Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Evaluating the high mile Cummins 12-valve

[Gordon Maney]

I have a 2001 Cummins Ram, and am thinking about looking for a first generation Dodge with a Cummins. Given normal operating noise level on a healthy diesel, that complicates evaluating the high mile engine, I would think.



What thoughts do you have regarding how to evaluate a high mile truck's Cummins diesel? The rest of the truck should be much easier to judge. What are your thoughts and experiences regarding this situation?



Were 4X4 crewcabs available, or very common?



Thanks... .

 

[Gordon Maney]

I realize I put this in the wrong forum..... perhaps a moderator can move it.

 

[bgilbert]

What are you considering a high mileage diesel?



Last year for the Dodge crew cab was 1985.



I wouldn't be worried about a 300k mile cummins or more. If an auto with high miles then I'd worry about the transmission. Front end parts more than likely gone with high miles non-attention. Pretty much depends on how the truck was maintained. If fuel filters were never changed you might want to rebuild the VE injection pump, although not necessary. Plenty of info in 1st gen forum read the stickies atop the page for more info on 'inspecting' a new 1st gen.

 

[MUDDY]

yep,,,,what do ya consider high mileage? my 92 has almost 600,000 mi and engine never touched. getrag swapped out for a 4500 and 5th gear nut done. rear dana 70 gone thru. the ve injection pump replaced at 400 and some thousand miles.



got some 1g's in the area over 1 million miles and another with 1,200,000 and engine never touched

 

[Lightfoot]

Never seen a crew cab, but quad cabs were fairly common. There are quite a few clean ones for sale in the $6000. 00 to $9000. 00 range. I just bought a second generation cummins with 218. 000 miles. Some minor bugs in the truck but the engine is strong, clean, and gets reasonably good milage. Blue smoke at an idle or under a load, oil seep around the back of the oil pan, hard starting, are stuff I look for. An origional owner I also look for. Maintainance and repair records also. Someone who has taken care of a truck will generally have some means of demonstrating the quality of that care.