Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Durability

[argve]

I'm currently in the market for a repalcement truck, because of cost restrictions (not made of money ya know) I will be looking for a 94-97 era truck. I'm not new to diesels as I have gone a full 12 rounds with a 1991 F350 CC Dually 7. 3L IDI that has always given me engine troubles average 2. 5 years/70k miles between complete rebuilds... yes 2. 5 years and 70K miles. I have always kept the oil changed at 2500-3000 miles, bypass oil filter system, kept all fluids clean, cool and changed often. Currently I'm NOT going to fix it again, I'm closing the book on her so to speak.



I'm looking for a truck that can put up towing a 31ft with slide 9500lb TT on the weekends. I have always driven with a heavy foot to say the least (I suspect this is why the IDI dies so quickly). I like jack rabbit starts, full throttle up to the speed limit then back out on more than one occasion a day. Typically this is not an every stop light type of thing but it does occur.



I'm considering a Cummins powered Dodge for the shear and simple fact that I have heard nothing but good about them from everywhere as opposed to only hearing the good when talking to other hard core IDI'ers. There has to be something with that huh?



Now I like to pull my TT at highway speeds, I don't mind loosing a little speed on the hills but would like to keep a steady pace up a grade.



Is the Cummins for me?



I have a ton of questions and have had a good portion of them answered by just reading the forums but this one I did not quite find a direct answer to.



If I have posted this in the wrong forum let me know, as I'm a newbie here and I'm gonna make mistakes - but I learn from them

 

[SEmerson]

A 94 to 98 12 valve is a good pick. Most reliable cummins out there. Power stock sucks. But compared to a 91 7. 3 it is fine. They are very easy to work on and also very easy ,cheap to make more power.

 

[jmeehan]

Welcome aboard.

It sounds like you have a good truck, you just need to get the right engine in it. If you're not up to an engine swap there are outfits that'll do that for you.

Mid '90's 12 valve would be perfect. JMHO

 

[Sojourner]

Is the Cummins for me?

From what you describe, under the circumstances it's your only option.



I beat my '94 like a red-haired stepchild everyday (always WFO from breakaway to cruising speed, then more WFO as necessary) and it always starts with a bump of the starter even in 40 degree weather w/o being plugged in (@ 193K). My stock 12v Cummins is virtually troublefree, it's all the other stuff I have to keep up like brakes, front end, a/c, transmission, various sensors, etc. And hey, you don't have to slam the doors like on a Ferd and they don't fall off the hinges like on a Chebby.

 

[ndurbin]

Theres always a bad apple in the bunch and I just happened to buy the truck that is that bad apple.



I bought it almost 3 years ago and in that time I've had several major things go wrong. Engine and transmission went (for the 1st time covered under warranty) @ 185k, transmission went again (2nd time warrantied again) at 186k, Turbo and rebuilt injectors at 200k, front end rebuild and transmission again (3rd time not warrantied and replace with HD Blumenthal) at 220k, 2 starters, and 2 TPS sensors.



Comes out to more than I paid for the truck and had I known about the TDR before I bought the truck and some of the problems it would have cost me alot less.



Check the truck out thoroughly and dont be afraid to ask questions.



I've come up with a list of things I do anytime I look at a truck.



1. eyeball the truck first after the dealership is closed (i hate salesmen looking over my shoulder)

2. go back with atleast one other person when the dealership is open and go over the truck looking at everything. You'd be surprised what ya miss sometimes.

3. ask about previous owners, carfax check, and if any maintence records are available. Also ask if they did any maintence themselves (change the oil, filters stuff like that)

4. check all the filters and anything they might have done myself.

5. go for a test drive and if the salesman doesnt go along I pop the intake off and check the turbo play. I also try to check for the KDP (to see if it cracked the timing case) and I look the truck over again just incase me or the person I brought along missed anything.



Sorry for the long post

Nathan

 

[RonCooper]

You will be happy with a 12V if you do some upgrades. I am running a '97 with improved injectors, an aFe airbox, TST #4 plate, and lockup torque converter putting about 300hp at the wheels. The 12V Cummins will never be a jackrabbit off the line, but will pull HARD once you build boost.



My truck gets up to 23mpg cruising below 2000rpm, and a LOT LESS if racing or pulling heavy loads.



Get a lockup torque converter, or improved clutch... I pulled 19,000 lbs a few weeks ago delivering cows to sale. Pulling hills north of Denver on I-25 I ran up to 28 psi boost and 1000 degrees. On the flat I ran 8 psi and 850 degrees. Those numbers let me stay at 2000 rpm (about 77 mph)



I agree about the quality of the body. At 7 years old with 175K miles there is still not a squeek or rattle in the body.

 

[Sojourner]

At 7 years old with 175K miles there is still not a squeek or rattle in the body.

Ditto. At 11 yrs. old and 193K, nary a squeak nor rattle to be heard. The part I really like is that the doors close as easily as they do on my 01 (although I have seen a 95 Ram that had a wasted door hinge due to lack of lube). All brands have their problems, but to not have to deal with the body totally going to **** on you is a big plus.

 

[argve]

Cool... sounds like the Cummins is for me. Now to just find "the" perfect one. This is the part I don't like, the countless hours of crusing over trader papers, the time travel to see it... ugh...



I suppose I'll start my search here locally then branch out further and further until I find that special truck that trips my trigger.

 

[MultiSmith]

good choice ... ... It will all be worth it once is all over with I promise... ... see my signature... . I too own an turbo IDI 7. 3 as well as a Cummins B6. 94-05 I would choose the cummins he only time I would be on the fence would be if the CAT C7 was an option.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Good choice, just don't get the auto or the five speed. :-laf