Advice on a Ram 1500 Gen2

[P7M13]

Saw a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4, 4.7L / EV3500 Manual transmission, 180K miles, $2,800
Minor body damage on the rocker panel level of the passenger side.

The guy overheated it. At a minimum, it has a blown head gasket. I'm more concerned that it may have a cracked head.
It drives well, but there is the evident steam and sweet smell to the exhaust.

I'm only familiar with the Hemi & 5spd Auto transmission.

I know a bunch of you out there are very knowledgeable on these. What say you, good deal or not?

 

[P7M13]

I passed on it.

 

[wyosteve]

Probably a smart move. You could easily have invested 5-10k and even if running well with that many miles it would likely not be worth what you'd invested.

 

[bdlesh]

Best to do as the name tells you.....dodge

 

[Sealesniper]

Really depends on how big your boat is. Weld 250' of chain to it, and a Dodge makes a great anchor.

 

[P7M13]

Really depends on how big your boat is. Weld 250' of chain to it, and a Dodge makes a great anchor.

I bought a 2003 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi from a guy with 200K on it. $2500. He didn't fix anything on it, so it had a bunch of annoying, simple issues -- no major mechanical. $400 later, and I've put 50K miles on that thing.

 

[Sealesniper]

I was just being funny. I have nothing against Ram. I bought a 2001 Suburban from a neighbor in November of 2019. AC did not work, ABS light was no, bad battery, pealing paint, torn seat, and needed tires. Paid, $600 for the truck, $600 for new tires and rims off CL Really paid $900 but sold old tires and rims for $300, fixed the ABS by soldering the broken joints, and redit AC. All told, I have less than $3000 in it, and have put over 50,000 on it. It has moved my kids several times to and from college and just helped move my wife and I. Hard to beat the old reliable trucks. My Avalanche is a 2003 with 337K on it and NOTHING done to it, and my Duramax is at 225K.