TexasTDI

I'm looking to buy a 3/4 ton diesel truck. It has to be an extended cab, and preferrably an automatic. If I get a Cummins I can probably only afford a 1995 to 1997. So I'd like to know how relaible these year models are. Are there any known issues I should be aware of?

So far I have found a 1995 Cummins automatic with 219k miles. I haven't seen the truck in person yet. But from the pictures it seems to be in good condition. CarFax shows it's a one owner Texas truck.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

winkle

On my '96 the only real problem I've had was with auto trans.

Here's some site to check out.

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/tro...2v_trouble.htm

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/index.html

doc_nomad

I heard the 5 spd is more reliable than the auto.

j-fox

What do you plan to do with it? Tow? Or running empty? Do you plan to keep it a long time?

The 97 is know as the best/most durable/most power after tunning.
Newer trucks have a better creature comfort.
I wish I still had my first one- a 95 auto 4x2
I had it tuned to 23 mpg in the best conditions.

TexasTDI

It would mainly be my daily driver, and mostly empty. I would like it to last at least a couple of years. Driving about 25k miles per year.

Most I would tow regularly would be a 5 x 10 trailer with a couple of motorcycles and an ATV on the weekends.

torquefan

In my opinion, those years are the best, also the easiest to upgrade.

Dr. Evil

96, 97, and 98 were the best years........with the 5 speed you got the 215 HP injector pump and the dana 80 rear diff. You could not make a better choice than these model years. The 95 would be ok, but is a bit harder to add more horsepower.

TexasTDI

Found a 96 Cummins automatic with 185k miles. Hopefully I'll be taking a test drive tomorrow. Anything special I should look for when inspecting it? Thanks.

vssman

Check the vacuum hose coming off of the lower left hand side of the engine right infront of the power steering pump. If it's really soft oil is being drawn up into the vacuum lines and will eventually cause anything operating with a vac motor to stop working. I thought 96 was the first year available for an ext. cab and rear door being added in 97. Also, 97+ have hydraulic assisted brakes. 94-96 have vacuum assisted. 97 or 98 supposedly had an internal seat back change to keep the seat back from breaking in a rear end collision. I bet mileage will be maybe 1/2 of the TDI...

TexasTDI

Is there any way to prevent this from happening? How do you go about fixing it if it does happen?

Yeah, my TDI will average about 45mpg. But it doesn't haul very much cargo.

What do you think the average mileage would be for an empty 3/4 ton ext-cab automatic? I'm hoping for at least 20mpg. My father-in-law has a 96 Ford 3/4 ton PSD automatic and he's lucky to get 18.

winner172

I cosistantly get 22 on hwy with the occasional 23

doc_nomad

Dana 80? cool, thats what I have, how do I determine the ratio and if it is limmited slip?

CarlJensen

The problem with oil in the vacuum system was fixed by a Dodge bulletin. It installed a check valve in the line. Look at the pump and on the hose coming out of the pump it should have a larger fitting. 17mm or so, can't remember exactly. It replace a smaller fitting, maybe 11 or 12 mm or so. If it has the larger fitting it has a check valve in it. If not take it to Dodge for the fix. Someone else may remember the sizes better than I do, I have CRS!!

TexasTDI

Test drove the truck today. It ran good, and the auto trans seemed to work good. But the brakes seemed a little stiff to me. And it must have been in a accident before. There was a bad vibration on the left side at highway speeds, the driver's door leaked air, and the door even vibrated along with the front end. Looking at the door more closely I could see it didn't quite line up with the cab. The dealership acted as if there was nothing they could do about it, so I told them to keep the truck and good luck selling it.

How hot does the Cummins normally get? The temp gauge stayed roughly between 140 and 190 (165?). I drove the truck for about 10 - 15 minutes in town and then another 15 or so minutes on the highway at 75 and 80mph. I thought that should be enough time to warm the engine up.

jprovence

I have a 96, with low miles, everything still feels tight as a button. It is the best years of truck IMO. No lift pump problems, well no electronic crap to deal with. Just good ol fashioned mechinical tuning. I pay like 700 a month for my truck, including insurance. Yeah, I am an airman in the Navy. I dont make squat for pay. But I still like the reliable dodge is worth it.