2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What maintenance needs at 100,000?

[danmcguire]

I have a 97' that is turning over 100,000 basically trouble free miles, pulling boat trailers and 5th wheels about 25,000 of that. I have been doing all the basic maintenace myself, but have had the rear end, transmission fluid/filters changed on frequent intervals and the valves adjusted every 24k. What other maintenance should be done/looked around the magic mark of 100,000? I am planning on having the front wheel bearing repacked soon, but what else? i. e. timing belt, replace hoses/belts, etc. I spend almost half the year living in our 5th wheel and keeping the truck from breaking down in out of the way places is one of my priorities! I plan on driving this truck for at least 3 more years.

 

[LSMITH]

If the wheel bearings are OK right now I would leave them alone. I never trust a re-pack or a new set for at least a couple thousand miles.



Just keep up with the normal maintenance and you should have no troubles.

 

[Crowhurst]

I'm in the same position of model and mileage as you, and my priorities have been :-

1. The Killer Dowel Pin fix.

2. Replace starter contacts with heavier duty ones.

3. Replace trackbar if worn. A symptom for this is that the steering wheel varies in its position from one minute to the next when you are steering in a straight line.

4. Fit Darin's steering box brace to prevent early replacement of the steering box.

5. Check front rotors for thickness and cracking and replace if necessary. I have recently had two vehicles (one being the Ram) become undriveable through vicious steering pulls when braking through this cause.

6. Change the brake fluid using a pressure bleeder. Mine is powered by a spare tire for my trailer, and it's excellent.

7. Check the return fuel line for fuel seepage through the body of the tube.

8. Watch out for the fuel gauge beginning to under-read. You'll probably be needing a replacement sender unit soon.

9. Replace coolant fluid.

10. Fit a transmission temperature gauge to know when you're overheating the transmission, if you have an auto. For example, these TCs don't lock-up in 2nd, and its easy to toast them.



I'm a learner, but these are the things I've done in the past 12 months, based on reading the wise words from the great guys on this list, and based on the things that have failed on my truck! Good luck. Nick

 

[gitchesum]

And lets not forget the most important thing.



Take a picture of the truck and odometer and send it in to the TDR so you can get that milestone tag and get your truck's picture in the next magazine.

 

[One Old Dog]

The old 2000 has 98,640 miles on it and can still pull it's own weight. I'll be taking some pictures of the old truck and sending them in to the TDR. There is nothing like a Dodg truck.