Buying used 96-98

[bajapilot]

I have a friend who would like to buy a used 96-98 3500 (or possibly 2500) to use for towing a horse trailer while having a small slide-in camper on back. Total of trailer and load would be about 8-9K. His budget is about 20-22K so he doesn't think he can afford new.



I have a 2001 so I'm up on most of the 24 valve info but I don't know much about 12 valve trucks. Is there anything I can relay to him to be aware of as he hunts for this truck?



I've already told him to get a stick shift (he'll be towing in the Sierra Nevada mountains a lot but also does long hauls on the highway). Thanks in advance for any help. Bill.

 

[DHawthorne]

I've got two 96's one with 177k and the other with 145k. (auto's)

Other than brakes, two fuel pumps (mechanical) oil filters, air filters, fuel filters and tires, and one transmission, don't have nothing bad to say about them. They work every day.



You should post your question on the 12V Fourm be specific about engine and transmission stuff. I had a friend in Oregon that had a 4x4 98 cummins. Used for towing log trailers etc. He loved the truck, but had to get rid of it because of front end problems that kept reoccuring. Dodge would not do anythings. He driving a 454 Chevy Dulley now.



Dave

 

[RHARVEY]

I bought a 97 2500 with 132,000 miles and now it has 170,000. It does have the 5 speed with the 3. 54 limited slip. It has been the best truck that I have ever owned. If you are shopping,,take a look at Bowie Motors in Beaumont Ca. , their web site is

www.gobowiemotors.com. And make sure you talk to Monte. . he will take care of you. The only deal in diesel pickups...



Rick

 

[Dave Fritz]

For the most part, these trucks will run forever without much trouble.



When looking at the 96-98 trucks, two big things to watch for are brake pull and steering wander. Both have been very difficult to solve in the past.



An expensive or time consuming repair is a cracked timing cover caused by the killer dowel pin falling into the timing gears. Look for an oil leak at the front of the engine.



Repairable items to check:

Loose track bar, fuel return hose leak behind the fuel filter, worn front axle u-joints, inaccurate fuel gauge sender, worn or broken throttle rods/rod ends/springs, oil contamination of vacuum component and lines due to defective/missing check valve, leaking front and rear axle oil seals, P7100 overflow valve.



Dave

 

[Bob Wagner]

Rick, you should check your link

Originally posted by RHARVEY



www.gobowiemotors.com. And make sure you talk to Monte. . he will take care of you. The only deal in diesel pickups...



Rick

 

[BCFAST]

Which Truck...

As he will be hauling live animals, I recommend a dually. You can tow rediculous loads with a 2500, but when animals shift weight from one side to the other, he'll be glad he's got 4 tires on the ground back there! The 12v motors dont operate at such high revs as our computerized brothers... the manual is a no-brainer, but make sure he buys the 3:54 axle so he can run 70 and not be wound out... Mr. Fritz' advice is, as always, dead on.