Time to Replace My 1997 2500 4WD 5SPD 12V Diesel RAM?

[glixons]

I have 253k miles on my 1997 2500 4WD 5SPD Club Cab Long Bed 12V Diesel RAM. I am the original owner. Over the years the truck has served me well. Beside the usual maintenance, including oil changes every 3-5k miles, I have done effectively nothing to the truck except baby it. Living it's entire life in Virginia, there is modest surface rust on the chassis. There is no body rust anywhere. Cosmetically, it's perfect.

I am 66 years old and do not believe the truck will last another 20 years so I have been think about replacing it with a current 2500/3500 Tradesman. I know it's a special truck with the 12V and 5SPD, but I think it would be nice to own a modern truck that I can use a stop watch instead of a calendar to time quarter mile runs!

Any comments on both the '97 as well as the new trucks? Thanks, Scott

 

[BigPapa]

That's a nice truck. I understand your desire for something newer. I say go for it. Let us know when you're ready to sell the '97. I imagine it won't be around long.

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

I would be interested in your 1997!

 

[Chief USA]

I don't know........that is a VERY nice looking truck. The new trucks have a lot of pluses, really nice interiors, MUCH better ride and handling quality, MUCH quieter..........I could go on and you probably already are aware. What was a HUGE turn off for me with respect to just about all new vehicles is the price. I paid around $28,000 for my truck when I bought it new. It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned with the exception of my 1969 Camaro SS 396 I sold many years ago. I changed how I live many years ago with respect to taking on debt..........I just don't do it unless it is for something that I really need and I can get 0% financing. Even then, I prefer to pay it off early. The thought of a $1,200+ a month truck payment is just revolting to me to even think about. Even then, paying cash for a new vehicle just seems like throwing good money after bad. The prices are just so high right now. I think I would keep that truck if it were mine. If you really want a new truck, I think I would wait. There are a LOT of people who are in over their heads with respect to debt and new vehicles. As this Bideneconomy continues to crater, I think there will be an ample supply of used but very new trucks and a LOT of other items for sale in the foreseeable future. Best casing your position, you might get $20,000 for your truck. You would still need another $50,000+ for a new truck depending upon options. For not a lot more than the $20,000, you could do a restoration on your truck and add some goodies to that 12 valve that would wake it up making as fast or faster than a new truck and still ride and handle acceptably. I realize that I am VERY biased with respect towards the older trucks and it all depends upon what you really want and why. I am your age and eventually I realize I will have to either sell mine and get an automatic as I get older too. But for now, I am still in love with my 2002. Once your 1997 is gone.......you may find out too late that your are too.

 

[bcbender]

Im with Scott and say go for it, at least go take one for a spin, see what you like (or not) and run some simulations,... FWIW, your truck is worth more now than ever and its been mentioned that things may come back down, but again they may not. I some times miss my old faithful 2004, it was in perfect shape like yours, but I don't miss rowing that NV5600 anymore but on the rare occasion that I get sentimental and the HO with AISIN is just fantastic. I don't think there is a more capable light duty truck out there,... period.

If you decide to make the move, make sure you list your truck here in the classifieds, I am sure many of us would be interested in it.

 

[GAmes]

I bought a '19 Hemi 1500 for my wife. I liked it so much I looked into a Cummins powered 3500. No way would I trade to a new truck after seeing what they cost and knowing I am at the mercy of Ram dealership mechanics. Really, will a new truck get you from point A to B better than the one you have?

 

[BigPapa]

I changed how I live many years ago with respect to taking on debt..........I just don't do it unless it is for something that I really need and I can get 0% financing.

He never said anything about financing it.

 

[Signal73]

Be sure to post it for sale here first, it would be great to see it go to someone who would appreciate your old truck as much as you did. Heck I could use a 12v in my life again, it’s been a while!

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the 2019+ cummins trucks.

 

[Ozymandias]

Do you NEED a Diesel or do you WANT a Diesel?

This question has to be asked nowadays as the Diesel is a really complicated vehicle with all the emissions stuff on it.
If it is more or less a Grocery Getter and Fun vehicle you are most of the time better of with a Hemi.

- if you work it hard - the Diesel it is.

Otherwise it's like buying a sleed dog to life in 48th floor in Manhattan- the Dog will go crazy sooner then later and so does the modern Diesel without proper use.

 

[Topzide]

@glixons, I with others on go kick some tires! Find what you want, list your '97 on here to find someone who will enjoy it as much as you have. At your point in life, you deserve to have some of the creature comforts of the newer trucks. Just remember to get a Maxcare warranty with it to give you peace of mind with all the bells and whistles on these new trucks. I say," go for it"!

 

[Timd32]

Super nice 97, you have really taken good care of that one.

Good luck with your choices.

I have a 96 2500, '18 2500 gasser Tradesman for my work truck and love it. But I also have a '22 1500 Laramie which is beyond nice, and a 3500 on order.

The 96 does/did everything we asked of it on the farm pull wagons and help out. It has a plow never used it but would if I needed too.

