2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Warning signs of a previously bombed Truck?

[RandyHamilton]

After much reading on this outstanding forum, especially about the many aftermarket parts in use for increasing horsepower and the negative effects these mods can have on a truck I have a question.

Are there any warning signs that might indicate a truck had some of the aforementioned accessories installed and later removed? I am looking at a 99 qc 4x4 CTD with 91k miles on it.



Thanks in advance,



Randy

 

[btanner]

not sure about 24v but on 12v the injector pump has a tamper wire over the governor springs so if someone has changed out the governor springs the tamper seal will be gone.



-ben

 

[DieselMinded]

VP44 pump wire will show signs that the pump wire has been taped



Look for the silencer ring in the turbo,,,usually if someone want more whisle and they have removed the silencer ring... later BOMB's could be suspected



53 block ??? I dont know much about this subject but I do know you dont want a 53 block if you have a choice



Check for manifold tapping for a PYRO



IF none of these signs are there I would say your safe



also CHECK THE FUEL PRESSURE... it should be above 10 psi @ the schrader valve if not... ... LP time



DM

 

[Sticks]

• larger than 3" exhaust, muffler has been replaced by a straight pipe. Someone has been in the transmission (bolts have scratches)
  
  Mystery holes in the firewall, dash, knee bolster, a pillar
  
  Velcro on the PDC cover under the hood.
  
  Boost elbow on turbo does not have OEM clamp (manual trannys only - crimp style, not screw type clamp) Wastegate has scratches on it (auto)
  
  Turbo looks new (now discolored)
  
  Intake horn (where the oil dipstick is mounted) has brass NPT plugs in ports that are not supposed to be there
  
  Exhasut manifold is new or aftermarket (a 99 will have lots of heat marks and rust)
  
  Valve cover bolts are scratched (allthough this could be valve adjustment)

Be wary of lifted trucks as well.

 

[RandyHamilton]

I became a member this week (after months of lurking on the outside looking in) because I saw so many new guys (like me) getting their questions answered. I am so new to diesel motors that I had to do an internet search to find out where to look for the VP44. (Green doesn't begin to describe me!!)

Many thanks for the info. I will keep checking in on this thread for any other suggestions that anyone may have on things to look for.



Thanks,



Randy

 

[EBottema]

Welcome to TDR Randy!



Anyways, I don't want to start a ClubCab 12V vs. QuadCab 24V war or anything but If your not dead set on a 24V you should take a look at a 96 or 97 Club cab truck. Yes, you don't get the extra little doors in the back but since the dash on the 97 and 96 club cabs is so much shorter than the 98+ interior, the rear seat is accually much bigger than the quad cab setup. Yes, doors are nice but my club cab has plenty of room in the back and no doors to rust out or extra seals to leak. I also personally like the look of the 94-97 dash vs. the newer style.



I would not be worried about mods such as a big exhaust, air intake system, gauges, or even a small edge EZ box. These mods make the engine work easier by lowering EGT's. Extra fuel b/c of injectors does not hurt the engine, diesels do not like high EGT's so that is what kills them. Don't worry about mods unless they were done incorrectly. Taping the pump wire on the VP44 ruins the warranty so look for that, the VP44 is a round thing located at the front drivers side corner of the engine, their should be a wiring running to it... .



Erik

 

[SMadden]

Watch out for that 53 casting block. Some guys say don't worry about it but I am a victim and I say watch out. There are some that have over 200000 miles on them with no problems. Mine let go at 62000. Now I have a brand new factory installed shortblock.

Good luck on your search and mine is for sale in the classifieds.

Cya, Scott

 

[RandyHamilton]

Keep em comiing! One of the best things about this site is the variety of opinions. Armed with the checklist available on DieselMinded's website and the information provided by you fine upstanding gentlemen I am off to check this 99 QC. 99 QC Auto

 

[Jschafer]

I don't have a 24 valve but I have owned my 12 valve since new and I can tell you all of the mods to my truck have been to correct Dodges short comings (long list)

Today with over 300k my truck is better (other than rust and torn seat) than the day I picked it up from Dodge with 12 miles on it.

 

[RandyHamilton]

Disappointing Test Drive

This truck was very clean, inside and out. A little surface rust on driveline, exhaust, etc, but less than I would have expected on a 5 year old truck. Zero rust around the doors and no evidence of it having been repainted. But it has a pretty good oil leak which I think is coming from one of the hose couplings but can't be certain without cleaning it up first. It had a gooseneck hitch and 4 inch blocks on the back end between the axle and the leaf springs. So I take it for a test drive. Start it up, let it idle a minute or 2 and put it in drive and nothing happens. Push the RPM's up to 1500 and we start moving out. Every time I take off from a dead stop in drive it SOUNDS like a cummins but it FEELS like 6 very tired hamsters who can't wait for the end of their shift. If I manually go through the gears suddenly it's a cummins again. Then I noticed that I was turning over 2k at 50 mph. Push in the OD on/off button and the light comes on and off but no change in the RPM's. Finally, it had a slight tendency to drift to the left. Talked to the salesman and mentioned the things I found wrong and he says "yea, I meant to tell you that this one is on the back row because it doesn't shift into OD. It is going in the shop Monday to have that fixed. Now maybe, just MAYBE he truly did forget to mention this to me before I drove it, but I am not buying it.

Couldn't tell if it had the 53 block or not for all the oil.





Still looking,

 

[EBottema]

You know they are going to hack the transmission back together to just sell it. Maybe they will give you a better deal if you tell them you want it as is and then get a real good trans rebuilt with a HD torque converter, shift kit and all the goodies!

 

[biggy238]

That gets my vote. Look it over to make sure that the KDP isn't the source of the oil.

Knock him down close to 3k on the price because of everything it will need foxed and order a DTT as soon as you set foot in your house.



If it's not shifting like that, i'd almost be tempted to say its the TPS. If the oil isn't from something awful, It could be a serious truck with only 91k and a built transmission.

 

[rrl989]

Smart move RandyHamiltion !



Ron