Need opinions

[Tracy Coyote]

Hi.  Looking at a 2003 Dodge one-ton high top for $2000. 8 cylinders.  Don't know mileage yet.  Any thoughts?  What should I look for?  Also, if there's rust on the outside of a van, like at the base of the doors, should I walk away?  I don't have much money, & can't make a mistake.

 

[highdesertranger]

rust + Dodge = run. highdesertranger

 

[steamjam1]

Yep. Rust... Look especially at the frame horns forward of the steering column..

 

[Alcatraz]

Walk away if its rusty.

 

[DannyB1954]

To explain better, Dodge used a form of construction called Unibody. There is no main frame. All the body panels are fastened together in such a way that it is quite strong. The problem being when these panels rust, the structure is weakened. Where the steering box and linkage is seems to get hit hard.

I own a 1983 Dodge van, but there is no rust, (Nevada vehicle). So I am not a Dodge hater. Chevy seems to be the all around best bet, (Ford had engine problems). Good luck in your search, and welcome to the forum.

 

[skyl4rk]

If the steering is sloppy at highway speeds, it will need front end work - ball joints, bushings.

 

[caretaker]

if its from northern states don't bother

 

[steamjam1]

To explain better, Dodge used a form of construction called Unibody. There is no main frame. All the body panels are fastened together in such a way that it is quite strong. The problem being when these panels rust, the structure is weakened. Where the steering box and linkage is seems to get hit hard.

I own a 1983 Dodge van, but there is no rust, (Nevada vehicle). So I am not a Dodge hater. Chevy seems to be the all around best bet, (Ford had engine problems). Good luck in your search, and welcome to the forum.

Its not the fact that Dodge's are of uni-chassis construction. Chevy's are the same way. Only Ford (old) has a full frame. The problem with Dodge is that although the frame horn is fully boxed in, they were very very poorly rust protected from the factory. The first things to go on Dodge frame horns is almost always the idler arm brackets breaking off, then in a close second is the steering box actually breaking off the frame. Either way, the results can be fatal.

I'm always stunned, even out here in Northern California where we don't have to salt roads ever, the rate of which Dodge vans end up in wrecking yards solely due to frame horn rust. If its as bad out here for Dodge vans, I can imagine whats its like in places like Michigan, Ohio, Maine, Upstate NY, etc etc etc.... I've seen and repaired Dodge vans out here that have LESS then 50,000 miles on them with picture perfect bodies and interiors with badly rotted out frame horns.

I should move to Ohio, and start a business called "Save my Dodge" where all I do rescue otherwise perfect Dodge vans from wrecking yards due to frame horn rust hahaa....