markm4

I mostly use my 1997 just to commute to work.
Lately it seems like it is falling apart!!!!!!!!!???????
I live in northern NJ and bought it from a guy in PA, so it is a little weathered.

I just got my 5th gear put back together and clutch replaced at a transmission shop for a whopping $1800.

Now my 4wd doesn't work?

Heater only blows out of defroster now...dam, my feet are cold.

Brake lines look scarry rusty, radiator doesn't look too hot either. whats next?

Mark

bob95065

4x4 and heater is due to a vacuum leak. Check the line to the cruise control actuator. Mine had the same problem when I got it. One bad line was replaced and all my problems went away.

My 97 has 200k and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it to NJ tomorrow. It does help that it was and still is a CA truck. BTW I lived in Princeton so I know how you feel. There' no rust here and working on trucks is easy when it is always above freezing.

If you fix the things that are wrong it will be a great truck. It's just a pain when there is more than one problem. When I got my truck it was barely roadworthy. I have all the problems fixed and now I have a decent truck AND I know the vehicle bumper to bumper. I amconfident that I can fix anything in that truck myself.

markm4

Thanks for the tip on the vacuum leak, sounds like an easy fix.
Mark

patdaly

Probably the shop pulled a vacuum line loose when they pulled the trans.

Check it out from the PS/Vac. pump drivers side of engine line runs back to firewall to a port block, and splits out from there, to dash and under truck for 4X4.

As for carefree? Never with a vehicle out of warranty, but for the most part, yea. I just replaced my rear brake lines, I am sure fuel lines are next, etc.... I would say if you cannot do your own work, or are reasonably wealthy with a good mechanic, then you may be outside of the realm of a good DD.

If you can't do your own work, do preemptive strikes on things like rusted brake lines, fuel lines, etc.

GAmes

I wouldn't hesitate to hook a trailer up and go to Canada with mine. You just have to keep up with the little things that fail. Be glad you don't have an automatic, $1800 for a major repair is peanuts compared to them. The SB clutch in mine has nearly 100k miles on it and looks new according to the guy who just did some work my truck.

dieselman2300

My 1997 12 valve 4x4 with 190,000 miles, its my daily driver and family tow rig. I hook up our 10k+ camper and just go.
I always think something is going to happen (Truck OCD) and my wife says "it will be fine" and she is always right.

GaryGus

We use our '97 about 200 days a year with the RV. It now has 165,000 on it, and it has only the minor towing mods listed. I do not hesitate to take it any distance at any time. But, it has been carefully cared for since new.

JHew84

Older vehicles are just going to need more parts, I wouldn't say it makes them less reliable BECAUSE they need more parts, only if the owner isn't doing preventative maintenance....

I.E. if your brake lines look scary, replace them! you start to feel a little slop in your steering, find the problem and fix it! A lot of people just start ignoring the little things with their truck and eventually it will leave them stranded, if you are proactive about maintenance it will keep your truck going for many miles to come . Mines a little newer than a 97 but it still has 160K+ miles on it and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country and back...

flytrip

My '96 was too old for reliable transportation in 1998.

RyanF

I have a 97 5 speed 12V. And I have done some work to it, cleaned fuel system, new interior. but for the most part Just Maintain it and keep it happy and these will run for ever. A buddy of mine has over 600K on his and It still starts and drives day in and day out. I use mine for my 2nd car, and would drive to Los Angeles with out a second thought. I live in Staten Island So i understand the rust and everything else.

Look at it this way, figure out how much new brake lines, fuel lines and what not will cost you and compare that to the montly payment on a new car. I have, because i was looking and when all is said and done it was 1/3 the price to drive this vs getting a new one...but that's just me...

As for the defrosters only AND 4wd. It's just a vaccum leak like others have said. The default heat setting is defrost, and the front Axle won't engauge with out vaccum. Just have to follow the lines around and cap the leak. I'd look at your transfer case if they just pulled the tranny the might have yanked it or under your drivers side battery.

Good luck and enjoy the snow!