CarFox/Dodge Ram

"Justino6969" (justino6969) 09/21/2016 at 13:55 • Filed to: None

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So I’m looking at purchasing a used vehicle, and was wondering whether or not it is worth it to run a CarFax on said vehicle. If it was like, $10, then sure. But $40 for one report that I’m not sure will really tell me anything seems high. The VIN is 3B7KF23ZX1G815414 and google shows that it’s the correct vehicle. Opinions? Or when the price is $3k, is the CarFax really going to tell me anything worth knowing that I don’t already know.

TL;DR what does a CarFax tell you and is it worth the money?

Second question: Vehicle in question is a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.9 gas. Any Oppo have experience with this vehicle, or the 360 magnum in general? Thanks!

Matt Nichelson > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 13:59

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If you’ll give me a bit I can look at the Autocheck for you since that’s what we use at work.

Fe2O3 is character > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:01

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Carfax is worth it if you have a range of vehicles you're considering, and do the bulk buy thing. One isn't worth it to me.. unless I was selling my vehicle; then I'd buy one to show prospective buyers and therefore be SuperSeller. That said

CalzoneGolem > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:01

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I’m pretty sure it’s been proven worthless time and again on here. Letho did a podcast and it comes down to the Car Fax only shows what the Car Fax shows.

Justino6969 > Matt Nichelson 09/21/2016 at 14:03

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If it’s no trouble to you, then I would definitely appreciate it!

Nibbles > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:16

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Had a 1998 1500 with the 5.9. Everything worked perfectly fine on that truck, save the transmission. It didn’t work at all. Transmission #2 lasted about 150 miles. I hear the current owner installed a really beefed up box and it’s doing better now.

Matt Nichelson > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:23

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Ok so this is what I see.

No title issues. Never been reported as having been in an accident. First registered in Massachusetts on 10/15/01. Last record is for a renewal on 8/27/15 in Dayton, OH. Was at one point registered as a fleet vehicle.

I don’t see anything sketchy, so that’s a plus.

Justino6969 > Matt Nichelson 09/21/2016 at 14:40

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Thank you very much! It’s got pretty low mileage for the year, so hopefully it wasn’t abused too much.

Justino6969 > Nibbles 09/21/2016 at 14:41

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Well it is a Dodge, so yeah the transmission is probably junk. It’s got under 90k miles on it so hopefully it still has a while to go before I have to think about rebuilding it.

Nibbles > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:47

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Probably another 1-1.5k left in that box ;)

I kid, I kid. I really did like the truck. I love the BR/BE style and it was everything we needed (when it moved under its own power. Which, in the 1.5 years we owned it, was probably about 4 months worth.)

If I could find a BR/BE 2500 with the 12v Cummins and 5- or 6-speed Manuel, that wasn’t still priced at $10K+, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

Matt Nichelson > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 14:59

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You’re welcome. Good luck!

Justino6969 > Nibbles 09/21/2016 at 15:00

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Being a 98, it probably tried to rust apart on you several times. This one’s rocker panels and cab corners seem fine; it’s just got a lot on the bottom of the doors. If yours had rust, did you try and stop it? And how?

Nibbles > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 15:03

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I live in The Other Land that Rust Forgot, Colorado. So yes, there was some rust starting on the rocker panels and cab corners (we owned it in 2010-2011). It wasn’t enough to even worry about. I did nothing to stop it and sold it in the same condition.

The Stig's former college room mate > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 16:05

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1/2 ton trucks use the 44re, which can’t really handle v8 torque. this truck should have a 46re or 48re which are a little tougher. if there’s no evidence of a snow plow or 5th wheel hitch the trans is probably ok.

rust eats these trucks like a fat girl at golden corral. that one looks like it’s cancer is still in early stages. get underneath and check inner rockers and cab mounts. frame itself usually holds up good.

the 360 is fairly bulletproof. plenum gaskets are common- take the air cleaner off and look straight down the throttle body for any signs of oil puddling. this would indicate the gasket is failing and it can lead to drivability issues down the road. easy to replace, though.

Front end parts are quite fragile. expect to become proficient in overhauling a Dana 60. there are some better aftermarket parts available. It will go through axle joints like crazy unless you replace the unitized hub bearings with manual locking hubs.

Meatcoma > Justino6969 09/21/2016 at 16:10

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I had a 96 1500 with the 5.9. Engine was glorious and never failed, transmission is complete junk, in 150k I went through 2. Lifter job at 60k. Power Steering box replaced at 98k.

I loved that truck but the stock transmission is just complete garbage.

Justino6969 > The Stig's former college room mate 09/21/2016 at 16:25

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This one should have the 46RE. The rockers and cab corners look good in the pictures on craigslist (compared to others of this vintage), with rust just taking over the doors.

Thanks for all of the info!

Justino6969 > Meatcoma 09/21/2016 at 16:26

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Even though this truck should have the 46RE (versus the 44RE in the 1500's), I fully expect to rebuild it at some point. Rebuild kits online are pretty decently priced, hopefully it doesn’t try to kill itself too soon.