just want to rant real quick..

[Junior M]

I drive right at 500 miles a week to school. Not counting my other running around, which is alot lately because of hunting season.

But to save on gas and from putting miles on the 2500 Chevy sitting at the house. I started looking for a 4wd Toyota. That way I could go right after school to the hunt club or could go get it muddy.

Well one of Dads friends runs a shop and has a junk yard and all that good stuff. He got in a 1997 2wd Dodge Dakota that had tranny problems. Would shift, but would shift erratically. When I first looked at it, my first thought was no. It was just plain nasty inside and out.

Dad ended up talking me into buying it(the one time I had to listen to him!) so after putting my brothers computer on it, I found out it was a sensor in the tranny. So $350 later and alot of cussing at a buddies shop, we replaced all the electronics. It shifted fine, stuck between 2nd and 3rd every once in a while and I'd have to manually shift it. But after driving it for a while, it slowly got better. Havent had to shift it in close to 3weeks.

But it did start slipping in 2nd gear if I didnt keep a little throttle on it. Oh well right? Well yesterday on the way back home, it wasnt down shifting as it was suppose to. No big deal, I can downshift it manually. But the check engine light came on. 20miles later, it went off.

Thats when disaster hit me in the back of the head with a 2x6.. :realmad:

It would only shift to 2nd gear. I could do nothing to make it shift. Before I could put it to neutral then back to drive and it would shift. Now when I do that it goes to neutral. :wall

I dealt with 35mph on the way to the hunt club last night so I could get there and let it cool down before I head home. Thinking maybe it being hot would cause this.

I unhooked the battery to erase any code the computer was throwing this morning. Now it will only go to first gear.. :realmad:

Now I am out of a ride until I get this fixed because Mom has the Chevy because her suburban was finally totalled and I am about out of cash.. :wall :cry:


Sorry for the long post, just need to rant a little bit..

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Ahhh yes, the famous in second "limp" mode that chrysler is so well known for! I had a 89 Dakota that did that twice, would not go out of second. It was called the limp mode to get you to the closest dodge dealer so they can put you in a new tranny! I lost two in 44k miles, had a friend that lost three in 30k miles. However, if I remember correctly there was another issue that would cause this and it was not always the complete tranny replacement. Tried to forget everything I ever knew about dodges. Would not own a new one today if they were half price and zero financing for 84 months!

[Gravel Rat]

It sounds like a new transmission. I would maybe do a transmission oil change to see what is in the pan. If the oil looks nice and silvery or black your in for a rebuild.

[Junior M]

Ahhh yes, the famous in second "limp" mode that chrysler is so well known for! I had a 89 Dakota that did that twice, would not go out of second. It was called the limp mode to get you to the closest dodge dealer so they can put you in a new tranny! I lost two in 44k miles, had a friend that lost three in 30k miles. However, if I remember correctly there was another issue that would cause this and it was not always the complete tranny replacement. Tried to forget everything I ever knew about dodges. Would not own a new one today if they were half price and zero financing for 84 months!

:laugh:

I am not going to let this ruin my like of Dodge because this isnt a heavy duty truck. Plus, I bought it newing it had issues.. But dam, why did it have to do it when it was cold so I could take dads work truck and he could ride the bike.. :wall

It sounds like a new transmission. I would maybe do a transmission oil change to see what is in the pan. If the oil looks nice and silvery or black your in for a rebuild.

Thank you for stating the obvious GR..

There was plenty of clutch material and metal shavings in the pan when I changed the electronics. The guy that owns the shop says he's seen more than that and the tranny last for years. But he's also seen less and it go out a mile down the road..


I can rebuild the tail piece of the tranny for another $150. I just dont know how long it'll take the guy. (No, this isnt him doing all the work. I gotta take it out, take it to him and he'll rebuild if I buy the parts) So at the moment I am looking for someone who would like this truck. I found a nice 84 3/4 Dodge reg cab long bed with a 318 in it. Said he'd trade for any MOPAR product.

