We are so excited! We are proud first time new owners of a 1991 Dodge LE 3/4 ton with over-loads and (of course) a very nicely throbbing Cummins diesel turbo motor. The truck is in pretty good over-all shape considering that it has 187,000 miles and we are at least the third owners. But, we bought it for the way the diesel motor runs like a top. Plenty of power and no blow-by out of breather, no bubbles in radiator, no alterations that I can tell other than a K&N air filter that we plan to exchange for a Cummins one. The owner we bought from has had it for the last 44,000 miles and has only had to service the filters and change oil. We are going to change all filters and fluids. Has new rotors in front and new brakes all the way around. The tires are totally shot, so we will be replacing those first thing. Going to adjust the valves because previous owner did not. 3-speed auto transmission seems to be strong. Will change filter and replace as much fluid as I can. Plan to loosen valve-body to see if that will dump more tranny fluid. Might see about adjusting the bands. The front end and rear end all seem to be in great shape. Mostly just having to take care of the little annoying things that seem to always come with the purchase of a used vehicle, like power window/door-lock switches, etc.

My X's father had a '90 with over 300,000 miles before he totaled it on some early morning ice. Now he has a 2002 I think (haven't seen him for a long time). The only things he had go wrong on the '90 that I know of were the torque-converter @ 300,000 and new injectors around the same time. Seems he had to replace the turbo and injection pump at around 125,000 miles. He is in Mexico right now, but plan to talk to him when he returns to see if I have forgotten anything.

My daughter loves this truck so much, I will probably let her drive it until I can find another one for her. She is headed to med. school to become a doctor this fall, so it should serve her well. She is a full-size only truck lover, and has never owned anything other then PUs. I think that if I can swing it, I will dump all our other rigs and just use DCTDs from now on. So, I guess I have to start selling off our other 4 trucks now.

Oh, got the '91 Dodge Cummins for $4,500.00 which seems to be a very good price for around these parts. The older women was selling it because she needed money to pay her lawyer in a land dispute situation. She nearly cried when she signed it over, but I think her married kids cried more.

I have no owners manual, no shop manual, nothing. Just some information I have picked-up from the Cummins site and a little from a couple of these boards the last 2 days.

Any information or advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Like, what the heck is this CGO LT button on the dash? This is supposed to have a cold weather AC engine heater on it according to the previous owner, but I can't find it for the life of me. What are the proper adjustment gaps for intake and exhaust valves (adjust every 48,000 miles, right?)? How much total coolant do these take? I plan to run 50/50 antifreeze.

I need to do the KDP fix. No sound of rattles in the timing case, and could not find a crack in the housing, so assume we are OK until I do the fix.

Got a good lead on another one of these wonder-trucks for me?

 

Cargo light on the back of the cab . . .

The block heater is in a freeze plug opening on the passengers side of the engine block just behind the oil filter. Should have a cord with standard household plug running from it, over to the passenger's side of the grill.

My '92 Manual says 17 qts for the cooling system with the automatic.

.010" Intake & .020" Exhaust cold.

You might want to pick up a couple of valve cover gaskets as spares before you start. The old ones get a little stiff with age. The new ones should be grey, and are supposed to be made out of a better material.

Enjoy the new truck

 

Congrats on the new purchase! It sounds like you are on the right track to keep that puppy running strong.

Craig.

 

Sounds like a greeat deal good luck with it and keeps us up to date.

Bill7975

 

My 1st gen truck came from GA and when I looked for the heater plug(which had never been used) it took some searching. Look hard, it's up in there. If you need the valve adjustment procedure, give me a yell. I have a copy from Dodge.
GOOD LUCK
Rick

 

Where are you located? If you live near Philly I'd be happy to deal with the KDP for you.

 

For valve adjustment the following site is helpful.

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/val.../12_valve.html

By the way you do not need the barring tool to turn over the engine - this can be done by using a socket and ratchet on the alternator nut.
---
Al

 

Congrats on your new truck and welcome aboard!

You have many things in common with my new one - runs strong, but owner never had valves adjusted (201,000 miles), needs tires, paid $4500, KDP not fixed (as far as I know), etc.

I know Wannadiesel will hit me on the KDP!