Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Greetings.
A couple of weekends ago, I purchased the truck in my signature: '95 club cab, 4x4, 5 spd w/ Laramine SLT pkg. It was something of an adventure getting it home... The truck is generally clean and rust free, although I plan to POR-15 some spots on the bed and get a paint-on liner.
Since picking up the truck and getting it home, I have noticed a few things:
1. The cruise control doesn't work... so that will need investigating.
2. The clutch grabs really high in the travel...
3. There is an odd noise from the transmission when cruising in 5th gear. Sounds a bit like crushed ice in a martini shaker...
4. After being parked for awhile in the driveway, a pool of gear oil formed under the rear differential. After investigating this, I found a pinhole in the cover, so I will need a new cover. Not entirely a bad thing as the leaking oil has a somewhat milky color to it, indicating water contamination. I'm looking at the aftermarket cover with the built-in drip-stick and magnetic plus posted elsewhere in this forum.
5. I checked the oil... level is fine but the oil is golden. This is odd because it's my understanding that engine oil in a diesel should be dark black, due to the carbon from blow-by. This is the case with my Jetta and it's normal. This bothers me... I was told the oil was charged recently with Rotella T.
6. I found the jack, but the long handle to use it is missing. I'm hoping that the one from my old van might work. I'm guessing this handle is stored under the back seat, held in place my two velcro straps?
7. The batteries look old, do not match, appear to be the wrong size, and are missing the hold-downs. Otherwise, the engine bay is in reasonably good condition.
8. There is no owner's manual.
9. The front section of the rear driveshaft appears to be new. All u-joints appear new.
10. The transmission and transfer case leak a bit.
11. The exhaust is an aftermarket, 4" stainless steel system. Appears fairly new and of decent quality. However, there is no catalytic converter... or a muffler... just straight pipe from the turbocharger back. Interesting, but apparently not uncommon... however, I do not recall the truck being any louder than my g/f's brother's Dodge Cummins. However, I am somewhat concerned about the truck not having a cat and passing visual inspection (no emmisions for diesels in PA, but it generally needs to pass a visual inspection make sure everything is there).
12. There is no spare tire.
13. One of the biggest problems I'm having is the tires. It's currently running 35" x 12. 5" x 16. 5" BFG Mud Terrains on Center Line Convo Pro 16. 5 X 10 wheels. Two problems with these: 1) They stick out past the fenders and will not pass inspection, and 2) the RF tire rubs badly during even moderate right turns. I want these gone. Of course, finding simple, stock wheels with decent stock (E) tires has been difficult. MPG is more important looks and off-road traction. The two front tires had to be repalced during the drive home, which made the rubbing even worse.
So, my questions:
When you check your oil, is it gold or black?
What is the stock offset for the wheels. Or, what is the back-spacing from the rim lip to the mounting surface. Most Dodges I've seen with aftermarket wheels have the tires sticking out past the fenders. A look I really dislike, and leads me to believe the offset for Dodges is different than other 8-lug trucks although the bolt pattern may be the same. I should have had the seller put the stock wheels/tires on when I bought the thing... kicking myself for that...
Where does the clutch typically release/grab? Near the floor or near the top of the travel. Can this be adjusted? Much different than our other manual transmission cars...
I've read about the "killer pin... " Now, the truck has 249K miles on it, which kinda leads me to think this has probably been taken care of... However, is there anyway to check this pin without taking the front of the engine apart... outside... in the middle of Winter?
I'm planning on Optima batteries. Red top in the primary, and a yellow in the secondary. Okay? Not? Better options? The primary is the one on the driver's side?
Thanks in advance... I'll probably have more questions as time goes on...
A couple of weekends ago, I purchased the truck in my signature: '95 club cab, 4x4, 5 spd w/ Laramine SLT pkg. It was something of an adventure getting it home... The truck is generally clean and rust free, although I plan to POR-15 some spots on the bed and get a paint-on liner.
Since picking up the truck and getting it home, I have noticed a few things:
1. The cruise control doesn't work... so that will need investigating.
2. The clutch grabs really high in the travel...
3. There is an odd noise from the transmission when cruising in 5th gear. Sounds a bit like crushed ice in a martini shaker...
4. After being parked for awhile in the driveway, a pool of gear oil formed under the rear differential. After investigating this, I found a pinhole in the cover, so I will need a new cover. Not entirely a bad thing as the leaking oil has a somewhat milky color to it, indicating water contamination. I'm looking at the aftermarket cover with the built-in drip-stick and magnetic plus posted elsewhere in this forum.
5. I checked the oil... level is fine but the oil is golden. This is odd because it's my understanding that engine oil in a diesel should be dark black, due to the carbon from blow-by. This is the case with my Jetta and it's normal. This bothers me... I was told the oil was charged recently with Rotella T.
6. I found the jack, but the long handle to use it is missing. I'm hoping that the one from my old van might work. I'm guessing this handle is stored under the back seat, held in place my two velcro straps?
7. The batteries look old, do not match, appear to be the wrong size, and are missing the hold-downs. Otherwise, the engine bay is in reasonably good condition.
8. There is no owner's manual.
9. The front section of the rear driveshaft appears to be new. All u-joints appear new.
10. The transmission and transfer case leak a bit.
11. The exhaust is an aftermarket, 4" stainless steel system. Appears fairly new and of decent quality. However, there is no catalytic converter... or a muffler... just straight pipe from the turbocharger back. Interesting, but apparently not uncommon... however, I do not recall the truck being any louder than my g/f's brother's Dodge Cummins. However, I am somewhat concerned about the truck not having a cat and passing visual inspection (no emmisions for diesels in PA, but it generally needs to pass a visual inspection make sure everything is there).
12. There is no spare tire.
13. One of the biggest problems I'm having is the tires. It's currently running 35" x 12. 5" x 16. 5" BFG Mud Terrains on Center Line Convo Pro 16. 5 X 10 wheels. Two problems with these: 1) They stick out past the fenders and will not pass inspection, and 2) the RF tire rubs badly during even moderate right turns. I want these gone. Of course, finding simple, stock wheels with decent stock (E) tires has been difficult. MPG is more important looks and off-road traction. The two front tires had to be repalced during the drive home, which made the rubbing even worse.
So, my questions:
When you check your oil, is it gold or black?
What is the stock offset for the wheels. Or, what is the back-spacing from the rim lip to the mounting surface. Most Dodges I've seen with aftermarket wheels have the tires sticking out past the fenders. A look I really dislike, and leads me to believe the offset for Dodges is different than other 8-lug trucks although the bolt pattern may be the same. I should have had the seller put the stock wheels/tires on when I bought the thing... kicking myself for that...
Where does the clutch typically release/grab? Near the floor or near the top of the travel. Can this be adjusted? Much different than our other manual transmission cars...
I've read about the "killer pin... " Now, the truck has 249K miles on it, which kinda leads me to think this has probably been taken care of... However, is there anyway to check this pin without taking the front of the engine apart... outside... in the middle of Winter?
I'm planning on Optima batteries. Red top in the primary, and a yellow in the secondary. Okay? Not? Better options? The primary is the one on the driver's side?
Thanks in advance... I'll probably have more questions as time goes on...
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congrats on your purchase. I change my oil every 3000 miles and have since new. I have 207,000 miles on mine and the oil never appears dirty when I change it. I wouldnt worry about the oil not being black. 