Hopefully we'll be in contact.. :cool2:

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Wish you the best of luck and hope it will last you many trouble free miles after fixing her. Can't pick on dodge though, the first year Toyota Tundra's had a sh*t load of tranny problems also and I had one of them also!

[Junior M]

Wish you the best of luck and hope it will last you many trouble free miles after fixing her. Can't pick on dodge though, the first year Toyota Tundra's had a sh*t load of tranny problems also and I had one of them also!
Dam, you need to go back to flintstone power and say screw transmissions.. :laugh:

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Dam, you need to go back to flintstone power and say screw transmissions.. :laugh:

Yep, never had one stick to give me any problems. Just getting old enough don't want to drive em anymore. Bet pulling the trailor with fintstone power would give me some great leg muscles.

[Gravel Rat]

Well Junior next time you know not to buy a Dodge :laugh:

If your looking for something what about a S-10 or a Ford Ranger.

The last of good Toyotas are the ones that have the straight front axle and leaf springs.

[Hanau]

Hmmm, a Junior proof, heavy duty truck, that's a Mopar product.

Has to be cheap cuz he's a broke ass kid.

Has to be off road capable because he enjoys slaughtering defenseless animals.

Has to be able to tow stuff.

Hmmmm....

Got it!

M35 deuce and a half. Made by Jeep. Heck it's even a diesel.

Pick one of these up for about $1500 Junior. They'll get a good 10 to 12 mpg too.

You'll be styling.

[Junior M]

Well Junior next time you know not to buy a Dodge :laugh:

If your looking for something what about a S-10 or a Ford Ranger.

The last of good Toyotas are the ones that have the straight front axle and leaf springs.

I am still going to have a Dodge diesel before I graduate..

I really dont care what brand GR, I just want a smaller 4wd truck.

I was looking for a toyota with a 22RE because its a 4cylinder and gets dam good fuel mileage. I am getting 15 to 16 out of this Dodge. Well I was, but I could get a Chevy 1500 z71 like I would love and get 14. I am not gaining anything by having such a small truck unless its a 4cyl.

and the toyotas I've been looking at look similar to this:
http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/1453206673.html

but he wants way to much for that truck!

Hmmm, a Junior proof, heavy duty truck, that's a Mopar product.

Has to be cheap cuz he's a broke ass kid.

Has to be off road capable because he enjoys slaughtering defenseless animals.

Has to be able to tow stuff.

Hmmmm....

Got it!

M35 deuce and a half. Made by Jeep. Heck it's even a diesel.

Pick one of these up for about $1500 Junior. They'll get a good 10 to 12 mpg too.

You'll be styling.

I dont know about being able to tow stuff, it'd be great, but not a need!

:laugh: :laugh:

I'd be royally f#cked if I got that stuck. None of that, long cold ass walk back to get a tractor, it'd be drop a match in the fuel tank and haul ass..

One bad thing though, the dogs wouldnt wanna jump out and they dam sure couldnt get back in the dog box.. :laugh:

[Hanau]

I'd be royally f#cked if I got that stuck.

Spend another thousand and get one with a winch.

Nice thing about the M35 is it's multifuel. You can run whatever is cheapest in it. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, home heating oil, alcohol, ethanol, used motor oil, pretty much anything flammable.

[Gravel Rat]

Here is what Junior needs :laugh:

www.scootercity.ca/cgi-bin/scootercity/showpic.html?sku=cruiser

[Gravel Rat]

This one has chome mags on it.

www.scootercity.ca/cgi-bin/scootercity/showpic.html?sku=pr%2dhurricane

[Junior M]

Spend another thousand and get one with a winch.

Nice thing about the M35 is it's multifuel. You can run whatever is cheapest in it. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, home heating oil, alcohol, ethanol, used motor oil, pretty much anything flammable.
It'll be here next week.. :p :laugh:

GR, I give you credit for attempting to make a funny, but something has been worrying me, why do you have links to those? ;)

[Gravel Rat]

It'll be here next week.. :p :laugh:

GR, I give you credit for attempting to make a funny, but something has been worrying me, why do you have links to those? ;)

I don't have links to those I googled scooters and thats what came up :)

You just have to say to your dad well you talked me into buying this POS Dodge and now the transmission is gone what are you going to do about it.

[Junior M]

I don't have links to those I googled scooters and thats what came up :)

You just have to say to your dad well you talked me into buying this POS Dodge and now the transmission is gone what are you going to do about it.
:laugh::laugh:

Only problem is, we both new this was coming. We thought it needed rebuilt from the beginning.

[ZTR_Diesel]

I am still going to have a Dodge diesel before I graduate..

I really dont care what brand GR, I just want a smaller 4wd truck.

I was looking for a toyota with a 22RE because its a 4cylinder and gets dam good fuel mileage.


Sorry, but I have to comment here.

My father owned a 1990 Toyota 2wd 5-speed with the 22RE since new, until last year, when we sold it (rotted almost totally away) to a neighbor. Still ran good, never even had a clutch changed.

As far as "good" mileage - not really. Best I ever got commuting to college with it (50 miles round trip, 90% interstate, cruise set at 65mph, running with no load) was 24 mpg. My diesel Ram will do that, easily.

4wd takes quite a toll, as it's just way too underpowered. 116 bhp stock, if memory serves me correct.

Wish you could find one of these, instead: (video well worth wacthing - 2 parts) :weightlifter::hammerhead::nono:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=toyota+disel+hilux&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=toyota+disel+hilux+top+gear&hl=en&view=2&emb=0

[Gravel Rat]

My brother owned Toyotas and they were a horrible riding truck the last year with 4 corner leaf springs. I was like riding on a pogo stick. Good offroad but as a daily drive YUCK.

[Junior M]

Sorry, but I have to comment here.

My father owned a 1990 Toyota 2wd 5-speed with the 22RE since new, until last year, when we sold it (rotted almost totally away) to a neighbor. Still ran good, never even had a clutch changed.

As far as "good" mileage - not really. Best I ever got commuting to college with it (50 miles round trip, 90% interstate, cruise set at 65mph, running with no load) was 24 mpg. My diesel Ram will do that, easily.

4wd takes quite a toll, as it's just way too underpowered. 116 bhp stock, if memory serves me correct.

Wish you could find one of these, instead: (video well worth wacthing - 2 parts) :weightlifter::hammerhead::nono:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=toyota+disel+hilux&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=toyota+disel+hilux+top+gear&hl=en&view=2&emb=0

I'd probably get 20 at the worst out of that, thats a whole hell of a lot better than the 14 to 16 (depending on which way I went) out of the Dodge. Plus, it'd be 4wd.

Oh yeah, and I'd love a dodge diesel, its just not in the budget right now.

My brother owned Toyotas and they were a horrible riding truck the last year with 4 corner leaf springs. I was like riding on a pogo stick. Good offroad but as a daily drive YUCK.

You think I care how it rides? As long as its shittin and gettin, I really dont care. Not like I am in it 4 hours a day.

The ones I am looking at have a beefed suspension anyways, setting on 33's at the smallest.

[mdlwn1]

My friends and I when MUCH younger killed several p/u's off road..intentionally. Mazda..tranny went in 15 minutes or maybe it was the clutch..not sure. Keep in mind we were trying to kill these. S-10...think it got too hot or somethin...just gave up on us. That little 22r yota...had to flip it..wouldnt die. We drove it into trees (head on with belts) jumped it, water up to the air filter. It was lifted slightly with over 200k miles. I would buy one of those in ANY condition before buying ANY american small p/u.

