Howdy folks!

I am new to the forum and looking to purchase a diesel truck so I am needing some advices.

I never owe a diesel truck before so this will be my first diesel truck.

I am in food vendor busniess and have a snack trailer which I am pulling from show to show or fairground but currenly using a Gasoline full size blazer. MPG isn't that great on it when it come to pulling the trailer and I would notice everyone else that pull some type of vendor trailer would be driving a diesel which is mostly Dodge Cummins or Ford PowerStroke.

So I been doing some research and determine that I would get better mpg pulling trailer on a diesel truck over a gasoline truck and that diesel engine will have a better torque and have longer lifespan. Also my research show me that Dodge with Cummins give the best mpg pulling a trailer. However I am seeing that there been some complaints about transmission or rear-end easily break on Dodge earlier models so that worries me a little bit.

I have compare between the Chev and Ford and Dodge that I feel strongly toward buying a Dodge with Cummins and need some advices. I don't make huge money in this type of busniess so my budget for a diesel truck would probably be about 12,000 to 13,000 and I would want at least an extended cab (or Quad cab?) so far I am finding listing of Dodge 2500 Ram in the 1999-2000 year range with at least 150,000 miles or greater.

Since my budget pretty much forces me to stay with year 2000 or below so is there any advice or certain type of truck I should keep an eye out? I do see something about tranny problem on certain model or year but I can't determine which model or year to avoid and also I am reading that 150,000 miles is like new to a diesel engine and shouldn't be an issue to worry about.

Any input or advice or suggestion will be greatly appericated!

Thank you!
Bill

 

Welcome to the site. I would look for a 98.5 or lower 12 valve Cummins/Dodge with a 5 speed manual. They get the best fuel mileage and are very reliable trucks. You are gonna have to look hard and long. They don't last long when they come up for sale.

 

I will have to find one with automatic tranmission.
I can drive a stick but I waste gas when I do being a deaf man and can't hear the rpm revving hinting me to shift to the next gear.

I am curious what is 98.5? Is that the truck manafactured in the middle of 1998 and is the a specific reason as to why I should get a 98?

Thank you for inputs!
Bill

 

Those trucks do have tachometers from the factory but each man has his own preference. The 12valve was made from 94-98. Then 98.5, Dodge switched to the electronic injection 24valve, which went to 2002. Those trucks have problems with lift pumps and the vp44 fuel pump, which is one reason the 94-98 12valve p7100 pump (p-pump) trucks are more reliable. The early 98 is the only year offered with the quad cab, new interior, and the 12valve, which makes them hard to find for a good price.

 

If it hard to find then what would the second choice be?

How serious is this lift pump and vp44 fuel pump problem? Is it something that can be replaced with some aftermarket parts? What is a lift pump and it purpose?

Excuse me for asking many questions becasue it will be my first diesel purchase so I wanted to research into this as much I can.


Thank you for replying!
Bill

 

no reason to apologize about the questions, thats what we are all here for to help answer each others questions. as for the lift pump it is the pump that pulls the fuel out of the tank and pressurizes it to between 5-40 psi depending on the pump. the injector pump is the one that pressurizes the fuel to 6k-30k psi. the travel path of the fuel is: tank -> lift pump (5-40psi) -> fuel filter -> injector pump (6k-30kpsi) -> injectors

 

As far as driveline strength I know my preloved 2000 had a dana 70 front and dana 80 rear. The Ford superduty the same age used a 70 in the rear not sure on the front.
If you were to buy a 98 1/2 + truck just put a new lift pump in when you get it then you know you will be good for the next 100,000 miles. A weak lift pump will take out your VP44.
I think you would be happiest with a manual transmission with 3.54 gears If you are hard of hearing straight pipe it you will know when to shift

 

Thank you for the advices.

How much would a lift pump part normally goes for if I was to replace it myself?

VP44 should be fine as long the lift pump is in a good working order?


I found a 1998 quad cab 12 valve with 5 speed 135,000 miles for $13,900 but I am really wanting an automatic tranny so I am still looking. I might go with newer 1998+ model and put a new lift pump as soon I purchase it.

Bill