98.5 Ram

[DSiemens]

I just joined the overvalveled crowd with a 98. 5 3/4 ton 5spd. I just purchased a white unit with about 60 000 miles, loaded to the hilt, execpt the snow plow package. It's completely stock. I paid 29750 CDN for her. The truck is mint, only 1 small dimple on the box rail, and the fuel sending unit. So I believe I got a fair deal. What types of problems can I expect? I was going to drive it a few thousand miles before doing any bombing. Any suggestions or things to look for on it? What type of benchmarking and such should a person do to help in the future?



Thanks.

 

[Mr. Brewski]

Hmmm... . Problems I've had...



Getting pulled over for 60 in a 40 - and threatened with Reckless driving...

Deflating the ego of many Cheby drivers...

ditto on the phurd flowerstrokers too...

driving the balance of my credit cards higher...

a few new wrinkles on my face from grinning...



seriuosly now - they only problem I've had is a yoke seal on the rear end that had the drips. Keep the fluids and filters changed, and you'll not have any problems.



Good Luck and welcome to the over-valved club!

 

[JMoglia]

say mr. Brewski, I don't know whats up with our Dana 80's I have changed the seal myself because I figured if I took it to the dealer for warranty it would come out with a whole lot worse, but I got the leak back after a few hundred miles,I'm gonna see if there is an after market version. well I hope yours stays sealed.

regards, Joe Moglia

 

[Kent Kuykendall]

Joe,



I had one to leak and it was fixed. It leaked not long after that. When they fixed it the second time they changed the yoke and it has not leaked since. 20K since then. Hope this helps.



Kent

 

[Mr. Brewski]

My story is identical to Kent's! I took it to the dealer and they replaced the seal... didnt even make it home and it was leaking again. Took it back the second time and they changed the yoke and seal. They put a different yoke on it, one with a sheild in front of the seal. I've got close to 10K on it since they fixed it and no leaks yet - knock on wood.



I'm not so sure it's isolated with Dana 80's - my brother's '93 leaked like a seive from the Dana 70 in the back. Yoke, and both axle seals, plus the front yoke too! (Dana 60) Someone had removed the castle nuts on the rearend with a chisel and scored it all up. The only thing in that truck that didnt leak was the 12V. He had to replace the Getrag 5sp with a NV4500 and got the transfer case rebuilt at about 150K.

 

[TowPro]

I also had the Dana 80 seal leak, dealer installed just the deal and its been fine for 70K miles since. Also had the rear trans seal go.



As for what to check for on the 1998. 5, CHECK THE LIFT PUMP!!!!!!

Originally posted by DSiemens

I just joined the overvalveled crowd with a 98. 5 3/4 ton 5spd. I just purchased a white unit with about 60 000 miles, loaded to the hilt, execpt the snow plow package. It's completely stock. I paid 29750 CDN for her. The truck is mint, only 1 small dimple on the box rail, and the fuel sending unit. So I believe I got a fair deal. What types of problems can I expect? I was going to drive it a few thousand miles before doing any bombing. Any suggestions or things to look for on it? What type of benchmarking and such should a person do to help in the future?



Thanks.