[Junior M]

My friends and I when MUCH younger killed several p/u's off road..intentionally. Mazda..tranny went in 15 minutes or maybe it was the clutch..not sure. Keep in mind we were trying to kill these. S-10...think it got too hot or somethin...just gave up on us. That little 22r yota...had to flip it..wouldnt die. We drove it into trees (head on with belts) jumped it, water up to the air filter. It was lifted slightly with over 200k miles. I would buy one of those in ANY condition before buying ANY american small p/u.
Thank you! I know multiple people with yotas over 200,000 miles and a rebuilt motor once. Hell, I know a guy that has 300,000 miles on his and rebuilt the motor at 200,000. That seems like the average time for all of them to go.

people say, well those are alot of miles, but hell, they run for FOREVER. And make awesome trucks for off road cause they are light and can be pulled out easy if it does get stuck unlike the Chevy which is a royal pain in the ass to get out if it does get stuck. (personal experience on a job while raining late at night. :laugh:)

[Junior M]

Well this was the sight tonight, took the chevy to school today, although it was the best lookin truck in the parking lot, it cost me way to much. :dizzy:. But I came home and loaded the Dodge to take it out to school where we've got a lift and tranny jack to save me from doing it in the driveway. (yes GR, thats dad, I've never hauled a truck before, didnt really know how to tie it down)

I just noticed something really ironic, I've got the ram off an old Dodge pick up on the tool box. Maybe they were meant to be together. :laugh:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/JLM88_bucket/mytruck.jpg

[Hanau]

Well hells bells Junior, what are you bitching about? That's a nice little truck. Looks newish too.

Ungrateful tenagers. :nono:

When you said Dakota I thought you had something like this:

[Junior M]

Well hells bells Junior, what are you bitching about? That's a nice little truck. Looks newish too.

Ungrateful tenagers. :nono:

When you said Dakota I thought you had something like this:
Its 12 years old.

And yes, its in good condition. Has a few decent scratches, but I WAS working on that..

And what are you talking about ungrateful? I bought it! I am paying for it!

besides, you'd be complaining to if you were stuck with a 1500 2wd chevy and had to move your gooseneck. Or get up a muddy road pulling your boat trailer/grader. :laugh:

[Hanau]

When I was your age I had a donkey and a cart!

And I was grateful!

I loved that Ass!

These kids today...

[Junior M]

When I was your age I had a donkey and a cart!

And I was grateful!

I loved that Ass!

These kids today...
what are you, 28? My sister is that old.. :laugh: :laugh:

And you didnt have a serious comeback cause you know I am right. :p :rolleyes: :laugh:

[Hanau]

2 questions:

Is your sister single?

Is your sister hot?

[Junior M]

2 questions:

Is your sister single?

Is your sister hot?
NO.

and I am not answering that, I am not from West Virginia.. :nono: :laugh:

[lawnboy dan]

grow up and stop buying trucks on looks and save $ up for a toyota

[Gravel Rat]

That white Dodge might be worth putting a transmission into then sell it or keep driving it. Nice clean truck too bad it is only 2wd but still.

I'am with Bob I thought you had a old beat up Dodge. You couldn't buy that white one here for 900 dollars that is cheap.

[Lazer_Z]

2 questions:

Is your sister single?

Is your sister hot?Back off old man lol, her and I are the same age. I doubt she'd want an old fart with heart problems unless you have a huge life insurance policy and she's the beneficiary :laugh: .

So, Jr, Is she hot & single??? :D

[ZTR_Diesel]

Just FYI, there are many older Rams out there with diesels in them for under $5k. Not sure of your budget.

The Toyota is a nice little truck. Just really wish they would have imported the diesel engines here - stupid emissions regulations...!!!

[Junior M]

grow up and stop buying trucks on looks and save $ up for a toyota

Wow, that was totally uncalled for. If you would read the thread, I didnt buy the truck on looks, you dips#it. I bought it because of the deal I got. Hanau said something about it looking good and simply posted on its blemishes.

Jeezus, back the hell off..

That white Dodge might be worth putting a transmission into then sell it or keep driving it. Nice clean truck too bad it is only 2wd but still.

I'am with Bob I thought you had a old beat up Dodge. You couldn't buy that white one here for 900 dollars that is cheap.

