Looking to buy 2002 Ram 1500- need advice

[Kmo0189]

I am looking at a 2002 dodge ram 1500. This would be my first dodge and I don't know much about them. It has a 5.9 liter engine, 82,000 miles, 4wd, quad cab, bed shell, new exhaust and cat last year. He says everything is in good working order. He is asking $8600 for it. I am going to test drive it on Monday. My question to you guys: is there anything I should look out for with this year ram? I'm not sure if this is in the right generation. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

I would take it to a mechanic you trust. The price seems nice but with any 4wd there are a lot of extra driveline parts that can go bad. When test driving it be aware of any vibration and noises that seem out of place or just wrong. Especially when turning. Check the oil and look at the engine after you test drive to check for major leaks. If the oil looks new and clean the person just changed it, if it looks a bit wore out ask when it was changed last. Any oil change over 5k miles look elsewhere. Check the tires for odd wear. Check the play on the steering, more than 5 degrees either way and check the linkages for wear.
I could go on but I do not want you to have to read a book.

 

[johnnysart]

As said above - have a reliable mechanic give you their advice. Is it modded or stock? Been in any wrecks? Do all the windows roll down all the way down?

 

[E roc]

Both guys hit it right on the head, my 02 had to have the rack & pinion and other steering components replaced. Also had to replace master window switch on driver's side changed, but that was only a $50 fix, wish I could say that for the steering

 

[Tolson93]

The other two guys are right.. get the truck looked at by a trusted mechanic... I learned the hard way i rushed into my recent purchase ( first ever truck, 03 dodge ram 1500 hemi ) and never had anyone looked at it.. Now im getting screwed over.. Heads were warped had those plained, all new gaskets, and now the check engine light came back on after i just had that repaired and it sounds like there is also some sort of ticking like a exhaust leak underneath now! well good luck to ya just wanted to share my thoughts.

 

[Kmo0189]

Thanks for all the info! Hopefully all goes well tomorrow.

 

[Tolson93]

Well, whatever happens post back, and let us know! good luck

 

[oldskool83]

ive seen 2002s with cracked dashed. these models will start rust behind door seals. personaly i would not buy a 3rd gen unless its 2004. ive seen many 2002 with tons of issues and remeber then 5.9 is just the 2nd gens old motor with no power anyway.

try for a hemi, you wont be let down.

 

[Kmo0189]

The truck seemed to run well, however there is some body rust already. The are two baseball size spots above the rear wheel well and also some on the corner of a door. Still thinking about it, but I know the rust will only get worse.

 

[Kmo0189]

So after the test drive I was kind of leaning towards not buying the truck, but the owner lowered the price from $8,600 to $7,500 yesterday. I could probably even get him a little lower. From what i can tell it looks like the blue book value is up around $9,000. I'm starting to think about again. What do you guys think? Is this a good deal?

 

[Kmo0189]

Here's a picture if it works.