12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Talk about the 12V engine and drivetrain here. This is for 1994-1998.5 engine and drivetrain discussion only.

Is 300k too many miles?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-13-2011, 11:43 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
stickk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is 300k too many miles?

I am looking at a 1997 12 valve one-owner that has 296k miles. It is 4wd and has the NV4500 trans. Asking price is 5k. I haven't physically looked at it yet. Just wondering what you guys think. I will be using it for work, construction, and pulling a 12k lb camper a few times in summer. I drive about 30k a year so it will get used. Thanks for any replies.
Old 05-14-2011, 07:19 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
toms73novass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Grand Island, NY
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I bought mine with 280k last year, except for a oil pan gasket leak (small) It has been A+.

Any time you purchase a used vehicle with alot of milage on it things can go south, however, the engine would be the last thing that I would be worried about if it runs strong now.

Just check with the previous owner if the Killer Dowel Pin has been tabbed. If not that is the first thing to do.
Old 05-14-2011, 09:25 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
rebal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yuba city Kalifornia
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts

over 700,000 now
Old 05-14-2011, 06:36 PM
  #4  
Administrator
 
patdaly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Streator Illinois
Posts: 8,372
Received 172 Likes on 130 Posts
Originally Posted by stickk
I am looking at a 1997 12 valve one-owner that has 296k miles. It is 4wd and has the NV4500 trans. Asking price is 5k. I haven't physically looked at it yet. Just wondering what you guys think. I will be using it for work, construction, and pulling a 12k lb camper a few times in summer. I drive about 30k a year so it will get used. Thanks for any replies.

WAY too many miles............ Where did you say it was located?



Unless it was beat hard or modified incorrectly, no worries other than the usual used vehicle checks.
Old 05-18-2011, 04:56 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Robert Rausch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,125
Received 20 Likes on 18 Posts
I've seen beat-to-crap 2nd Gen Dodge/Cummins trucks parted out with less than 200,000 on them, and I've seen trucks with 600,000 miles that looked really good. It all depends on how the previous owner took care of the truck.

The parted out trucks with less than 200,000 were company trucks that had a hard life with nobody taking care of them very well.
Old 05-18-2011, 08:14 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
rebal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yuba city Kalifornia
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Robert Rausch
I've seen beat-to-crap 2nd Gen Dodge/Cummins trucks parted out with less than 200,000 on them, and I've seen trucks with 600,000 miles that looked really good. It all depends on how the previous owner took care of the truck.

The parted out trucks with less than 200,000 were company trucks that had a hard life with nobody taking care of them very well.
exactly ^^^
Old 05-20-2011, 07:28 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
STate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ColoRADo
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rebal
exactly ^^^

^^^X3!

You need to see the truck in person. The miles should not scare you away.
Ive got 250K on mine, she runs like a top.
Old 05-20-2011, 08:41 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
Silver Ram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ummm......no.
Old 05-20-2011, 09:59 PM
  #9  
Old Mopar Aficionado Extraordinaire
 
Polaraco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North West Jorsey
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Robert Rausch
I've seen beat-to-crap 2nd Gen Dodge/Cummins trucks parted out with less than 200,000 on them, and I've seen trucks with 600,000 miles that looked really good. It all depends on how the previous owner took care of the truck.

The parted out trucks with less than 200,000 were company trucks that had a hard life with nobody taking care of them very well.
Yeah What he said
Old 05-20-2011, 10:02 PM
  #10  
Old Mopar Aficionado Extraordinaire
 
Polaraco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North West Jorsey
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The good thing is it didn't sit around and look pretty. Sometimes a 30 year old vehicle with 30,000 miles is worse the this one with 300K.

Things like rust abd dried out seals will be minumized. Not sure about Gen 1, but brake lines rot on the Gen 2's
Old 05-23-2011, 08:25 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Silver Ram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a theory about 250,000 mile trucks. Usually by 175,000 most stuff is worn out and broken so it needs replaced and by 250,000 all that stuff has been done. Just a theory.
Old 05-26-2011, 04:20 AM
  #12  
Registered User
 
wcbcruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Motor may be fine, but the rest of the truck has so many parts that can go bad. It's like a domino effect. I wouldn't touch it unless I got a really good vibe from the owner.
Old 05-26-2011, 10:39 AM
  #13  
Old Mopar Aficionado Extraordinaire
 
Polaraco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North West Jorsey
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You have to scrutinize the truck at that point.

At 300 K Work had to have been done. Allot of it depends on the driver and how it was driven
Old 05-26-2011, 10:40 AM
  #14  
Old Mopar Aficionado Extraordinaire
 
Polaraco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North West Jorsey
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rebal

over 700,000 now
Ya gotta love it.
Old 05-27-2011, 06:27 AM
  #15  
Registered User
 
corn binder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jeromesville, ohio
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
silver ram your theory is a good one. i bought my 96 with 289k on i, everything has been done (some stuff twice)LOL tranny, ball joints, alt,starter, w/p, radiator, batteries etc.etc. i just need to repace the steering box she's a little loose. runs like a champ!!!!


Quick Reply: Is 300k too many miles?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:17 PM.