New member here, <br><br>My fiancee and I are in the market for a early 2nd gen. Ram with the Cummins engine. I feel pretty confident spotting problems with gas engines, but this will be my first experience with a diesel. <br><br>What are some things to be on the look-out for? Are there any parts that are prone to fail at around 100-150K miles? To find a truck in our price range, we need something from around 94-97, and it will probably end up having more than 100K miles. <br><br>Thanks in advance for any advice you guys could give me and please forgive me if I sound like a dummy<br><br>Mike<br><br>

 

100 K will be just broke in.

 

At 100K, I would be looking at the rest of the truck harder than the engine. The engine's just broke in, but the rest of the truck is the same as a gasser with 100K. Some parts could be getting pretty tired. Check out the steering and front suspension real good.<br><br>The 12 valve engine should be due for a valve adjustment at 100K. If the dealer can't verify that it has been done, you could probably make them do it as part of the sale. That, plus new oil and filters and the engine's ready to go.

 

ok, I have a 1997 Cummins Turbo diesel with 208,000 miles and it runs like new. I had problems with the front end though.<br>My engine is fine so your ok to go with that little of miles. But it depends on the previous owner.<br><br>First suggestion is check out front end. <br><br>Example: ****** Joints(Upper and Lower) <br><br> *Steering stabilizer<br><br> *Front Axel U-Joints<br><br> *Steering box<br><br> *Trac Bar (and if you do get the truck, go to www.lukeslink.com and replace the trac bar ends with the lukes link. TRUST ME!!!<br><br> *Wheel bearings<br><br>Also, check to see what kind of oil and air filter you see. If you see Fram then think twice. Fram is not strong enough for the cummins diesel. Oil filter is important and oil changes. Sometimes a used truck can be starved of oil changes.<br>I recommend AMSOIL air filters and Fleetguard oil filters.<br><br><br>*Check turbo (Should be fine) leaks etc. (I have original with 208,000 miles)<br><br>*Check Fuel Pump (I have original with 208,000 miles)<br><br>Bring it to a diesel mechanic to inspect. He might charge you an hour labor but it's worth it.<br><br>**See if owner has any record of valve adjustment (good to know)<br><br>*CHECK TRANNY !!!! Mine went at 185, 000 and I got lucky.<br><br>*Starter went at around 120-160,000 miles. I don't remember.<br><br>Anyway, GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

 

Check to see if the KDP (Killer Dowel Pin) has been tabbed. Do a search on this site, you will find an explanation of KDP. This is an easy fix if you have the right tools/jig. Again, in a search here, you will find that info.<br><br>Good Luck

 

I cant remember for sure if the early 2 gen. came with the getrag manual trannys, but I would avoid it if you plan on getting a manual truck. Make sure to get the nv4500, its and excellant trans. If you get an auto, I would be sure to have it looked at and perform regular maintenance on it. The cummins is just to powerful for it in stock form. Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the replies guys. <br><br>As far as the suspension goes, if the ball joints are loose, will there be freeplay in some of the suspension arms? I have no idea what kind of suspension these trucks have. <br>Can you tell if the KDP has been fixed without pulling the timing cover off? <br>Also, are there any signs that the tranny might be ready to go out, besides hard shifting? (She says we have to get an Auto )<br>Are there any cold-starting issues I should be worried about?<br><br>That's all the questions I have right now. Thanks again for all your help<br><br>Mike<br><br>

 

phishsandwich,<br>If you find &quot;the one&quot;, I would take the VIN to a Dodge dealer and have them run it to see if it has a history of any mods made to it that would void any warranty that might be remaining. I would also pay a few bucks and do a &quot;lemon check&quot; with the VIN (Carfax?) to see if it has a less then desireable past.

