unless I have a replacement on hand or if its something I can drive without, because there's a 50/50 shot that it's gonna break.....and your Ram looks to be a little worse than my Sierra.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

What condition are the brake lines, gas lines, gas tank, bed floor the rocker panels that bad I would say the frame is next to rot out.

 

[GTyankee]

I would use a electric drill with a HD wire brush on the frame, then spray the frame with Rust inhibitor
like Eastwood or Rust-Oleum or ....

then if you or a friend can weld

2002-2008 Dodge Ram Pickup Rocker Panel (Quad or Mega Cab) Driver & Passenger Sides​

https://raybuck.com/ or https://www.millsupply.com/

Both companies supply most of the sheet metal parts & sections
for every other company

STEELE makes most of the Rubber Seals for the Automotive field

Home

www.steelerubber.com

 

[Daw14]

Frame does not look to bad .
Fix any exhaust leaks so you don’t fall into a deep sleep.
A couple hundred bucks now and then ,
to keep it going , but put the savings towards a newer truck fund.

 

[Recoil]

I would use a electric drill with a HD wire brush on the frame, then spray the frame with Rust inhibitor
like Eastwood or Rust-Oleum or ....

then if you or a friend can weld

2002-2008 Dodge Ram Pickup Rocker Panel (Quad or Mega Cab) Driver & Passenger Sides​

https://raybuck.com/ or https://www.millsupply.com/

Both companies supply most of the sheet metal parts & sections
for every other company

STEELE makes most of the Rubber Seals for the Automotive field

Home

www.steelerubber.com

I used to live in Wisconsin - and unfortunately unless this truck becomes a full off frame restoration, it's not worth the effort. Rust like what's in the picture is like a cancer. It just grows and grows until it consumes the entire vehicle. I had a 2001 Ford F150 that had less than 140,000 miles and it was eaten up by rust and not worth fixing because it just spreads.

Just drive the truck until it doesn't drive anymore. Fix only what you need to when you need to, but do nothing more than what is necessary.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

As long as the frame, brake lines and exhaust are safe and strong I'd just run it till she ain't got it in her any longer. Keep your dollars close to you and not sinking in a pit of disparage

Or, until you get pulled over and it's pulled off the road as a designated "unfit for road" use & hopefully you don't also get fined.