Thinking of purchasing a 67k mile 98.5. What are risks?

[Radio]

I will be looking at a 67,000 mile 98.5 regular cab truck today with a 4-wheel camper on it. The CarFax appears clean with 49 checks of mileage over the years. It has only been driven about 2-3k miles per year. I'm familiar with most of the 2nd gen truck issues since I have a 98.5 extended cab and have shimmed the dowel pin, cleaned up the wiring harness that causes torque converter hunting, replaced the lift pump, replaced the exhaust manifold, rebuilt the A/C, etc. I purchased my current truck at 90k miles and now have 160k. It is a "53" block truck and I have had no issues. What do you all think about the risks of buying such a low miles old truck? I'm not sure what I will do if I see a "53" on the block. Thanks for any comments.

 

[AH64ID]

If it was driven semi-regularly just not far it likely doesn't have any big concerns, assuming each trip was enough to get it to temp. If it was only driven infrequently then it might have some potential seal issues, and it might not. If the oil was changed based on time and not miles the seals would hold up better too.

Is it for sale private party or from a dealer?

 

[Chief USA]

I own 2 such low mileage trucks. They get driven only when I have a need for them as of late. My truck even had the original brakes and pads on it. Hers has a bit more mileage and appeared to have original brakes but could not be sure. The brakes on both of these trucks had to be replaced i TOTAL. I mean brake lines, rotors, calipers, and pads because the calipers had seized up. This would cause the brakes to overheat on longer trips. They appeared to work just fine on shorter trips of say less than 75 miles but on long trips they would get so hot they would smoke. I replaced everything with Centric brake parts. Aside from some of the other issues you mentioned, this is about par for the course for a truck that gets parked outside. You may not see this on a garage kept truck.

 

[Iron Duke II]

http://www.cumminshub.com/cummins-53-block.html

 

[Iron Duke II]

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/blog/what-breaks-when-5-9-24-valve-cummins/

 

[Radio]

If it was driven semi-regularly just not far it likely doesn't have any big concerns, assuming each trip was enough to get it to temp. If it was only driven infrequently then it might have some potential seal issues, and it might not. If the oil was changed based on time and not miles the seals would hold up better too.

Is it for sale private party or from a dealer?

It is from a private party, 2nd owner. I'm going to take a close look at all the seals to see if anything is leaking. Brakes, lines, etc would also be a worry due to the age. I'm going to call the dealer who has done all service work and see what I can learn. The owner knows nothing about the common issues with this model so I can expect to need to address all of the normal stuff like the dowel pin modification.

 

[AH64ID]

Has it been stored outside or inside?

As for the KDP, ins't that a 12V problem? 98.5 should be 24V.

 

[Radio]

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/blog/what-breaks-when-5-9-24-valve-cummins/

Thanks for sending the link to all of the info. I'm not interested in making maximum power with the truck. Reliability is my primary goal. My current "53" block truck is stock except for a Fass lift pump.

 

[Radio]

Has it been stored outside or inside?

As for the KDP, ins't that a 12V problem? 98.5 should be 24V.

I believe KDP is an early 24V problem. I found the pin in my 98.5 truck about 1/8" out, and loose. I don't know how the truck has been stored. It appears to have a non-standard silver color.

 

[Radio]

I believe KDP is an early 24V problem. I found the pin in my 98.5 truck about 1/8" out, and loose. I don't know how the truck has been stored. It appears to have a non-standard silver color.

Looked at the truck today. It is an actual 67k miles 98.5 from the CarFax report. It has been outside for years and the silver paint is fairly good. It is a 53 block with leaking front axle shafts, leaking transmission/drive shaft seal, leaks around an aftermarket transmission pan, air bags that show a lot of cracking, "upgraded injectors" no KDP shim, original lift pump, no mods to the front wiring harnesses to fix any sort of torque converter lock-up issues. The 4-Wheel camper is like new with custom front bumpers, rear bumper, tire and equipment racks, awning, frig, stove, heater, sand paddle boards, all sorts of stuff. I passed on an offer of $20k for the package. It would be worth it if the 53 block never fails and one could do most of the repairs themselves. Thanks for the comments and feedback.

 

[AH64ID]

Any pics of the setup?

 

[Radio]

Any pics of the setup?

Sacramento Craigslist: https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/cedar-ridge-1998-dodge-x4-cummins/7051878396.html

 

[GAmes]

"Has been under continuous maintenance by Dodge dealership."

Sounds like a dealer to avoid.

 

[pdfiddler]

That averages about 3,000 a year so actually pretty good maintenance. It would show leaking seals and stuff. Probably serviced once a year for 22 yrs. I would call that continuous dealer maintenance

I would not be afraid of the truck

 

[Seabee]

$20K would be the price if it had no issues, stored indoors, and no 53 block. You made the right call...………….