The '18 gasser hauls most anything I ask of it that I have, but it screams on hills of RT80 in PA, but I love the Work Vinyl and Rubber Floor and simple radio. I've run that in 4WD for miles on RT80 in unplowed couple inches of snow safely, they are so capable anymore.

The '22 1500 is just a temporary deal, but it's a super nice truck to the point where I really should have just ordered that trim for the next 1.

I have what we think will be a '22 3500, it's super possible it gets pushed to a '23 3500, it's a Big Horn Mega Cab, it pretty well option out for what it is.

Overall I love each one they are all a little different, but they are all fun to drive in their own way.

 

[Turbo Terry]

It’s a hard decision but the new truck will really impress you . It’s a totally different beast.what I was finding that it was becoming harder to find someone to work on my 99 . If you drove a new one you would buy a new one. Pretty nice old truck you got there. Must have been in the garage a lot. No sun fading A real gem

 

[Larry W Larsen]

I don't know........that is a VERY nice looking truck. The new trucks have a lot of pluses, really nice interiors, MUCH better ride and handling quality, MUCH quieter..........I could go on and you probably already are aware. What was a HUGE turn off for me with respect to just about all new vehicles is the price. I paid around $28,000 for my truck when I bought it new. It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned with the exception of my 1969 Camaro SS 396 I sold many years ago. I changed how I live many years ago with respect to taking on debt..........I just don't do it unless it is for something that I really need and I can get 0% financing. Even then, I prefer to pay it off early. The thought of a $1,200+ a month truck payment is just revolting to me to even think about. Even then, paying cash for a new vehicle just seems like throwing good money after bad. The prices are just so high right now. I think I would keep that truck if it were mine. If you really want a new truck, I think I would wait. There are a LOT of people who are in over their heads with respect to debt and new vehicles. As this Bideneconomy continues to crater, I think there will be an ample supply of used but very new trucks and a LOT of other items for sale in the foreseeable future. Best casing your position, you might get $20,000 for your truck. You would still need another $50,000+ for a new truck depending upon options. For not a lot more than the $20,000, you could do a restoration on your truck and add some goodies to that 12 valve that would wake it up making as fast or faster than a new truck and still ride and handle acceptably. I realize that I am VERY biased with respect towards the older trucks and it all depends upon what you really want and why. I am your age and eventually I realize I will have to either sell mine and get an automatic as I get older too. But for now, I am still in love with my 2002. Once your 1997 is gone.......you may find out too late that your are too.

You are right about how you feel. I'm in the process of going through my 1997. I'll have about $20,000 in it. It's going to be as good or better than when it was new. It's got at least 300,000 miles left in it. I just hope that I live long enough to use it up. The Biden economy is the big ? I'm rolling the dice. MAGA

 

[GAmes]

If you drove a new one you would buy a new one.

Nope. Bought a new 1500 Hemi Ram. I like it a lot, but a 3500 with a Cummins ain't gonna happen. Plenty of miles left in my '97.

 

[glixons]

Hey all,

Thanks for you thoughts and comments. After your posts last year, I ordered a 2023 RAM 3500 Diesel 4WD Laramie, crew cab, long bed in my favorite red (PR4) color. Ordered in late October and received in late February. The shirt I am wearing is the same shirt I wore when I picked up my '97 on 10 January 1997! I will need to dig up the old photo. The truck will look the same as above but I imagine I do not. I am retired and now have two red trucks that I barely drive! Not sure what I am going to do with the '97 ...

Thanks again,
Scott

 

[Ozymandias]

Fantastic truck, I love that color, and Laramie is a good trim level. Enjoy!

 

[Turbo Terry]

Very nice truck. Mines red also . But I don’t own a red shirt

 

[Turbo Terry]

So tell the truth is the new one pretty nice etc?

 

[glixons]

As you all know, my old '97 is a work truck. fuel and a starter is all it needs to run. I did add a blue-tooth radio at some point but it stands original. One of the fenders has bondo but all else is straight. Driving the new '23 is a like stepping into the jet age. I am computer literate but overwhelmed all the features and control. The '97 is sloooow. I use a calendar instead of a stop watch to time standing quarter mile runs! You have to steer it to go straight and the brakes leave a lot to desire. The new '23 has infinite power. It is especially fun to drive. I love it!

 

[Joe Mc]

Scott,
Good luck with the new truck, nice.

I'd keep the old gal around, if you can, to do things you don't want to with the new one prevent scratches, etc. Hey she's been faithful to you, you've taken great care of her. Just saying.

I bought my 99 in May of 01 with 75k miles. Over the years I've put a good deal of money in it: July 03 trans #1 (DTT) at 129k, 2nd one Feb 21 (DTT no longer in business, guy that built 1st, did another tripleloc conv. etc.), a few bombs after 1st trans (Edge Comp, F-1 200 hp injectors, 64/14 HTT turbo) rolled the dyno with 525hp/1000tq, new fenders, bed wheel arches, drivers door, other metal work & paint. Presently it has 265k miles and unless something happens to it, or me, it ain't going anywhere.

Best,

Joe Mc