My uncle confirmed that it is the regular bed.kevm14 wrote: With the regular bed (I assume 6.5') and extended cab that weight drops to 4,470 lbs, which is similar to a Fleetwood or Roadmaster wagon.
General 99 Ram thread
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Re: Caprice engine swap?
So better power to weight than an L05 FW/RMW, but not as good as an LT1 version of those. It will sure feel better than the Ranger...kevm14 wrote:My uncle confirmed that it is the regular bed.kevm14 wrote: With the regular bed (I assume 6.5') and extended cab that weight drops to 4,470 lbs, which is similar to a Fleetwood or Roadmaster wagon.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Yeah or an LT1 RMW/FW with 30 less hp and 35 less lb-ft. And truck aero. So it probably traps mid to high 80s. Which is more than adequate.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
I guess he got it 10 years ago with 39k.kevm14 wrote:Breaking news: My uncle offered his 99 Dodge Ram. 1/2 ton RWD, extended cab. Black. 318. Rebuilt transmission in his ownership (only has like 118k, because Chrysler). Oh, long bed. I think. No cap.
Has had some suspension work. Front end stuff including shocks. So that's something.
This would certainly be a Ranger upgrade. Thoughts? The price is right...
There is some rust. But overall it seems substantially cleaner than the Ranger. Pics later. Ok a teaser.
It is pretty fancy. SLT. Leather, keyless entry, power seat. Engine sounds really smooth and quiet. Did not drive yet.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Nice, but it's nowhere near as sweet as Grandma's old Camry.kevm14 wrote:I guess he got it 10 years ago with 39k.kevm14 wrote:Breaking news: My uncle offered his 99 Dodge Ram. 1/2 ton RWD, extended cab. Black. 318. Rebuilt transmission in his ownership (only has like 118k, because Chrysler). Oh, long bed. I think. No cap.
Has had some suspension work. Front end stuff including shocks. So that's something.
This would certainly be a Ranger upgrade. Thoughts? The price is right...
There is some rust. But overall it seems substantially cleaner than the Ranger. Pics later. Ok a teaser.
It is pretty fancy. SLT. Leather, keyless entry, power seat. Engine sounds really smooth and quiet. Did not drive yet.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Drove the truck. Let me give it a review.
Features:
It seems to have everything. I did not expect a 99 Ram 2WD to have this many options. Let me see if I can list them from memory, in no particular order:
- Overhead display with compass with outside temperature
- Trip computer!!! It is part of that overhead display. Can't believe it has this.
- Sunglasses holder (none of my cars have this)
- A place for the garage door opener in the overhead console
- Fog lights!
- CD player with cassette and 3 band EQ (bass, mid, treble). A-pillar mounted tweeters. Damn!
- Leather (or I assume it is)
- 6 way power driver's seat and I think it also had power lumbar (I did not check the passenger seat)
- A big center console, because truck
- Keyless entry
- Power locks, windows, mirrors
- Auto dimming rear view mirror (one of the real surprises)
- Extended cab with rear suicide doors on BOTH sides
- Under seat storage in the back which is cool
- Dual vanity mirrors WITH lights WITH dimming. Crazy.
- This is a huge upgrade from the Ranger
I can't believe how loaded it is. Anyway.
Driving impressions:
- Shockingly there seem to be no squeaks or rattles
- Ride is actually surprisingly good. Doesn't seem to bounce and bob all over the place but is also comfortable.
- Steering is B-body crappy. He's had the front end re-done but it feels like someone over tightened the steering box. I can probably work on this.
- Engine runs fine. It's not like it is fast but it at least drives like a normal vehicle. My Caprice launches with quite a bit more authority but I'd have to punch it on the highway to see how it really pulls. We did not go on the highway.
- Trans shifts fine. It let me use a surprising amount of throttle in 4th lockup before unlocking and going to 3rd. I gave it some throttle to accelerate and it seemed to lockup in 3rd. I don't know if that is normal.
- Brakes feel fine. Not great but fine.
- It might have limited slip based on some mashing while turning but not positive.
- This is a huge upgrade from the Ranger
Stuff wrong with it:
- He had the water pump replaced twice. I think he did one of them. At some point the fan clutch was replaced. It sounds and feels like it never unlocks. I would probably fix this.
