Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

  • 0

1997 Dodge pickup - anything particular to watch out for?

Whoaru99

Asked by Whoaru99,

 Share

Question

Whoaru99 Mentor

Whoaru99

Posted
Posted

A buddy of mine is looking at a 97 Dodge pickup and asked me about it. I dunno a thing about Dodge trucks so I figured I'd ask here.

Again, it's a 97, think he said 135K miles on it, has a 318 engine, auto tranny, and 4wd.

He has an 17ft Alumacraft (Tournament Pro??) that he'll be pulling with it, if it matters....

Anything to be especially on the lookout for?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0
river-rat4 Community Regular

river-rat4

Posted
Posted

I just traded a '97 1500 Ram (2/07). Liked the truck. At 142,xxx I put in a rebuilt engine. At 184,xxx 2nd gear was going out/slipping. (Bought the unit at 80,xxx miles and was not used as a plow truck)I used the truck harder than the average homeowner, pulling a 4200 lb trailer 2-3 days a week.

I had the 360 or 5.9 magmun with 377 gears 4wd/auto.(can't give any info on the 318).

Tade in value I received was $2700. Had Std cab, air, matching topper, pw/pl, cloth seats.

I went with a new Ram if that means anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Black_Bay Proficient

Black_Bay

Posted
Posted

We have late 90's Dodges at work and we've gone through a few transmissions. Have your buddy check out the front end really well also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Shack Grand Master

Shack

Posted
Posted

Crapped shoot?

That year of truck was not known for "problem free" miles.

Like stated above, check out front for ball joints and steering linkage, tranny's were weak and oem rebuild with updated and reman unit with updates still had problems, motors were as good as the previous owner took care of them, rear ends were weak, a/c evap coil's leaks (check for dye leaking out of drain tune under pass. side floor board/fire wall).

I hate to say it, unless I was getting truck for next to nothing, I would pass and sleep good at night. The truck is kind of a time bomb. Now, not to knock Dodge, but those years were some doosies. Dodge now a days is a total different story.

Good Luck!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Valv Grand Master

Valv

Posted
Posted

If he has to rebuild the transmission there is a place in IA that is the best rebuilder period. They do Dodge transmissions only (mainly for diesels) and they are super, I had one and I can vouch for it, and it will be cheaper then the dealer

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Whoaru99 Mentor

Whoaru99

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Nope, he won't need to rebuild it - someone else might, but not him.

Since I couldn't get ahold of him by phone, I printed the thread and put it under his wiper blade with a note to call me. He sounded pretty bummed when he called a couple hours ago after reading the posts. He thought he was getting a good deal at a few hundred under book, but I politely suggested that it wasn't anywhere near a good enough deal for the risk it seems to present.

He got a chuckle out of the comment about passing on the truck to sleep better at night. I think he got the message...

Thanks again to all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Shack Grand Master

Shack

Posted
Posted

Unless its a cheap unpassable deal, I would not buy truck!

Good for your friend. There are to many other good brands of trucks from those years and in your friends price range to choose from. He might get lucky with this one, but the chances are very, very slim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Valv Grand Master

Valv

Posted
Posted

Now, if this was a T. Diesel Cummins it won't be a problem, BUY IT, they are worth every penny, you know that..... grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
zamboni Grand Master

zamboni

Posted
Posted

My dad just got rid of his 95 F150 4X4 with 180,000+ miles on it. Never stuck a penny into it other than gas, oil changes and tires. AC even froze you out. He got $4500 for it. I have heard alot about replacing engines and trannys in Dodges- I would avoid one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Whoaru99 Mentor

Whoaru99

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, he's a Ford guy at heart, but thought he was getting a deal on the Dodge. After the input here, he's no longer considering it and is back to looking for a Ford.

I, on the other hand, am a Chevy/GM guy...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Shack Grand Master

Shack

Posted
Posted

Not trying to steer anyone one way or another, but Ford was in some "worry free miles" glory days in those years. The old guys swore by them and drove them till they died. I would lean twords ford, but no matter what your friend ends up buying, have him get it checked out. $2000-$12,000! It does not matter, they can have avoidable costly repairs looming, that a tech could locate in a quick multi point inspection.

Ya, again, it helps one sleep better at night! wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to question listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      Big Kandiyohi

      By mulefarm · Posted

      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Big Traverse Ice Free

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By leech~~ · Posted

      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By Rick G · Posted

      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By smurfy · Posted

      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept