Any good reason not to buy a 91 ?

[LLindsey]

I am a mason contractor, my primary truck is an 01 Ram CTD.



I'm looking at buying a 91 CTD 2WD Auto. with 135k on it, have not seen it yet but sounds like it has had good care. It will mainly be a back-up or use it personally when my 01 is loaded.



The owner says the original owner takes good care of all his vehicles.



How many miles is the auto transmission good for under "normal" conditions and good maintenance.



Owner says no modifications have been done to the truck.



What is the difference between the 91 and 91. 5?



Any other insight or warnings would be helpfull.



Lee

 

[Philip]

The 91. 5 models had an intercooler and a auto with an OD unit for lower engine RPM at road speed.



If it hasn't been used for heavy towing and it has been serviced at factory interviels then it should last for many more miles.



Look for the normal front end parts worn. The Cummins was hard on front end parts. Check the ball joints good and all the other parts.



Look the frame over around the steering box mounts. There has been cracking in this area noted.



Also check to see how much play is in the steering coupler at the junction of the steering box and the shaft that comes from the column.



Check the rear axle for loose pinion bearings.

 

[LLindsey]

Thanks Philip for the reply,



Except for the cracks sounds like normal rear and tear. What can be done about the cracks if there are any? Is this a job for a welding shop, body shop or what? Is it a major expense?



If these Items are the biggies I should sell my 01 and buy two of them!

 

[Philip]

If you would find cracks in the frame anyone good with a welder could fix it. I have reapired a few chevy's over the years for this problem. I am not sure but there might be plates on the aftermarket to reinforce this area.



Like you said just the normal items to look for. The 2 wd model has a lot less maint items to look at than a 4x4.

If these Items are the biggies I should sell my 01 and buy two of them

Thats your call. Remember these model years had the best designed bug killing front end of any Dodge design. So be warned. It takes extra effort to keep the front ends clean.



They ride rougher than that 2001 you have.

 

[LLindsey]

My dad had a 92 4X4, I remember how it was riding in it Oo. , we considerd taking it to a saddle shop and having saddle horns sewn into the seat!

 

[AMikonis]

My dad had a 92 4X4, I remember how it was riding in it , we considerd taking it to a saddle shop and having saddle horns sewn into the seat!

Yeah, but you're looking at a 2wd, they really don't ride too bad at all. I've had both, the 4x4 was a beast...

 

[rbalcom]

My 93 rides very nice with a 2 inch lift National spring packs and Bilsteins. The trick is to raise it so it stays off the bumpstops!

 

[dpuckett]

If it is an early 91..

Ask about head gasket replacement, if it has or hasnt been done. Mine blew at about 248K, and I finally got around to tearing into it at 255K. It has had the pump turned up for 200K+. Made 28 psi with stock turbo and housing. AFC pin at 1/2. Head was flat, cracks at every injector hole b/t it and intake valve. Not bad; guy at machine shop said he had seen them on Case tractors with lots bigger cracks do ok with them. Mine had an obvious spot where the gasket blew. I figure with my BOMB budget ($0) and just driving empty, I ought to get by till New year's. But if the one you're looking at is stock, and beentaken care of well, I wouldnt worry too much about it. The early ones will run hotter EGTs than the newer ones, naturally. Anything else, anyone? Might check the TSB list.

Daniel

 

[LLindsey]

Sounds like this truck is a 91. 0, no intercooler and owner says doesn't have overdrive.



I plan to use the truck mostly around the St. Louis metro, can't imagine driving one of these much at highway speeds without an overdrive .



The owner can't find definate info on axle ratio. I would imagine it would have to be pretty high without OD.



Any input on the 3 speed autos?



The truck looks as though it has been kept garaged and had no abuse.



Guess I have my heart set on it, just don't want to be dissapointed after I get it home.

 

[Philip]

A 91 nonintercooled should have 3:07's in it. That is a 727 trans in it right now. The top end should come in around 75 mph or so. Without an overdrive it will be winding up pretty good at 65 mph.

 

[PPeters]

FWIW, if you're serious about determining the axle ratio's, check to see if the ID tags are still under one of the diff cover bolts. The tag will give the ratio. If tag is gone, get the BOM number off the axle tube and go to a drive line shop. They can look up the ratio's from the BOM number.



Pat