My Newest Winter Beater Truck: 1998 Dodge Ram SLT 4x4 (AK370Z)

AK370Z · 01-21-2013, 10:19 PM

Yup.. so I finally got myself a beater car/truck for the winter. Since last year we didn't get any snow, I was thinking maybe this year we will get hammered (N.E. members, remember 15" snow of February 2010?). Since Sandy destroyed a lot of our furniture and electronics, my dad suggested that I should get a full bed truck instead of a car. So, after searching for a few weeks, I finally found this truck. It's a 1998 Dodge Ram SLT Laramie 4x4. It only has 98,xxx miles, 1 owner, 4x4 and a full size bed. I paid about $3500 (including tax, tag and title). It's not perfect but it has done it's job last month or so ( I bought it in November). It feels soo weird driving this truck because I have NEVER driven a truck (or even a SUV before). All my sports coupe sat 4" from the ground! I drove sports coupe's all my life. This one (seems like these model Dodge rams) sits so much higher than the ground, sometimes I have to remind myself that to slow down in turns and such.. I'm still getting used to driving this. I don't have any big plans for it. Upgrade the sound system, do a little tune up, alignment, full detail etc. I just want some snow so that I can try out the 4x4 lol haha

Here are some pictures. If anyone here owns this model truck or have information, I do have some questions about some stuff about the truck.

Pics:

Gave it a quick wash and Adams Polishes Machine Super Sealant

Adams VRT on the Tires. Truck seems very well taken care of. 5.2L V8 American Muscle

I actually have the Dodge Decal now. That's the only thing pretty much missing exterior wise.

Full Size Bed. Backing up is a nightmare lol

I hand washed the whole truck bed and applied Adams VRT! Ate up 8 oz of VRT!

Interior pics:

Very Clean. I cleaned them again and applied fabric protector.

These weren't so great But I used this AMAZING product from Detailer's Domain Called 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner. GREAT results

I may write a review of this product later.
Here's an example thread what this plastic cleaner can do!

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Griot...Kit_p_768.html

AK370Z · 01-21-2013, 10:19 PM

Sound System upgrade:

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9856

Front Speakers: Kenwood KFC-G6930 6" x 9" 3-way car speakers

Rear Speakers: Kenwood KFC-1364S 5-1/4" 3-way car speakers

These upgraded system should sound pretty good. Currently it sounds horrible. It's a cassette deck with blown speakers! So this Alpine Head unit along with those speakers should be decent upgrade.

Waiz · 01-21-2013, 10:53 PM

That thing will really come in handy and it's been really taken care of, nice job!

Trips · 01-21-2013, 10:57 PM

Congrats on the truck AK

m4a1mustang · 01-21-2013, 10:58 PM

Nice, AK

frost · 01-21-2013, 11:03 PM

I know hoe the winter beater thing goes now, cool truck dude.

ZMan8 · 01-21-2013, 11:04 PM

very nice! Good pick up (pun intended)

6MT · 01-21-2013, 11:04 PM

You know AK, you're leaving yourself open to all kinds of trolling...........

Red__Zed · 01-21-2013, 11:26 PM

Very nice. Looks to be in great shape for the age.

DEpointfive0 · 01-22-2013, 01:47 AM

That interior ain't no 370Z, LOL

Jasonle · 01-22-2013, 07:37 AM

nice pick up! I need a truck myself as much hauling as I do picking up stuff on Craigslist

Sibze · 01-22-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

I know hoe the winter beater thing goes now, cool truck dude.

Leave it to Frost to have a Hoe just for the winter months...

LakeShow · 01-22-2013, 03:10 PM

Damn that truck is in immaculate condition...congrats!! Perfect winter ride!

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-22-2013, 04:40 PM

You gotta love 1988 plastic in a 1998 truck.

lol Go American cars of the late 20th century.

The truck is in awesome condition and i hope it serves you well and for a long time.

Congrats

kenchan · 01-23-2013, 12:17 PM

nice ak!

congrats.

