Semi-New Dodge

[Slidder]

Well I said I was going to keep my 2500 and the Rubicon and go get a 1500.
Sure not a new one but I doubt I could find one as nice as this. (2012)

Dealer was working on it. Drove down to see how he was doing and an elderly lady pulled into the lot and a tow truck following her.

On the tow truck was something so beautiful. Not going to go into a long story but her son just passed away a year or so ago, right after buying this truck. She had it towed down to the dealer to see if he would buy it.

He talked to the woman. He then turned to me and said he really didn't want it but I should go and talk to this woman, which I did. This truck was in a garage since the death of her son.

I had the detail department do a thorough detail on it and was floored on the outcome. Better yet, the mileage shocked me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Long story short. I talked to the woman, she agreed to sell me the truck and now it's sitting in my shop. I'm not really to sure I'm going to mod this one out. Way way to nice.

The dealer did put on four new tires for me.

 

[Bully's Performance]

wow that is very low miles for a 2012! and clean too!

 

[jsl6v8]

I love the two tone wheels, and sort of a pet peave of mine its a ram not a dodge, they separated the branding back in 2009 I believe. You'll love that ram box too, the looks on other guys faces as they pass me in their truck while I'm loading up beer and ice in my rambox is priceless.

 

[Cruizer]

WOW! That is really low miles. I like those gauge graphics, now I gotta go see if I can find red ones somewhere. Congrats on the "used" new truck, lol. Might as well be new with those miles.

 

[Statcher1]

Congrats man. Nice truck. And awesome that it's got that low miles. It's practically still brand new


Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

 

[Slidder]

wow that is very low miles for a 2012! and clean too!

I have never ever bought a used truck with mileage such as this one has on it.

I was out in my shop until about 3:00 A.M. (this morning), climbing in it, over it, under it, looking for anything that may have been changed, etc.

I don't know the full story about the death of her son but tomorrow I am taking her out to lunch and hopefully have a great conversation.

 

[Slidder]

WOW! That is really low miles. I like those gauge graphics, now I gotta go see if I can find red ones somewhere. Congrats on the "used" new truck, lol. Might as well be new with those miles.

There were a lot of things on the truck that I liked and helped me buy it. One is the gauge's. I could be absolutely wrong but I think I remember some place where they were selling the red gauge's. If I find them I'll shoot you a PM.

 

[Slidder]

Congrats man. Nice truck. And awesome that it's got that low miles. It's practically still brand new


Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

The woman I bought it from told me there was a very expensive truck cover that was placed all over it. However, there is a very light odor on the inside. I checked the interior out thoroughly and could find absolutely nothing that would indicate any animal got into it. The drivers window was down about 1" when it was on the tow truck as if that may mean something.

I have a feeling that perhaps the dealers detailing department lazer may have used some of their liquid el cheap-o perfume. I'm going to use Adam's new interior liquid over everything and then use Adam's leather cleaner. Believe me, there is a lot of heavy leather inside this truck. The carpet looks like it could be used in a new, expensive home.

 

[Slidder]

I love the two tone wheels, and sort of a pet peave of mine its a ram not a dodge, they separated the branding back in 2009 I believe. You'll love that ram box too, the looks on other guys faces as they pass me in their truck while I'm loading up beer and ice in my rambox is priceless.

The two tone wheels are going to stay on the truck. I'm going to go with TOYO tires but not yet sure what size.

Debating if I want to put a 2" leveling kit on it. Give it a few miles and then determine if I want to go with dual Rancho steering stabilizers or with a single FOX one. Will also change out the front and rear differential covers but haven't decided which color to go with.

I agree with you. I want people to look at this truck as a RAM, not "just" a Dodge.

Over the years, I've found, regardless if it's a Chevy or Dodge, that "nose down" look is not for me. Additionally, with short bed trucks and again, a 2" leveling kit, they go into the corners a lot faster. Stock ~ the back end seems to want to come around on me and I've lost a few "over the mountain races" due to that.

Said I was not going to make any mods to this one but there will be some minute changes I'm sure. One thing it won't have and that is a damn tool box in the bed such as I did with my 2500.

Just as soon as the weather gets a lot better, take it to the bank that I will be loading up the side boxes with beer and ice. Additionally, you can do the same with those small holding boxes in the rear floor.

Yes, it's going to be a great summer!

 

[quietpeen]

wow!!! awesome find there

 

[NYCruiser]

However, there is a very light odor on the inside. I checked the interior out thoroughly and could find absolutely nothing that would indicate any animal got into it. The drivers window was down about 1" when it was on the tow truck as if that may mean something.

Oh no. Did you ask her where the kid died?

 

[War Machine]

The two tone wheels are going to stay on the truck. I'm going to go with TOYO tires but not yet sure what size.

Debating if I want to put a 2" leveling kit on it. Give it a few miles and then determine if I want to go with dual Rancho steering stabilizers or with a single FOX one. Will also change out the front and rear differential covers but haven't decided which color to

Since it's a 1500 there are no steering stabilizers available unless you have a BDS suspension lift and being a 2012 the front diff doesn't have a diff cover.

 

[Slidder]

Oh no. Did you ask her where the kid died?

I really did no want to pursue that subject however she brought it up, briefly.
He bought the truck while home on leave from Iraq. Two days later, he went back for his second tour and was killed on the third day after back in Iraq.

I hope to learn more when I take her to lunch. Part of what I do is to assist veterans and their spouses or other family members. I want to ensure that the Veterans Administration has given her all of his benefits. They are damn good at "not" doing that!!!

 

[Slidder]

Since it's a 1500 there are no steering stabilizers available unless you have a BDS suspension lift and being a 2012 the front diff doesn't have a diff cover.

