Finally got my dodge!

[yenga80]

Hello all. I am very excited to be the proud owner of 96 dodge cummins truck. I used to be a member of this site a couple years ago; during that time researching all the different trucks and figuring out what one I wanted to buy. Well I finally made the jump and 2 days ago found this one. It's in pretty good shape for the age. I had a hard time deciding between the 2nd gen 12V and 24V. I read countless threads on this site about pros and cons to both. I'm happy that I went with the 12V. The sound isn't much different. Glad to have the P7100 and mechanical lift pump. The truck has a bit of mileage on it (239k) but that doesn't scare me as I know the cummins will last. The transmission seems fine now but in the future I plan on upgrading it with parts from ATS.

I already got to get under the hood after 1 day of ownership by changing the fuel filter and trying to diagnose a hard starting issue after it has sat for a couple hours or more. After doing some reading I think I know what to do. Going to eliminate the fuel heater and fix the primer o-ring as it is leaking and causing an air leak. BTW does anyone know how the primer button comes out? Next up is new exhaust, gauges in the pillar, make sure the dowel pin is killed and down the road new turbo and injectors. Previous owner put a TST fuel plate in there and it goes pretty good once the converter locks up.

Anyway just wanted to say hi and I'll put some pics up soon.

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[HBarlow]

Andy,

Welcome to Dodge-Cummins ownership. I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I've enjoyed mine.

 

[DAN V]

awesome

congrats on the "new" truck. I have had several Dodge trucks over the last 10 years. My last truck was a 2011 3500. It was a great truck. Had it for a little over a year. I just could not see myself paying $700 a month for something I was hardly driving. Love the truck I have now. Don't have to deal with all the DEQ crap and much easier to work on. Can't wait to see your pics.

 

[jgillott]

Congrats on your '96. I'm sure you are going to enjoy it. I've owned at least one for almost 20 years now and I can honestly tell you that I miss the simplicity of the older trucks. You've purchased a great year.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Good choice Andy!

 

[yenga80]

Thanks guys. I too am glad I got a 12 valve. Love the simplicity. Well last night tore the front apart to fix the KDP as the previous owner didn't know anything about it. Well i'm very lucky as the pin was still in the hole only coming out maybe a 1/16" of an inch. Gonna also tighten the rear cover bolts and locktite em. I'll post some pictures on here tomorrow.

 

[BSmart]

Welcome Andy,
I found your story "Finally got my dodge" and had to read it. My first was my Dad's '96.
It's gone now but I still miss it. Here is a post I put on TDR in 2006, perhaps it will help save you from a future problem. It's a long story, but I think tells of what "could" happen, and "did" happen to me !! Bob

I mistakenly left the canopy dome light on for a week in my 96 cummins/5 speed with 98,000 miles. As I drove to work each day, I unknowingly was keeping ahead of the discharged batteries, (the tinted canopy windows didn't help the situation. ) That was until I forgot my coffee on the way to work at 0530, stopped at McD's, shut if off at the drive up speaker, and tried to restart it with no luck. I lucked out and managed to push it out of the way. Called my buddy at work and after a jump start, I made it to work, after work a he again stood by to make sure it would fire off, after a couple clicks it did, then when I got home I charged the batteries all night figuring this would solve the problem. The next morning I heard the solenoid click and then it started the next try. When I got to work I searched this site and found that if you don't take care of the solenoid contacts and add a diode, you can have serious problems down the road at around 100k with the 94 to 98 1/2 trucks. I believe it can include(ie, burnt out fuel shutoff solenoid, which costs about $200 to replace, and possibly an engine fire if the starter hangs and can't be shut down) I ordered the parts, rolled the dice, and then drove the truck to work one more time. At 10 pm in the parking lot, it fired off after clicking a couple times and then the high pitched whine of a stuck on starter made me realize that driving it to work one more time was a mistake. I quickly turned the key off, to no avail as the fuel shut off solenoid was being fed from the stuck solenoid contacts. I knew I had to shut it down and quickly. Lucky for me the truck is a 5 speed so I put it into second, held the brake and let out the clutch, it wasn't pretty but it shut it down. I should have left it in the lot and fixed it later, but rolled the dice again and on the second try got it to fire off without the starter staying on. I now have the parts from http://fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm but haven't had the time to put them on. The dodge is in the driveway waiting for me. Total cost of parts from foster about $60. Their website states that most starters with the solenoid problem are still in good shape. Sorry for the long post, but hopefully I can save someone from the same situation I faced. Bob

 

[yenga80]

Thanks bob for the good info. I've heard of the starter contacts failing and then causing issues with the fuel solenoid. I've taken the fuel solenoid out of the engine as I installed a PTO cable to shut the fuel on and off. Now I don't have to worry about a solenoid or relay failing. But still need to rebuild that starter.

 

[yenga80]

KDP still in place. made the tab from scratch and going to install today.

 

[JMDancoe]

How about a picture of your truck? So we can all drool! Your now part of the clan, so show it off! By the way, you don't have a location in your avitar, so where do you hail from?

 

[yenga80]

some pics hopefully no duplicates

 

[yenga80]

more pics of truck

 

[yenga80]

finally pic of outside

 

[yenga80]

inside driver side. interior in good cond.

 

[MLee]

inside driver side. interior in good cond.

Hy Andy,,, Is that a slippery slide on the drivers seat?? (tounge in cheek) with LOL. For that milage it looks good. Now its just going to cost you Mega bucks to trick out.

Welcome Back to the site.

 

[yenga80]

Thanks Mlee! Good to be back on the site. I know I'm goin to sink a lot of money into her. Got the KDP tabbed yesterday and also locktite four of the five bolts that hold the rear timing case on the block. That fifth bolt behind the cam gear sure looks tricky to get at. Didn't attempt cause I knew it already had locktite on it from the factory as the other four did. Was surprised the one next to the dowel pin was hand tight when I went to take it out. Scary.

 

[yenga80]

more outside pics

 

[JMDancoe]

Looks great!!! You have a darn good reason to be proud!