I am thinking selling it. Dad said he wants it for as a back up. I dont know, he'll probably screw around and I'll lose an awesome deal on a yota or something then I'll get pissed and sell it really cheap to piss him off..

Back off old man lol, her and I are the same age. I doubt she'd want an old fart with heart problems unless you have a huge life insurance policy and she's the beneficiary :laugh: .

So, Jr, Is she hot & single??? :D

NOPE..........

Just FYI, there are many older Rams out there with diesels in them for under $5k. Not sure of your budget.

The Toyota is a nice little truck. Just really wish they would have imported the diesel engines here - stupid emissions regulations...!!!

Arent many around here. And at the moment, I am not working and driving as far as I am, I dont really have the cash for a diesel like I'd really want.

My plan is to get set better financially then find the diesel I really want and have the money to do whatever I want to it..

A bully dog system, cold air intake and speeding ticket are first on the list. and I lack the money for all of those :D

[Gravel Rat]

Keep searching and have some money ready so when you find a truck you want you can buy it.

[ZTR_Diesel]

Keep searching and have some money ready so when you find a truck you want you can buy it.

Agreed.

And if you purchase a Dodge/CTD, as I mentioned earlier, think 3 or 4 times before buying any 24-valve model, unless it's an 03+ Common-rail unit.

[Gravel Rat]

Good used Toyota trucks are hard to find people usually like to hang on to them.

So if you find a truck that gives you a real woody you have the money to buy it.

I learned make sure you have the money ready before you go shopping it is a big disapointment when you find something you gotta have so now you try to get the money the truck sells :cry:

[Hanau]

If I was a broke kid like Junior and had a desire to get into excavating I'd look for a 80's Ford F-250 or F-350 4x4 with a 6.9IDI and a stick.

They're cheap to buy, cheap to insure, and cheap to fix.

Reasonably well made (my 82 F-150 has well over 400K on the clock), parts are for the most part cheap and easy to get. Get the LMC Truck catalog, they have everything.

They're not the most powerful truck ever made, but with a stick and a good driver they'll get the job done.

Look hard enough and you can find one for the $900 you gave for that Dakota.

Make some money, then buy a cherry Dodge Cummins.

[Junior M]

Agreed.

And if you purchase a Dodge/CTD, as I mentioned earlier, think 3 or 4 times before buying any 24-valve model, unless it's an 03+ Common-rail unit.

I really want a 2001 2500 4wd quad cab long bed. But that year is known for bad tranny's and I dont wanna go through this again.

So my thought was find a 2002 or 1998 set up like I want, then buy the mirrors and rims I want.

Good used Toyota trucks are hard to find people usually like to hang on to them.

So if you find a truck that gives you a real woody you have the money to buy it.

I learned make sure you have the money ready before you go shopping it is a big disapointment when you find something you gotta have so now you try to get the money the truck sells :cry:

Trust me, I know. :dizzy:

The people that do have them want WAY to much for them.

If I was a broke kid like Junior and had a desire to get into excavating I'd look for a 80's Ford F-250 or F-350 4x4 with a 6.9IDI and a stick.

They're cheap to buy, cheap to insure, and cheap to fix.

Reasonably well made (my 82 F-150 has well over 400K on the clock), parts are for the most part cheap and easy to get. Get the LMC Truck catalog, they have everything.

They're not the most powerful truck ever made, but with a stick and a good driver they'll get the job done.

Look hard enough and you can find one for the $900 you gave for that Dakota.

Make some money, then buy a cherry Dodge Cummins.

Thats the thing, I've got a 3/4ton truck so there is no big reason to go buy an older Ford like you talked about.

I simply want a Cummins because I love diesels and I love making them roll some smoke. :cool2:

But that does make sense, I had an 81 Bronco that I sold and tried to trade for an almost exact year F350 reg cab long bed 4wd with a 460 in it. But the guy didnt wanna get rid of the truck, so I sold the Bronco and got this truck.

[Lazer_Z]

Jr, Shame you're so far away as the Chevy dealership where the 2500 came from has 2 Dodges, 1 Diesel and 1 with the viper engine. I didn't get the years, but you were the fist person I thought about when the salesman was telling me about them. I know how much you love Dodge trucks (why I'll never know lol) and that you're jonsing for a Diesel.

As far as I can remember the Diesel was a Crew cab, maybe Long bed (don't remember), 4X4, auto.

[Jhill19]

NO.

and I am not answering that, I am not from West Virginia.. :nono: :laugh:

Alright not cool, I'm from WV and its not like that. But on the other hand I have a 02 Tacoma I was selling a while back and still have it. I'll show you the link. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=283257&highlight=toyota+tacoma

[ZTR_Diesel]

Junior -

Actually, Any 2nd gen Automatic diesel Ram has the 47RE transmission, and these are the ones that like to fail, seems the main problem lies in the torque converter unit itself.

Just a few of the '03's (Major design change) had this transmission (I think they were the Standard Output units, only year they offered a choice). The rest have the 48RE until they went to the Asain unit in late '06.

[Junior M]

Jr, Shame you're so far away as the Chevy dealership where the 2500 came from has 2 Dodges, 1 Diesel and 1 with the viper engine. I didn't get the years, but you were the fist person I thought about when the salesman was telling me about them. I know how much you love Dodge trucks (why I'll never know lol) and that you're jonsing for a Diesel.

As far as I can remember the Diesel was a Crew cab, maybe Long bed (don't remember), 4X4, auto.

I like them for the Cummins.. :cool2:

And oh my! What body style are they?

Alright not cool, I'm from WV and its not like that. But on the other hand I have a 02 Tacoma I was selling a while back and still have it. I'll show you the link. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=283257&highlight=toyota+tacoma

:laugh: :laugh: My family is from WV, still have strong ties to the Greenbriar and Coalwood area..

and I'll check it out. You probably want more than I've got..

Junior -

Actually, Any 2nd gen Automatic diesel Ram has the 47RE transmission, and these are the ones that like to fail, seems the main problem lies in the torque converter unit itself.

Just a few of the '03's (Major design change) had this transmission (I think they were the Standard Output units, only year they offered a choice). The rest have the 48RE until they went to the Asain unit in late '06.

I've never done alot of research to get as technical as that. But most of the failures I heard of were around the 2001 time. And if the torque converter is the problem, I can drop the tranny, its not all that hard. :laugh: :wall Its enough to make me wanna drink though.. :dizzy:

Yes, you are right the 03's had the option of a standard or high output. Neither had any ass. Thats one of the years I am staying away from.

My brother had a 2001 3500 4wd and we're not sure what happened, but he was out checking trap line and was going down the road and it dropped to second, redlined then totally locked up. He shut it off then restarted it, moved like 200ft and it did it again. He finally stuck it in first and limped it to a buddy's farm and hauled it to the dealership. He sold it to the dealership before ever finding out what exactly happened.

My great uncle runs a Dodge dealership in WV and he had me a 2000 or 1999 cant remember 3500 4wd SLT, nice truck. But he was going to sell it to us and we were planning on coming up that weekend to get it. He decided to go drive it Thursday just to check it out and it did practically the samething my brothers truck did.

[ZTR_Diesel]

Here's what I placed in another thread, it may help for any CTD options. No - I'm not an expert. Just in a learning process:

