Ugly ain’t it? This Dodge truck looks like it got into a fight . . . and lost. Three front body panels need to be replaced, stat. The ladder rack is as big and surface rusted as a 1970s beater, and the truck has more nicks and scratches than Boy George’s last escort. This would be the type of vehicle most folks would run away from and be ashamed to have on their driveway. Screw ’em. I got a helluva deal.
For starters, it’s a work truck. Most folks who get a genuine work truck keep up with the maintenance and this one was no exception. All the fluids were bright and filled to level, the timing belt change was recent, and there were no codes within the OBD-II. Tires were near-new Michelins and had no tread or camber issues. The interior, leather and all, had simply been sat in instead of beautied up. But everything was working from the six-disc CD changer to the dual climate controls.
It’s got a Hemi. On a 455 mile drive towing vehicles to and fro at the auctions last week, it managed a measly 12 mpg with cars in tow. But seating for six and a twelve thousand pound tow rating means I can pretty much make all my sales a one way trip. Throw in Flowmasters, a leather interior that can seat six, and all the options that can be had on these models (Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Heavy Duty), and we’re talking a Blue Book Value of right around $10K. My price? $2500.
It was a trade-in at a local dealership, at a public sale (very few dealers), and the only other fellow at the lane with me enacted the “King’s rule” policy (I won’t bid if you do). Throw in a good friend who had to get the truck off his books, and I got a truck that can handle all my needs. The old saying that, “People buy with their eyes” is all too true. Fortunately for the frugal and mechanically inclined amongst us, we can ultimately find the ultimate beauty within. This one’s a bitch!
What year is it? Looks like the previous gen styling. I usually stay away from Dodge gas trucks b/c of such dismal mileage (though the Hemi gets better mileage than their other v8). Now if that would have been a Cummins turbo diesel you would have had a steal. For a 3/4 ton HD I’d still perfer a Silverado over a Ram. 6.0 v8 and allison transmission and it gets better gas mileage to boot – only drawback is you will pay more (in seems the Ram has the highest depreciation of the big trucks – and there are some killer deals).
Timing belt change!!!!?
I think you mean serpentine belt, right? Seems odd that a pushrod motor would have a timing belt. ;)
Whew! I know, I was just making Steven aware he had some edits to make.
I like old work trucks, been through many around the farm. Nothing beats a vehicle you can abuse without any guilt!
oh man, this as my 95 VW is in the shop AGAIN. I would take 12 mpg seemingly endless trips to the repair shop. I’ve got to start going to these auctions.
What’s the year and mileage? Even old trucks wear out. I always top off fluids and change oil before trying to sell a vehicle so I don’t put much weight on that.
As a single purpose vehicle (hauling cars) it may be a good deal. But I find most large trucks run around empty. The 12+ miles per gallon doesn’t sound bad now, but gas prices could easily go higher. And having a vehicle around for only one purpose is a loser.
I just don’t like big vehicles in general and old trucks especially. I have two. A ’71 F650 and a ’77 F700 both of which I use to haul grain. It is a constant battle to keep them running.
I have replaced the engine in one plus fuel pumps, distributor rotors, belts, alternators, mufflers, power brakes and just about anything else you can think of. The radiators are especially troublesome in an old vehicle and expensive too.
So I would not touch this truck at any price, scratches and dents or not.
Thing is since he paid only 2500 for the truck he has a lot of slush money left for gas, and I would bet this dodge will not need many repairs. My friends have hemi rams and besides a few stupid things (trans seal leak?) they have been solid, and fun to drive.
97escort: I hear you on the grain trucks, I didn’t think there were other wranglers of these on this site! Junk, junk, junk. Dad just did a leaf spring/hanger bearing on one after burning a grand on brakes, with more money left to spend! It’s a Chev. Ughhhhh.
2003 model. First year of the prior generation.
I meant serpentine belt. My bad.
