Looking into a 2Gen ram. Wondering what a 2001ish Ram Ext Cab would set me back....?

Looking for stock.

I have looked in classifieds and they are all modded sky high so they are a bit pricey and not good to use as a comparison for prices.

 

Check out auto trader (.com) and other reputable site. KBB (.com) is okay for getting an estimate. These 24V's are expensive to keep up. Recommend 01.5 - 02 with 4-wheel disks, and a good savings account.

 

I would agree that the '01.5s and on with the rear disks are a good bet. I will take exception with the idea that they are expensive to keep up. I've done work to mine: turbo was replaced under warranty, new LP 3 years ago, new IP last year. Yes, that was expensive. $1000. Had I found the LP sooner, I might have saved the IP. I nipped any death wobble in the bud with a DSS just after purchase. Anyhow. Aside from tires and brakes, fluids, I've done nothing else of substance. This spring I will do the brake lines and suspension bushings. My truck carries a 4000 pound slide in camper and rides the beaches of the Outer Banks each year. There ARE things to keep in mind with buying a 24V, a 53 block being the biggest. The 47RE isn't the best transmission ever made but mines served the truck well for 120k miles so far. A retired Dodge mechanic I spoke to (with a 1998 12V) said the 47RE is a fine trans and that those with problems are the ones who are doing more simple hauling and towing. I've considered selling or trading mine for something newer but it's paid for. If I were to sell it, I'd probably ask maybe $14k and go from there.
You wont be disappointed with a 2nd gen 24v. Just do your homework.

 

Dieselboy, here's my opinion. If you get a stock truck & keep it stock, the vp44 & lift pump are a common to go out, so the first thing you should get is a fuel pressure gauge. Other than that, the nv4500 5 speed can have issues with 5th gear, so I would get a nv5600 6speed. Any other repairs will happen as the mileage gets high, just like any other truck, except that parts are much more expensive for these trucks than a 1/2 ton. When you start adding performance mods, the drivetrain & clutch won't last nearly as long unless you upgrade them as well. Sorry for the long post, I'm just giving the info I wish someone had told me when I was shopping for my truck. By th way, keep an eye on Ebay motors, I've seen several trucks similar to what your looking for.

 

If I were to sell mine right now I'd start @ $14K. That would leave me some wiggle room for negotiating. I've actually seen them in the paper anywhere from 10K to 17K but you really don't know what shape they're in and could get burnt. I agree with the 01.5 to 02 models and as far as being expensive to maintain, I guess it would just depend on what kind of mileage/use the truck has seen. So far my biggest expenses have been the tranny (my fault ) and about 9 million LP's which have been replaced under Oriellys warranty.

 

If you find an 01 or 02, you could go get a fuel pressure gauge at autozone & hook it directly to the vp44 & at least see if its any good. I looked at one & hooked up the gauge & it had hardly any FP. I said no thank you!

 

14k Is what id ask for mine too, I doubt I would get it due to higher kms. but all the Ball joints, rods and ends, steer gear, 4sidebrakes, bats+alt, windshield, thermostat, front and rear axle seals, both4x4acts, and more were all done in the last 15000km

But Before all this I paid $7000 for the truck that likly would have put in some good kms with no repairs. However I purchased it in the wrong province and needed to pass OOP inspection. And for peace off mind.
Looks wise its Not a show stopper, but I dont cry when I hit fences or cows.

What made me buy it, was that I looked at another with 10000km more in the same condition. asking price of 14,000 (All $ In Canadian Coins)

 

Realistically saying, with the market as it is now and the scarcity of money, I'd say from $ 2500 to $ 9000 would be a good range.

Above $ 10k you will find many 3rd gen. I've been studying the market for few months and there's a lot of difference from what people asks on classifieds and what they get at the end.
Many don't even sell them due to low value.
Of course mileage and drivetrain makes a difference. you can buy 2wd 3500s 3rd gens with 200k miles for a lot of less than 10k.

 

I'd love to find another 2nd gen truck in decent shape for $2500. I could use it for parts. INMO, I would think that anything less than 9 or 10 grand would be pretty worn out in some way. But I guess you could get lucky. When I bought my 01 4x4 back in 2005, it had 40,000 miles & I paid $17,000. But it had just been traded in the day before at a used car lot in metro Louisville that dealt mainly in cars so I don't think they knew what they had.