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Post by Harley on Jan 26, 2008 18:54:14 GMT -5
Ok so I went shopping today for a newer truck for me. I found a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab that I liked very well but I am curious about something... The truck has 34K miles on it but there is some rust on the frame and other parts of the undercarriage. I also happened to look up underneath the dash of the truck and noticed that some of the metal under the dash is rusting too - like some metal brackets and the steering linkage. This has me a little worried and wondering if this could be a flood damaged truck from the gulf area. My loan paperwork got tied up because the computer systems where they run everything was all hosed up and they were unable to run my credit. This bought me a little time so I have until Monday to think about it. I told the dealership that on Monday I will require two things - I want a car fax history report and that I will not sign any paperwork until I can pick the truck up for 48 hours and test and drive. They agreed to that.
I am just curious if anyone has ever seen anything like this before? It just seems really strange to me to have rust like this inside of the cab. The truck drove great and is in perfect shape in every other way.
So what do yo all think?
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Jan 26, 2008 19:03:13 GMT -5
I know CARFAX website has a vehicle history check. Maybe you should run the truck through it. www.carfax.com
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Post by Harley on Jan 26, 2008 19:07:22 GMT -5
yeah but I have to pay for it. I can wait until Monday and let them foot the bill.
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Post by Bentwrench on Jan 26, 2008 19:45:30 GMT -5
A little rust now means more rust later, no matter what caused it. Unless they are discounting the price of truck for its condition I'd stay away from it. There are to many clean trucks out there to be bought.
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jan 26, 2008 19:58:25 GMT -5
Yeah, I'd run a car fax as well. Just pay the few bucks more and you can search a lot more vehicles. Then again Carfax is only good if the vehicle was reported to carfax. It could have still had repair work done by a shop and not reported.
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Post by duff on Jan 26, 2008 20:07:04 GMT -5
You did say Dodge right? Rust is a cancer IMO, but I can only afford sick vehicles anyways.
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Post by Harley on Jan 26, 2008 20:11:19 GMT -5
I was curious if anyone here had an 03-04 Dodge (or any truck), that wasn't undercoated and if it showed surface rust underneath or under the dash. The rust under the dash isn't horrible but still visible. I wondered if maybe repeated condensation would cause this. Figured there would be plenty of the "good old boys" here driving trucks around this year that could give me some feed back on what their trucks look like.
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Post by danf on Jan 26, 2008 21:09:36 GMT -5
Dad has an '05 Dodge, my wife's is an '02.
I'll look at ours tomorrow and probably be able to look at Dad's tomorrow night as well. I know when Dad bought his it was a "salvaged" truck (had been broken into), and insurance was pretty leary at the time (shortly after Katrina) of insuring vehicles with salvaged titles.
I'd want to see the title for sure before I signed anything, including what you already asked for!
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Post by bsutravis on Jan 27, 2008 4:24:34 GMT -5
Harley I bought my '03 Dodge Ram Quad Cab a few months back...... I'll check under the dash and let you know by Noon on Sunday AM. I did look at the frame and underbody when I bought it and I didn't see any noticeable rust when I bought it. You might have hit the nail on the head with your flood theory. Even if it didn't come from the gulf region, it still could have been damaged moderately by a local flood event.
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Post by Mark T on Jan 27, 2008 8:12:29 GMT -5
Harley, Im just an old car salesman myself and instead of telling you there's probably something amiss with this Dodge and to come see me, let me just give you my opinion!! Almost every single vehicle that has some years on them is going to have rust on the interior and exterior!!! Go out and look at other vehicles you own and look at where the seat bolts to the frame and you will find rust!! Now if this truck was garaged most of its life it could be more rusty on the interior than one thats not!! Doesn't sound right ?? You park that truck in a nicely heated garage every time you pull it out in this type of weather your going to get condensation on the interior quiet a bit actually!!! I would be more concerned with the sellers rep than the rust if the carfax checks out!!! Just my 2 cents!! Mark T
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Post by Sasquatch on Jan 27, 2008 8:52:21 GMT -5
Rust in the cab seems a little odd. I'd look over that history report carefully.
