Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New truck advice

[_luke]

I'm looking to buy my first diesel truck



Based on things I've read on this board, & my price range, I've been looking at a 1998 12V 2500.



My question is; are the problems with the 98. 5 & 99 24V's (lift pump & such) so bad that I should not buy one? I found a truck that has all the features I want, but it's a 99 w/ 100k miles.



also, are the cummins really better at starting in the cold than other diesels?





thanks,

_luke

 

[mmclaughlin]

I have a 2001 and I love it. I did have to replace the lift pump, but it was only $130 and less then an hour to do. I have about 65k miles on it, and the lift pump has been the only problem. I have a fuel gauge on order now - just to keep up with the pressures. Once I hit 100k I'm going to put on the FASS (or something similar). Some of the weak-links of these trucks are the fuel deliverly system and the automatic transmissions. I run stock (for now) and my auto runs flawless - I love it. I would perfer the manual, but it's really my wife's truck (she never drives it, though) and she didn't want the hassle of shifting. The manuals seem to be a bit more robust then the autos. Is there any history with the truck? Is it coming from the dealer? Has there been any modes made to the truck like a fueling box?



As for starting - I've been amazed on how easy this beast starts in the morning on very cold days without having to plug it in. There have been nights that have been below 0 and she would fire right up after the first crank! My old vw's never did that even when they were plugged in. If it's cold out, it does make a bit more noise, and you'll hear the power steering pump growning - but once that fluid warms up a bit it's back to normal.



Good luck - I'm sure you'll be happy with any cummins you end up with. Just make sure you know the history of the truck before buying.



- Mike

 

[csevers]

The problems with lift pumps are only on 24v's and can be fixed reasonably. The other thing to think about it the "53" block in a 98. 5 99 this could be more of a problem than the fuel system. If you have not heard of the 53 block try the search feature and read up on that it may or may not be a problem for some but you need to know that it is possible.



As far as starting the Cummins IS the best for starting in the cold, if you disabled the intake heater/glow plugs on all the the three engines, a 7. 3 wouldn't start at 30 above 0 all my trucks have started at 10 below with out intake heaters but they smoke very bad. The Dmax I have no experience with but I am sure it wouldn't start so well with out heaters. I believe it has both an intake heater and glow plugs that tells me that it would be a hard start with out them.



Beat them up for the best price and get as much info on the truck as possible and make your decision.



Good Luck

Craig

 

[jgillott]

_luke



First... Welcome to TDR



The fuel delivery systems on these trucks is definitely one of the weak links. I have almost 22k on my '01 now and I've already replaced one lift pump and the new one is showing some signs of going already. Thankfully there are several aftermarket options out there that should take care of the problem. Spend some time doing searches on your specific questions. I think that you will find the information you are looking for. Keep in mind that every model year of these trucks seem to have their own particular strengths and weaknesses. You just have to weigh you options and decide what best fits your needs.



Justin

 

[ChrisOlson]

good luck luke



Have the fuel pressure checked first. filter out, bump the starter and listen for the lift pump should run about 25 seconds.



I bought mine 8 months ago And I love it. even with 1 failed lift pump.



Read these forums they are a wonderful help.



if the truck you wanna buy is from a dealer they have access to all the dealer work done demand it before you buy .



have fun

 

[rashwor]

My thoughts.

These are not worth the paper they are printed on, but here goes. If you want the '99, do some checking. See if you can find out who the owner was and talk with them directly. Ask them for a history of the truck, problems, mods, repairs, etc. Take it with a grain of salt, but it is a starting point. Does the truck have any aftermarket gauges? If it does or has, bet on other mods such as fueling boxes or aftermarket injectors.



Look at the truck and see if you can tell if it has had a fueling box on it. Hard to tell. Take it for a test drive... without the salesman. Drive to the nearest Cummins shop and let them check the codes. Get a list of the codes and see what they mean. Also have them check the lift pump pressure. No less than 10# at idle is acceptable.



If the lift pump is showing good pressures, that would help my feelings a bit. Worst case would be the need for a new injector pump down the road and many of us have done that anyway. Anywhere from $1500 - $2500 installed is a good figure to bet on. It can be had for less... .



Is it an auto or manual? I would be less leary of a manual, but that is me; the most you would probably need there is a clutch.



I have a '99 that I bought new and have been very happy with it. I have 159,000+ miles on it and I have put 2 new lift pumps on it. I also put a new injector pump on it at about 136,000 - 138,000 miles. That is it.



On my injector pump, it developed a hard start condition when warm, but never showed any codes. The dealer fought with me and would not replace it under warranty. It finally got to the point this last summer that it might take up to 10 seconds of cranking when hot before it would fire. I got the feeling it was going to leave me stranded one day. I carried it to a reputable diesel shop and the diagnosed it as the injector pump. Installed a new pump and it cranks and runs now like it did the day I bought it.



Good luck with what ever you decide!



PS. I still have my '92 as well and I would not have anything but a Cummins for the cold weather starting ability. Any cummins will beat any Ford or GM diesel for starting on cold days and the Cummins has the simplest, most reliable cold starting system.



The lift pumps going out and the one injector pump are the only problems I have had with my '99 and I have had a EZ fueling box on it for over a year now with no problems.



Sorry for the long post.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Luke, welcome to the TDR!



You shouldn't have any fear in buying a 24valve, there are some problems, but they can be handled. Although my next truck will be a 12 valve (won't sell my current heap tho).





Good luck in you purchase, Rob

 

[HBarlow]

_luke:



100k miles on a Cummins is nothing if the truck was not modified excessively and abused. Even highly modified trucks seem to endure without failure. Ask Joe Donnelly whose '95 12 valve has been dyno'd at 700 hp.



Factor this thought into your purchase decision: TDR members who write in this forum generally tell the truth about their trucks and are very demanding and critical. When a TDR member tells you he has had fuel delivery problems he is telling you the truth. However, Cummins engines are so strong and so reliable that we tend to pay a lot of attention to the minor problems we have experienced and take for granted the incredible power, economy, reliability, and durability of our trucks.



Catastrophic engine failures are almost unheard of. My '01 has also had a lift/transfer pump replaced under warranty and I will probably end up buying one out of my own pocket in another year or so because I put a lot of miles on it. But a $165 lift pump replacement is a minor expense and minor problem compared to some of the stories I've heard from PSD and Duramax owners.



Buy with confidence. You will be a satisfied owner.



Harvey

 

[David Wheeler]

Check this site (great info!) and click on "Reported Problems"



http://dodgeram.org/support_pgs/diesel_ix.htm



Good luck!

 

[_luke]

Thanks for the replies everyone.



I'm just trying to decide if I should jump on this truck that I've found, or wait for a 12V. I'm not in any hurry to buy & seeing as how I plan on having this truck for the next 10 years, I don't want to sit around wishing I'd gone with a different truck.



I couldn't find any info about the "53 block" issue. The search wouldn't accept "53" as a search term. Anyone care to fill me in on this?



How costly/difficult is it to replace the lift pump with the FASS system or similar?



I think I'm going to go for it... I'm just nervous buying a truck I've never seen or driven.



here's the truck I'm looking at:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=154701273





EDIT: are the some key questions I should ask the dealer? (aside from vehicle history)







thanks again



_luke

 

[ntillm01]

Luke,



I confidently bought mine on-line last year. It was through a dealer, and the salesman handling it was a used-to-sell-big-trucks guy, so he knew what to look for. Here are some things he checked that let me know he thoroughly checked it out:



Tire wear (on all six)

Any scuffing in the paint

How it ran

How it drove

How the dealership acquired it

Condition of engine compartment

Reported that every power-thingy worked

Any wear on the upholstry

The last known service (oil change) date



I researched these trucks on TDR prior to buying also. It's a great place to start (thank you all of TDR!) and gave me lots of confidence that whatever CTD-Dodge I bought, I would be hard-pressed to go wrong. Even with the weak points already described here, I agree with the comment that catastrophic failures are just not heard of.



Expect to have to fix a few things once you buy it. Used is used and something won't be right or to your liking. Get it fixed right, and you'll love the truck for a long time!