Vintage RAM.... what to do?
I cannot believe how long I've been away from this forum but it seems like just yesterday. In 2003 I agonized over diesel v gas and would the Dodge 48RE tow heavy. I can surely say that now I KNOW...
Forum Discussion
^ Run the numbers, but remember, your grip on your wallet vs your image driving past a plate glass window will be in conflict with each other.
That was my whole point. Add up EVERYTHING that you plan on doing to make this the truck you "want", including labor for the stuff you're not going to do yourself and you'll see there's no magic button here.
Fortunately, you have a truck that has very good resale value for what it is and that helps the "dump it" side of the equation.
Emissions??? Yes you can still have problems. Your 04 could stick an injector and melt a piston tomorrow morning as well. Overall, post 2012 or so for GM and Ford and post 2014 for Ram are vastly more reliable. Lastly, if you don't require emissions testing where you license it, <$2000 will make ALL the emissions equipment on your truck disappear and never cause you another problem......as an absolute last resort of course....
(I would never advocate modifying a vehicle's mechanical systems....LOL)
That was my whole point. Add up EVERYTHING that you plan on doing to make this the truck you "want", including labor for the stuff you're not going to do yourself and you'll see there's no magic button here.
Fortunately, you have a truck that has very good resale value for what it is and that helps the "dump it" side of the equation.
Emissions??? Yes you can still have problems. Your 04 could stick an injector and melt a piston tomorrow morning as well. Overall, post 2012 or so for GM and Ford and post 2014 for Ram are vastly more reliable. Lastly, if you don't require emissions testing where you license it, <$2000 will make ALL the emissions equipment on your truck disappear and never cause you another problem......as an absolute last resort of course....
(I would never advocate modifying a vehicle's mechanical systems....LOL)
