2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Test Drove an '01 HO today!

[Got Smoke?]

Well I was running some errands this morning and I passed by the local Chevy dealership when I saw a 2500 Ext. Cab Long Bed 4x4 Dodge on the used lot. I whipped in and was nearly out of my truck before it quit rolling. :-laf



I was thinking here I am searching the US and my truck just falls into my hands... right?... . NOPE



Got within about 15 feet and could read the 24 Valve Plate on the door and see the Quad Cab lines.



Sales guy had already started out to the truck and I told him I wasn't interested in a 24 Valve, and he asked "ok what ARE you looking for" took down my name, info, blah, blah..... asked why I didn't want a 24V and I explained the lift pump problem somewhat. He of course had never heard of it.



He told me he'd keep a lookout for a 96 or 97 CC like I want, and if I changed my mind on 24V's to come back. Well about 2hrs later I went back and asked to drive it. Amazingly they said yes (keep in mind guys I'm 19). Well off we go. First thing I notice is SIX SPEED! (mental thought OK LETS HAVE SOME FUN IN THIS HO)



So I drove it around for about 20 minutes trying to get used to the clutch and throttle feel (told the guy ahead of time I had only driven 2 24V's and to be patient with me why I adjusted again).



The truck handled great and definately had more power than my stock 97 (DUH!), but was about $7 LARGE outta my range. Plus 3 things killed it:

1) no power windows/locks

2) no carpet

3) 4. 10 gears



Anyhow just wanted to share! If I was rich I woulda bought it but I can't afford the truck or the case of lift pumps, but it sure was one helluva test drive! Oo.

 

[drrhoades]

98 24V

I did the same thing today at a Ford used lot. Only this was a 98 24V 5spd Sport, very nice truck. I told the guy I was looking for a 12V longbed QC 5spd. He didnt even know that Cummins made a 12V. But they did let me drive it!!!!



Doug

 

[Tomscreek]

If your still interested in an '01, I may have a really nice one for sale soon. I'm in the process of getting a quote on an '03 from Dave Smith now. I have an'01, HO, 6 spd, 4x4, longbox, 40,000 miles, quadcab. It's mint shape, babied, meticulously maintained.

Motor is bone stock, never touched. I had the dealer put on black step bars, mud flaps, chrome rocker panels, reciever hitch with inside brake controller and rubber bed mat when I bought it. I have a 4 horse trailer that I pull about 4 times a year. It also has pretty new BFG 285 tires. 99% of the miles are interstate back and forth to work. I live 12 miles from work so I get to warm it up good each time.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Just a little food for thought...



Of ALL the various past well known problems with the Dodge Cummins combo, the LIFT PUMP is undoubtedly the EASIEST to correct or deal with!



Past problems?



1. bad brakes

2. bad automatic trannies.

3. bad 5th gear in 5-speed manuals.

4. Bad paint

5. bad steering and track bars



The list goes on - and for MY money, I'd FAR rather spend a couple of hours and less than $100 ONCE, by installing the simple added pusher pump that SO FAR has corrected the stock LP/VP44 problem, than ANY of those pointed to above!

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

Just a little food for thought...



Of ALL the various past well known problems with the Dodge Cummins combo, the LIFT PUMP is undoubtedly the EASIEST to correct or deal with!



Past problems?



1. bad brakes

2. bad automatic trannies.

3. bad 5th gear in 5-speed manuals.

4. Bad paint

5. bad steering and track bars



The list goes on - and for MY money, I'd FAR rather spend a couple of hours and less than $100 ONCE, by installing the simple added pusher pump that SO FAR has corrected the stock LP/VP44 problem, than ANY of those pointed to above!

Sorry Gary didn't mean to rile ya .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HEH!



I'm not THAT easy to rile - it's just that sometimes the "problems" of the 24-valve get WAY blown outta proportion! When ya stop to realize what it takes to correct what MIGHT be a problem with some of the 24-valve setups, THEN put it into perspective with similar KNOWN problems with the others that usually are harder and more expensive to fix, then the comparisons might look a little more equitable...

 

[kevincook]

I test drove two 01 before I bought the truck listed below. The other truck was a 01 with a 5 speed. It had less miles but was driven harder and the body was not is as good as shape. It was also 6 bills more and my trade-in was 3 bills less. Well I bought the auto and love it to this day!



KC

 

[Got Smoke?]

Well I'm just gonna stick with a 12V anyhow because I have several GREAT deals coming in the next couple of months. Going to really change the I think about my 12 Valve.



Now if I could only find a 96 or 97 12 Valve Club Cab, 4x4, 5spd, PDL's & PW's, with 3. 55 gears... . I ain't picky I promise!:-laf

 

[DoddS]

got smoke,



That sounds like my truck. 97' LWB, CC, 4x4, PW, PL, 3. 55's, 5SPD, tilt, cruse, 285 BFG's... ..... And to top it off it was lady driven, NEVER offroad, and its average load was veterinarian supplies and a two horse trailer. It has 115K but its as tight as new. My question is, what's it worth. I'm wondering if I spent too much?

