looking for a new(to me) truck

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Russianwolf

Russianwolf

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2007
Messages
5,690
Location
Martinsburg, WV, USA.
Found these two and wondered what you guys think? I've had a look at the red one, and its in decent shape, kid who owns it says the sending unit on the thermostat is whacky, shows hot one second and cold the next. Everything else looks good, I checked the ball joints (known weak spot and they seem tight).

http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/1477040263.html

http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/1475076233.html

The second one is nice as its a full size, but I haven't been able to see it yet. The bumper looks like it's at least been used to push something. Otherwise, it's an unknown.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Mike,
What do you plan to use the truck for? The answer will definatelly influence the decision. I jus bought a new (to me) '04 Dakota 4x4 last May. Could have purchase a brand new Ram 1500 2x4 for the same price. I was moving up from a '91 Nissan pickup. If I need to move anything big or hawl our horses I've got a 78 F150 with a 460. I just needed a decent mileage small pickup for daily driving.
That said, look at how you plan to use it...The Dakota with the 4.7 V8 should have plenty of power and probably better mileage then the Ram. I would lean twords the Dakota which although $1800 more it's also newer. The Ram owner sounds like he doesn't know the truck - warning, as the Dakota owner sounds like possibly the original owner.
Both are well priced...Out here in Colorado just saying 4x4 adds about $4k to the price....
 
plans for this one is my daily commute of 4 miles to the train station and weekend errands (trips to Lowes, etc). Nothing major.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the Dakota for a couple reasons, I'm not a fan of red, but if that's my only hang up I can have it painted. :biggrin:

4x4 is a must in a pick-up for me, the rear end is just too light otherwise, snow or even some rain and you start sliding all over the place.
 
As you mentioned the ball joints are a known problem (no grease fittings I believe) Aftermarket ones will fix that if the need arises ... also from what I've heard not great on gas.
But then I'm a Ford F150 man myself. =0)
 
I owned a 96 Dakota 4 cylinder 5 speed standard and now a 97 same setup. Great trucks. 19mph around town- 31 on highway.
Had two 97 1500 conversion vans. one with V-8 other V-6, both auto. the V-8 got 15 mph around town and the V-6 got 14 mph. Didn't like either one.
 
Having had both a Ram with the small v-8 and the Dakota with the v-6, I would have thought the Dakota was going to get a considerable amount more mileage.
The Ram averaged 14.5, while the Dakota got 15.2 around town, and I don't mean city, I mean town. Highway mileage was about the same for both, although on cruise control, I could get 19.5 out of the Ram, which was actually better than the Dakota.
Go figure.
I bought a new F-150 for 11,900 (it was the hook and bait truck, and you should have seen the salemens' faces when I told them I wanted that truck) and get between 20 and 21 around town, with the exact same driving route, and have approached 26 miles on a 65 mph highway run. Highway, I typically drive around 70 and still get 22-23. These are not computer generated figures. I got in the habit al long time ago to track everything with my vehicle, because I did have to take GM to court on the Mass lemon laws,

Jerry
 
Dodges are known for weak transmissions.
If I had to choose between the two, I'd go for the Dakota.
 
No offense to the Ford guys, but that'll never happen. I'll take GM and Dodge over them any day for reasons I won't get into here.

The tranny problems (auto only) in dodges I'm aware of, This being my third one (had a 98 Dakota and a 2002 Ram bbefore) I've learned that unless you are doing heavy hauling, they never crop up and if you do haul heavy loads, the OD needs to be off. People that follow that rule never seem to have an issue in the dodges. The kid that owns it now and I had a long talk about what he'[s done to and with the truck. I'm pretty confident that he hasn't done anything that would hurt it, other than the dixie horn. :biggrin:
 
Mike, That would have been my choice also. Was not even a contest for me. A 2000 that the owner sounds like he has fussed and preened over or a truck that has been put through one engine and on its second and still missing parts. Made it all pretty easy for me. Hope you are enjoying your truck by the time you read this.
 
The truck is in the driveway and has insurance on it now. I've removed the gun rack and rap cd from the player (i think it needs new speakers). I think he's going to have to come back for his cell charger. :tongue:

I'll have to see if I want to keep the antennae and cb in it. And the dixie horn will have to go. I want to take it and get it cleaned up good before Lillian sees it, then I'll get quotes on changing the color.

only two real issues that I've found in a thorough going over. He had removed the muffler, which I knew before hand and she not overly load without it. And the drivers door power lock doesn't work quite right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom