Hi, I've been searching here and lurking for a while. I've finally found the truck I want, 98 quad cab 4x4 with the 12v and am looking for things to check on it besides the obvious. I know it's had the trans replaced at 160k with a factory rebuild (upgraded converter I was told), IP pump replaced at same time. Rear diff rebuilt. It looks nice and clean for the miles (190k). I have a friend going to check it out for me as it's 3k miles away, and was wondering if there are any other specific things on this particular truck that need to be looked at? Thanks in advance, this is a great site!

 

Well to me it seems as though the most of the major things have been taken care(tranny, etc) but if you are having someone go look at it I would have them check the front end(ask about ball joints, wheel bearings, trac bar) as I have begun the process of rebuilding mine and it isn't cheap and if they have already done it rather recently then I would say that the truck should be good to go other than obvious things that your friend would be able to easily pick out such as rust on the doors and what not.

 

Depends on the price I suppose, If its a good deal, then maybe you can afford to fix a few things that may be wrong, I wish I bought a 98 12valve instead of my 01 24V, Check the front end, Ball joints, u-joints, Track bar ect, but is all an easy fix. Check the tranny fluid make sure it doesn't smell burnt, and make sure its not sticky light they put an anti-slip additive. Rear main seal make sure may be leaking alittle, but not a serious issue...Dash may be cracked on that year of a truck. Turbo shaft play and make sure there is not oil inside turbo intake side. And all of this can be used as a bargaining tool to get the price down....Definetly make sure that the tranny shifts correct, gouge on it and make sure it don't slip...But I love a 12V cummins and love Dodges even more you can't go wrong if the price is right....Hope it helps

 

Just curious as to why the injection pump was replaced, they usually last much longer than 160k miles, along with the rear diff? Make sure the truck hasn't been abused, I usually like to hear a cold start. And where is that it is 3000 miles away from you?

Cory

 

Thanks for the replies. The injection pump was replaced because of a leak, I'm told. The rear was rebuilt as the limited slip was no longer limiting slip. And for the 3k, that's just the milage from friends house to friends house to get it home, not as the crow flies. West coast to east, rustless to rusty if you will.

 

KDP is a possible issue. IP replacement is suspect, but things do fail. Would be nice to ID it to make sure the same or bigger was replacing it. You'd be looking at an 885 or 911 pump for factory, and 887 or 913 if they replaced it with a 215hp pump.