- A/C leak somewhere (sigh)
- Passenger side mirror sometimes falls out...so he said he does not adjust it because of that. It did not fall out for me and I did not adjust it.
- Overhead console lights didn't seem to work. The switches felt funny and not sure if they even had bulbs
- Sunglasses holder latch broken so that is permanently hanging partially open. It has a high roof so it doesn't get in the way.
- He said not all the power seat adjustments work. I can play with that but it does move forward and back at least
- He said sometimes the radio display doesn't come on right away...
- He said sometimes the check engine light comes on and goes off. It was never a problem for emissions inspection. Don't know what it is. Could be evaporative.
- Rust in a few places such as: bottom of passenger side door, rear bumper, frame in a few places on the bottom.
- Overall I would rate rust as pretty decent. WAAAAY less crusty under there than the Ranger. Ironically though the Ranger's bumper is not rusting and the only body rust is the driver's side rear wheel well area.
Pics next.
Features:
It seems to have everything. I did not expect a 99 Ram 2WD to have this many options. Let me see if I can list them from memory, in no particular order:
- Overhead display with compass with outside temperature
- Trip computer!!! It is part of that overhead display. Can't believe it has this.
- Sunglasses holder (none of my cars have this)
- A place for the garage door opener in the overhead console
- Fog lights!
- CD player with cassette and 3 band EQ (bass, mid, treble). A-pillar mounted tweeters. Damn!
- Leather (or I assume it is)
- 6 way power driver's seat and I think it also had power lumbar (I did not check the passenger seat)
- A big center console, because truck
- Keyless entry
- Power locks, windows, mirrors
- Auto dimming rear view mirror (one of the real surprises)
- Extended cab with rear suicide doors on BOTH sides
- Under seat storage in the back which is cool
- Dual vanity mirrors WITH lights WITH dimming. Crazy.
- This is a huge upgrade from the Ranger
I can't believe how loaded it is. Anyway.
Driving impressions:
- Shockingly there seem to be no squeaks or rattles
- Ride is actually surprisingly good. Doesn't seem to bounce and bob all over the place but is also comfortable.
- Steering is B-body crappy. He's had the front end re-done but it feels like someone over tightened the steering box. I can probably work on this.
- Engine runs fine. It's not like it is fast but it at least drives like a normal vehicle. My Caprice launches with quite a bit more authority but I'd have to punch it on the highway to see how it really pulls. We did not go on the highway.
- Trans shifts fine. It let me use a surprising amount of throttle in 4th lockup before unlocking and going to 3rd. I gave it some throttle to accelerate and it seemed to lockup in 3rd. I don't know if that is normal.
- Brakes feel fine. Not great but fine.
- It might have limited slip based on some mashing while turning but not positive.
- This is a huge upgrade from the Ranger
Stuff wrong with it:
- He had the water pump replaced twice. I think he did one of them. At some point the fan clutch was replaced. It sounds and feels like it never unlocks. I would probably fix this.
- A/C leak somewhere (sigh)
- Passenger side mirror sometimes falls out...so he said he does not adjust it because of that. It did not fall out for me and I did not adjust it.
- Overhead console lights didn't seem to work. The switches felt funny and not sure if they even had bulbs
- Sunglasses holder latch broken so that is permanently hanging partially open. It has a high roof so it doesn't get in the way.
- He said not all the power seat adjustments work. I can play with that but it does move forward and back at least
- He said sometimes the radio display doesn't come on right away...
- He said sometimes the check engine light comes on and goes off. It was never a problem for emissions inspection. Don't know what it is. Could be evaporative.
- Rust in a few places such as: bottom of passenger side door, rear bumper, frame in a few places on the bottom.
- Overall I would rate rust as pretty decent. WAAAAY less crusty under there than the Ranger. Ironically though the Ranger's bumper is not rusting and the only body rust is the driver's side rear wheel well area.
Pics next.
Last edited by kevm14 on Fri Nov 25, 2016 6:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Forgot about the auto dimming rear view!
Reason: Forgot about the auto dimming rear view!
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Bob wrote: Nice, but it's nowhere near as sweet as Grandma's old Camry.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Under/frame
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Body/bumper
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Engine
Lots of room. Easy access to plugs. Which have been changed. More recent battery.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.