If you decide to keep and update it, suggest you proceed this way:

1. brakes - check your calipers and drums to ensure no leaks, then consider replacing the rubber brake lines, pads and rotors.

2. suspension - replace all of the rubber bushings, ball joints, shocks, etc. to return it to a "like new" condition.

3. axles: check the seals to ensure they aren't leaking. Also ensure there's very little play in the diff. Replace parts as required. If it's a 4x2, you might want to upgrade to a LSD or a "locking" differential.

4. after everything has been "gone through & updated" then look to replace your engine and transmission. The easiest is to replace with the same version of both, but you may want to upgrade to a newer, more efficient engine/transmission.

5. Cosmetics should be your last consideration. Make sure it will get you from point A to point B first, then worry about how bad it looks.

Good luck, and good hunting!

In response to this post by 4vt4ever

Posted: 02/09/2021 at 11:36AM

Question for the group about my 2000 Dodge Ram. -- 4vt4ever 02/09/2021 09:18AM

I have a '99 Dodge Ram but w/only 65K miles & I splurged on rear disc break -- PWR2LZ 02/09/2021 5:10PM

If gas prices go up, used truck prices will drop. ** -- Hoakie82 02/09/2021 1:46PM

Get a nice reliable affordable car for everyday travel and keep the ... -- nowukno 02/09/2021 12:13PM

Keep it until it dies and buy an $8,000 beater to get around ** -- typed by ben 02/09/2021 11:51AM

If you decide to keep and update it, suggest you proceed this way: -- EDGEMAN 02/09/2021 11:36AM

Thank you Sir, great advice. ** -- 4vt4ever 02/09/2021 9:11PM

I thought you were going to say, "Slap a Toyota badge on it!" (TIC) ** -- MP4VT2004 02/09/2021 11:51AM

Nope, just a VTEC sticker ** -- EDGEMAN 02/09/2021 11:53AM

Depends on how rusty it is. Older Ram's are notorious for rust -- HokieR 02/09/2021 10:50AM

Huge discounts on 2020 Escape Hybrid and Chevy Bolt EV, my 2 finalists ** -- Ho_Ki 02/09/2021 10:40AM

I wouldn't put 15K in that truck, I would keep it as a banger and keep it -- HortHokie 02/09/2021 10:26AM

Be a man- fix it YOSEFF -- bigbadbird 02/09/2021 10:05AM

...yes. what’s the matter with you ?... -- chumley 02/09/2021 10:09AM

How much do you use the truck as a truck? -- Tafkam Hokie 02/09/2021 09:49AM

I do a lot of hunting and fishing and Hokie tailgating. ** -- 4vt4ever 02/09/2021 11:24AM

But owning your own truck generates more testosterone that renting a U-haul ** -- Hokie360 02/09/2021 10:41AM

But owning a sports car and renting the truck -- Tafkam Hokie 02/09/2021 1:56PM

That was going to be my first question -- EDGEMAN 02/09/2021 09:59AM

UHaul truck is 19.95 + mileage -- turkeywinghokie 02/09/2021 09:58AM

And Home Depot will rent you a truck for $19.95 for 75 minutes -- Tafkam Hokie 02/09/2021 10:02AM

Things I rent by the hour: hotel rooms, women, and trucks. (TIC) ** -- MP4VT2004 02/09/2021 10:31AM

The concern I'd have about making that big investment in an old truck is -- Hokie360 02/09/2021 09:30AM

That's definitely a concern. However, I think several of the major... -- MP4VT2004 02/09/2021 09:48AM

I would take $100 and set it on fire and put it out in your mouth -- bigbadbird 02/09/2021 09:29AM

If you decide to keep and update it, suggest you proceed this way:

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