Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Realistic life expectancy of truck?

[slowneasy]

What would you guys say would be a realistic life expectancy of a Dodge truck with the Cummins and auto transmission full re-build w/DTT? Say the truck was well take care of, never abused and driven daily for about an average of 10K miles per year?



Miles wise- 350,000- 400,000?

Years wise- 30 years?



Truck is in a rust free part of the country.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Well, mine is at 135,000 and I consider it just barely broken in.

Performs better now that it ever has in its' life span. The upgrades in my sig were just put on it last summer.

 

[Diesel Dork]

What would you guys say would be a realistic life expectancy of a Dodge truck with the Cummins and auto transmission full re-build w/DTT? Say the truck was well take care of, never abused and driven daily for about an average of 10K miles per year?



Miles wise- 350,000- 400,000?

Years wise- 30 years?



Truck is in a rust free part of the country.

I just recently bought my 99 with 170,000 miles on it. I bought it because I was told by a very reliable source that it's not uncommon for them to last for 500,000 miles plus or more if well taken care of. It was stock when I got it and all of the modifications that I'm making to keep it a daily driver / work truck with some giddy up and go, hopefully will not be in vain and will last for at least that. I plan on using DSE fuel and will be making some very soon.



My question is how many more generations will there be in 30 years and will our 2nd gen trucks be considered old fashioned by comparison or looked on with the fondness of that's when they really knew how to make trucks? My money is on the later.

 

[HBarlow]

I have read articles about three or four of them that have done a little more than 1,000,000 miles. I have a friend in Pahrump, NV who has been an RV transporter for a little over 10 years. He has a '95 2500 4x4 automatic with over 900,000 miles but I think he had the engine rebuilt at around 600,000. His engine had a leaking head gasket and he decided to have it rebuilt. When the engine was disassembled a rebuild was determined to be unnecessary but was performed anyway.

GAmes, a fellow TDR member, drives a '97 with over 650,000 miles on the odometer. His truck is well-maintained and completely reliable. The industry has slowed drastically but he still pulls an occasional trailer for a transport company.

I put 325,000 on an '01 and it is still in the family with 350,000 miles on it. It still runs great and is still reliable.

 

[MAllen1]

Back when I worked at a local Dodge dealership, I saw a 98 come in with 450,000. Mine right now has 233,000. I am planning on hitting 500,000 before I even think of buying another truck.

 

[jgillott]

At 10K a year, you will have a hard time wearing it out mileage wise in a realistic lifetime. Here, with the road salt etc. , having something more than 15 years or so is very difficult. Your lucky not to have the rust issues to worry about.

 

[HCannon]

If being in style has any bearing on you, you wont wear it out. You will be a way out of style before you wear it out. I am using a 94 3500 that has 265K on it that pulls all the time that run as strong as ever. Not even a water pump. I have been looking at the 03-05, not because the 94 is worn out but because of paint and age of gaskets.

 

[Grizzly]

Ford people like to say, "It's too bad Dodge put a 500,000 mile engine (Cummins) on a 70,000 mile truck".



Of course I don't believe that. I believe the engine can last a million miles and the chassis can last 30 years. I don't have that much faith on the auto transmission's, but an NV 5600 transmission can go 30 years.

 

[Royk]

At 10K a year, you will have a hard time wearing it out mileage wise in a realistic lifetime.

This is true. I know a guy who hauls mail for the Post Office. He has three CTDs. The last I spoke to him, about two years ago, his "baby" had 575,000, another had something like 725,000 and his third was around 800,000 I think.



At 10,000 miles a year, it will take you 50 years to put on 500K.

 

[KCraft]

my 95 has 308k and still being driven everyday to work

my 01 has 87k not even near break in. i wont ever buy a new truck. this one will last me. maintainence is the key!!!

grizzly- our dodges will outlast any ford. and yes its a MILLION mile motor.

personal choice would be cummins in a chevrolet

 

[Curious Dave]

I lost my 5600 last November. That was @ 185k. I lost a head gasket (water to back of engine) before that. I had the engine replaced at 195k I hadn't done the headgasket because it took me awhile to realize that that was the problem. The injectore pump was on its way out, the injectors were rv275's that needed rebuilt, the head gasket of course, the valves needed to be checked, and by the time I added up all the cost and labor... it was cheaper to have Blumenthals install a 10k engine in the truck and they put on a new hx35w, new/remaned vp44, new water pump and they installed my Griffin radiator and intercooler, verified the clutch was in perfect condition and installed all new hoses and belt. She is basically a new truck again. The nv5600 and the con ofe had @ 10k on them at the time the engine was done. So... My '01 is ready to rock and roll another 8+ years. I work the poor thing pretty hard though. That is why I had to go thru her. But with all the upgrades she shouldn't need anything for a long time.

 

[meanmatt]

I love reading all the opinions on this topic . Personally I belive is just drive the truck and not to worry about it. Follow factory recommended maintenance . Ignore all the gizmos they only empty your wallet . Don't over maintain your truck thats just a waste of time and money .

 

[bill8333]

My 2000 has 170000 miles and it doesn't show any signs of age. Pulls my 5vr with no problems and it's a 53 block.

 

[JVackiner]

I'm with MAllen, my goal is 500K and I'm half way there with 265K. The body is starting to have some rattles but we are still runnin' strong.

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

trucks life

Well I have had mine for 14 years with 205,000 on it! I will let you know in another 14 years, if Im still alive!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the question is, how often are you going to have to replace the VP44?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

With 724,xxx miles on BlackSheep the VP has been replaced 3 times on the still original engine (replaced head gasket once). Only recently has the quadcab begun to creak a bit when going over an uneven surface.

My bet is the 2nd gen and pre-emission 3rd gen trucks will be desirable for a many years.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My '96 is at 415,000 and I'm getting ready to put new ball joints & shocks on it. The body structure and most everything else is still good for a LOT more miles.

 

[bmoeller]

'97 has 231k on it. Engine has never been opened up. Runs like a raped ape and pulls like a train.

Ball joints were replaced on the pass side only because one of the boots cracked and allowed crap in to wear it out. replaced the other since I had it apart. Drivers side still good. Still have the original u-joints.

Trans replaced @ 191k. Had actually started slipping right after I adjusted the valves in the engine (~140k), but I managed to eek another 50k out of it before I had to replace it. Had 2 burnt clutch packs and the sun gear in the O/D was bad.

The '99 has had the headgasket done before I bought it, at 130k. Saw it has new head bolts and exhaust manifold gaskets. Did find an over boost code, but that has been it. Runs GREAT.