Want to buy a 97 2500 4x4 12valve truck cummins diesel reg cab.
The truck has 76000 miles and is a 5 speed manual transmission.
The truck needs a rear pinion seal and a transfer case rear seal. Are these expensive fixes? The person wants 13,500 for the truick. Is this a ressonible price for the truck?

 

Welcome to DTR

the 1997 five speed manual in your configuration is probably the second most desirable combination, only seconded to the shortbed quad cab with the 12V engine. 76000 miles is nothing for this engine, Seals are usually a PITA to do, but they are well worth it. It probably needs the KDP killed and has the usual front problem (trackbar etc) but they are not that bad to fix, and that particular truck is easy to work on and BOMB. i would look at it like it was a regular car (gasser) drive it and so forth and see what it has to offer, and if it was good, and had I the money and the truck was close, id be driving it...

Tx

 

thanks for the information.

 

Seals arnt to bad if you have the tools to do them. Transfer case is drop the driveshaft and pry out I believe. The rear axle is a pita but easy. With the driveshaft removed mark the nut and Ujoint flange with a marker. Count the revolutions to get the nut off. Pry to old seal out and install a new one. Put the nut back on the # of revolutions removed and line your marks back up. Sometimes it takes an impact gun to get that nut off so it may need to go to the shop.

 

In my opinion it's hard not to like the truck you're considering, but then again I might be prejudiced . And welcome to DTR - the BEST source for CTD info and help you'll find on the net.

The advise above on the seals is good. The only thing I might add would be to use a good torque wrench on the pinion nut when tightening back in place. Other than that all I can say is check it out and if all's well, buy it and enjoy it.

I copied some info I got when I first started looking which helped me. Hopefully it will be some help to you as well.

Steve


Things on a 12-valve Ram to check:

Stuff to check in random order:

Starter contacts....sorta hard to inspect on a test drive
shutdown solenoid, wiring, etc.....easy to check
HVAC functionality.....easy to check
turbo wear....easy to check
blow-by.....easy to check
fluid leaks.....easy to check....check 'smells/levels' of all the vitals
front end parts wear.....easy to check
body damage/rust....bottom of doors is a hotspot
fan clutch....easy to check
check for radiator corrosion....easy to check
hoses, serp. belt, etc......no brainer
5-spd tranny output shaft nut TSB....have to rely on owner's honesty

It would be sweet to have a '12-valve Guy/Gal' check it out for him....that way they could drive it to see if it has any out-of-the-ordinary quirks.

 

Thanks for the information!