Looking at a 98 Dually Cummins 3500, the truck is a two wheel drive 5 speed with 53k miles and it is in excellent condition. I will check the block to make sure it isn't a 53 block (how big of a problem are they really?). Since 98 was the first year of the 24 valve are there any problems with them, also does the 98 have the lift pump/injector pump problem? I am actually looking for a 4X4 but this truck fell in my way and I can probably get it for about 10k, the guy has had it for sale for a while.

Also looking at a 2000 4X4 dually CTD with 49k miles, it is an SLT Plus automatic. The truck did have a 5th wheel for a while and pulled a camper, anything I should avoid or check out on that truck considering it is an automatic that had a 5th wheel behind it?

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't worry at all .Just do a test drive and maybe talk to the previous owner and see just how much weight he pulled

 

Thanks for the response, is there much difference in fuel mileage between a 3500 Dually and a 2500 Extra Cab Dodge?

 

There are a lot of variables in fuel mileage . To get maximum GVW , diesels have the 4:10 gear ratio and HO engine and sacrifice a little mpg . You probably also give up a little due to the extra weight of the duals . Then you have driving habits and whether you dive a lot of hilly country or mostly flatland . Then there's aftermarket products like better air intake , exhausts , etc. which can improve mileage . A lighter , less powerful truck may get better mpg but what's more important , a few extra mpg or pulling more weight with less strain on the truck ?

 

not all of them came with 4:10's and the dually gets about 1 to 3 mpg less then a sinlge wheel. the wifes gets 19 on the highway and 14 in town and my old 98 4x4 3500 got 16 on highway and 12 in town. nothing wrong with the auto if it was taken care of because they did design these trucks for towing not just hauling groceries