Need advice on a truck from Craigslist

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5329090210.html

What's the deal on this thing? Looks pretty fun but I'm getting some sketchy vibes from it. For $7k though it's hard to expect too much.

 

[NORDFORD]

It looks to be 2WD. That's why it's cheap

 

[ZMagic97]

I agree on the 2WD. Also, it is 13 years old.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

Yeah I didn't even know dodge face lifted Rams in 2002. Thought it was 2003 for the first year

 

[Bushcoat]

I wouldn't. It's a Dodge after all.

 

[leelikesbikes]

too expensive

02 was first year for that body style in 1500, 03 for 2500 and 3500
that era of dodges are cheap, ive seen 4wd with that kind of miles for less than 5k
no real specifics on the suspension, could just be mediocre bs

 

[drewactual]

I had an '02 w/ 5.9 gasser, 1500... the 2500/3500 didn't change bodies until the next year... the 5.9 magnum was available, as was the 5.7 hemi... a lot more trucks w/ cali emissions were 5.9, where most dealers elsewhere snatched up the hemi...

the 5.9 in stock form is lethargic, but a dang tank in terms of reliability. the cali emissions is actually a benefit for modding because the exhaust can be split into true duels or X/H piped with ease- as there are four o2 sensors on it= one on each banks upwind, and one on each banks downwind... the engine mother mopar should have made is easily done with this truck, boring the cylinder walls 040 and putting in 4" rods.. that displaces it from 360 to 409... a larger throttle body (52mm) and more fuel (24# injectors) and some mild tuning (recommend Shawn from Hemifever) and the torque is really really nice, along with a nice bump in HP... and still, it is as reliable an engine as has ever been made. very forgiving..

the transmission is a 46RFE, which are known to be troublesome- however, a good solenoid pack will solve any issue on an already healthy transmission.. the issue with those things isn't the trans per say, but the cooling... there is a plastic check ball in the return just behind the exchange... it likes to jam up and stop flow- and the transmission is short to live... so... remove it altogether and install a filter in it's place, and one with an anti flow back valve. poof.. problem solved. related, the transfer case have been known to argue- but a simple 'transfer case saver' ring totally fixes it..

there are many who say the 02 is the most reliable truck ever made. it is that solid... then, the 5.7 evolved, and made the 04.5 king of that moniker... they're really good half ton trucks, and can be beaten on with little concern....

my old one is for sale for $6k right now, but someone has beaten the crap out of it since I owned it, and I just don't have that kind of time or patience anymore to get it back right... now if it were $4k, I might...

 

[pappawheely]

Nothing special. You can't put on a bumper and lights and call it a prerunner.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

I had an '02 w/ 5.9 gasser, 1500... the 2500/3500 didn't change bodies until the next year... the 5.9 magnum was available, as was the 5.7 hemi... a lot more trucks w/ cali emissions were 5.9, where most dealers elsewhere snatched up the hemi...

the 5.9 in stock form is lethargic, but a dang tank in terms of reliability. the cali emissions is actually a benefit for modding because the exhaust can be split into true duels or X/H piped with ease- as there are four o2 sensors on it= one on each banks upwind, and one on each banks downwind... the engine mother mopar should have made is easily done with this truck, boring the cylinder walls 040 and putting in 4" rods.. that displaces it from 360 to 409... a larger throttle body (52mm) and more fuel (24# injectors) and some mild tuning (recommend Shawn from Hemifever) and the torque is really really nice, along with a nice bump in HP... and still, it is as reliable an engine as has ever been made. very forgiving..

the transmission is a 46RFE, which are known to be troublesome- however, a good solenoid pack will solve any issue on an already healthy transmission.. the issue with those things isn't the trans per say, but the cooling... there is a plastic check ball in the return just behind the exchange... it likes to jam up and stop flow- and the transmission is short to live... so... remove it altogether and install a filter in it's place, and one with an anti flow back valve. poof.. problem solved. related, the transfer case have been known to argue- but a simple 'transfer case saver' ring totally fixes it..

there are many who say the 02 is the most reliable truck ever made. it is that solid... then, the 5.7 evolved, and made the 04.5 king of that moniker... they're really good half ton trucks, and can be beaten on with little concern....

my old one is for sale for $6k right now, but someone has beaten the crap out of it since I owned it, and I just don't have that kind of time or patience anymore to get it back right... now if it were $4k, I might...

Never knew all that! Or that you were selling your old one. You've got that super duty now right? Thanks for all that info!

This guy won't reply to me anymore once I asked what "upgrades" the suspension has so I'm thinking it's something to steer clear of

 

[rayra]

Pretty stiff price for an '02 with 160k mi. Looks purty though. I paid $6k for my '02 K1500 Z-71 Suburban, a year ago.
I'd get the VIN from him and pull a carfax report. And if you are seriously and aggressively looking, get the Carfax bundle deal for a half-dozen reports, its a much better deal. You'll likely use them all in your search.

 

[drewactual]

Never knew all that! Or that you were selling your old one. You've got that super duty now right? Thanks for all that info!

This guy won't reply to me anymore once I asked what "upgrades" the suspension has so I'm thinking it's something to steer clear of

yessir, I have a superduty now... I like it a lot, and it serves it's purpose very well... however, it's like dating a model- it's super high maintenance. if that's your thing I highly rec this truck... if you just want to turn the key and go, the trucks you're looking at are hard to beat.

one thing you should know, though- if you're looking at a 5.9 IFS or even a 5.7 IFS 4WD and lift it, those things eat intermediate (CV) shafts... it's not the shaft so much as the boots are easily torn, and the joint is soon to follow if they do. You can go back to the second gen ram's and get a solid front axle and eliminate that issue, but with it you gain another: steering bump... the steering bump can be fixed too, but dang..... it's always something no matter what brand or model you purchase.

my next truck will be a pre-seventies ford f250... simple... durable.. solid... easily modded and no electronic gadgetry... I'll dress it out like a proper BOV..

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

yessir, I have a superduty now... I like it a lot, and it serves it's purpose very well... however, it's like dating a model- it's super high maintenance. if that's your thing I highly rec this truck... if you just want to turn the key and go, the trucks you're looking at are hard to beat.

one thing you should know, though- if you're looking at a 5.9 IFS or even a 5.7 IFS 4WD and lift it, those things eat intermediate (CV) shafts... it's not the shaft so much as the boots are easily torn, and the joint is soon to follow if they do. You can go back to the second gen ram's and get a solid front axle and eliminate that issue, but with it you gain another: steering bump... the steering bump can be fixed too, but dang..... it's always something no matter what brand or model you purchase.

my next truck will be a pre-seventies ford f250... simple... durable.. solid... easily modded and no electronic gadgetry... I'll dress it out like a proper BOV..

Yeah just happened across this one. My current debate is a 3rd gen power wagon or 3rd gen 5.9 cummins. And JKU rubicons are at that price point used too, just to confuse things. I'll probably try to pull the trigger in April or so. So we'll see what the market has right then.