Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Should I buy it?

[Jrork]

Been looking for our first truck and found a really nice 98 24V, 5 speed, 2WD, quadcab, Laramie.

Its got 70,000 miles on the clock and seems really tight with no rattles, groans or squeeks. Crawled underneith it and found it to be just as clean as up above. Drives straight and seems to be completely unmolested from the previous owner.



Looks like the perfect truck for us but I value all of your thoughts. What cha think???

 

[DavidC]

Be sure to check for 53 block. It will be just above the oil pan Drivers side in back of the VP44. If it is look on passenger side near the rear of the engine (#6 Piston) about half way up for any patches or signs of weeping anti freeze.



Dave

 

[Jrork]

Will do Dave. Thanks very much. I'm going to call the guy and see if I can "borrow" it for awhile and really look it over.

Stay tuned

 

[Jrork]

We Did It! Oo.

Came away with a very nice price and couldn't be happier. Drives like a dream and clean as a new rig. Did the CarFax service and found that is had been purchased in Lake Havasu in January of 99 and then officially registered in Oregon. Found the temp registration from Arizona. Drove damn near 100 miles already and haven't found a thing I don't like.



No Block 53 numbers anywhere. I brought it home before we bought it and rolled underneath it and couldn't find any number 53 on either side of the block. Did a quick search of the forums and am sure that I was looking in the right place.



Have to sell my old truck and then the money is going into this one.



#ad

 

[DavidC]

Looks like you got a good deal. Nice looking truck and rust free Arizona to. Good luck with the new toy.



Dave

 

[Cummnzpowr]

.

I believe every 24 valve block from 98. 5 trucks til early 2000 model years had 53's... especially all the 98's.

 

[Jrork]

I believe every 24 valve block from 98. 5 trucks til early 2000 model years had 53's... especially all the 98's.

Really? Well, then either I have the odd one or it's a newer motor. Crawled all over it yesterday from above and below and there is no 53 numbering on either side of the block. Sounds like it's my lucky day

 

[JeffD]

Not all 98's had the 53 block. My buddies old 98 had a Mexico cast block in it. His old '99 and my '99 had 53 blocks though. I'm in the process of replacing it right now.



Nice looking truck. It will last you a long time.



Jeff

 

[Jrork]

Thanks very much Jeff. I've wanted one of these for so long I'm like a little Kid at Christmas. Can't wait to drive it. Had a grin from ear to ear at the pump. $3. 09 for diesel and didn't care one bit... ... .



Can't wait to start making it "my own". Figured I'd start with a gauge pod for a EGT, Boost and Fuel pressure. Seems reasonable?

 

[JeffD]

If you plan on doing a bunch of mods to the truck the gauges are a good idea. If you simply want to do a couple things that are simple proven things, I would think twice about them. The reason I say this is the A pillar in the 94-02's are wide, and a huge blind spot. The gauges I've seen only add width to the A pillar. I know some on here will flame me for this, but this is my opinion, and the only thing I don't like about my truck.

 

[Jrork]

Thanks Jeff,

To be perfectly honest, I'm going to probably put exhaust and maybe (??) a different aircleaner setup. I can't imagine I'm going to want or have the funds for anything beyond that anytime soon.

I've just have been reading all of these EGT and Fuel pressure discussions and don't want to burn up my pride and joy pulling our trailer over some of these passes. Our trailer is a 31 foot travel trailer with a total weight of about 7500 lbs.



Thanks again for the help

 

[IC Smoke]

woohoo let the bombs begin Oo.



Fuel Pressure gauge first and formost along with the rest, trans/boost/egt



Ian

 

[amnewsom]

Just search, you are probably fine with the factory aribox for now, unless you just want to change it. gauges first, I have the a-pillar 2 gauge and dont mind it. My buddy just bought a 99, he put on gauges, an EZ, rip 4", transmission pan, noise kit from DTT, AFE 2 all within about 3 months. He loves it. Its a 2wd short box. I ran mine stock for a long time and loved it, now the bombs are steam rolling. Good luck.

 

[Jrork]

Which are the most important gauges?? I've got a 5-speed so transmission temp is out.

 

[amnewsom]

In order of importance to me:



FP

(whats the use of the others if your truck is dead on the side of the road?)

EGT

BOOST



You could in theory get away with a 2 gauge mount on the a-pillar (combo EGT/Boost) or a single steering mount (combo) and a cubby hole mount for the FP. My FP is mounted in the cubby but I would rather have it on the column, but a Westach doesnt fit there, so that was a no go.



Just an idea.

 

[Jrork]

Got cha. Thanks. Where's the best place to tap the fuel pressure gauge into? Is there one brand of gauges that seems to be the favorite and doesn't require a second mortgage to purchase?

 

[amnewsom]

I got all my stuff (autometer and westach for FP) from Geno's, yours probably only needs a fitting for one of the plugs on top of the filter canister. Not sure, mine's an /02. Good luck.

 

[kelly4463]

jrork -nice truck good luck with it

 

[Jrork]

Thanks Kelly. I've had a chance to poke around it more and can't believe it has 70K miles. My wifes new subaru isn't as clean under the hood as this one is.

 

[Joe Mc]

Ditto! Nice truck and only 70,000 miles! It's not even broken yet. Have fun and enjoy it. As far as your 7000# trailer - you probably wont event know it's there.