2nd Gen Ram Pickups

[Woodslasher]

Disconnected light switch, no change. I've got a new ignition I can test, otherwise I'm checking plugs and chasing grounds.

 

[Hoser]

I wonder if anything would show up on a scan? Even a communication error could be a clue.

 

[Woodslasher]

I wonder if anything would show up on a scan? Even a communication error could be a clue.

The scanner I borrowed said communication error, failure to connect, or something like that. The new ignition switch didn't help, I chased down all the grounds except for the fuel heater one and cleaned them, no difference. A neighbor has a working but not street safe 98.5 that I can borrow parts from, I'm thinking I'll borrow the I/C and the control module that's near the t-case shifter first.

 

[Hoser]

I’d be curious of the gauge cluster itself, all those feeds to the gauges only have connections, ground and the cluster in common and you’ve narrowed 2/3 out. It’d make sense being the gauges themselves work but there’s a communication error. Granted I say this knowing it’s not my time, hands or patience changing it out and I’m not well versed on a 24v, 12v and gasser I’m alright

 

[Woodslasher]

The plot thickens! I went to move the truck tonight but the battery vampire had struck! Or, in plain english, the batteries are dead. So, now I get to hunt down a major power draw. Now when I got the truck it would suck used batteries dry while it was just idling but once I put a new set of batteries and cables in it that issue was cured, or so I thought.....

 

[davidwyby]

Now I’m afraid for Ben’s 24v

 

[Woodslasher]

Now I’m afraid for Ben’s 24v

Nah, I just went through this with a neighbor. My truck sat for 13 years in the brush and was ridden very hard and put up wet, which is no bueno. If the truck was maintained or regularly used until you got it it'll be fine-er. Sitting for a decade kills stuff just from lack of use. Moisture collects on chit, corrosion forms, petroleum products gel, etc, and then when you go to resurrect it you have wiring gremlins, chunks of chit blocking passages/lines/ports, etc. The quarry my truck briefly stayed at had an 2000-ish 1500 and a 99 2500 24V still in daily-ish service with no issues to speak of because they'd been in continual use for 20 years.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Picked up this 98 that's been parked for over 10 years
took it in trade for an unpaid fuel bill
Supposedly the tcase has issues.
Interesting color,and no rust.Has keys so i will grabit some day when i'm bored and see if it runs

 

[Loony661]

Now I’m afraid for Ben’s 24v

You’ll be fine.

 

[Loony661]

Nah, I just went through this with a neighbor. My truck sat for 13 years in the brush and was ridden very hard and put up wet, which is no bueno. If the truck was maintained or regularly used until you got it it'll be fine-er. Sitting for a decade kills stuff just from lack of use. Moisture collects on chit, corrosion forms, petroleum products gel, etc, and then when you go to resurrect it you have wiring gremlins, chunks of chit blocking passages/lines/ports, etc. The quarry my truck briefly stayed at had an 2000-ish 1500 and a 99 2500 24V still in daily-ish service with no issues to speak of because they'd been in continual use for 20 years.

Exactly. Which reminds me - check the 3 large plug-ins where the wiring harness connects to the PCM on the firewall. Be very careful but check to see if the pins are corroding. That may be your issue. And sometime just a squirt of Fluid Film, or some Die-Electric grease, will help it make contact again. Also, check for any broken pins…

 

[maulhead]

Picked up this 98 that's been parked for over 10 years
took it in trade for an unpaid fuel bill
Supposedly the tcase has issues.
Interesting color,and no rust.Has keys so i will grabit some day when i'm bored and see if it runsView attachment 395502View attachment 395503

That's not a 1998.

 

[maulhead]

Nah, I just went through this with a neighbor. My truck sat for 13 years in the brush and was ridden very hard and put up wet, which is no bueno. If the truck was maintained or regularly used until you got it it'll be fine-er. Sitting for a decade kills stuff just from lack of use. Moisture collects on chit, corrosion forms, petroleum products gel, etc, and then when you go to resurrect it you have wiring gremlins, chunks of chit blocking passages/lines/ports, etc. The quarry my truck briefly stayed at had an 2000-ish 1500 and a 99 2500 24V still in daily-ish service with no issues to speak of because they'd been in continual use for 20 years.

1998.5-99's are kinda known for electracal gremlins.

They made a bunch of changes in 2000, then more in mid year 2001, which seemed to help.

 

[maulhead]

That looks very nice. My 99 has the infamous clear coat peeling issue.. sooner or later I’ll have it painted. Sometimes I want to do a single color, and other times I want to do a 2-tone with the second color placed in the middle of the body, not just the bottom.

I always liked, waterfall two tone. It was only a 3500 thing thou, and they discontinued it in 1998.

I was bummed the night I ordered my 1999 3500, and found that out.

I had my heart set on a waterfall red & black 3500.

 

[davidwyby]

That's not a 1998.

IIRC only first year had metal mirrors.

 

[Loony661]

I always liked, waterfall two tone. It was only a 3500 thing thou, and they discontinued it in 1998.

I was bummed the night I ordered my 1999 3500, and found that out.

I had my heart set on a waterfall red & black 3500.



View attachment 395509

I like the waterfall, but not the lower break style.. And I’ve always like center band, that’s just classic.

 

[maulhead]

IIRC only first year had metal mirrors.

1994-1997 had the chrome mirrors.

1998 they started using the black ones (like pictured below) they changed the shape a bit also, more oval / rounded edges, not as square.

2000 is when they came out with the flip up, tow mirrors that everyone makes memes about.







They also changed the body molding in 1998.

1994-1997 had a chrome strip in the body molding,





1998-2002 they ditched the chrome strip, and changed the shape a bit.





I used to really geek out on 2nd gen trucks, and paid attention to all the little changes. Now all this useless info is stuck in my brain forever.

Every 2-3 years they were changing up the colors also, adding new ones, dropping old ones. I'd need to dig out a big salesman book I was given, pretty sure that color (on the truck above) was only a 1996-97 color, if my memory is right.

 

[Woodslasher]

Checked the plugs, no corrosion or loose wires I noticed and the fuel pump relays I was advised to check were a-ok. No drain on the system tonight when I checked it, but the batteries were at 9 volts and a few hours on the charger brought 1 from 9.76v and 43cca to 12.13v and 314cca. That ain't the 840cca it's supposed to have. So, I'll pick up a new set of batteries tomorrow and try again.

 

[maulhead]

IIRC only first year had metal mirrors.

Here's another almost completely useless, fun fact.

1994's only came in a standard cab configuration. They did not start building Club Cabs in the new body style until 1995.

 

[Hoser]

I have chrome 4 point mirrors on my 95 cab and chassis. Would this be factory? I’ve seen them on a couple one ton second gens

 

[Agr516]

Strange that Dodge didnt make crew cab 2nd gens. They made them before and after.