The body panels are staying on for now. They don’t really impact anything and the parts will cost about $750 to replace. The ladder rack is on Criagslist for $199 and the damn thing is a monstrosity. Whoever had it more or less welded two racks together and it covered the entire length of the truck.
I’ve done the numbers. This truck will pay for itself within a year for the work that I do. When it comes to local runs that don’t require a truck, we use a 5-speed late 1990’s Saturn. However I need vehicles hauled all the time. In fact, I’ve got two to pick up in Winterville, GA tomorrow.
On a side note… I’ve always thought that it would be far more intelligent for certain folks to pool their money together and buy a truck for the few times they are needed during the year. I can easily see a subdivsion or HOA offering one that it could be used let’s say… ten times during the year.
Okay maybe I’ll sound stupid for asking, but why wouldn’t a “push rod” engine have a timing belt? Are they still using timing gears? All engines have a timing mechnism whether it’s an interference engine or not. It’s just not such a big deal if the belt/chain slips or breaks if it’s not an interference engine.
nice truck. ditch the ladder rack and leave those panels alone.
also, that forward leaning nose is calling out for a brutal, matte black, brush guard. oh yeah, and cherry bomb mufflers.
I paid that much for a much older work truck with badly faded paint. You did good! I use mine only when I need a truck. Dump runs, Home Depot and the like.
The community truck idea is a good one. A neighbor and I informally share a lot of things including a trailer, hydraulic press, a tile saw, powder coating equipment and more. I could get by without my own truck, but it sure is convenient.
Yup, I’d beat the piss outta that thing and love every minute of it. Granted $2500 is better than most of us will ever get for a truck like this, but that’s besides the point: cheap trucks are a blast to own.
Good business man!! I have done the same for friend who have needed vehicles for work or need (like good station/commuter/city cars). If “dents/damage” are offensive, the same logic applies to used vehicles that depreciate like mad, and are shunned by the Toyota/Honda only crowd. Remember, were talking working vehicles, not prized possessions. Others’ narrow mindedness can be your gain. Now more than ever!
Lumberg21:
Pushrod engines typically use a timing chain to drive the camshaft located in the “valley.” Belts are typically used in OHC applications. There are some exceptions – remember the OHC inline six that GM used in the 60’s, that was gear driven if I recall correctly. No doubt there are some other oddballs, like GM’s “Dual twin cam” engine which substituted a shaft for the valley camshaft and then drove OHC’s from that. Did that have both belts and chains?
Steven:
I’d love to add you to my eBay favorite sellers (I have a few sellers that carry interesting stuff that I watch from time to time). Do you have a link?
And with the bonus racking you can really haul ass out to Home Depot or even pick up a load of coffins at the funeral wholesale joint.
Ok, this is going way back, but I had a ’46 Ford with a flathead six that had this bad sounding knock when I got it. Found out from friends that it was probably the timing gear; they were right. The odd thing is that it wasn’t a metal gear, but some kind of pressed fiber.
97escort: 2003 is not an old truck IMO. There’s probably little comparison between your F650 and F700 and this truck. You can get parts for a RAM2500 at any parts store, and this truck is considerably newer than yours.
I bought my 1994 Dodge RAM2500 Cummins used at about the same age as this truck is now. I don’t know about newer Dodge pickups but I think my truck has been easy to maintain so far. Changing the rad was even simple because there was lots of room and it didn’t have an integrated trans cooler.
Sounds like you got a good deal Steven. If it was me, I’d replace the body panels and sell it though, because it’s not a diesel.
golden2husky:
GM’s “Stovebolt 6” used a timing gear at least up through the mid 60’s since they started producting it in the 30’s. Thanks for the explanation of why timing belt wouldn’t make sense for this vehicle. I was just thinking that there was no way a timing gear would be used in a modern vehicle, which meant it had either a timing belt or a timing chain.
