IrocRam
Senior Member
I refer to my new truck as the town drunk because it won't be winning any races and drink a lot along the way, but somehow it eventually makes it's way.
This is my third 2nd gen ram. This is my favorite body style without a doubt. Ever since watching Walker Texas Ranger as a kid, I was hooked on this style. I had my first when in high school when I was 17. It was also a 1997 half ton shortbed 4x4 with the 5.9 V8. Lifted about 3". I beat the **** out of it and had it for almost 2 years. Fast forward years (at some point I owned a 99 4x4 5.2 5 speed lifted Dakota also) to the end of my first deployment. I found a 2001 2500 4x4 3" lift with the Cummins in it. Best truck I have ever owned hands down. The guy agreed to take the truck off the market and hold it for me until I got back from deployment, roughly 3 weeks. When I got back, I paid him and took it home. Had that truck for 4 glorious years. I decided to sell it to fund my 88 Camaro build and buy a cheap computer car. The last year I have been without a truck and I have been needing to scratch that itch. Gas mileage isn't a huge factor because I have vehicles coming out my you know what that I can daily drive, so this will be used for stuff like hauling engines and equipment, weekend getaways and whatever else I can get into. After a few weeks I finally got another 2nd gen.
1997 1500 5.2 V8 auto 4x4 5.5" Fabtech long arm suspension lift with bfg mud terrains. I imagine I will eventually swap out to all terrains for a better ride. It's missing the front bumper because previous owner high centered it on a boulder. No other damage except to bumper and they just decided to remove it. The steering is f@#$@! I had to have it turned almost 90° to keep it straight. The front struts are worn I believe. Power window on the passenger side is weak and power door locks don't work but I can hear the actuators humming. Previous claims engine, transmission, ans transfer case were all rebuilt around 30k miles ago. Engine was definitely pulled as it was painted. There is barely any leaks so it does seem that stuff was at least removed. No paperwork to prove so I don't assume anything. Battery leaked acid when it came undone from the tray, so there's corrosion on most of the pulleys so the belt squeaks pretty good and there's some corrosion down the drive side but not super terrible. Dash is cracked on passenger side (what a surprise). That's it for downsides. Interior is pretty damn clean which is surprising. The steering is the biggest and most important issue. I should be ble to take care of that soon after this semester is over. Paid $2800 for it which for what trucks are going for here in Phoenix, I got lucky. This is the nicest one I looked at anywhere from $2000 to $5000 range. Will need to pass emissions next month but hopefully it will the way it is now. We don't have inspections in this state.
I'm sure there will be much to come as I replace stuff and upgrade. I have never been a fan of white vehicles, but this is the first time I have liked it. And it's almost completely intact. Clear is only starting to fail on the top of the bed which is surprising for this era. I do plan on repainting it eventually though. My favorite color on this era is without a doubt that red color. The color red either on the sport models or the red from that one from the movie twister. I painted the 88 Camaro I have and painted the engine bay of the iroc camaro i have so it's not something I'm nervous about. Most people probably why away. I'm not going to do a show quality paint that is worth $10,000 but it will be nice. Anyways, looking forward to many discussions and future help, as well as helping where I can.
This is my third 2nd gen ram. This is my favorite body style without a doubt. Ever since watching Walker Texas Ranger as a kid, I was hooked on this style. I had my first when in high school when I was 17. It was also a 1997 half ton shortbed 4x4 with the 5.9 V8. Lifted about 3". I beat the **** out of it and had it for almost 2 years. Fast forward years (at some point I owned a 99 4x4 5.2 5 speed lifted Dakota also) to the end of my first deployment. I found a 2001 2500 4x4 3" lift with the Cummins in it. Best truck I have ever owned hands down. The guy agreed to take the truck off the market and hold it for me until I got back from deployment, roughly 3 weeks. When I got back, I paid him and took it home. Had that truck for 4 glorious years. I decided to sell it to fund my 88 Camaro build and buy a cheap computer car. The last year I have been without a truck and I have been needing to scratch that itch. Gas mileage isn't a huge factor because I have vehicles coming out my you know what that I can daily drive, so this will be used for stuff like hauling engines and equipment, weekend getaways and whatever else I can get into. After a few weeks I finally got another 2nd gen.
1997 1500 5.2 V8 auto 4x4 5.5" Fabtech long arm suspension lift with bfg mud terrains. I imagine I will eventually swap out to all terrains for a better ride. It's missing the front bumper because previous owner high centered it on a boulder. No other damage except to bumper and they just decided to remove it. The steering is f@#$@! I had to have it turned almost 90° to keep it straight. The front struts are worn I believe. Power window on the passenger side is weak and power door locks don't work but I can hear the actuators humming. Previous claims engine, transmission, ans transfer case were all rebuilt around 30k miles ago. Engine was definitely pulled as it was painted. There is barely any leaks so it does seem that stuff was at least removed. No paperwork to prove so I don't assume anything. Battery leaked acid when it came undone from the tray, so there's corrosion on most of the pulleys so the belt squeaks pretty good and there's some corrosion down the drive side but not super terrible. Dash is cracked on passenger side (what a surprise). That's it for downsides. Interior is pretty damn clean which is surprising. The steering is the biggest and most important issue. I should be ble to take care of that soon after this semester is over. Paid $2800 for it which for what trucks are going for here in Phoenix, I got lucky. This is the nicest one I looked at anywhere from $2000 to $5000 range. Will need to pass emissions next month but hopefully it will the way it is now. We don't have inspections in this state.
I'm sure there will be much to come as I replace stuff and upgrade. I have never been a fan of white vehicles, but this is the first time I have liked it. And it's almost completely intact. Clear is only starting to fail on the top of the bed which is surprising for this era. I do plan on repainting it eventually though. My favorite color on this era is without a doubt that red color. The color red either on the sport models or the red from that one from the movie twister. I painted the 88 Camaro I have and painted the engine bay of the iroc camaro i have so it's not something I'm nervous about. Most people probably why away. I'm not going to do a show quality paint that is worth $10,000 but it will be nice. Anyways, looking forward to many discussions and future help, as well as helping where I can.