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

[glixons]

I have no scratches in my '97. I had it completely stripped and painted in 2020!

 

[Matt42]

I need to get my 1996 stripped and painted. Anybody know of a good paint shop in the West Phoenix, AZ area?

 

[NIsaacs]

Nice truck but that shin getter has got to go My '01, original paint.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"that shin getter has got to go"

100% agree!!! Amazing how many don't consider this to be a concern for the unknowing walking around the truck. "Well they shouldn't get so close".

 

[Turbo Terry]

Nice truck pr4 flame red

 

[Cummins12V98]

Love mine!

 

[endoscott]

+1 B&W is the best company, love my hitch too. I am clumsy, had the shin problem a time or two in my life.

 

[Tuesdak]

I need to get my 1996 stripped and painted. Anybody know of a good paint shop in the West Phoenix, AZ area?

Titan Auto Body 9145 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Did some work for us in the past and went out of their way to find parts for an older than 10 model years vehicle.

 

[Matt42]

Titan Auto Body 9145 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Did some work for us in the past and went out of their way to find parts for an older than 10 model years vehicle.

Thanks. They aren't far away. Not walking distance, but not bad.

 

[TDRAdmin4]

Moved out of the archive.

 

[GAmes]

Interesting this popped up. I'm in the process of painting my '97 Four rattle cans of clear on the roof seems to be enough.

Next, the hood.

 

[Matt42]

I'm also facing the keep my 1996 going or buy new dilemma. I recently got a 15 foot paint job finished, and I'm tidying up the interior. Need to update my profile pictures.

 

[GAmes]

I just realized I have a half gallon of clear paint left over from my '54 Ford restoration. I'm not a painter but I do have a Harbor Freight paint gun to learn with. Buying new is out of the question. The GVWR of even a new 2500 would put me over 26,000 GCWR when I'm double towing and the added length of the crew cab would put me over the 65 ft limit.

 

[Matt42]

I just realized I have a half gallon of clear paint left over from my '54 Ford restoration. I'm not a painter but I do have a Harbor Freight paint gun to learn with. Buying new is out of the question. The GVWR of even a new 2500 would put me over 26,000 GCWR when I'm double towing and the added length of the crew cab would put me over the 65 ft limit.

Learning with a Harbor Freight paint gun can be fun. Their HVLP guns in the $30 to $70 range are surprisingly good. The key is to do a detail cleaning of the gun before you spray anything with it. Then take your time, watch the inlet pressure, use dried & filtered air, spray light coats.

Some pro and semi-pro painters I have met buy two or three at a time. Then they use the gun that produces the best pattern. That's still cheaper than a $999 Iwata.

 

[glixons]

Hello all,

I started this thread a little over two years ago inquiring about replacing my 1997 2500 4WD 5SPD 12V Diesel Ram (with club cab and long bed). Since then I purchased a 2023 3500 4WD Diesel RAM (with crew cab and long bed). I have have the 2023 for 1-1/2 years and it's an amazing truck!

Since retiring and happy to be home, I have no need for two RAMs and am ready to sell the 1997. Please see pictures earlier in this thread. Here's two newer pics since I added the ARE cap.

Please see my 1997 RAM Google photo album for many more photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PHZGr3uZfmJtWoDC6

Here's a link to my 2023 RAM Google photo album if you're curious: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a9WRc2rmYvKfkyQ17

In the 27 years since I purchased the 1997, I have done the following (not in any particular order):

• Replaced the dash with OEM
• Rebuilt the steering column
• Replaced the steering wheel with OEM
• Replaced the alternator with rebuilt three times
• Replaced the air conditioning compressor with rebuilt
  
• Rebuilt the steering box
• Added a steering stabilizer and adjustable track bar
• Multiple batteries and brake jobs
• Replaced the drive shaft u-joints and CV joint; balanced the drive shaft
• Changed oil and replace oil filter every 3-5k miles
• Relaced the fuel filter every 15k miles
• Replaced the headlights
• Replaced the headliner
• Restuffed and reupholstered the driver's seat
• Had the entire truck replainted in 2019; added a new ARE cap
• Replaced the front axle housing, ball joints, calipers, rotors, pads, u-joints, shocks (recently due to broken coil spiing perches) -- $8,500 yikes
• Replaced the window regulators
• Replaced the rear bumper
• Replaced the door gaskets with OEM
• Replaced the stock radio and speakers (now blue tooth!)
• Replace the spare wheel and tire as well as the tire lift mechanism
• Added a trailer brake controler
• Replaced the leaf spring shackles
• Replaced the starter contacts with LarryB's larger contacts (still have original starter!)
• Added external reverse lights
• Replaced the fuel tank sensor twice with OEM

I am the original owner of the truck. The truck now has almost 258k miles on it and still has the original clutch. I baby it and always use first gear! The only items that are wrong with the truck is that the cruise control is intermittent and there's door air noise (as the doors need to be adjusted). The truck has almost new Michelin M+S AT2 tires on it including the spare!

The truck will come with complete documentation of all work (I have everything) and ALL TDR magazines between 1997 and 2019 (might be missing one or two). I also bave the original bound shop and TSB manuals.

I will miss the loudness of the truck, having to steer it to go straight, it's poor braking performance, and most of all, it's sloooow acceleration. I am not in a rush.

Thanks,
Scott
glixons@gmail.com

 

[Rosie the rustbucket]

Amazing amount of work done! I just bought this 97 rust bucket a couple of years ago known there'd be more than few things to address. I wanted to have a dumper and a tow vehicle and am happy with it even with the attributes you will miss... Where did you get your tire lift mechanism? Good luck on selling your beauty!

 

[RichV]

Hi Scott,

Have you sold this truck?

Since retiring and happy to be home, I have no need for two RAMs and am ready to sell the 1997. Please see pictures earlier in this thread. Here's two newer pics since I added the ARE cap.

I will miss the loudness of the truck, having to steer it to go straight, it's poor braking performance, and most of all, it's sloooow acceleration. I am not in a rush.

Thanks,
Scott
glixons@gmail.com

 

[glixons]

RichV,

Nope not yet, but I do enjoy driving it from time to time. Feel free to write me if you are interested.

Thanks,
Scott
glixons@gmail.com

 

[Killer223]

beautiful truck, but I don't see a price.