I've been looking to buy a another work truck. I farm, and a want to get another dodge, 94-97 or so. I been looking at alot and don't want to get a lot of $$$ in it, but they all seem to have a few miles on them 170k-230k. I dont want a show truck, i want one that i can be hard on and not worry about hurting it. Just a good farm truck. It probly won't be driven real far, maybe a 40mile radius from were i live. So is a truck with alot of miles on it just going to be a money pit?? Am i going to have nothing but problems?? I see alot of you guys on here have trucks with this miles on them, how are they holding up? Chris

 

All i am going to say , is it takes 100 000 miles just to break the engine in...

Those trucks you looked at are starting to become what i consider low milage trucks, i wouldn't have any concerns with buying them. My dad has a 97 with almost 300k on the ticker.

 

I think the MTBO for the Cummins engine is 350,000 miles. The truck body, suspension and running gear will wear out long before the engine does though. There are Dodge CTD's with 1,000,000 miles and still going.

So I guess it depends on how well the engine has been maintained and what shape the body is in. I would pay special attention to the front suspension. If it's a 4x4 I'd check things even closer.

Both the Getrag 360 and the NV4500 are good trannies. The automagics seem to hold up well also if maintained though I personally don't like autos for a working truck. Some of the early TCs in the autos were weak and slipped way to much for the torque of the Cummins.

I'm sure others will chime in with specific weaknesses that should be looked at.

Edwin

 

It seems like people are asking questions like this more and more frequently. I see you have been here a while - I'm frankley suprised you are asking this question.....

This is a primary reason to purchase a diesel.

The rest of the truck - if it's been kept up will continue to hold up well. If you cannot find a manual, you will need to plan to rebuild the auto trans on a frequent basis. Other pats, such as intercoolers, lift pumps, steering boxes, may need replaced as the vechile ages. If it were my looking around I would want to see service records, check the vehichle's condition out carefully, and be assured that normal service was kept up with.

Do high miles scare me - well, look at my signature...

 

I would say that as long as you are looking to leave the truck mostly stock you would be fine. At least that is my experience. With my 94 I have 280K+ and have some pretty good mods (see sig.), and almost all of my problems I have been able to link to the mods that I have done. Transmission being #1 problem on my list. Also I have the oversized tires and have had my share of wheel bearing and steering issues as a result. I think that of the other options out there for a farm truck, you can't beat going with a dodge cummins. As another testament to their indurance, my father is on his fourth dodge/cummins and other than the new 05 the others all have at least 200K (he still has everyone). He originally got into the dodge's for the cummins, but says he'd go back to dodge just for how well they have stood up to his abuse...and he does abuse them.

 

I bought my sons 94 with 227000 miles on it and I bought the 92 I had with 175000 on it. Have had not the first issue or problem with either one.

 

bought my 91 at 198k, my 97 at 200k, and my 98 at 175k...

to me 150k is "low miles"

 

Thanks for the help guys, The reson i'm asking is b/c i don't really know anyone around my area that has a high mile 12v. Anyone that has one, pulls it, or its a some what low miles. Or had a brand new dodge. The truck it self i know will have probs, my 98 has 118k, and 40inch tires, i found out what kind of probs they can have. I need to find one that ia completely stock, Right? Oh and an auto is out of the question, i need a 5-sp for sure.

 

In my opinion, the 12v is the most durable engine ever put into a light duty truck. And even if something does go wrong, generally the problem is easy to find and fix.

Like was stated before, there are quite a few million mile 12v Cummins running around out there. If the truck looks like it was taken care of, then no amount of miles should stop you.

 

I don't know if I would say it "must" be stock or it "must" be 5-speed. But if an auto fits your needs better, explore options to have it beefed up (I think there is info here, a shearch should help you). Also, Mods vary, if it's a turned up fuel system, I have to reckon the truck has been driven harder (although this isn't always the case.) I guess I prefer to do the mods myself if I need them, otherwise I prefer a stock unit. Electrical changes, in particular, tend to be troublesome as they often lead to further electrical gremlins down the line.

I would avoid any truck with known electrical problems, even if it's low-mileage. Avoind ones with frame damge, suspension damage, or other major "crash wounds" and you should be in good shape with a 12V unit. The engine, as many have said, will outlast the truck.

 

193k miles here. Had a rear end go, but still havent figured out why.... To me, 500k+ is what I consider high miles on a CTD. they will last forever.

Eric

 

Mine has 347,000 + and is showing no signs of getting tired!!!!
Good luck with your search!

 

As far as high mileage goes what about a third gen? How high is normal. I'm looking at one that has 80k and is an 04'. When do ball joints tend to give out? Anything else that I might need to know?

 

my buddy's got over 200k on his 04... no balljoint problems on his 2wd

 

I bought the latter truck with 370,000 miles on it for $8,000. It didn't have a bed on it. I put on a steel utility body on for about a grand. Runs fine. Lower joints have to be replaced, but other than that it's working real fine.