Issues known on “second gen” Dodge/Cummins trucks.
12-Valve units (1994 – 1998)
· KDP or Killer Down Pin, inside timing case, can be easily tabbed to prevent it falling out and getting jammed in timing gears.
· “53” block (later years) this block can externally crack, also affected earlier years of “24-valve” units.
· Hard starting or inability to shut down due to failing shut-off solenoid.
· Fuel return and supply lines can corrode and leak air into the fuel system, making for hard or no-start condition. When they are replaced, it is typical to replace the fuel sender unit as well.
· On rare occasion, the oil pressure sender unit it the engine can act up. Simple to replace.
24-Valve units (1998.5-2002)
· Lift pump and associated VP-44 (electronic) injection pump are highly prone to failure. Lift pump fails first, and unless fuel pressure change is caught in time, the fuel cooled and lubricated VP-44 unit will fail as well, creating no-start condition. It’s $1200 for parts alone to get back on the road.
· To monitor fuel pressure, it is considered mandatory to install a fuel pressure gauge pas the lift pump (but prior to injection pump) and monitor it.
· “53” block (earlier years) this block can externally crack. This is rare, and I have not observed any actual engine failures from this condition.
Dodge 2nd gen trucks in general:
· First and foremost, the 47RE automatic used in these trucks isn’t up to the torque of the Cummins 5.9L I-6. They can be built to handle the torque, but it’s not cheap. A replacement transmission is $3-5k.
· Front brake rotors may need frequent changing, and they run over $120/each for the part alone.
· Upper & lower ball joints will need periodic changing.
· NV4500 (5-speed) trucks may have a 5-th gear nut that can back off. It’s not happened to me, however it’s one of the only failure modes of this transmission.
· Trac-Bar failure (4wd models only).
· 1998-2002 “Cost-improved” dashboards tend to crack, sometimes in several places.
· Rust at bottoms of doors, and rust in general (problem seems a bit worse with 1998 – 2002 models.)
· De-laming paint in early years (94-96, especially two-tones with silver.)

This isn’t an exhaustive list, there are other issues I am missing. Overall, having worked with several of these, I would tend to stay away from the “24-valve” years entirely. The issues on the 12-vales are much less expensive to rectify, however at this point the 12-valves are getting old enough to be pretty ragged and hard-worked. Let’s face it, people don’t buy these to baby them, they get worked fairly hard.

Overall, I would ask if you really have enough load to justify a ¾ or 1-ton purchase overall. I do like getting 19 – 24 real-world MPG out of my truck, however it costs much more to maintain overall – even just 12 quarts of 15w-40 oil and a $12 filter add up to a $60 oil change in your driveway. They are pretty easy to work on, but they are not cheap overall. I’ve owned my truck 8 years, and it’s served me well.

[Junior M]

Here's what I placed in another thread, it may help for any CTD options. No - I'm not an expert. Just in a learning process:

Issues known on “second gen” Dodge/Cummins trucks.
12-Valve units (1994 – 1998)
· KDP or Killer Down Pin, inside timing case, can be easily tabbed to prevent it falling out and getting jammed in timing gears.
· “53” block (later years) this block can externally crack, also affected earlier years of “24-valve” units.
· Hard starting or inability to shut down due to failing shut-off solenoid.
· Fuel return and supply lines can corrode and leak air into the fuel system, making for hard or no-start condition. When they are replaced, it is typical to replace the fuel sender unit as well.
· On rare occasion, the oil pressure sender unit it the engine can act up. Simple to replace.
24-Valve units (1998.5-2002)
· Lift pump and associated VP-44 (electronic) injection pump are highly prone to failure. Lift pump fails first, and unless fuel pressure change is caught in time, the fuel cooled and lubricated VP-44 unit will fail as well, creating no-start condition. It’s $1200 for parts alone to get back on the road.
· To monitor fuel pressure, it is considered mandatory to install a fuel pressure gauge pas the lift pump (but prior to injection pump) and monitor it.
· “53” block (earlier years) this block can externally crack. This is rare, and I have not observed any actual engine failures from this condition.
Dodge 2nd gen trucks in general:
· First and foremost, the 47RE automatic used in these trucks isn’t up to the torque of the Cummins 5.9L I-6. They can be built to handle the torque, but it’s not cheap. A replacement transmission is $3-5k.
· Front brake rotors may need frequent changing, and they run over $120/each for the part alone.
· Upper & lower ball joints will need periodic changing.
· NV4500 (5-speed) trucks may have a 5-th gear nut that can back off. It’s not happened to me, however it’s one of the only failure modes of this transmission.
· Trac-Bar failure (4wd models only).
· 1998-2002 “Cost-improved” dashboards tend to crack, sometimes in several places.
· Rust at bottoms of doors, and rust in general (problem seems a bit worse with 1998 – 2002 models.)
· De-laming paint in early years (94-96, especially two-tones with silver.)

