Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Reliability after 230K

[pavegunner]

Reliability after 230K, should I be afraid to drive my truck if it has all of these miles? I’m a huge bird hunter and I like to drive anyplace to bird hunt where the hunting is good. Is this a good truck to try this with or should it be just a local truck only? What kind of tools and extra equipment should I carry with a rig like this? 1995 Ram 230K 2WD 5speed.

 

[EKlem]

I would think that it should be a perfectly good truck to drive anyplace. A lot of us drive the 12V because we are afraid of everything that can go wrong with the electronics on the newer trucks. I always carry basic tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers, a tow strap, and jumper cables. To be realistic, the majority of people will not attempt a major engine job out on the trail so basic hand tools should be all you need. Once you learn your personal truck's quirks, it will be a lot easier.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Shouldn't be any concern with the engine, just the ancillary items such as filters, belts, radiator, fuel system, etc.



I had the fuel line between my filter and injection pump break. It left me stranded in Nebraska last month and cost $420 to get back on the road. Fighting this was a PITA in 20F and high winds :{

It's about impossible to patch due to high pressure from the lift pump. Cummins has an upgraded and much improved line that I STRONGLY recommend getting once past 200,000 miles and you plan to venture out on the road.



Vaughn

 

[Matthug]

246K on my clock, it was bone stock when I got it at 244K and now it's putting out twice it's stock power output.

 

[Centeno1]

hmmm 200,000 you say?

well im not an expert but at 320,000 im still upgrading performance stuff and i can blow the doors of most trucks on the road. not a care in the world. I take care of my truck and it takes care of me. Gotta love the cummins :-laf

 

[cojhl2]

The way I look at it; The OTR trucks with diesel engines get over 20k per month! So the way we drive with these engines is a drop in the bucket.



Mine has over 500k not too sure how mcuh more as the odometer was broken for a couple of years and the pickup was used in construction so it has not had an easy life. However, it was PMd very well all those times. I drive it between WA and CO and will prob take it to IA this summer.



Hopefully I wont be stranded,,, Its always on the back of my mind though. .

 

[bmoeller]

I have no concerns taking my Ram a long ways from home. Never let me down yet. The Ford on the other hand, ... ... ... ... .....



Hey cojhl2- if you breakdown in eastern IA, I'll come help get it going.

 

[CumminsPower98]

254k running from one end of the US to the other (and Canada) all the time pulling trailers... Don't be afraid to drive your truck just be sure the basic stuff is in good shape and you should be fine. Read on here so you will know and understand some of the things that can go wrong with these and know better how to get out of a jamb if need be. This sight sure has taught me a whole lot about these trucks and I'm sure saved me money.

 

[DSahd]

236000 on mine and I go everywhere with her. I guess you are considering buying this truck as you asked the question. If that is the case then you would have to really check her out first. You would maybe have to change out a few worn items but for the most part you can go anywhere.

Cheers Derek

 

[DJAustin]

Does anybod have P/N for the updated Cummins line?

 

[Johnstra]

I'd like to know the p/n too.

-john

 

[burnin oil]

This is cut and pasted from another post of mine on another board. I had mine rupture also at 235,000 miles. Left me stranded at work a whopping 6 miles from home. 95 stick shift is 3921832 for the line. The CPL # is a 1550. I dont know the washer numbers but it taskes a 3/4" on the inj pump and an 11/16 wrench on the fuel filter housing. Price was $65

The replacement line is flexible in the middle and is really nice for working on the AFC housing. Great for anyone that plays with the fuel plates.

 

[EBottema]

vaughn what hose are you talking about?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

well im not an expert but at 320,000 im still upgrading performance stuff and i can blow the doors of most trucks on the road. not a care in the world. I take care of my truck and it takes care of me. Gotta love the cummins :-laf

Mine was stock until about 355k, then I turned it up (but not by a bunch). It did OK for awhile but now at 392,000 it's really having issues (lots of blowby, oil leaks). It's tired.

 

[EBottema]

What hose should be replaced vaughn?



do you plan on a future rebuild?

 

[SEmerson]

I have 289k on my 12v. I drive it 2 hours a day for work. A freind of mine has a 97 with 426k on it and it runs fine.

 

[cojhl2]

Bmoeller,,



Thank you so much!! You are a good example of the camaraderie that one feels on the TDR forums.



I moved from WA to IA in 76 and raised my kids in Solon just N of IA City. We left after they were out of college and moved to Colorado Springs. (job with MCI)



One of my sons and family still reside in IA City. I have family farm interest in WA and therefore the travel between these three locations.



BTW, I am very proud of the fact my kids grew up in the midwest. I drove OTR for a short spell in 2003 mostly up and down the east coast. One load I had to pick up was dog food somewhere in N IL, I cant remember the name of the town. But i tell you what,, there was the darndest feeling of comming back home when I got to the midwest after all those miles in the east. I cant explain it. .



Your offer to help if I need it is a fine example of that midwest friendliness.



Thank you again bmoeller.

 

[cluckmaster]

247,000 mi on the ol' 97. Bought it from a friend who used it to pull a five horse slant load for the first 125,000 mi. He was pulling over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and blew a freeze plug, and started to overheat. Odometer was on about 95,000 mi (still under 100,000 mi warranty) so he floored it and smoked the motor. Cummins replaced everything back to the transmission free. So I've got 246k on the truck and transmission and about 150k on the motor. Not even broke in yet! There's a lot of small things that start to go wrong with THE TRUCK at that mileage, but I'd rather keep replacing everything with high performance parts than spend even more on payments. But I wouldn't even hesitate to take the ol girl across the country (except forthe price of diesel fuel).



'97 4x4 2500 SLT ext cab/ 247,000 mi/ #8 plate/ straight piped/ all amsoil/ 35" MT claws

 

[RVPILOT]

miles

I am closing in on 800,000 miles, I am more concerned about dodge parts than the motor, it still starts up in below frezeing temp with grid heater disconnected. Keep on truckin. stormy

 

[RHARVEY]

244k and still running strong...



Rick