Been looking at a '95 3500 drw 2wd 12 valve. It has a single cab but the long frame, which would let me put about an 11' (I think) flatbed or dump on it. Has 3.55 stamped on the rear diff. Don't see any major oil leaks, but I can see it will probably need new brake and fuel lines, and a complete exhaust system. Not too rusty, the doors are in good shape compared to my '99. Has a van box on it now, which will have to go. 154 K on the odometer, auto tranny. This is just stuff I noticed when I stopped and looked at it on the side of the road, haven't called the man about it yet. What issues did this year truck have, and what should I pay special attention to? There's no price on the for sale sign, don't know how much it would be worth either. A landscape dump body would make it a great work truck for me. Thanks.

 

With a stock tranny be completely prepared to purchase a $4k tranny. After that a leaky seal between your vacuum pump and ps pump, timing cover gasket and kdp. I've had nightmares with cables and starting, things replaced so far

starter
batteries
crossover cable
left battery ground cable
alternator
lift pump
tranny
axle seals
shocks
hg
blower motor
water pump
radiator hoses
serp belt
fuel sender is bad
right side battery ground cable needs replacing and is causing laggy starts in the cold
i know there is more but i cant think of it yet.

I purchased my truck for $6,300. Keep in mind 1st gens here go for 8-10k.
I got a good deal but I should have included the price of a transmission into the initial cost.

I love my truck and i do realize i probably have a lemon but it just pulls the horses when needed.

 

Have not had nearly the problems that thewished has had, thak God! Did the KDP right away, replaced the TC and valve body in the tranny with better units (47rh), and put a plate in it. It is a mechanical engine, not computer controlled, so anything done is shade tree or machine shop. Still no leaks and running fine..

 

That's good info. Sounds like a KDP fix is pretty much mandatory? I'd rather have a manual tranny but guess I could have another DTT built. Ouch. A lot of those issues I can fix myself, batt cables, axle seals, water pump and all. Been thru a lot of that list with my '99. Looks like by the time I buy the truck, buy a built tranny, fix the other stuff, and buy a dump setup for it, I'll have spent some $$$. Might be better off looking for a used F450 dump or similar, that's already set up that way. I like the idea of another dodge truck, but don't know if I'm really ready for that much of a project. Fun to scheme about though.

 

Unless you're feeling lucky.
Chances of the dowel pin coming loose and causing damage are probably ten thousand times better than winning $5 in the lottery.