 

Oh....and Mike,...don't forget the classic lines of the generation that started it all... ;D...<br><br>Signed<br><br>The 1st Gen guys... 8)

 

There's pretty good information on this site and lots of folks willing to answer these same 'ol tired questions. But let me tell you, all your opinions and advice are appreciated by us new buyers. I've been reading this site (and a few others) for the last two weeks or so since we're looking at buying a used diesel pretty soon as well. The only problem I have is trying to figure out what all the abreviations mean <br><br>John, who's looking closely at a '02 3500 dualy<br>

 

Ahhhh, the awesome Acronym. Yes, a lot of contractions, but a lot easier to type out. For example: CTD= Cummins Turbo Diesel (You know that) and VIN= Vehicle Identification Number and KDP= Killer Dowel Pin. ETC, ETC.<br><br>I work with acronyms all day (computer field) so I know how thay are. Anyone want a computer lesson on acronyms?<br><br>RAM= Random access memory<br>RDRAM= Rambus Dynamic Random Access Aemory<br>SDRAM=Static Dynamic Random Access Memory<br>DDRRAM=Double Data Rate Random Access Memory<br>PC=Personal Computer<br>CPU= Central Processing Unit<br>VSM= Virtual Storage manager<br>LCD=Liquid Crystal Display (As in the new improved computer monitors)<br>MODEM= Modulator/Demodulator<br>ISP=Internet Service Provider<br>OSP=Online Service Provider<br>IP=Internet Protocol<br>UTP=Unshielded Twisted pair (Cable)<br>CAT5E=Category 5 Ethernet (Cable for High speed internet)<br>TCPIP=Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol<br>MIPS=Millions of Instructions Per Second<br>GB=Gigabyte<br>MB=Megabyte<br><br><br><b r><br>WEW and a lot more!!!!!! This isn't even 1/10th of a percent <br><br>LOL=Laugh out Loud

 

[quote author=pepperoni link=board=5;threadid=16910;start=0#158914 date=1057953613]<br>The only problem I have is trying to figure out what all the abreviations mean <br><br>John, who's looking closely at a '02 3500 dualy<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>Here's a nice list of them, located here in the &quot;Tech Facts&quot;<br><br>https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...p;onlynewfaq=1<br><br>Click on the acronym and it tells you the meaning.<br><br>phox

 

VERY COOL !!!!!!!<br><br>I didn't know that was here.

 

I must say I'm pretty dissapointed with what we found.<br><br>First, we looked at a 97 club cab dually w/127K miles. It had definitely been used to do some heavy work. Had a 5th wheel hitch but the bed was all dinged up, paint was nasty on the hood, passenger seat slider was busted radio didn't work and the a/c sucked they wanted 12961 for it. It was also leaking something pretty bad in the front of the engine.<br><br>Next was a 95 4x4 clubcab with 58K on it. Bubbly paint on the hood and roof, pass. side running board about to fall off. it hesitated really bad between 1000 and 1800 rpm, the acceleration was way off the dually. It also had the red leather interior He said he wouldn't take less than 13,900 for it(no thanks)<br><br>Next a 01 2500 quad cab 4x2 that had just came in on a trade with 64k miles. Hadn't even removed the dip cup out of the cupholder . Acceleration was way better than both others and the a/c blew cold. We brought it back so they could clean it up. When the sales guy went to back it into the spot, we heard a loud clunk. Really loud! I walked over to the passenger side and whenever he had it in reverse and turned the wheel, the pass side wheel would pop out really bad, about 10 degrees pos camber win a loud clunk ??? After that we decided we didn't want anything to do with this truck cause it had obviously been abused(loud pinging under the hood) and the concrete all over the back seat. They wanted 22,900<br><br>I'm pretty dissapointed like I said, I think our expectations were too high for our budget. Oh well, we'll go look again next weekend.<br>Thanks again for the advice guys<br><br>Mike

 

The clunking in the last one is probably a bad U-joint, and the other trucks are proof that some people don't take care of their trucks. I can't believe they were asking that much $$ for them !!!!!


Good Luck!!!

If I see any in my area I'll let you know, but i'm probably far away.


Wait: Check out link !!!!

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...p;cardist=2355

Click link

That's what i'm talking about!!!