2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Owners with 100K+ miles

[Pit Bull]

What broke in the 1st 100K miles? With these trucks I consider that the breakin period

 

[yogibear]

Brg. in reverse gear went out at 29K, replaced transmission, installed a pro-luke clutch at that time, lp at 85K, 2nd lp at 174K, VP44 at 176K, (cummins reman) reman went at 188K. 193K on it now, and its sold, 03 being rigged up. The pro-luke clutch is still working good.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I just passed 100,000 on the odometer (~108,000 actual because of larger tires). My clutch master cylinder broke around 85,000 miles, possibly due to the 3800 lb pressure plate (stock is about 2400 lb). Clutch was replaced but that was because of increasing the power, I had the stock clutch still at 65,000 miles and have no doubt it would have lasted to 100,000 with stock power. The rearmost u-joint on the rear driveshaft went bad at about 65,000 and the carrier bearing on the rear driveshaft also went out at about 80,000 (replaced all the other u-joints on the rear driveshaft at that point as preventative maintenance). The APPS went bad around 70,000. MAP sensor at about 80,000. Both tailgate cables have been replaced (due to the cables corroding then breaking). 1 track bar. 4 lift pumps. 5th gear fell off just over 100,000. That's it - a pretty short list IMO and WAAAAAAY better than any other truck I've owned in the past (except for the lift pumps ). Other than those I've replaced the shocks and steering stabilizer (for the better ride, not because they were shot), have done the front brakes once, and have replaced a bunch of fog lamps.

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Let's see, the clutch, the clutch, the clutch, rear pinion seal, and the 5th gear nut.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Rear pinion seal at 54,000. Thats it.

 

[LSMITH]

I have had 4 trackbars, all tie rod ends twice, 2 steering boxes, all 4 balljoints, 1 front axle U-joint, 1 cruise control servo, 2 pitman arms, 1 set of calipers, 1 set of brake hoses on front, 1 set of knuckles out of tolerance replaced, 1 front axle seal, 2 rear axle seals, 4 sets of oem shocks, 1 steering stabilizer, 3 underhood lamps, 1 overhead console, 1 rear wheel cylinder, 2 sets of front brakes, one set of rear brakes, 1 thermostat, 2 sets of tires, 2 hood latches, and some other stuff but I am too lazy to get out the records.



If the 108K that is on it now is the "break-in" period I am in SERIOUS trouble . As it sits in the driveway now it is in need of steering box #3, tie rod end set #3, another overhead console, alignment, a transmission (my fault 100%), tires, and a headgasket. For being such a miserable POS it sure is fun to drive, and on the bright side it has been nearly 30K miles with only a trackbar replaced!!! A new record for this truck!!! Mine is the second worst that I am aware of personally, and I hope everyone else has WAY better luck with theirs.

 

[me4osu]

I bought it at 60,000 mi

Now it is at 111,000. I have had a failed lift pump and a stuck starter relay. That's it.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

I'm not quite there - but close - 97,000 miles. On lift pump #3, and had left rear axle seal start to leak, but caught it soon enough that the brakes are OK.



I also put 79,000 miles on the original tires, and may run them again next summer, as they probably will go another 10. Front disc pads have @1/3rd remaining, rear brakes are fine.



I bought a '73 Pete with CAT power that I never touched in the first 100,000 miles, and I bought an Isuzu "pup" that went 176,000 miles, and never required any powertrain parts!



I'm happy with my Dodge/Cummins, have to decide whether to drive this one into the ground, or trade before Jan 2004.



Ray

 

[Briar Hopper]

Like Ray, I'm almost there. 92,000 plus on my 2001. Here's the carnage:

One track bar, 4 ball joints, two steering gear boxes(one was a P. O. S. from AGR), two steering pumps, two transfer case output seals, clutch master/slave cylinder assembly, plastic cowl at the base of windshield has three snap fasteners broken off/missing, 6 lift pumps, two new batteries(the originals died in the middle of SUMMER, a first for me )

I'm happy with the truck, though, can you believe... I freak if I have to be away from it for more than 2 days

I drove an '03 at the TDR Nationals. Nice, but still not enough to get me to trade this one in. Other than my '67 Camaro and '94 F150 4x4, this is the only vehicle I've never gotten tired of after 2 years...

 

[mdlowry]

97K

So far I've replaced the crankshaft position sensor and one lift pump.

 

[fest3er]

I'm at about 116K miles. Front driveshaft was out-of-round at 10K miles. Front brakes disintegrated at 36K miles IIRC. On third trackbar, second steering gear, second viscous fan clutch, second set of headlight bulbs, second set of KYB shocks (though the first set was still pretty darn good - anyone need a set real cheap?). Had L/R axle seal go. Second set of heater relays failed, so I replaced them with a custom set. L/F lower ball joint wore out. The clips holding the rear of the leaf springs together have bent; I do need to pound 'em down.

Other than normal wear items, that's about all I've had to do with it.

Fest3er

 

[TStinson]

Before I say a word, I'm gonna find a stump & beat the *#%! out of it!!!



Currently pushing 158000. Had the squalling heater hose fitting replaced shortly after buying the truck, went thru three fuel gauge sending units before a good one came my way (been 85000 since last one failed), replaced front brake pads with carbomets @ 55000, gasket on rear outside cab light failed & replaced @ 60000, driver side door speaker been dead since 85000, replaced 1st set of Michelin LTX's @ 102000 - 2nd set still rolling, everything else has been routine maintenance - fluids & filters. Still running original belt, hoses, water pump & t-stat (do carry replacements though) original lift pump (with pusher - see sig. ) Have added DD UFM box & the original clutch can't be trusted in 4th & 5th above 3x3.



