227,000 miles would you buy it?

[Todd T]

I have a chance to buy a 97 auto regular cab 4x4 for $10,000 it has 227,000 miles on it. "all highway miles" how many times have you heard that one?



my plans are to stretch it and build myself a crew cab truck.



I basically need a regular cab donor truck for the drivetrain and obviously the engine the rest i have to fab and/or buy.



with this many miles on the truck do you think i could get away with just going through the top end of the motor (head, timing)and turning it up a little (400-500hp) or should i plan to rebuild from the ground up? as in, a complete rebuild from a bare block.



or just keep looking all-together?

 

[RHARVEY]

My 97 had 132,000 when I bought it and now it has 175,000 and still runs great...



Rick

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Todd, I would drive it and see if it had any power. Check for leaks and what not, and check the oil pressure. If it is clean, I wouldn't mess with rebuilding the motor, just start Bombing it. 227,000 miles is not very much for a Cummins. A friend of mine has a 1st generation that has 900,000 on it, hard miles too the way he drives. Check the background, # of owners and such, and if everything checks out alright and you really like it, go for it.

 

[BCFAST]

KDP

The 97 model is smack-dap in the middle of the KDP window for problem vehicles... . just something to think about when shopping. Opinions and armpits. . but that sounds expensive for what it is.

 

[rrausch]

"All Highway Miles"



Sometime I would love to hear a seller say something like this: "Well... Jim Bob here got it stuck drivin' it through the pond a few times last summer, and Sis's boyfriend took it to Moab and Baja before that, then of course Dad pulled a car hauler full of back-hoes up and back to the Yukon for a couple of years running... course that was before we pulled the engine and ran it in the John Deere one season... but other than that... IT'S ALL HIGHWAY MILES!





Now mind you I bought my '95 automatic, used with ONLY 67,000 miles on the clock and a rusty 5th wheel hitch in the bed. I just turned 100,000... still runs great!

 

[GSchlegel]

227,000 miles in 5 yrs. , that averages around 45,000 miles per year. I'd say most of those miles were highway. I wouldn't be affraid of those miles, I've met a few owners with 700,000 miles and still going strong. Never been inside the engines. Since it's easier to bomb a 5 speed (and I personally like manuals), I'd be a little leary of the auto. My $. 02

Gene

 

[illflem]

My concern would be the Dodge part that surrounds the Cummins, not the engine. Just give a good look over at the other parts you might need.

 

[Barry]

I was at an auction 2 weeks ago and bought 2 CTDs. One was a 96 3500 Club Cab auto with 210 on the clock. It ran and drove like new. I think I stole it for $9150. It was clean. My bride drove it home for me(430 miles). It had all highway miles. No brake pedal wear... ... . the drivers seat still looked new!

 

[KYOUNG]

wore out truck

:--)my truck just turned over 242k, probably been in the 275+hp since 88k . it probably runs better now than ever. just check out the frontend good and drive it. i wouldnt think twice about jumping in mine and driving to west coast Oo.

 

[jrobinson1]

For what you want to do watch for some rollovers or burns, they go can cheap and you don't want the body anyhow. Just a thought once the get wrecked the price goes way down, salvage title. I don't think you care. from what it sounds like you'll rebuild it anhow.





I got my 97 5spd with no signs of engine work 210k on it. So far replaced throw in the tranfer case and the pilot bearing and input shaft (due to pilot bearing fail), replaced air intake relays. total bills about $200 for repairs.



got my mom a 97 3500 auto 4x4 495k. engine weak, moved plate and solved that, ran it 500m test drive one weekend gave it to her. It did have a new transmission though, there a new barcode label so it was replaced. No problems yet 1 year, granted she drives it nice.



I wouldn't sweat it these trucks are easy to fix. If you do your own work and have some decent shops for parts I haven't spent much. not doing my own out $3K. My only question is the auto, I too vote for a 5 speed, they are tough.



Check blowby, power, leaks and make sure the undercarriag is Ok. Mine had been banged op but nothing wrong. Mom's is beautiful.



HTH



james

 

[Extreme1]

Check my sig.



Check the trans fluid, oil etc. Smeel it feel it, have Fireman Dave taste it for you.



I bought mine with 117,000 on it 4 1/2 years ago. The second owner put about 60,000 on it pulling a steel stock trailer with no brakes. When I asked about trans maintenence, he said "never had to, just drove it". So when the trans failed 6 months later, I was expecting it.



A 97 shouldn't have any trans problems like the 94/early 95's had. I DID drive to the Left Coast last summer and pulled a heavy little trailer doing it. It is the most dependable vehicle I've ever owned. But I really should fix the front seal one of these days, it's been leaking for more than 4 1/2 years...



Another 20,000 miles and it'll have more miles than my Volvo!

 

[Turbo Thom]

Well, mine is a 96 I bought new and now turned over 230K. The Dodge part has a few problems.



The Cummins part? 500K more miles

. . Preston. .

 

[Dfuruness]

Hey buddy,



I have 282,000 km and it still runs great! If it is a 12 V run it till it dies... ... no problems. Just kill the KDP... .



Don

 

[Todd T]

thanks guys for all the good points



as far as the Dodge part. i know what you mean. and yes i do plan to rebuild the entire truck. including the auto.



it will be a TODGE when i get through with it



I just didnt want to start throwing alot of HP to the motor before i knew if it could take it.



i do plan to hit the auctions houses too. the only reason i looked at this one is the guy (a dealer) wanted my truck in on trade. and he actually offered me enough for mine, to get me out of it

 

[kchristopher]

Originally posted by Todd T

he actually offered me enough for mine, to get me out of it

That would be an important factor for me. Nice feeling not being 'upside-down'.

 

[JBrookshire]

Same Question

I found a 96or97 2 wheel drive duelly with 242,000 miles on it. A moving company was going through ohio on 70 and was pullong a 32 foot long inclosed trailer and jacked nifed it. The truck is frome texas, they boved a guy to maine and was heading back to tx. The guy said before he left the trans was rebuilt and the fuel gages don't work. The truck only needs a cab and driver door. I can get the truck on a good deal. it has been hear for a year in a buddys wrecker service who towed it in and he got it. What should I look for on it??? And What is this kjp or jig problem??? Please tell me about this and what to look for??? Thanks Justin

 

[FD5]

Bought my 95 auto in Oct 2000 with 224k, just turned 257k with NO problems to speak of.

 

[pwknapp]

Bought mine with 14k on it and put 370k on it making a living hot shotting. Ctd is great, Dodge costs are sometimes out of hand. And I just got 370's and springs to put in. Heck I think I'll run the dog out of it in maybe another 400k.

 

[dkilzer]

Bought my 96 dodge dually from a man who had delivered campers for a living,it had 358,000 when I purchased the truck it now has 363,000 and runnin' strong. I researched the maint. records thru schied diesel before purchasing the truck and am very happy so far. This is my first dodge truck and boy is it a

blast !!!

















1996 dodge dually century fiberglass topper,full length fiberglass running boards,ispro pyro,egt and boost guages straight 3"right out the back with chrome tips,silencer ring removed





Ridin' with jesus