Well that's no problem. I'll just mod the truck out like you indicated and then add on what I was talking about. :****sweak: and I see I have a hell of a lot to learn about the 1500's. I've spent way to much time messing with Jeeps.

Maybe I should stick with my original plan and make no mods on this one other than a 2" leveling kit, bigger tires and finish tinting all the windows that the factory doesn't do.

Many tks for the info. I need to be reading up all info I can on the 1500's and see what I could or couldn't do. Perhaps start a build list.

 

[Slidder]

Well I'm going to make this very short if I can. One of the saddest days in my life.

I met the woman, for lunch, who sold me the 2012 Ram 1500. She had brought her husband, wife of the deceased owner of the truck and her son ~ grandson of the woman who sold me the truck.

When I saw that the wife had been crying I knew something was terrible wrong.

The woman's husband did most of the talking and he was having a hard time trying to hold back tears. He knew his wife sold the truck to me. Not going into all the emotional stuff!!

He just said that the truck was his son's pride and joy, how much his daughter in law loved it and how deeply he already missed it ~ how bad all of them missed it. Apparently it was meant to be handed down to the young son. I'm sitting there trying to hold back my emotions.

The daughter in law then tried to explain to me what her and her husband had planned when he came back from Iraq.

Mother started to tell me how her son died but I respectfully requested there was no need for that kind of information.

Just to sum this up because it's still an emotional thing for me. The father just came out and asked me if he could buy back his son's truck. NO hesitation on my part and said I would be honored. Father said he would pay me a little more than I paid for it. No way in hell was I going to accept that.

I excused myself, walked out to the truck, got the title that I was going to take to the DMV and walked back inside. I laid the title in front of the father who then handed it to his daughter in law.

The father then wrote me a check for the full amount I paid for it and that's when the tears started to flow.

Father asked me if I would mind driving it back to the garage, which I did. Helped him put the custom cover back over it and we closed the garage doors. Father then drove me home.

If I could have afforded it, I would have gladly given the title back and refused the payment.

Mother/Father and most importantly the spouse and young son were paid all the death benefits from the Veteran's Administration.

I really didn't need that truck, just thought I did. However and more importantly, three people (and a young boy) came into my life today, total strangers and we parted as very very close friends.

I walked away today with new knowledge that material things in life don't mean a damn thing. They can always be replaced. Sincere friendship is precious and no amount of money can buy that.

 

[ironhead3fan]

Wow, didn't think this story was going to end that way. So sorry that anyone has to die in one of those miserable wars. Glad you were able to meet them and return the truck to the family. Still sitting here pondering the pain this poor family is in.

 

[Bully's Performance]

Well I'm going to make this very short if I can. One of the saddest days in my life.

I met the woman, for lunch, who sold me the 2012 Ram 1500. She had brought her husband, wife of the deceased owner of the truck and her son ~ grandson of the woman who sold me the truck.

When I saw that the wife had been crying I knew something was terrible wrong.

The woman's husband did most of the talking and he was having a hard time trying to hold back tears. He knew his wife sold the truck to me. Not going into all the emotional stuff!!

He just said that the truck was his son's pride and joy, how much his daughter in law loved it and how deeply he already missed it ~ how bad all of them missed it. Apparently it was meant to be handed down to the young son. I'm sitting there trying to hold back my emotions.

The daughter in law then tried to explain to me what her and her husband had planned when he came back from Iraq.

Mother started to tell me how her son died but I respectfully requested there was no need for that kind of information.

Just to sum this up because it's still an emotional thing for me. The father just came out and asked me if he could buy back his son's truck. NO hesitation on my part and said I would be honored. Father said he would pay me a little more than I paid for it. No way in hell was I going to accept that.

I excused myself, walked out to the truck, got the title that I was going to take to the DMV and walked back inside. I laid the title in front of the father who then handed it to his daughter in law.

The father then wrote me a check for the full amount I paid for it and that's when the tears started to flow.

Father asked me if I would mind driving it back to the garage, which I did. Helped him put the custom cover back over it and we closed the garage doors. Father then drove me home.

If I could have afforded it, I would have gladly given the title back and refused the payment.

Mother/Father and most importantly the spouse and young son were paid all the death benefits from the Veteran's Administration.

I really didn't need that truck, just thought I did. However and more importantly, three people (and a young boy) came into my life today, total strangers and we parted as very very close friends.

I walked away today with new knowledge that material things in life don't mean a damn thing. They can always be replaced. Sincere friendship is precious and no amount of money can buy that.

You sir are a good man! After reading your story my emotions are .....well nevermind, anyway I would have done the very same thing you did, and I am sure many others here would've also.

Jeremiah

 

[NYCruiser]

Wow. What a horrible situation. I hope you stay in touch with that family. There is a young boy that may need some mentoring, and someone should set that truck up properly for long term storage if they aren't going to be driving it.

 

[Moparman1303]

You sir are awesome. That was a nice thing to do.

Sent from my LG-D803 using Tapatalk

 

[Slidder]

Wow. What a horrible situation. I hope you stay in touch with that family. There is a young boy that may need some mentoring, and someone should set that truck up properly for long term storage if they aren't going to be driving it.

Oh I do plan on staying in touch with this family.

I believe the Granddfather will be the young boys mentor but if he ever needs me, I will be here for him.

Strange you mentioned storing the truck properly. I have to go out of town today. Tomorrow I plan on calling the family to see if I can come out and help the father get the truck ready for storage. Before I bought it I checked the engine and tranny oil which was not all that bad. Anyway if the father will let me, I'm going to change out all the fluids, fuel filter, drain the gas tank, etc ~ anything to get it ready.

The dealer, at no charge to me or the family, put new tires on it. The OEM's were really dried out. Going to give the father a couple bottles of Adam's VRT tire dressing and then block it up.

I see a very long, strong friendship building here.