This isn’t an exhaustive list, there are other issues I am missing. Overall, having worked with several of these, I would tend to stay away from the “24-valve” years entirely. The issues on the 12-vales are much less expensive to rectify, however at this point the 12-valves are getting old enough to be pretty ragged and hard-worked. Let’s face it, people don’t buy these to baby them, they get worked fairly hard.

Overall, I would ask if you really have enough load to justify a ¾ or 1-ton purchase overall. I do like getting 19 – 24 real-world MPG out of my truck, however it costs much more to maintain overall – even just 12 quarts of 15w-40 oil and a $12 filter add up to a $60 oil change in your driveway. They are pretty easy to work on, but they are not cheap overall. I’ve owned my truck 8 years, and it’s served me well.
I've heard of a few of those issues.

Dont know anyone with any issues other than the tranny.

I never knew the 24 was that prone to issues. My dream would be a 2001 like I've talked about before, but again that overall was a bad year.

[Junior M]

Well, I started Tuesday, got my ass handed to me by the exhaust and driveshaft hanger. Got those out of the way along with everything unplugged.

Wednesday I came in, unhooked all the linkages, pulled the starter, dropped the pan, pulled the dust cover off and removed the torque converter bolts leaving the crossmember and bell housing bolts.

Being I got alot done yesterday I worked right up until the bell not leaving enough time to pick up tools, I know I should've picked them up but I am on a time constraint and now a day behind because my teacher pulled us in to class and gave us a lecture about tools, caring for them and putting them up when were done.

That lasted an hour, I didnt get in the shop until like 1:30 and fought the crossmember bolts because the nuts are actually inside the frame rail and on the passenger side I couldnt get the socket and extension in there. So the rear bolts I stuck my arm in the frame rail with a wrench and held it while my buddy ran the rachet.

I couldnt reach the bolts to the front, so I stood on a toolbox and had my arm up to my shoulder in the frame rail holding the wrench. That wasnt all that bad once we figured out how to do it. It was getting out that was the problem, we're all in a rush so we didnt take the time to look at the frame rails to see the easy way to get it out, we just took a leadshot hammer and started beating on it.

Turned out the frame rails have a raised area for the crossmember, I realized this after I got pissed off cause I was running out of time.

Once we got that out we got 2 bolts out of the 4 out of the bell housing and then its ready to come out.

I was suppose to have the tranny out tonight and at the shop tearing it apart but my teacher has no drive or worry about anything gets done, its like the whole freakin world is going to stop for him to tell us about how we are inconsiderate for leaving tools in the shop..

So now I've got to take money I dont have to drive Dads truck all the way out there, again cause he took an hour and a half..

Goods news is, Alldata.com says that a shop should pay a mechanic 5.2 hours, flat rate. And I am right around that time, not bad for my first time and fighting alot of things

[Hanau]

So what you're saying is you broke the shop rules and it's the teachers fault you lost time?

[Junior M]

So what you're saying is you broke the shop rules and it's the teachers fault you lost time?
I didnt break the shop rules, we've left tools out before and he's never complained, he just has his little fits, I dont know. Its just that I got **** to do and people to see and he's costing me more money..

I guess its one of those unspoken rules, we always pick up our tools, yeah, they were picked up and off the floor lined up on the table, just not back in the toolboxes. We've done this before and a whole lot worse and he's never complained.

[Lazer_Z]

Jr, I'm not sure of the body styles on the trucks, I didn't get that far with the conversation. If you want to inquire about them I could PM you the number to the dealership and the salesman's name.

[Junior M]

Jr, I'm not sure of the body styles on the trucks, I didn't get that far with the conversation. If you want to inquire about them I could PM you the number to the dealership and the salesman's name.
Nah, its cool, it'd just be a complete waste of his time considering I couldnt afford them..