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by jeepnut

got smoke,



That sounds like my truck. 97' LWB, CC, 4x4, PW, PL, 3. 55's, 5SPD, tilt, cruse, 285 BFG's... ..... And to top it off it was lady driven, NEVER offroad, and its average load was veterinarian supplies and a two horse trailer. It has 115K but its as tight as new. My question is, what's it worth. I'm wondering if I spent too much?

PM me with what your deal was and I'll tell ya what I'm finding them for. Also, let me know if you see any others! :{ I'm just below you in Sumner County TN ('bout 30 miles from Scottsville KY)

 

[98rammer]

hey, i'll sell you my truck for like... oh say $30,000 hey, it's a '98 12v! i'd love to have a 3500 HO

 

[Tom C]

I had a '97 cc, 4x4, LB, 5 spd, 3. 54's, 21MPG, TST #12 and I sold it to upgrade to a new '01, QC, SB, 4X4, Auto.



WHAT A MISTAKE I MADE



After a year of torment I sold it back to the stealer. Then it took me 7 months to find another 12v that I liked (see sig). I would have liked to have gotten a 4X4 but I only need it once or twice a year so a 2wd does me fine.





Problems I had with the '01:



1) steering box bad from day 1

2) bad wandering problem (even after box replaced)

3) NO (engine hp)!!!

4) transmission could not even hold an EZ

5) Cup holder had a nasty squeal when opening

6) breather tube definitely in the wrong spot (peeeeuuu)

7) front bumper crooket from factory

8) did I mention NO (engine hp)!!

9) air leak in passenger door

10)limited slip did not work

11)doors not aligned properly

12) truck could not pull 7K at 70MPH in OD

13) poor fuel mileage (15. 5MPG empty)



and the truck had a sticker on the drivers door window that stated it was pulled from the production line for quality assurance testing. even the writing on that sticker came off the first time I washed the window guess they did not want anyone to know that this truck was used to test the quality of the rest in that production line.



I also had shifting/slipping problems with the transmission mods (I wont list the aftermarket product in this post but PM me if you want to know). I tried to make that truck work for me. I gave it a year, injectors, EZ and transmission mods (about $4K worth) to try and make it run like a 12V/5spd with $300 worth of mods.



ppphhheewwww.. Thanks for letting me vent



I'll stick with the 12V. Hope DC makes some good changes in there product in the next few years.



Got Smoke, Good luck in your search.

 

[98rammer]

Originally posted by Tom C

I had a '97 cc, 4x4, LB, 5 spd, 3. 54's, 21MPG, TST #12 and I sold it to upgrade to a new '01, QC, SB, 4X4, Auto.



WHAT A MISTAKE I MADE



After a year of torment I sold it back to the stealer. Then it took me 7 months to find another 12v that I liked (see sig). I would have liked to have gotten a 4X4 but I only need it once or twice a year so a 2wd does me fine.





Problems I had with the '01:



1) steering box bad from day 1

2) bad wandering problem (even after box replaced)

3) NO (engine hp)!!!

4) transmission could not even hold an EZ

5) Cup holder had a nasty squeal when opening

6) breather tube definitely in the wrong spot (peeeeuuu)

7) front bumper crooket from factory

8) did I mention NO (engine hp)!!

9) air leak in passenger door

10)limited slip did not work

11)doors not aligned properly

12) truck could not pull 7K at 70MPH in OD

13) poor fuel mileage (15. 5MPG empty)



and the truck had a sticker on the drivers door window that stated it was pulled from the production line for quality assurance testing. even the writing on that sticker came off the first time I washed the window guess they did not want anyone to know that this truck was used to test the quality of the rest in that production line.



I also had shifting/slipping problems with the transmission mods (I wont list the aftermarket product in this post but PM me if you want to know). I tried to make that truck work for me. I gave it a year, injectors, EZ and transmission mods (about $4K worth) to try and make it run like a 12V/5spd with $300 worth of mods.



ppphhheewwww.. Thanks for letting me vent



I'll stick with the 12V. Hope DC makes some good changes in there product in the next few years.



Got Smoke, Good luck in your search.

wow, i'm sorry to hear that. if (well, more like when) my auto pukes out, it might just be a good time to say screw it and get a 3500 12v 5 speed. my truck's a great truck, but i want bigger (could really use the extra room!), plus i'm sick of this auto! unless i get the full upgrade, then i'm always wondering when it's going to let go. wow, you didn't like the full upgraded transmission?



Tom

 

[Tom C]

Tom, The transmission upgrades I made to the '01 did help the performance of the truck. I dont think it worked as advertised. The company I went with did offered to fully rebuild the transmission (a $4K job) with new TC, VB and 5 disk clutch pack. But by then I had desided to sell the lemon (truck).