O. k. - time to whup on that stump some more - gotta beat on all the wood I can find - hope this doesn't open up pandora's box.

 

[CumminsPuller]

Currently Knocking on a Big Tree!!!!!!

At 139,000 miles, one lift pump and one A/C compressor, and the out put drive speed sensor.



Jason

 

[Morphious]

I think my truck is the worse one that howard is referring too... . Are you sure you want to know what broke on my POS DODGE? I currently have 160+k on it. I'll try to list what broke in the first 100k, but might cross the line as it's a little fuzzy during that timeframe..... ya know old age and stuff... .



Alternator went out at 10,000 miles



trackbar at 20k, 40k, 60k, 80k, 100k (I'm on my 7th or 8th now, I've lost track, basically every 20k miles I replace it with the lifetime warranty part. )



Ball joints passanger side - 50k



T-Rod ends - 50k



3 fuel sender units in about the first 30k miles



Crank position sensor - 40k



Bent stock rim - 50k



Steering box - 60k replaced with AGR that is now shot



3 sets of shocks (current rs9000's are shot)



3 steering stablizer shocks (current dual set is worn out)



front springs sagging 90k



broken emergency brake handle (5 a$$ dealer broke first one)



dent in door from dealer (last time it was at the dealership to get worked on).



Fuel pump was noticed when fuel pressure gauge was installed during bombing at 60k miles, replaced with Mallory, now have 2 mallory pumps that I swap out when the brushes go out.



On third clutch, but they are normal wear and tear with about 60k miles or more on each.



When I replaced the last clutch, noticed that the transmission mount is broken.



Rearend needs to be rebuilt, but trying to hold it together for a while longer till I can afford to get it done.



transmission has lost 3rd gear synchros... . been limping it along for a while now.



Oh and the driver seat sits about 2" lower than the passengers seat due to all the miles I've driven the truck.....



All in All, I paid a hell of a lot for a piece of crap truck to get a cummins engine and I am slowly getting all the dodge out of my truck.



Oh yeah, the latest part to break is the heater core has sprung a leak... according to the manual, you have to remove all the A/C crap to even get to it, thus you have to recharge the A/C afterwards.



Morph.

 

[KennyM]

1: 45K, 3K after I purchased the Transmission rear output shaft snapped in two. Truck was stock. Trans was bone dry. Extended warranty covered. Can't complain have a new transmission.



2: Crankshaft position sensor.



3: Tie Rods at 70K I think normal wear.



4: Speed position sensor.



5: Lift Pump 71K, Died after DD UFM was installed.



6: Rear Pinion Seal. 90K.





Thats all, Ken

 

[jaughenbaugh]

Hey, I love my truck and it seems that you are all bashing your trucks. Yes electrical and chassis/drivetrain things leave a little to be desired, but who has turned a wrench on the actual engine. I'm guessing that the people with all the chassis/drivetrain problems just might have pulled them a few times with just a little bit too heavy of a load and in some cases better suited for an actual semi-truck and as far as the electrical goes, I don't know anyone who manufactures a vehicle that doesn't have electrical issues. In my opinion they, (car/truck manufacturers), are asking too much out of under tested electonic/electrical components.

Jim Aughenbaugh

98. 5 3500 cab/chassis only 230,000 miles

 

[danandamy]

This sorry POS

I've only got 141,000 miles on this pos and it's developed this real bad smoking problem

 

[JJW_ND]

First 100K were hard miles....

Left rear wheel seal, 5th gear nut and the clutch fan. Most everything else even made it to 200K. Forgot tires. Trailer pulling is hard on tires. I put on two more sets of rubber in the first 100K.



Even all brake pads and trackbar made it past 100K.



Second and third 5th gear problem at 110K and 150K. New trans at 150, clutch at 150. Front wheel seal at 130K. Front brake pads just after 100K. Rear break pads at 160K. Second front brake pads at 210K. Replace factory drive shaft joints at 210K (just because they must be bad).



Most things last much longer then we replace them.



jjw

ND

 

[Morphious]

My trucks life started out as a daily commuter vehicle for a 160 mile commute every day and only pulled smaller trailers occasionally and left the heavy work up to old chevy's, after the first 60k miles I said screw it, since the truck wouldn't hold up under normal highway driving, I started working it to earn it's repair bill. Since then I have hauled 30k lbs of hay, big tractors, etc... . all this after I bombed the truck. I can't afford to get rid of the truck and don't see anything better out on the market anyway. I think all the trucks on the market are crap and nolonger deserve the name truck, instead they should be called pansy mobiles, as that is what they are designed as. I want a truck built like a tank, I don't care if it's rough riding, but when I put a load on it, I don't want it squatting like its taking a dump. I'm slowly getting the dog to that point as I replace the DC parts with better aftermarket parts when I can find them.



Morph.

 

[LSMITH]

My truck worked for the first 30K miles, since then it is a pavement princess. I has not been off a paved road in over 50K miles for Christmas sake!!!!!! I commute in it, and tow a >2000# boat every weekend for 3 months of the year, that is it!!!!!!



I am not bashing my truck, I am simply telling it like it is. I do get well over 20 MPG under 70 MPH, and have never turned a wrench on the engine that "needed" to be turned, but that is not the subject of this post. IIRC it was about "what has broken in the first 100K".