Looking at either a 1997 ram2500 reg. cab with 108,000 miles, SLT for $11,500 and a

1996 2500 quad-cab, with 166,500 miles for $11,000.00

Both are 4x4, and BOTH actually look great. I would much rather have the quad cab for space purposes, but I did not want to make a bad desision on getting one I like better but pay in the end because it's got high mielage.

I was wondering if there's anything to specifically watch out for on either one of these. Should I expect problems with 166,xxx miles?

Also, I've had two diesels in my life, but never had one with more than 120,xxx on it, Should I be worried on one with 166,500 miles?

Thanks very much.

 

I wouldn't think twice about the mileage. Even 166k ain't much on these trucks...

I would think twice about the 96 quad-cab... Dodge didn't make a quad-cab till 98!

 

I have a 96,

check my gallery, ask to see if the KDP has been done, that should be first and foremost, was any fuel additive used? do they have maintainance records? and Displaced is right, 98 and over had the quad cab, you just have an extended cab at best

166 K? HA! mine right now has 168K and it still runs like one with 40k or less, id jump on whichever one serves your needs...

Tx

 

Sorry. meant to say extended cab. I'm gonna check out the reg cab today, I appreciate your replies.

Thanks

 

Let us know how it turns out.

My first thought on a 96 quad is that it was wrecked, chop shopped...

And you may notice that my replies are pretty short. Don't mean to be rude, sometimes they look that way when I reread them, I am just a lazy typer.

And welcome to the board.

 

I bought my 96 with 199k on it without thinking twice. These motors will run forever provided you take care of them. A guy I know pulls around a 50ft trailer for a private car hauling business and has over 600k on it, and it's a 2000. All he does is pull that thing around the country, same motor no issues at all, just eats clutches, he won't put in an aftermarket one, so it serves him right I guess.
I agree with the previous posts, ask about the KDP and go with whichever truck suits you best. Also I might ask about the tranny in each one, have they ever been replaced or rebuilt.

 

If you want the extended cab for the space (I know I would) don't worry about the miles.

You have to try to really hurt the engines in these trucks. Auto trannies on the other hand...

 

Check the front of the engine for oil, that is a (only one) symptom of KDP.

I bought my '96 with well over 100k on it. It now has almost 180k and it runs great and burns NO oil. The trannie is getting tired, another thing to look for, since the automatic trannies basically suck. They are 1960's car tranmissions put into trucks with an electric overdrive module and are a real weak link.

 

My '98 has 230,000 miles as of yesterday. It runs GREAT. The KDP was fixed prior to me buying it. I don't doubt it'll go another 200k if I don't beat on it too hard.