Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Rebuild or Sell it??

[jraker]

I am having a difficult time. It is that time that I have been dreading. I need to either trade my truck in and get a new one ('05 610) or rebuild the transmission and add a fueling system, steering box (3rd one in a year) and DSS. I own my truck out right and have 88,000 miles on it. My signature has the rest of the story. I am looking for opinions or words of wisdom. Here are some questions I have:



I figure a new transmission is around 5-6k installed. Is this too steep? I am living in AL currently and have to travel a distance 300-400 miles to get to DTT or ATS shop. (Not asking to start a war on manufactures just seeking answers)



Has the death wobble been solved in the 3rd generation?



How are the American Axle's vs the Dana's in the 2nd Generation?



Can you put 16" wheels on the 3rd Generation? I want to keep my Hell Cats and BFG's.



Has the fueling problem been solved in the 3rd Generation? ie. LP failing



I was looking at the 05's and want the Laramie package I don't like the electric transfer case switch. Can you get that package without the electric transfer switch and sliding rear window (theft issue)? The Dodge site won't let you configure it that way. Still want the Infinity sound system and both Six way powerseats.



What axle ratio would you suggest? I have 4. 10's currently and we are buying a gooseneck 3 horse slant.



2500 or 3500 Single rear tire?



What are the real HP and Torque number at the rear wheel of the 610?



How is the 48RE? Would it just be best to get the Six Speed? I will be in the Seattle Traffic again soon. If I bought the automatic could you get away with replacing the TC and valvebody right away or would the thing still go out?



I have put a lot of time and money into my truck to get it where it is today. I am very satisfied with it but would like more power and to erase some of the mistakes I made with some of the products I purchased. I still like the look of the 2nd generation over the 3rd. However I like how much more quiet the 3rd generation is.



Thank you for your time in reading this post.



Joel

 

[willyslover]

IMHO. . rebuild her. . low miles and great rig !

just use the DSS third gen track bar and adapter bracket for the FE . . get a full ATS/DTT transmission done and drive her till you get your $$ out of it. .

 

[Beast2B]

I agree that some of the new features and options make a new truck look REAL shiny. But, the $15k difference between what a used truck can sell for (of course you lose $ on almost all of your mods) and what a new truck goes for (before any mods) always brings me back to my reality... keep the 2nd gen and make it better!

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Rebuild her and keep it,... get the truck where you want it and just keep

 

[DarrellB]

Pretty sure you can't put 16" wheels on a 3rd Gen, don't think they will clear the brakes.



DB

 

[JSykes]

Whenever I am faced with this decision, I always go with a rebuild. The most important things are that it is paid for, you have experience with this truck and know how reliable it is, it is paid for, and it is already bombed. New trucks are nice, but you never know if you might get a lemon. Almost all the bombs that you have on the 2nd gen. cannot be transferred to the 3rd gen, so that is more money you will have to put into it.



Plus, it is really great to smoke these new Ferds and Chebbys with your "old" diesel truck.



Fix it right and keep it,



Jay

 

[CMBOld]

I've been in the same boat with my 99. Six grand in the transmission, 'then' Ifind out I have the #53 block. Two lift pumps and probably more to come. Before the transmission "yugoed" out mine was paid for too. Now I'm 4400 back into it. Not much confidence left, drive too far to work and vacation to worry about stuff that was half-assed from the start. Mike

 

[ata]

Do a Search in 3rd Gen Engine & Tran's and see for your self of the Problem's that they are having and Dodge can't seem to fix in 3 model years. I know I would not let my 97 2nd Gen go for a 3rd Gen.

 

[amillstream]

You don't even have yours broke in yet! Keep it. I was going to buy a new one this year but I've got mine just where I want it (paid for!! Oo. Oo. )and cant think of any good reason to start making payments again. In 122,000+ miles the only thing I've done to mine (repairs) is replaced the lift pump and put ball joints on it. After 4500 dollars of mods this truck is perfect.

 

[BKenny]

Yep like they said i think you should keep it and upgrade. I believe Snoking did the same thing this year and is happy . Those trannys make it feel like another truck. Were is Madison ?my parents live in Daphne across the bay from Mobile i will be down there at the end of the mounth for a week. I some times wish i would have bought a stick but i think i will be happy when i upgrade the transmission

 

[KYLE4]

For the money you will spend on new truck your old one would be far superior

 

[Joe Mc]

Don't do it!!! It's paid for - do the trans and runner till she won't go anymore.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Sounds as if WE made up OUR mind for you, now whats YOU going to do? .

 

[jraker]

Thank you all for your reply's. I called DTT and ordered a transmission and RASP yesturday. It should be here to install in three weeks. I hope my truck makes it that long. I still have a long drive up to Knoxville TN to get it installed. Now if I was only smart enough to have skimmed some money off the top the whole year so I could have injectors done :-laf it would be even better. Now all I need is an excuse to buy some injectors. On the injector question what is the largest I can go without having to replace the Turbo?



BKenny

Madison is located just West of Huntsville. It is between Huntsville and Athens, AL.



Thank you again for all your responses.



Joel

 

[SnoKing]

Thank you all for your reply's. I called DTT and ordered a transmission and RASP yesturday. It should be here to install in three weeks. I hope my truck makes it that long. I still have a long drive up to Knoxville TN to get it installed. Now if I was only smart enough to have skimmed some money off the top the whole year so I could have injectors done :-laf it would be even better. Now all I need is an excuse to buy some injectors. On the injector question what is the largest I can go without having to replace the Turbo?



BKenny

Madison is located just West of Huntsville. It is between Huntsville and Athens, AL.



Thank you again for all your responses.



Joel

I just did a full DTT with two Billetts, and had Stefan install DD Jammer 1's and a Comp in EZ mode. Truck runs great and tows great. I turnbuckled WG with a spring and turnbuckle to set boost on my HY 35 to 28 lbs. No EGT issues to date. SNOKING