buying 93 W350

[RSchwarzli]

I am looking at getting a 93 W350 with about 170,000 miles on it. It is a 5- speed, cummins dually. What kind of things should I keep an eye out for when I go to look at it. Is there any problems the 93 model year trucks where prone to? Any help would be much appreciated.



Robert

 

[Philip]

If you hear any noise from the Getrag it could be expencive. So listen closely to it.



Check the rear axle over real close for loose pinion bearings. The milage your talking about is the normal place they like to spit bearings out from old age.



Look and see if there is a 1/2" plate between the carrier bearing mount and the support it bolts to. If not you will see some vibration in the truck at low speeds. This was a TSB item. Which also means someone didn't keep up with maintenance most likely. At least on the Dodge level.



Ask if the front cover has been off to check the KDP and for loose bolts. This is a issue with a Cummins 6BT in this time frame up to around 2000 year model.



Ask about front axle service and wheel bearing repacks. The recommended repack on 4x4 is once a year or 12k miles. If it has never been done. Then expect around $200. to replace all the bearings in the front axle. Check the brakes also. You can see the front pads threw the dually rim holes.



Be sure to put it in 4x4 and listen for drive train noise. Also see if the steering wheel fights you on turns. It will to some extent on a tight turn. But on a soft turn it should not. I would recommend not doing this on dry pavement. Find a dirt road or something soft to drive in.



That should give you a start on what to look at. I am sure other members will jump in with what I have forgotten to list.

 

[Mopar Man1]

Yep a lot of the things he said,look out for. I didn't know these on my 93 W350(its a auto) From a start to bout 30 there is a whining and clicking in the rearend(bearings etc coming apart)and at bout 15-25 there is a vibration in it. These are things that definately need to be taken care of but my grandpaw wants to buy it,so I'll let him fix it :-laf



Jimmy

 

[dpuckett]

Transmission, rear diff, t-case. Ask about fluid changes on this too. There is nothing particular to the 93s that you wouldnt check out normally on any other year 1st Gen, though. Just make sure it is all there and in good shape. Leaking seals can be an indication of long oil change intervals, or that my mom owned it :-laf (long story). Could just be age, too, though.



Check the exhaust manifold for shrinkage, though the 2 93s I had, and CB Parker's 93 had no shrinkage whatsoever.



CHeck the turbo for shaft endplay and up and down slack. (do this with the engine OFF) Up and down should be minimal, though SOME play is acceptable; end to end shouldnt be discernable to the naked eye or hand. I think the spec is around . 003"



Check air intake hose condition and for dirt on the inside, as the 93s didnt have a bolt going through the middle of the filter like the 89-92s, and may not seal like it should.



Check rear brake adjustment. Though this isnt a real critical issue in selling, it can give you an idea of what the seller thinks of as satisfactory. My definition of good brakes differs quite a bit from my boss's defnintion- my brakes put him into the windshield first time he drove mine across the lot. at the same time, check brake fluid color/ condition. If it is brown or black, and looks nasty, you can bet you will need to do some work to the system.



Make sure the tires and wheels all match. Wheels, at least. the Dodge wheels are coin fit, so any other non- coin fit wheels willl literally stick out like a sore thumb.



Read through the sticky about 1st Gen tips for more ideas.



Good luck, hope this helps.



Daniel

 

[RSchwarzli]

Sounds like good advice to me. I will keep an eye (or ear) out for all of those things, and mabee I will get a new truck! Oo. Thanks alot.



Robert