Thoughts on this 2004 Ram 1500

[usocazy]

So I'm looking for a good truck for my daughter and came across this ad:
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/5002574403.html

Private seller says it has the V8 4.7l engine w/94,000 miles, cold AC, no mechanical problems, etc... Asking price is $7500, KBB price is around $7900.

I have an 04 Ram 2500 with the Hemi but am interested in opinions on this vehicle specific to what I should be looking for, asking the seller, etc...

I look forward to your comments.


Sent from San Antonio, Texas

 

[woody31]

Ad deleted by poster, sorry.

 

[usocazy]

Ah ha, guess he must've sold it. Talking with him it seemed like an ok deal, nothing earth shattering or worth me running out to pick it up.


Sent from San Antonio, Texas

 

[xb1230]

Just so you know, the 4.7L if properly maintained can be an OK motor.

However if the previous owner has not been very tight on maintenance schedule it can be a real can of worms.
The engine has a tendency to run a little hotter than other standard v8. That added to some poor oil returns causes a lot of oil sludge that in terms can lead to more issues, namely : Sticky valve lash adjusters, falling rocker arms, valve train noises, head overheat/warpage, head gasket failure, etc.

They also have a weak point in the timing assembly where the tensioners break, leaving the timing chains slapping around which in term they can skip a gear tooth leading yet again to Head failure.

Also, as do the 5.7L Hemi, the valve seat can sometimes fall out, leading again to head failure but that is not strictly a flaw of the 4.7L.

All of that being said, if properly maintained, it can be a very nice engine, but reputation and reliability are not on the high mark because a lot of the owner lack the proper diligence on the maintenance side.

Better be aware. Once you know you can then make a better educated decision on the state of vehicle.

If you really want to do a good inspection, as the owner if he agrees to take the truck to a trusted mechanic, and I suggest you leave the truck overnight at your trusted garage. Be there in the morning for the cold start. This is when you will be able to assess if the engine has any issues like chain slapping or valve ticking. Once the engine has warmed up a few minutes, it all goes away and many owners will try to fool you by driving the truck a few miles before you come and test drive the vehicle making you unaware of the actual status of the engine.

Hope this helps, on your quest to buy your daughter an reliable and appropriately priced truck.

Regards

 

[WulfGang]

Personally, I said no as soon as I saw "4.7L"

Nope. I'd rather buy a Chevy with the 5.3L

I love my RAM don't get me wrong. I love the look of it. But I love the HEMI.
And if I couldn't have gotten one with the HEMI in it I'd not bought one.

Plus, 5.7L reminds me of the good old Chevy 5.7L 350 days *nostalgic*

 

[xb1230]

...
And if I couldn't have gotten one with the HEMI in it I'd not bought one.
...

Knowing what I know now I would have had the same thought.

I am trying to make the best of what I have for now, until I find a good deal on a used Hemi...

 

[hotkarl]

4.7 is a great motor. Unfortunately many that have them are not great owners. The worst part about the 4.7 is lack of performance parts in the market.
This motor has the potential to be an animal but sadly that potential will probably never be realized.
I still don't get it. There are millions of them out there and all you can buy is an air filter and a chip.

 

[woody31]

I have a 2003, just turned 60,000 original miles,,a ex hiway patrol truck,,runs perfect with PLENTY of power,,,get you some of that,,,,

 

[xb1230]

4.7 is a great motor. Unfortunately many that have them are not great owners. The worst part about the 4.7 is lack of performance parts in the market.
This motor has the potential to be an animal but sadly that potential will probably never be realized.
I still don't get it. There are millions of them out there and all you can buy is an air filter and a chip.

I absolutely agree with you on the fact it is a great motor. However, the fact that they don't have great owners is the reason I would not buy one used...

As for performance parts, and as I pointed out to woody31 in another thread, there are some performance parts for them. But because they are mostly hand made, they are costly which is why no one buying.
You can find them at AIRRAM.COM.

