buyer info

[KBurgoyne]

hey guys, im from the 12 valve forum. after seeing the 95 i bought a while ago my buddy has become interested in oil burners and is now looking at a couple of rigs from 93. one 250 and one 350 dually both are reg. cab long bed manual trans and 214k and 214k miles respectively. I'd like to know if there are any common issues with the old rigs beyond the KDP and Fifth gear issues, and what the gear ratios are for each.

thanks for the help.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Well, they are good simple trucks, but one thing to watch is seals and gaskets. Oil leaks are common due the heat and age drying the seals out.

1st gens don't have 5th gear nut issues. They have one step worse. The entire transmission! the getrags are not the strongest transmissions ever offered. Watch for bad syncros and noisy 1st and 2nd gear. You will hear a growling if the bearings are bad. If he does get one and it is ok, be sure to overfilled the transmission by 1 qt.

Other than that, watch for the normal things. Kdp is one of them.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Oh yes. Gear ratios are 3. 07, 3. 54, and 4. 10.

 

[RedRamAndy]

And if someone tells you they fixed the KDP, ask them if they tightened the gear case bolts on the front of the engine. They hold that case onto the block. Those seem to work loose and fall into the gears more often than the dowel pin falls out.

Another thing pertains to the body. Cowl cracks. Some trucks develop cracks in the cab below the windshield at the backs of the front fenders. You'll usually hear strange grinding and popping from that area as you drive the truck. The cracks are virtually impossible to see with the fenders on. Here's one ex-members solution so you can get an idea for it. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...rum-1989-1993/156396-homeade-cowl-braces.html

Also inspect the front of the roof cap inside and out. Some rust through with little blisters showing above the gutter line on the outside.

If you're looking at 4x4's, check the frame rail at the steering box to see if it all looks good. Some crack if they have seen a hard life.

I love my truck and would recommend the style to anyone. Mine is stock without blistering power, but I love it! Longevity?: My uncle has a 12valve '97 with over 640k on the motor with nothing but regular stuff (water pump, starter, alt).

Getrag trans: Like Robert says, be attentive to these. Mine originally came with ATF for fluid. I drained that and overfilled (like he said) with Redline MTL. I just didn't feel that the hydraulic fluid (ATF) had enough lubricity to give the proper gear protection.

Just my experiences. Good Luck!! He'll love the truck, but be ready to tinker a little.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yep, maintenance is key. Change the fluids regular, and it'll last a long time. A little diesel fuel additive is important, too. The older VE pumps were designed to be lubricated by the fuel, but today's low sulfur fuel doesn't offer the lubricity it once did, so a good lubricity formula additive will help it last a lot of miles, Stanadyne is the one recommended by Cummins, Diesel Power Services, Lucas; seems most the major oil companies offer one. I've had several of these trucks, and they've all performed exceptionally for me. My first diesel, an '89, ran 400k after I got it. It had 150k on it when I bought it for $6800 in '94, and I traded it in '98 and they gave me $6500. And I wish I had kept it, now. One of my '90s was a 3 speed auto with 3. 07 rear, and it had 340k showing when the odometer quit. I kept it another 2 years or so, and sold it to a kid in Prosper, who's grandfather is still driving it. I've got a '93 in my yard now that's pretty tired with 390k on the clock, but they're all rough ranch roads and county roads in Western Texas. Got a few wiskey dents from hired hands, too, but it fires right up everytime. I had the transmission rebuilt at 320k, and had to put an injection pump on it at 340k, with various other small items like a water pump, alternator, etc. Take care of it, and it'll last you a long time. And with the TDR as a resource, you should be able to take care of most of it yourself, and save money. These trucks are well worth what they sell for, and retain most of their value over time.