Regarding pushrod engines with timing belts, Land Rover’s 2.5 liter 4cylinder diesels from the 80s and 90 used a timing belt, although the gas version version still had a timing chain.
@fincar1, fiber timing gears were quite common, since they were quieter, but tended to wear out sooner. I had a Volvo 164 with a fiber timing gear, which disintegrated near Vestal New York one night. The replacement from Volvo was steel, since they decided durability trumped noise.
My Transit van had a timing belt & pushrods. The infamous FSO Polonez also had a setup like that, and I think Opel OHV engines used a belt too. It’s not that uncommon.
Here we go again with “Look at this piece of crap I “FOUND” at the auction”
This reminds me of the sixteen year old child who comes home telling you what a great deal he just bought and you say “oh, you didn’t!”.
You absolutely need to check your dignity at the door if you’re going to park that beauty in the driveway. HOA? Gosh I hope not.
I almost feel sorry for the ladder rack in this case. I would have seriously considered putting some wheels on the ladder rack and driven that instead.
I don’t know which “three front body panels” need replacing, but let’s assume maybe a fender or two, a bumper, some trim pieces, some other misc plastic items, and you’re easy over a grand or more. Plus paint.
Newsflash: I can sell you this same model year and model, but unfortunately it’s in almost “perfect” condition not requiring any “disassembly” with a sawzall, nor minor maintenance inconveniences such as replacing “body panels.” And I can do this for $4500.00. No it’s not an auction, just a private sale, so no auction fees, no sales tax, and unfortunately it won’t require any secret handshakes, gang signs, winks or “Mister Ed-like” head nods.
And PLEASE introduce me to the other …ummm…”buyer”, who showed interest in it but was so gracious to defer his bidding. I got one for him as well. As if there could even be bidding competition for this crown jewel.
AND, I notice how odometer mileage reading is conspicuosly absent in the editorial. 2003 model year, auction truck, poor condition, $2500…I’m guessing >100,000K miles.
Having owned all of them, and several RAMS since they are inherently cheap at resale, 100,000 miles on a Dodge? Good luck with that. Keep the trips close to home.
Wy would someone making his living in the car business even be inclined to monkey with something like this? I don’t think it says much to see the car auction guy pulling his purchases behind this gem, . Most business have their “fringe benefits” so to speak. When I was in the mortgage business, I had the best rate on my own home and bought some really great properties on occasion.
But to each his own. I’m just not as awestruck as most I guess.
And I hope you’re kidding about the “Blue book” $10,000 thing.
That “blue book” talk makes me think I’m listening to a car salesman.
Everyone or anyone who’s looked at current fair market values of just about anything realizes very quickly that KBB is almost useless in this environment. In general, KBB reflects what people or dealers are “asking” for their overvalued and over-leveredged stuff. It doesn’t come close to showing what that same stuff actually SOLD for. Or might sell for.
It’s sort of like the other sales-geniuses, realtors, listing your house based on their so called comps (which admittedly in many cases are actual sales) of a year or two ago, and then when the damned thing sits for 6 months they get the stroke of genius that maybe the price should be lowered to move it.
Maybe we should rename the title of the editorial to “FLIP THIS TRUCK” since I never realized with a little ladder rack removal (the demo part of the show) and some quick body panel replacing (the granite countertop part of the show) we can make a 300% profit.
There is NO WAY this truck ever sells for anything close to $10,000 in today (or tommorow’s) used car market. But I don’t beleive in the tooth fairy anymore either.
tedward :
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
nice truck. ditch the ladder rack and leave those panels alone.
also, that forward leaning nose is calling out for a brutal, matte black, brush guard. oh yeah, and cherry bomb mufflers.
Don’t forget the “BACK OFF!” mudflaps while you’re at it!
Countryboy
I like the mudflap idea. I was originally going to suggest a single, center mounted, hay bale spear but perhaps that would be a bit much. Still, imagine the fun you could have in toll booth lanes and drive throughs.