2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need your advice guys

[AFoulk]

I bought my current truck the end of january this year, and I've done nothing but sink money into since then just trying to get it to drive right, using up all my money for the "fun" stuff in the process. I'm finally at the point where all the worn out stuff is replaced and I have enough money saved to do a fass or airdog fuel system and a module (looking at getting that new quad race box with commander when its released). My problem is, the things gonna need repainted in the next few years and this truck has kinda been bad luck since I bought it, not to mention theres just a bunch of little things that keep nagging me. The clear coat is messed up in quite a few places, the worst being the roof where its actually down to the primer in a couple spots... its like someone ran around dribbling brake fluid all over the truck. The truck was dirty when I went to look at it and it was after dark when I picked it up after buying it, so I didn't see the bad spots. Anyways, I'm toying around with the idea of trading it in on an 03 with 55000miles on it that is almost exactly like I have now, just the newer body style and common rail engine. Problem is with what I owe on my truck and what its worth on trade in, I'm gonna wind up about $4500-5000 in the hole. I could afford the payments with that extra tacked onto the loan, but I'd have a hard time coming up with the money for any mods. But atleast I'd have a truck I'm happy with and hopefully wouldn't be cursed On the other hand, I could keep mine, mod it, and just suck it up and repaint it someday. What would you guys do? I'd like to make a decision before I go and buy some go fast goodies for the truck I have now.

 

[kenny61]

I'm toying around with the idea of trading it in on an 03 with 55000miles on it that is almost exactly like I have now

sounds like you want to lose 5k on a truck your probably gonna have to replace all the same stuff on. someone in here would probably be willing to spray your truck for a couple of cold ones

 

[y-knot]

I don't see where you are gaining anything, just going in the hole for another $5K. You don't think this next USED truck is going to have any issues??? I know your smarter then that???? Well you did buy the other truck without checking it out throughly... ... . many be your not??



When buying used, your always going to have to replace something, why do you think they got rid of it??? And most people that know they are not keeping a truck, (Lease, same as renting, and you know know-one puts any money in a rental... ... Prepossesion, if you were so tight on cash the truck got taken, you know they had no money for normal maintenance and repairs... ..... ) don't do much in the way of repairs. If you want a truck that doesn't need any repairs, or at least doesn't cost you for them ... then you need to buy new... . but if you could buy new I suppose you wouldn't be writing this post????



Your going to have issues no matter what you do, and it sounds like you have limited funds... . so just keep the truck you worked on and have the few issues fixed, even if you have to put off the fun stuff. Why is it that everyone whats the prise, but doesn't want to play the game????



So you won't be able to brag about the new HP, take sol-lice in the fact that you will have a solid truck and when you do get the fun things they will seem much sweeter.



Buy the way, you should invest in a good set of gages long before you invest in a power adder. Don't be stupid... put the horse in front of the cart.

 

[AFoulk]

No I'm not that stupid. I looked at the truck when it was like 20 degrees out and blowing like hell, so I didn't take my time to look it over like I should have. And the guy had it inspected 2 days before I looked at it, so I didn't check the chassis over that well cause I figured everything should be in descent shape if it passed. well, turns out they pretty much just did a lick and stick. My big worry is the paint. It'll probably take close to 5grand to have this truck repainted anyways. The 3rd gen truck interested me cause they don't seem to have near the problems the 2nd gens do. And I was planning on getting a module with monitor so I didn't have to spend money on gauges first, then get a module down the road that comes with a monitor anyways and would have wound up waisting money on the gauges. thats why i mentioned the quadzilla with the commander monitor. I want the module first mainly for the gauges/monitor. and the fass or airdog is to address the weak factory lift pump. once thats all done, a clutch was the next item in the plan. trust me, I've thought the plan thru for this truck, my major gripe was just having to eventually repaint the thing.

 

[BTighe]

i went the new truck route last year. had a 97 that just kept nickle and diming me to death. about 400hp and 178k and it was taking its toll on parts. bought me a brand new 06 spec'd out like my 97. never was happy from the start. just didnt have the same feel. payment hurt too. driving a stock truck for 9 months made me realize id rather had a bombed beater than a flashy new dime a dozen rig. work slowed down and the payment was a pain to make in the winter months. stressing out over a truck payment is something i never want to do again. i started thinking about the big picture. my beefed up 97 spent the same amount of nights in a shop in 2 years as my 06 did in 6 months. the warrenty and dealership hassle was way to stressful. parts are impossilbe to find. i wouldnt say i like to work on my truck but at least i know whats happening when i turn the wrenches. the body on the new trucks is getting worst. i had an ever so slight tap with a strait-edge hit the outside of the bed and it went down to primer. the bed was trashed in no time. i dont mind weak door panels and fender but the bed-not gonna work. my old truck got the job done and made me money. my new one got the same job done just as good but cost me alot more. i could have had 2 trucks for what the new one cost. i settled in the middle and got a 24v with low miles.



my 12v was beat down but i didnt know any better when i bought it. funny thing is, i got way more compliments on the 97 than i ever got on my 06. even when the 97 was basicly stock. figure that one out



think of it this way, would you rather line the pockets of the painter or the banker.

 

[DGrimes]

Just thinking if you were not totaly happy with the 02 why did you buy it? As y-knot said gauges are the first thing to get, you have to know what's going on before it goes bad. Always nice to be able to get things the way you want them. But do it as $$$ allows, sounds like paint is the next thing to do. As far as a FASS or AirDog either would be good. I just did a FASS 95gph on my 00 yesterday and it was a breeze to put in. Plus the 6 year warranty was a major consideration for me over the one year on the AirDog,price wasn't that much different from one to the other Just my thoughts but it takes a while to dig yourself outta a 5k hole. For me 5k in my pocket is a lot better than a banks. Good luck in what ever you decide

 

[AFoulk]

thats why I'm going with a module that has a monitor that will show all the different perameters that gauges would. I think I'm gonna hold on to it though. Its not that I don't like the truck, its just all the worn out stuff I had to replace was starting to wear on me. the paint can wait for a few years yet, its just something thats kinda always there nagging away at me in the back of my head. But, I guess on the bright side, I don't have to worry about keeping it spottless if I'm gonna repaint it eventually

 

[kenny61]

My trucks a little bit rough too. If i ever painted a name on it, it would be "All Banged Up!!" But everything else is good on it (once I get the new transmission next week... . Did you know those things need oil in them? Oh well Live and learn) If I ever get my garage finished,right now its just a hole in the gound waiting for footings, I'll take it apart knock out the dents and respray it. until then as long as it gets me where I'm going I'm happy because its a Cummins Dodge Ram and there aint no better!!!!!!! I think the 1996 and the 97's are the best looking version of the truck anyway. I almost bought a new one but they just don't look as tough.