Anyone got > 200k miles on a 12 valve?

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I am helping a friend look for a 98 or 97 12 valve with 5sd manual. He does lots of "field" work on utility projects 4 wheeling. We are trying to discover all the weakness's before he makes a purchase. We will be bombing. Other than 5th gear nut I do not see much. Also, the later modles leak oil out breather fourwheeling at steep angles. Any opions on these matters will greatly help.

Thanks!!

[This message has been edited by A-bomb (edited 09-12-2000). ]

 

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I don't have 200k but I do have 196k I have't had much trouble I have put in a new cluch and new throttle linkage but that is about it accept normal things you would expect from 196k miles of use. I haven't had it on real steep hills so I can't say about the leak but I haven't had a problem with what I have gone up.

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95' 2500 4X4 Cummins srw Strait pipe,K&N

[This message has been edited by cutter1 (edited 09-12-2000). ]

 

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Check my sig. NO problems except for the (auto) trans at 128k. I knew the previous owner didn't take care of it and expected to replace it, just not when it decided I should. Other than that, rebuild trac bar with adjustable parts, rebuilt front driveshaft, filters, etc. The steering column lower bearing is getting sloppy as is the lower bushing in the steering gear. I will be looking for a solution on them after I get my trans BOMBing finished.

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'94 3500 4x4, 201,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (currently under remodification), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

 

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A-bomb, I'm acquainted with a guy who recently sold his '91 Ram which of course is an older truck with a 12-valve. It had all hiway miles, and his odometer showed around 240,000 miles. But that is not the true mileage since he rolled it over about 2 years ago #ad
He drove it almost constantly all over delivering Dutchman camper trailers since it was new. Here's a few items he's had to replace:

1 injection pump at 600,000 miles
1 set of injectors at 600,000 miles
Rebuilt the front end several times then finally "modified" it some way so it would hold together longer (2wd)
NO engine repairs, only valve adjustments
Oil changes approx every 10K miles (about 1x a month)

When he sold it, it was using 1qt of oil every 2k miles but he was still driving it all over the US even though it had over 1. 2 million miles on it.

A farmer from Kentucky bought it and I'm trying to track him down. I hope he takes good care of this legendary truck and appreciates the significance of it. Cummins wanted the truck when Marty got ready to sell it but they weren't willing to give him a good price for it. The local Dodge dealer did not want people to know how many miles the truck had on it for fear people would try to hang on to their Cummins trucks longer to see how long they'll last then not buy new trucks--talk about being paranoid!

Vaughn

 

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I have 240,000+ miles on my 97, with auto.
No real problems, had a front axle seal
leak, and tail shaft seal on transfer case.
Thought I had trans trouble once, but it
just needed a fluid and filter change to
correct the problem. Truck is all stock, no
mods. I would not be afraid of a higher
milage truck. You can pretty much tell by
looking at the truck if it has been taken
care of or abused.

 

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Extrem, who made your trac bar?

Vaughn,
I heard of a couple million mile Dodge Cummins, but did not know particulars. That would be a great post if you track down the farmer and list the current status.

Could it be there is no weak link in a 12 valve? I read lots of complaints about having to deal with dealers and warranties, but I would say we have pretty darn good machine. Kind'a like DC-3's.


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1995 12 valve, original owner, 100k miles, banks stinger plus (14cm turbo, 3 1/2" exhaust, EGT and Boost guage, #7 torque plate in TST lingo, 215 injectors, Pscotty air on the way, 17. 5" American Raciing aluminum wheels, Mickey Thomson's, Starcraft camper and assundry dodad's. Only thing faster than a 12 valve is my Ducati 4 valve

 

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I got a '96 club cab w/5spd w/65,000 miles
so far... axle seals leaked at a few thousand miles changed em myself started leaking again at 35,000 miles had dodge do them I've been afraid to look since. . fuel sending unit went fixed under warranty at 35k went again at 64k now i fill it up every 400-500 miles. throttle cable frayed under warranty. driver side window switch for passenger side went now i lean over to put window up. passenger seat wouldnt slide forward fixed under warranty. right front axle u joint went took out axle to replace joint yoke was twisted somehow $300 or $500 think it was $300 for new axle. limited slip wouldnt work (1 tire in snow one on dry road tire in snow spun on flat ground w/no load fixed under warranty next winter same thing bot of 36K (no warranty) now i put in 4wd tires. would wear out every 25K miles put in 19. 5 from rickson got 15k on them no signs of wear. at 65 k thought I was going to lose 5th gear I thought wrong its still there. 65k headlight went who cares thats why dodge gave us 2. and front brakes every 10-15k. also around 65k my fuel return lines went which probably caused the lift pump heater to burn out maybe i'll just build a bigger garage and park it inside for the winter instead of handing $180. 00 over to the dodge dealer. Would I buy another 1... ..... in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!! (after I get my million miles out of this one)

 

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A-bomb, I think it was linstadt alignment or something like that. Do a search on trac bars. Get the finished one unless you are good (skilled) fabricator/welder and a wire feed capable of 175 amps.
A couple things I forgot about:
Starter sol. contact, $50, alternator brushes $35, t-case rear seal leaks-tried a seal-still leaks-who cares self rustproofing, Brake pads at about 125k-will need again soon, fuel heater/strainer, belt tensioner, 1 belt, 2 visor clips and 2 heater knobs (figured out how to fix them), 2 batteries.

 

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Yeah batteries and the rear transfer case seal for me too

 

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97' with 235,000- at 200,000 miles I replaced radiator,T-stat,Injectors(preferrence not needed) and did the 1st brake job. I also replaced the 5 spd with an Allison auto after dropping 5th for like the 4th or 5th time. The 5th gear thing was my only complaint about the truck.

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SOLD but still in the family:
97 Dodge cab/chassis 1 ton,Allison at 545 4spd auto, Brown-Lipe 3spd auxillary, 3. 55's,11'flatbed, bd injectors, K&N filter,Cobra 29 CB, Wilson 2000, electcric & V/H brakes, 50 gal. aux tank, pulling 40' G/N and 20' 12 k cap tag-along flatbed trailer,
235,000 miles and counting

[This message has been edited by LARGE CAR (edited 09-16-2000). ]