Checklist for truck that's been sitting for 9 months

[Guest Irv]

I just bought a 2004 dodge ram SLT 4.7L v8 Truck for $1500 its been sitting for 9 months so the guy knocked off $3000 which made me feel like i was practically stealing from him. I changed the battery since it was dead and put some fresh gas in it and it started up perfectly except after about after 3 mins the engine got kinda low but then loud again but other then that it runs fine. What i want to know is what next steps do i take to make sure everything's alright? this is my first time buying a car thats been sitting for awhile.

[Darth Biscuit]

9 mos isn't THAT long... if it runs, should be pretty good...

Change the oil, filter and fluids... check the other fluids make sure they're not low... if it was in water/mud might want to change tranny and diff fluids...

I'm no mechanic though...

[Inimicus]

9 mos isn't THAT long... if it runs, should be pretty good...

Change the oil, filter and fluids... check the other fluids make sure they're not low... if it was in water/mud might want to change tranny and diff fluids...

I'm no mechanic though...

What he said.

9 months isn't bad at all.

You clearly don't have rodents in the exhaust system so Id just change out fluids and filters and get it lubed.

[cptx]

Since it sat, id change the fuel filter and clean the injectors/throttle body. Maybe Seafoam a vacume line (google this, I do it maybe once a year).

Anytime I buy a used vehicle, I change all fluids and filters. Usually change spark plugs too, just so I know where to start my scheduled maintenance routine from.

[thefuzz]

Transmission fluid and filter.

Air filter

Fuel filter

Check rear end fluid

Check front end fluid (if 4x4)

Drain the old gas, stupid government and ethanol

Run a fuel injector cleaner

Turn yourself into the cops for stealing his truck

[Guest Irv]

Thanks guys i now have a place to get started oh and was this deal as good as i thought it was or what?

[GAme]

Too good to be true. I have a 05 Ram crew cab and it is worth considerably more than that with 150k miles. You are a certified hustler if that truck is in good condition.

[mmmbeans]

slap it with your junk.

[Davidson Deac II]

I would also drain and clean out the cooling system. Just open the valve that is usually on the bottom of the radiator and run water thru it for a while.

[mmmbeans]

I would also drain and clean out the cooling system. Just open the valve that is usually on the bottom of the radiator and run water thru it for a while.

doesn't that just clean your radiator? don't you need to tap into the line and push everything out? that's always how I was taught to do it, otherwise you're leaving the crap in the lines.

[Guest Irv]

Too good to be true. I have a 05 Ram crew cab and it is worth considerably more than that with 150k miles. You are a certified hustler if that truck is in good condition.

it has about 78k miles on it, its black and a two door. The guy i bought it from is into low rider racing cars he had all the paperwork so it was legally his to sell it but i think he just wasn't that knowledgeable about trucks.

This is pretty much the exact same truck below except mine just needs to be washed

Once i find my camera ill take a picture

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

yeah you got a good deal.

I just sold my 89 z71. Now to be fair it was in fair condition and still ran. but hell I got 900 for it.

So, great job. Id clean it up and tune it up and flip that bitch on Craigslist.

[DC Amp]

Put some miles on it. Vehicles don't like to sit up. Get everything moving and operating again, check switches, buttons and lights. You'll know if something's wrong after you put some miles on it.

[Guest Creepy]

I've had mine for about ten years now, runs great. Keep in mind Dodge trucks have had problems with their trans over the years.