hi, I need some help to decide weather to purchase a 2000 dodge ram 1500 magnum or a 2003 dodge ram 1500 small engine

hi, I need some help to decide weather to purchase a 2000 dodge ram 1500 magnum or a 2003 dodge ram 1500 small engine. they are around the same price, the 2000 has 109000 miles and it's really clean, tires need to be replaced. the 2003 belongs to a friend, had overheating problems but radiator and pump were replaced, tires and brakes are new, it has 125000 miles.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
On the 2000 magnum you can expect to pay $500 on tires. If the 2003 had an overheating issue, whether or not it get fixed is a concern. The 2003 is a newer vehicle even though it has 15k more miles. My best guess could possibly not be very accurate, since it comes down to the condition and how good they look to me.

I would recommend having a professional mechanic do a complete pre-purchase inspection on both trucks in order to give you an idea of the problems they may have. Afterwards you’ll have the information to make an informed decision.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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The common reasons that may cause your RAM 1500 to overheat include: Little to No Coolant. Cooling System Leaks. Broken Water Pump.
Maximum towing capacity when properly equipped is 7,600 pounds. Standard on the Laramie trim and optional on the SLT is a 5.7-liter V8 with a five-speed auto and cylinder deactivation technology. Output is 390 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque.
A Ram 1500 can overheat for many reasons. Typically, engines overheat due to one of six causes: a coolant leak or low coolant levels, a broken radiator fan, a failing water pump, low oil, or a faulty thermostat.
The 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Club Cab gets 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.
Leaking Cooling System: Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle`s cooling system.
Overheating can damage your RAM and cause errors, crashes, or blue screens. To monitor your RAM temperature, you need to use a software tool that can display the temperature of your hardware components, such as HWMonitor, Speccy, or CPU-Z.
The available 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine with eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology System blends performance-enhancing and efficient technologies with the addition of an available extra 130 pound-feet of torque for a V8 gas towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds( Disclosure1).
The most common reasons a Dodge Ram 1500 is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat.
Gasoline-powered Ram trucks can expect around 250,000 to 300,000 miles on average. This range makes them an incredibly long-lasting choice.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
Why Do Engines Overheat? Engines can overheat for many reasons. In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Why Do Engines Overheat? Engines can overheat for many reasons. In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

hi, I need some help to decide weather to purchase a 2000 dodge ram 1500 magnum or a 2003 dodge ram 1500 small engine
ANSWER : On the 2000 magnum you can expect to pay $500 on tires. If the 2003 had an overheating issue, whether or not it get fixed is a concern. The 2003 is a newer vehicle even though it has 15k more miles. My best guess could possibly not be very accurate, since it comes down to the condition and how good they look to me.

I would recommend having a professional mechanic do a complete pre-purchase inspection on both trucks in order to give you an idea of the problems they may have. Afterwards you’ll have the information to make an informed decision.

Trying to change 2002 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 ltr engine with 2000 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 and motor mounts don’t line up
ANSWER : Hi there. Although the engines are the same size internally, it is very common for manufacturers to change the location of engine mounts both on the engine and the interior of the engine compartment. Unfortunately, this type of swap would require some fabrication of the motor mount location in order for it to fit correctly.

I took an engine from a 2002 Dodge Intrepid and put it in a 2000 Chrysler 300M do I need to leave the fuse block under the hood fr
ANSWER : Hi there. I wish we could really help you, but the reality is that this type of engine swap always has issues like you’ve described, but the fuse box is only one part of the issue you’re going to have to deal with.The main issue is due to the fact that the ECU and electrical system in the original vehicle does not connection correctly with the newer engine you have installed. Having engines link with the existing ECU happens about 50% of the time. The only way to resolve this problem is to contact a dealership, purchase a new ECU and have them program it to the new engine. In regards to the fuse box, replacing one from the vehicle, not the engine is best.

I have a 2007 dodge ram 1500. Check engine light was on code came up as alternator. Replaced it and the check engine light is stil
ANSWER : Hi there. When an error code is created, it is often stored in the ECU until it is cleared by a professional mechanic during a check engine light inspection. It is possible that this is the source of your error light, especially if you are not having any further problems starting your vehicle.

Are the powertrain control modules in a 2004 Dodge Ram and 2008 Dodge Ram the same?
ANSWER : The powertrain control module (PCM) part numbers for the 2004 and 2008 model year trucks are different. So, it’s possible that the PCM could be the problem. However, there are countless things that could have gone wrong with an engine swap like this. Just one wire being left disconnected could cause all kinds of problems, including those you describe. I recommend taking the vehicle back to the shop that did the repairs to demand they make things right. If that doesn’t work, the team at YourMechanic would be happy to diagnose and repair your Dodge.

Engine swap details needed. I need to know if the swap will fit.
ANSWER : Hi there. When it comes to swapping engines for your vehicle, what you can do is check all of the engine mounts and transmission mounts and make sure that they will work. If the mounts are a little off but there is room, then you may have to retro fit a custom mount. Check the length of the engine and the transmission assembly together. Make sure that the assembly is the same length. It may be okay if it’s a few inches shorter or longer, however, it cannot exceed 3 inches or the assembly will not fit. There has to be room for the engine to move around. Also, keep in mind, the CV shafts may not match up to the transmission and wheel hubs, especially if the transmission is shorter or longer. If you need further assistance with swapping your engine with another engine, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab it will start when the engine is cold but when the engine is warm it won’t start I have to w
ANSWER : Hi there. When you can’t start a vehicle when it’s hot, the most common sources are the fuel pump, spark plugs, cap + rotor, coil, fuel filter, starter, battery cable, or a wiring harness fault. Since so many different systems can cause your car not to start it should be diagnosed by having a professional mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection.

I would like to know which engines are interchangeable in my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500
ANSWER : Hi there. You can use any engine from 2003-2008 Dodge that was equipped with the same engine. In 2006 they used two different 5.7 engines so it would be important to check the engine code to make sure that it will match. You can also use the one out of the Durango with the same engine code.