Need some feedback, 2005 Ram 3500

[Trooper25D]

My father-in-law can't drive anymore and I'm thinking of buying his 2005 Ram 3500, Quad door, 2WD, Turbo diesel, SRW. Not sure the trim pkg, but I think it's the Laramie (is this the top of line?). It has a spare diesel tank in bed with hard tonneau cover. He had towed a large Alfa 5th wheel with it. Has 106k miles. It's currently at his place in the Keys, FL. I'd have to fly down and drive it back north.
Please share your experiences with your Dodge Ram. Is it worth the expense to fly down? Not sure of purchase price. What would be fair to offer? Not sure when it was serviced last, but it had been well maintained. It does get started on a regular basis, but not driven much.
Thanks, David

[Bubwheat]

Originally Posted by Trooper25D

My father-in-law can't drive anymore and I'm thinking of buying his 2005 Ram 3500, Quad door, 2WD, Turbo diesel, SRW. Not sure the trim pkg, but I think it's the Laramie (is this the top of line?). It has a spare diesel tank in bed with hard tonneau cover. He had towed a large Alfa 5th wheel with it. Has 106k miles. It's currently at his place in the Keys, FL. I'd have to fly down and drive it back north.
Please share your experiences with your Dodge Ram. Is it worth the expense to fly down? Not sure of purchase price. What would be fair to offer? Not sure when it was serviced last, but it had been well maintained. It does get started on a regular basis, but not driven much.
Thanks, David

Trade in value is right at $17k. You get it near that it should be a deal. Big knock in the 2wd. Forget about anything but pavement. You will get better mileage w/ the 2wd, but not traction. It snows in CT right?

[road dogs]

Hard to beat the Cummins for pulling power and reliability. If it is an automatic trans, do some searching about trans problems, some years were plagued with AT issues but the 6 speed manuals were pretty bulletproof. There are some trans gurus that know how to build strong auto transmissions for Dodges.

[Trooper25D]

@Bubwheat, it does snow here in CT. I've been driving a 2wd pkup for 12 yrs and haven't been stuck once. I'd be nice to have 4wd, I owned in the past, but not needed.

[jesilvas]

They are good trucks.
Maintenance won't be cheap, it's a diesel. Probably will need front ball joints.
If just for driving, it'll be good. Medium weight towing too.

[Skip426]

The extra weight , that the Cummins puts on the front axle will make winter driving a challenge. Ball joints , as mentioned are an issue on the 2WD. Trans problems , reverse gear ratio ,of the 4spd auto, when loaded to GCVW the unit had a tendency not to want to move up any kind of an incline, and without the option of low range that 4WD provides, it's easy to abuse the reverse band in the trans. Some thing that Dodge fixed with the 5 and 6 spd. transmissions in later years.

[Superslif]

My brother is a "Dodge/Ram" man and is on his 3rd Ram (2006, 3500, Diesel SRW 4x4) to tow his 38' 5er toy hauler. On both of the last two Rams (1999 & 2006) had to re-build the tranny's and replace the front suspensions. It eats brake pads too. With that said I know my brother is hard on his equipment, so that could be part of his problems.

[tuffr2]

Mid 2000's trucks. Ford had a great truck with a bad engine. Dodge had a great engine with a bad truck. Chevy was in the middle.

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by Trooper25D

My father-in-law can't drive anymore and I'm thinking of buying his 2005 Ram 3500, Quad door, 2WD, Turbo diesel, SRW. Not sure the trim pkg, but I think it's the Laramie (is this the top of line?). It has a spare diesel tank in bed with hard tonneau cover. He had towed a large Alfa 5th wheel with it. Has 106k miles. It's currently at his place in the Keys, FL. I'd have to fly down and drive it back north.
Please share your experiences with your Dodge Ram. Is it worth the expense to fly down? Not sure of purchase price. What would be fair to offer? Not sure when it was serviced last, but it had been well maintained. It does get started on a regular basis, but not driven much.
Thanks, David

David,
Here is a free PDF booklet from Turbo Diesel Register.COM for you to down load. The booklet is called Turbo Diesel Buyers Guide it covers all years and what to look for in buying a used turbo diesel.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/m...ersguide.phtml

Read this it will help in your decision to buy or not.

Jim W.

[NFlcamper]

2005 Dodge 2500 has the same body style as 2003-2009 for interchangable body parts/acessories. Interiors upgraded for 2006 (earlier dashs is known to fall apart without sun protection - get a dash rug) - you just missed that. Cummins 6 cyl turbo diesel is very reliable. Change the fuel filter every 2 or 3 oil changes. Add some kind of diesel fuel addative (I switch off from Lucas to CRC or diesel cleen) and it helps with the low sulfer diesel required now to keep injectors clean. I don't add the full amount each time, just add whatever I pour. Oil capacities change during the years from 10 to 15 quarts. 7,500 isn't uncommon between oil changes. No need to change every 3,000 miles like the gas motor oil change places say you need to.

Read different forums about the Cummins, they are strong! If you haven't had a diesel yet, be prepared, tons of torque. I had an '04 5.3L GMC Z71 extended cab gasser, and just traded to an '06 5.9L Cummins 4x4 -went from no payment to a substantial payment. But "WOW!". Big difference in the power. Tows my 27' Toyhauler like a dream. The 5.3L did tow it here in Florida, but it screamed on freeway on-ramps and some overpasses, downshifting and holding in lower gears to make the grade. The 5.9 doesn't know it is even towing it! Don't think it has downshifted yet. Went from 7.2 MPG towing to just over 10 @ 65 mph. Driving it solo, I have to carefully watch the speedometer, as it doesn't feel like I am going as fast as it says. I'm always having to slow down.

What to pay for it? 106,000 miles? It isn't broke in yet! Been told fuel mileage picks up at 120,000 miles or thereabouts. I'd check NADA and KBB in your area and his to get a feel for the price. He may be willing to let it stay in the family for a song. Look also at places like Gibson truck and Nations in Orlando to see what they are asking. Low mileage Cummins get a premium here. The 5.9 low mileage gets MORE $ than a newer 6.7 low mileage (6.7 L came out in 2007.5) Offer what you think is fair to you and him, he may like it or counter offer. Just know what you are willing to pay to have to travel to get it. I would have taken a 4x2, but I had a 4x4 and wanted to stay with one. The weight of the diesel motor is quite noticable off road though. The gasser 1500 GMC weighed in at 5,400 lbs with 3,000 being the front axle weight. The Dodge weighs in at 6850 lbs with 4,000 being the front axle! Both these are 4x4 numbers so 600 lbs or so less for the 4x2. Took many months of looking and 2 better missed deals, but I found a low mileage Dodge and have no regrets buying mine. Hope this helps in your decision.

[Trooper25D]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I have most of the answered I was looking for.