Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need Some Opinions

[seagrave2001]

I was looking at a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Automatic (with a shift kit & valve body already installed plus the truck comes w/ a 6month unlimited milage warrenty) today at a dealership in york, pa. . It is a white regular cab truck with 91k on it. It is only a st not an slt so it has just the basics like air conditioning and a am/fm radio. It has a rubber floor and vinyl seats. . It was sitting on the lot for a few days without being started and the temp hear is 10 degrees and it fired right up. . The truck has a few nicks and a few minor dings on the tailgate, but hey its a truck. . The final price with taxes & tags is 18,159... Does this sound like a good price? I did put money down on it to hold it, but was wondering how does the price sound...



This dealership sells tons of dodge diesels & the owner knows alot about these dodge trucks and he was explaing the 24v motor to me & said that real diesels don't have glow plugs, they heat the fuel & air going to the chamber... I just laughed when he said that... About 3 other customers he has pulled in w/ dodge diesels today & he let me drive his 01 diesel which is putting out about 900ft lbs and i must say that baby moves... He also will install any aftermarket accessories you want. Like I will probably be getting a fuel gauge put in so I can keep an eye on that fuel pressure... .



Also I'm wondering what insurance would cost on a truck like this... I'm 21yrs old & just curious on what some other people are paying for a truck like this... .

 

[DavidGardner]

Cant tell you if it is a good deal or not but welcome to the TDR. With that kind of milage the truck is not even broken in yet. Im sure someone from that area and who is more knowledgeble about 24 valve engines will chime in. Good luke and let us know what you decide.



Dave Gardner

 

[barbwire]

I would say that if the transmission was upgraded recently, that it might be an ok deal. However, I think I would check to see if it has a 53 block. If it does, I would not get it, unless they will warranty the engine for 100,000 mi. JMO

 

[tgee]

Might be a good idea to look at Kelly bluebook value, will give you a ballpark in which to negotiate with. Also you should do a Carfax check on it. Carfax will charge about 20 bucks, but i hear its worth it. Air intake heaters work great, pretty much trouble free, unlike glow plug systems. If the truck was taken care of, 91000 miles aint nothin! As far as insurance goes, it think cost isnt too great, but that depends on driving record, location, and your age. (stay away from jersey!)

 

[Nick2]

just for reference. A friend of mine bought a '99 with 90K for 19000. His is a quad cab SLT though. The price seems a bit high to me... . go on to www.traderonline.com and look at similar trucks to get a good idea for a fair price. Also do yourself a favor and ask him to put the truck on a lift so you can check ball joints, hubs and any leaks. Dont learn the hard way how much a front end rebuild runs (like me). If he has confidence in this vehicle he should oblige.



Nick

 

[tgee]

Got mine in August. Its a 98 1/2,auto, SLT, quad cab, am-fm,cd, tape, infinity, nerf bars, alum. diamond plate stuff on bed, matching toolbox, 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches, airbags (but no compressor), Banks Powerpack kit, 115000 miles, and an almost fried trans, for 14000 bucks. It was the best deal I saw, thinking I'll rebuild the trans myself. Then I started pricing trans parts.

 

[DavidMartin]

I live in upstate NY and found a 99 3500 CTD Laramie SLT with 63,000 mi for $19,500 at a Dodge dealership this summer. I have also seen similar trucks for less from private owners. If this dealership will offer any type of warranty like 3 mos, 6000 mi or something it might be OK. I had a similar warranty and the dealership fixed a number of things for me at no cost. Look on the internet for trucks to get price ranges, drive around your area. I drove all the way to Philly (500 mi) to look at a truck and found one in my back yard (the 99 3500 above), so you just never know where you might find a deal. Good Lucl!!

 

[seagrave2001]

I called him back and he said he will check on the next day or so about the 53 block & he said he has only seen it happen on 3 trucks... . He does know it is a problem & he has one now on his lot that has a cracked one. . Its either a 99 or 2000 with 90k on it & he is asking 17,900 I believe...



He is also said he always cheks the fuel pressure before the truck leaves & I am having him install a FP Gauge for me as well so I can keep an eye on it... Plus all that will be covered in the warranty for 2yrs even the 53 block if that would be a problem... Which will probably be the one I'm going to get...



If it does have the 53 Block should that stop me from buying it? Or should I just keep my eye on it...

 

[bnbrown]

One thought on warranties, if you are counting on them to cover you if there should be a problem, check on the company that is actually doing the warranty. I bought an unlimited mile 4 year warranty from CARS... and to say the least I am not pleased with their service, they will do anything to inconvenience you and save a dime.

and on prices... I bought both the trucks in my sig with 90K miles on them, for under $16K each

 

[barbwire]

Can't tell you what to do

If it does have the 53 Block should that stop me from buying it? Or should I just keep my eye on it...

I wish there was a way to know what the pecentage of failure is on the 53 block, then we would be able to better advise someone on it. Right now I guess it is a roll of the dice. However, each vehicle that is on the road will have something go wrong with it, sometime. So I guess it is just a good thing to be aware of certain shortcommings of the one you choose, so you can keep an eye on it. You could also let the salesman know that it is a concern of yours, and see if he can offer you any piece of mind, ie. warranty. FWIW. As an afterhtought, I have a 99, and I do not even know what block is in it. I was unaware of the 53 block thing when I bought it. And when I learned about it, it was to late to do anything about it. So I just resolved to just drive it (and take care of it the best I can). If it cracks, well , I guess that I will do what I have to do then.

 

[SnoKing]

I would say that right now you have choices. There are trucks of that vintage that do not have 53 blocks. Find one. Or step up to a late 2001 with the disc brakes on the back. They are much better. 2001. 5'S started in fall of 2000 and ran a full year. Best of Bred so to speak. 2002'S lost the front axle disconnect (CAD). This site has armed you with info, use it. Find one without the 53 block. SNOKING

 

[seagrave2001]

Thanks for all the information so far guys... . I called the place up and the guy is going to check & see if its a 53 Block or Not. . He also did inform me that a truck he sold to another person had this block and it did crack, but the warranty they have covers that. . He said the company bought used engine and had it put in the truck... But i still wanna know for sure what block it has in it..... The only problem is its a hour 1/2 away and I work during the day & by the time i'm off its dark out... So how hard would it be to see it in the dark??



Also was there any certain type of vin numbers that were associated with this block??



The Problem is I can't afford anymore money for a truck like a newer one... So i'm hoping this 99 doesn't have one... Was 99 the most troublesome year?

 

[SnoKing]

Most of the 53 were int 99 and some 2000's-2001's I think. Take a flash light if you have to and something to lay on. The 53 will show up on the engine below the injector pump.



Here is a picture of the 53



SNOKING

 

[seagrave2001]

Well guys good news its not a 53 Block, at least not what I can see... . I looked and even removed that bolt to see behind that harness and there was about 8 or so other numbers about 1/4 inch high. . So i'm guessing I'm in very good shape... Talk about a relief... Also the guy said he thinks you can tell by looking at the engine numer on that tag of the timing cover plate... He said this one starts with a 56 so hes guessing it is the 56 block. . He said he wasn't 100% sure on this but he did do some research and thats what he came up with..... He also tried finding the 53 block number if it had one and couldn't find it either...



He said there is synthetic oil in the truck now & said thats what i'm going to have to keep changing the truck with & the transmission fluid was just changed when the shift kit was put in... And all the steering joints are well lubed because I was covered in grease tring to find that 53 block number... So as of now everything looks good, and he is going to let me know what the fuel pressure is sitting at now...



So once again thaks alot guys for your help... I'm sure I'll have other questions... .