I once flipped a truck and tore it all to heck.... bent the frame, trashed all the sheet metal, blew out the windshield and all but one window. When I mentioned to the tow truck driver that the truck was screwed, he took a long, considering drag on his cigarette before saying with confidence: "Naw. They'll straighten that frame, fix 'er up, and she'll be back on the road."
I wouldn't wanna be the guy that bought that tire-eating P.O.S.
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Post by Harley on Jan 27, 2008 9:22:29 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the info. This truck is starting to worry me a little bit. I was out looking under the dash of my 1993 Toyota and there is no rust under it at all so my line of thinking says there should not be on a 04 Dodge either. I think I might just be better off to pass on this truck and keep on looking. No wonder the stealership accepted my offer of $3400 less than what they were asking - they were probably desperate to get rid of it.
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Post by bsutravis on Jan 27, 2008 9:36:13 GMT -5
Harley I ran out and looked under the dash up in the wiring harness area/steering column. I saw plenty of metal mounting brackets and such, and ZERO rust. MarkT has a good point about condensation and stuff, so I don't know what to think. I have the Husky custom molded floor mats, and this time of year I always have standing water in them from wet waders, snow, muddy boots. I'd think that there's enough water sitting and evaporating that it would put some rust onto the shiny metal brackets, but there's none. You might tell the dealer you are skeptical (keeping in mind that they too might not know that it was under water) and ask for them to pull back the floorboard carpet and see if there's any rust in the floorpans. Let us know what you find out.
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Post by Harley on Jan 27, 2008 10:08:29 GMT -5
Thanks for checking for me Travis. I really hate to spend this kind of money only to have major problems down the road mechanically or with resale value. I think I am going to pass on it. I have my eye on a different Dodge Ram so I will probably check it out tomorrow.
So how do you like your 03? Which engine do you have in it and what kind of milage are you getting? I know that a quad cab 4x4 isn't going to get great MPG but just wondering what you average.
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Post by danf on Jan 27, 2008 10:11:27 GMT -5
Probably won't help with what you are looking at, but my wife's truck has the 360 (last year they put them in the 1/2 tons) and it gets 14-15 mpg just about every tank. Haven't ever had it out on the highway for any extended mileage to see what it gets there.
I don't know what Dad gets with his 4.7 liter (think that's what it's got, it's not the Hemi) around town, but I think he's said it gets ~17 mpg on the highway when loaded....
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Post by varmint101 on Jan 27, 2008 14:36:58 GMT -5
Harely, if you don't mind, where are you looking at ? I've been looking for a GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado for me and have come across a several nice looking dodge quad cabs. HH turned me onto this site and it's pretty handy. www.autotrader.com
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Post by Harley on Feb 3, 2008 10:48:27 GMT -5
Thanks varmint I did check out that link and it's a good site. I finally found me a truck. 2006 F-150 4x4 STX supercab. It's got 18XXX miles on it. it has the 4.6 V8 and automatic tranny, manual shift 4x4 shifter, rubber floor so it will clean up easy after I jump in it with my muddy boots. Pretty much has all the goodies except for power windows and locks which is fine with me. Both of my brother in-laws have 2004 & 2006 F-150's and they have had nothing but problems with their power windows. I have talked with just about every dealer in a 50 miles radius of Bloomington and have come across some shady people in my search for a nice truck at a fair price. If anyone is looking for a new or used auto then I highly suggest you give the Bedford Ford dealer a chance. They are some of the best car salesman I have came across and will go that extra step to make sure they have a happy customer. Heck just as I was about to sign papers when the finance manager popped his head in and said he was able to get my interest rate down another .25% . Now that is the kind of dealer I want to deal with. I am pretty proud of this truck. I have bought 3 new SUV's for my wife over the last 7 years while I have driven older models and now it's finally my turn. She will be getting a lift kit before long and some black wheels with 33" tires. It should be pretty sweet! Here is my new baby...
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Post by Harley on Feb 3, 2008 10:51:04 GMT -5
By the way...I have a very nice 93 Toyota 4x4 for sale if anyone is intersted.
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Post by chicobrownbear on Feb 3, 2008 14:58:56 GMT -5
Thats the truck I drive Harley. Those Ameritrac TR tires are the only problem I've had with it. They are terribly puncture prone. THats a good solid truck.
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Feb 3, 2008 16:57:16 GMT -5
Nice Truck, did it come with the Bud Light!
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