Tallguy67

As in sig, truck is a Y2K 2500. From about a week after I bought it, I have suspected truck was a Frankenstein project by PO. The fact that it came up as 'written off' when VIN was run at purchase probably should have been a clue. Long story short, PO told me it had been stolen, found at a local dealer and had to be written off financially/legally as insurance company had paid out claim. However that is water under bridge now, I own it. So, here is the question. The VIN says it is a Y2K 3/4 ton. Sticker on driver doorframe says it is 3/4 ton built in September 1999. So far all is good. The rear brakes are discs. That is all good for me BUT I have read a bunch of posts that say you can't get rear discs in a Y2K 2500. So, do I have bad information, an uncommon truck or a Frankenstein truck?

OldDodgeOwner

Disc brakes didn't come on the rears til 01.5. Looks like someone swapped the axle or converted it to discs.

Tallguy67

That is what I figured. Everything works fine, including ABS but I know for certain it has discs and I have seen a lot of posts saying that isn't possible. Actual manufacture date on door post is Sept/99.

SIXSLUG

THere should be a vin # on the sticker and on the dash and on the frame under the passenger seat area, compare all three. YOu probably already have but the door could have been replaced. Just a thought.

A Sept 99 build would most likely make it a 2000 model year. Mine was built April 01 but I got the rear discs and a few deleted items that mark mine a bona fide 2001.5

A lot of these rigs get modified for fun or as projects, especially as they get older and wear out, an 11 year old truck has probably needed repairs etc over its lifespan, how many miles showing?

Tallguy67

I will check and see if all VIN's match, however at this point it is kind of an academic exercise, I have owned it since August, so it is all mine. My first clue (after I owned it a week or so) that something was up is the fact that the key will unlock the driver-side door and the ignition but not the passenger door. Next clue as when I was under it. The bumper seems a little loose. I noticed that there is a brace from the frame to the bumper on the driver side but that brace is missing on the passenger side. The I noticed the brakes and I got just that much more curious. I bet it is going to be an adventure when I have to replace read disc pads. I will have to make a note to take the existing pads when I go to parts store since their computer won't be able to tell them what pads to sell me for a 2000 with discs. Oh well, the truck runs well, so it is what it is. BTW - I am not upset about disc brakes on the rear, they are so much easier to work on than drums and they are typically better brakes.

SIXSLUG

Sounds like you got a bonus with the discs on the rear!

I'm betting the drivers door/doors has been replaced....is it a quad cab? I think my sticker is on the rear door.

Tallguy67

It is a quad cab. Huh, never noticed I didn't have that in my sig. Off to fix that.

KATOOM

I'm going to be skeptical about the door VIN too since there's more involved in swapping drum brake axle for a disc brake axle than just that. First off, if it was indeed swapped, you'd notice that the axle u-bolts gnarled a little from wrenching and the master cylinder would have to be changed too. Even at that, I'm not even sure if the ABS system wouldn't need to have some items changed to accommodate the new disc brakes. But if you like the truck and it runs great then its a mute point.....except for curiosity.

2001smoker

wierd i have an 01 with disc brakes an i have an 2000 with build date jan 2000 my dad had bought it in aug 2000 it has the dana 80 with disc brakes and it came from factory no swap at all i now own it so i really dunno lol

SIXSLUG

I remember test driving a 2000 a dealer had on the lot back before I bought my 01.5 and among other items I wasn't happy with, I questioned the rear discs and he said it was a "factory option" from the 90's. Among some other smoke he was blowing I passed on this one.... now I am wondering if maybe some late late 2000's somehow got rear discs.

I'll keep watching this one.

Tallguy67

Haven't checked VIN's yet, yesterday had stupid weather and I spent the whole day plowing myself and neighbors out (plow is not on this truck). ABS works great on the truck. So, if it was a swap done in someone's driveway, they did a good enough job for me. Also, I obviously know there will be no VIN on the read axle. I wish I could find the 'options sticker' to see if I can see any details about what Dodge thinks they put in there. I honestly think that one day, one of the guys in the Alberta chapter is going to say 'Hey, you have my old truck. She was like the town bicycle, we have all ridden her' and then some big story about how it got scrapped and reuilt will come to light.

KATOOM

Is the build sheet sticker still stuck on the inside of the glove box door? If so then it may indicate.

Tallguy67

I looked inside the glove box and sadly there is nothing there whatsoever.

KATOOM

Thats a bummer. Well try this: http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/VIN_decode.htm

2001smoker

i know for sure there are always trucks that when they start to come out with disc brakes in a new year the trucks that are still on the production line that are left from the 2000 build will get discs on the rear and sold in late 2000 or 2001 some times it can be 10000 trucks and sometimes it can be 100 trucks its a wild number. used to work at ford we did that alot with cab and chassis models some still had drums and some had discs lol