2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 02 2500 Nightmares...

[Kissfan113]

I'm havin a rough time with my rig... so far in the last year I've replaced the vacuum booster, power steering pump, an abs sensor on the front wheel, front wheel bearing, replaced the ecm, had to have the a/c recharged, the drivers door is rusting out, dash is starting to crack, and now to top it all off the heater core burst on me the other day. I'm feeling like the truck is falling apart around me, and not sure what to do with it... I love it when it works right, but lately every time I turn my head it's breaking down... I need some people to remind me why I bought it and more importanly why I keep it cause I'm losing sight of all that with rising fuel prices and repairs seemingly every other week.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Well we do say the mighty Cummins will at last the truck (or least part of the truck). :-laf I sorry to hear about your misfortune. .

I'll bet you have been using tab water/coolant in the cooling system if so you will need radiator soon also. When you replace the heater core change out coolant. But this time use distilled water (it's cheap) along with coolant (note the pre-mix coolant/water is OK but you pay more for them to mix it. So buy two gallons of distilled water and 2 gallons coolant you come out a head. )

 

[Kissfan113]

always have used distilled water to mix the coolant with... not sure what blew the heater core... things have just been a lil more costly than desirable as of late with the truck, just put the new wheel bearing in about 2 weeks ago

Kevin

 

[scotmartin]

Sounds like the same reason I sold my 99. Couldn't afford to own it anymore.

 

[Beach]

I've been in the same boat as you since I bought mine 3 year's ago. I've done: wheel bearing's, injection pump, brakes numerous time's, tran's twice, turbo, heater core and a/c condensor, wet floor board's(trying to fix now), just fixed my rusty door's(POR-15 @ line-x), busted windshield, rust in wheel well's(next project), APPS, fan bolt's fell out, washer bottle leak's. I'm sure I've forgot a few, but it's a love hate relationship, and it's paid for now. I'd take my truck with all the problem's over a duramax or power stroke any day. All vehicles are gonna require maintenance. Sometime's when it rain's, it pour's. Good luck!

 

[Kissfan113]

yea, the listed problems are just over the last year and don't count the lift pumps, vp44, and a few various things like that... I definately love my truck, but hate the pouring rain as of late... the worst part is I still owe on mine... I've owned it 3 and still owe 2 if i get it paid off might not be as bad...

Kevin

 

[MAllen]

I'll consider myself lucky to think I haven't done near what you have had to do in maintenance. Sounds like you have a lemon of a truck.

 

[NoSeeUm]

How many miles on your truck?



How did you know the wheel bearing was going out? Anything like a groan when only making a left turn?



Sorry for your troubles;

Jim

 

[Kissfan113]

I have 127,000 miles on my rig, the wheel bearing squealed some then self destructed, the only thing that held the wheel on was the brake hardware

 

[DSeamans]

Repairs

Don't feel alone, this spring I have replaced the exhaust, lift pump(put in airdog), turbo, transmission, injectors and this past weekend the brakes. Plus, my doors are rotted from the salt and I plan to pull the body off and redo it. I thought about a new one last fall, but everything I've done is less than 15% of a new one. I also don't hear of many new ones getting over 20mpg. I also know every part of the truck and don't have particulate filter and all that other crap. I can still work on it fairly easy. I have never before kept any vehicle more than 3 yrs or 90,000 miles or so. I've had this almost 8yrs and 185,000 miles. I hope to keep it that much longer! Its the nature of the beast for things to wear out, don't let it get ya down!



Dave

 

[hilda]

In the same boat

I've had this truck almost a year. Most the mods you see in my signature I've had to do. All the tie rods, track bar, DSS + Bracket along with AC /heater core. I'm just shy of 200,000 miles.



This is the down side of having an engine that last so long.

 

[RJMurphy]

Funny my truck outlasted the Cummins. . 3 lift pumps, to Injection pumps, KDP, then the 53 crack. all on the original auto trans, only problem with the truck is the typical door rust. Sold it and bought a V-10

 

[GAmes]

Well we do say the mighty Cummins will at last the truck (or least part of the truck)

I'm thinking you meant to type outlast. I get tired of hearing how poor quality the Dodge is. If it is taken care of, as well as the Cummins is taken care of the truck will do just fine. In fact, I spend more time fixing oil leaks than I do maintaining the rest of the truck. I am sure that it will be economically advantageous to replace the engine when it does die. The rest of my truck is solid.

 

[sheldon]

I must have gotten a good truck, did have the lift pump and injection pump under warrenty and now have the lift pump in the tank with no problems yet. Also had a right front whell bearing go. Other than that I replaced front brake pads, shocks, and tires. I now have 104,000 miles on it and it has been the most reliable truck I have ever owned and it is not babied, I carry a camper on it most of the time and pull a trailer with my woodie on it. Will probably be looking to replace the clutch soon. Hope mine doesnt start becoming a money pit.

 

[Dodoro]

It looks to me like the rust belt is still there! Keep in mind the weight of our trucks and what they pull. We all know there aren't many 1/2 ton trucks that will keep up (trailers / mileage / overall lack of maintenance.



Bought mine with 4545 miles, new.

1. Lift pump / inj. pump (covered) 84000 mi.

2. Inj. pump started leaking (another inj. pump / this time FASS) 135000

3. blower fan in 06

4. blower resistor in 05

5. Front brakes twice a year

6. Rear brakes once in 05

7. and now that I think me Track bar in almost completly worn, it's next.

8. Trans shift solonoid thingy twice



Hey I'm going to hit 200,000 miles next week

 

[bnbrown]

Yep, I guess I would have to agree with the when it rains theory...
on my '99 I ran it for a year after I got it with no prblems (80k to 120k miles) then:
5th gear spun on the input shaft, so full rebuild of the NV4500 and new clutch.
steering box blew up, replaced with PSC box (and PS Pump)
alternator
head gasket & radiator
LP x2
of course brakes and new bearings (luckily a new hub/rotor assembly and bearings are only ~$100 pre-2000)
and then no problems of note until 250k miles hit and the VP went.

 

[DirtyDodge]

I have 95,000 on my 2002. I have had to replace the injection pump @ 65k before I knew about how important a fuel pressure gauge is. Changed out the track bar, and have an A/C freon leak somewhere... Everything else has been normal wear and tear issues. Still happy with the truck.

 

[PVanderlugt]

Hey, DirtyDodge, I think you are driving my truck !!! Almost the same set up, and having the same problems. Kinda funny how that works out. How do you like that Adrenaline??, any temp problems??
(sorry for hyjack)
Pete

 

[DirtyDodge]

Hey, DirtyDodge, I think you are driving my truck !!! Almost the same set up, and having the same problems. Kinda funny how that works out. How do you like that Adrenaline??, any temp problems??

(sorry for hyjack)

Pete

Hey Pete,



You have made a couple better choices than me. I wish I had bought the adjustable track bar like you did, bout the same price as the stock third gen one. I love the adrenaline, not to bash on the SMARTY, but this is way better in my opinion. I have only been using it on PL03 so far, only had it in for a week or so. The power is so smooth. My transmission needs more addressing, going to be copying you on your transmission choice as well. :-laf. I will need a better turbo someday too if I want to use all the power that the adrenaline has to offer. I get up close to 1200 deg F with PL03 alone. Oh well, its only money...



Derek