I sold my '97 on Saturday, so my search for it's replacement has commenced. I spent all day Saturday and Sunday with no luck on "the truck" for me.

Today at work, a friend gave me a phone number to a guy who is able to find vehicles. The guy found me an '01, 2500, Laramie SLT, Quad Cab, Long Bed, 4WD, 6-speed with just under 110,000 miles. He's going to have the dealer who has the truck verify it does not have a 53 block and if everything checks out, he'll buy it and have it shipped to his store. I should have it later on this week.

What are the chances that it's a 53 block? The vehicle build date was 12/13/00. 1st digit of VIN is "3" which denotes it was built in Mexico. 11th digit of VIN is "G" which denotes built in Saltillo, Mexico. Exactly the same as my old 1997.

I had the local Dodge dealer run me a build sheet. I absolutely love the truck. I'm really looking forward to the 4-wheel disc brakes. It is practically how I would have ordered it from the factory. That being said, what do I do if it has the 53 block?

 

My truck was built at Saltillo in 6/01. I do not have a 53 block so you may be OK. I would double check the 4-wheel disc brakes. Rear disc were added half way through 01 model year. 12/30/00 seems early to me. Hope the truck works out for you.

 

Build sheet lists code "BRTS" Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes.

According to http://www.dodgeram.info/2001/index.html, 01.5 trucks were built between July 1, 2000 and July 2001.


It would be interesting to compare the 1st and 11th digit of the VIN's between trucks with and without 53 blocks. Perhaps there's a correlation.

 

my truck was built july 2000 and i don't have rear discs or 53 block

 

Have them plug the truck into a scan tool and see if it is showing any trouble codes.

 

I'd have your guy check for codes and confirm the rear discs jsut to be safe. You will probably be rebuilding the front end too so figure 1500-1800 for that.

 

Well, it's a moot point anyway. The dealership who has the truck must have a different definition of "super clean" and "immaculate" than I do.

I hate it when I lose sleep over nothing.

 

thats somebody not taking care when backing up

 

Did you already buy it before you saw it? By looking at the pictures, makes me wonder what else they didn't take care of....

My baby might be 10yrs old but if I get damage like that, it's getting fixed...but that's just me.

 

is the dealer in morgan? (Russ Carrigan)

 

John - No, it was an outfit in Montana. A co-worker put me in touch with a guy who who works at a dealership who is real good at finding used vehicles. He found that one in less than a few hours of me calling him. He's back on the search again. Of course, he ripped into the outfit that mislead him. Bummer.

 

Maybe he meant the dents were clean too.

 

Thats a nice truck for Montana!

I looked at numerous 01.5's and 02's and never saw a 53 block on any of the 01.5's. I probably looked at around a dozen when I was shopping for one.

Ironically, except for color, I bought the exact truck I would have ordered if I had $45K for a truck in 01!

 

Mine is a 02 built in Dec. of 01 and is a Mexican built truck with no 53 block, it has a 56 block.

 

I didn't buy that truck. The rear was full of dents and rust was showing because of it.

I ended up buying a '97 Accord last Saturday so I could take the pressure off of finding a truck.

Yesterday, I found an '02 with less than 108k miles that I'm driving 350 miles to buy tomorrow. The only bummer is that it doesn't have the Overhead Console w/ Trip Computer, and Remote Keyless Entry. I really wanted that stuff, but the truck is in great shape and I don't want to miss it. Laramie SLT, Long Bed, Quad Cab, 6 speed, 3.55 gears, really clean truck.