01-21-2013, 10:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	My Newest Winter Beater Truck: 1998 Dodge Ram SLT 4x4 (AK370Z) Yup.. so I finally got myself a beater car/truck for the winter. Since last year we didn't get any snow, I was thinking maybe this year we will get hammered (N.E. members, remember 15" snow of February 2010?). Since Sandy destroyed a lot of our furniture and electronics, my dad suggested that I should get a full bed truck instead of a car. So, after searching for a few weeks, I finally found this truck. It's a 1998 Dodge Ram SLT Laramie 4x4. It only has 98,xxx miles, 1 owner, 4x4 and a full size bed. I paid about $3500 (including tax, tag and title). It's not perfect but it has done it's job last month or so ( I bought it in November). It feels soo weird driving this truck because I have NEVER driven a truck (or even a SUV before). All my sports coupe sat 4" from the ground! I drove sports coupe's all my life. This one (seems like these model Dodge rams) sits so much higher than the ground, sometimes I have to remind myself that to slow down in turns and such.. I'm still getting used to driving this. I don't have any big plans for it. Upgrade the sound system, do a little tune up, alignment, full detail etc. I just want some snow so that I can try out the 4x4 lol haha Here are some pictures. If anyone here owns this model truck or have information, I do have some questions about some stuff about the truck. Pics: Gave it a quick wash and Adams Polishes Machine Super Sealant Adams VRT on the Tires. Truck seems very well taken care of. 5.2L V8 American Muscle I actually have the Dodge Decal now. That's the only thing pretty much missing exterior wise. Full Size Bed. Backing up is a nightmare lol I hand washed the whole truck bed and applied Adams VRT! Ate up 8 oz of VRT! Interior pics: Very Clean. I cleaned them again and applied fabric protector. These weren't so great But I used this AMAZING product from Detailer's Domain Called 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner. GREAT results I may write a review of this product later. Here's an example thread what this plastic cleaner can do! http://www.detailersdomain.com/Griot...Kit_p_768.html m4a1mustang and kenchan like this. __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

01-21-2013, 10:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	Sound System upgrade: Headunit: Alpine CDA-9856 Front Speakers: Kenwood KFC-G6930 6" x 9" 3-way car speakers Rear Speakers: Kenwood KFC-1364S 5-1/4" 3-way car speakers These upgraded system should sound pretty good. Currently it sounds horrible. It's a cassette deck with blown speakers! So this Alpine Head unit along with those speakers should be decent upgrade. m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

01-21-2013, 10:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Congrats on the truck AK __________________

01-21-2013, 10:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Nice, AK __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-21-2013, 11:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 659	very nice! Good pick up (pun intended) frost likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT \| Fast Intentions \| Swift Springs \| SPC \| Z1Motorsports \| JWM \| Redline Oils \| 35% Window Tint 2015 Mazda6 \| 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

01-21-2013, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Waiz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 9,262 Drives: Z33 & GE8 Rep Power: 459	That thing will really come in handy and it's been really taken care of, nice job!

01-21-2013, 11:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	You know AK, you're leaving yourself open to all kinds of trolling........... __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

01-21-2013, 11:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	Very nice. Looks to be in great shape for the age.

01-22-2013, 01:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	That interior ain't no 370Z, LOL

01-22-2013, 07:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 25	nice pick up! I need a truck myself as much hauling as I do picking up stuff on Craigslist __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

01-22-2013, 03:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 26	Damn that truck is in immaculate condition...congrats!! Perfect winter ride! __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|

01-22-2013, 04:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	You gotta love 1988 plastic in a 1998 truck. lol Go American cars of the late 20th century. The truck is in awesome condition and i hope it serves you well and for a long time. Congrats

01-23-2013, 12:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	nice ak! congrats.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My Winter Rims/Tires Setup: TRMotorsport C2 + Blizzak LM-25 w/TPMS w/pics (AK370Z)	AK370Z	Wheels & Tires	154	06-14-2015 07:52 PM
Winter beater needed,what to buy for 1k?	Mannysrt8	Other Vehicles	15	10-17-2012 01:53 AM
What do you do when your winter/beater car becomes a money pit?	Vaughanabe13	Other Vehicles	18	09-01-2012 03:43 PM
Beater Truck - 1989 Nissan 4x4	LunaZ	Other Vehicle For sale	0	10-30-2010 06:32 PM
Canada 370 storage- What's your winter beater?!	z370z	Canada	15	01-29-2010 01:22 AM