They have a cool single plane intake that can receive a Eaton SC... They also have some milder mods, namely an adapter plate to fit the '08+ intake with our 3 bolt wired TB in the place of the computerized 4 bolt TB the '08+ uses.

The 5.7L having been developed from a more legacy platform is getting more love from the aftermarket as they can offer mainstream mods at a decent price point since they can leverage what was done int he past for the block...

If I had deeper pockets I would definitely look at building an outrageous 4.7L that would beat the crap out of most 5.7L and Honda buzzers out there...

 

[WulfGang]

I'm not belittling anyone that has the 4.7

I'm being direct with the OP and his request.

It's a tiny motor. It doesn't have the displacement needed for a "stock" motor.

Yeah, sure, you could spend a bunch of $$$ upgrading it IF you could find the parts.
But why? That's like buying the old little mustangs with the 2.3L (had one, 5 spd, loved it) and adding turbos, etc, etc when you could have started with the 302 and been ahead of the game.

Some people get attached to stuff they buy. I get it. BTDT

lb for lb, same truck, you simply cannot get the same performance from the 4.7L vs' the 5.7L - that's illogical, stock. For a single cab truck? Yeah, it'd probably do just fine. Especially if you throw a manual tranny with it. Hell yeah.

But I doubt most people after driving a QC 4x4 with the HEMI could get into the same truck with the 4.7L

 

[hotkarl]

I have a fresh 4.7 in my 02. I had a 2011 with the Hemi. I definitely notice a difference but the 4.7 does move, I have no issues with it, bone stock with a flowmaster. The 4.7 even in the big lunking truck feels like a rocket compared to the 5.2 in my Durango. I go from one to the other, going from the Ram to the Durango it feels like I'm driving the Durango with the E brake on. IDK, the Hemi is great no doubt but I think the 4.7 gets a bad rap. The biggest problem is the lack of aftermarket performance parts. The 5.2 even being a boat anchor can easily and affordably be turned into a beast because there is so much stuff out there to build them up. It's just not fair darnit!

 

[derekp]

I like mine. Of course that's after putting a CAI, 180 tstat, flowmaster exhaust with electric cutouts, throttle body spacer, performance fan clutch, and performance tuning it. I'm also religious about changing my oil with Mobil 1 synthetic oil with a wix filter every 3000 miles. Treat the motor well and it will treat you well. The trick/tricks is oil changes on time and keeping the engine running cool. I run about 190 F all the time.

 

[RedsRam]

You wont see me dropping a liter of displacement.

 

[JJEH]

As for performance parts, and as I pointed out to woody31 in another thread, there are some performance parts for them. But because they are mostly hand made, they are costly which is why no one buying.
You can find them at AIRRAM.COM.

Checking that site for a looong time and I love the idea of the single plane intake manifold kit. But like you said, it's too expensive.

I'd love to have another HEMI but I'm okay with our 4.7L. It's a TX truck and - I assume - it was used as a ranch-/ work truck. It's a work horse and I can live with the HP that this engine is producing. If I want to go fast or if we travel we take the Durango

 

[WulfGang]

Just read the OP 1st post again.

I neglected in my evaluation that it was for your "daughter".

In that case, I would not let a 4.7L stop me. In fact, I'd probably be more willing to go the 4.7L over the 5.7L for my daughter.

 

[usocazy]

She's still on the hunt and found this 2002 Ram 4.7l with 105k. Books at $5800 but selling for $5200.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/5081403659.html

What issues or weird stuff should I be looking for in the 2002? I have a 2004 Hemi so I know what to look for there.


Sent from San Antonio, Texas

 

[ST-8]

Doesn't look like a bad truck at all for the price, but I wonder why there is a picture of a Chevy truck wheel on there?

 

[usocazy]

Looks like the one took the ad down. I did notice that it had a Chevy bedliner installed.


Sent from San Antonio, Texas