how many miles can be put on a cummins before it starts needed more serious maintainence? I'm looking at a 02 5.9 with a little over 126k miles.

 

Supposedly a large number can be expected to go 350K and up before needing an overhaul. 126K is just getting broken in. The real question is how long the dodge its installed in will go before nickel and diming you to death!

Kurt

 

I read a pamphlet from dodge that said the mean time between rebuilds was 476,000 miles.

 

Engine wont need anything, VP44 and lift pumps excluded.

Dodge not so much.

 

Ok so the engine is still getting broken in. I was pretty sure about that, but what about the rest of the truck? Like SIXSLUG said above. Will I be nickle and diming myself to death in buying this truck?

It's and 2002 2500 5.9

Thanks for the responses

 

you can def. expect to replace or re build transmission. i jsut bought a 99 dually with 100k on it from a little old man that pretty much just washed the truck the entire time he had it. never towed anything ad i just had to rebuild the tranny. stock trannys usually last 100 to 150k

 

I think its more about how the truck was treated than how many miles on it. I have seen many trucks in way worse shape than mine with a lot lower miles. I bought mine with around 380k miles on it. I haven't had any tranny issues, the body and paint are in great shape, interior was near mint but I went and switched it to leather just becouse I could.

Things I have done are Injection/lift pumps, alternator, ac compressor, just did the water pump, just did the front axle seals, brakes, intercooler boots, passenger side u-joint, drag link, turbo swap, I think thats about it.

 

Mine is a 2000 and I had to replace the lift pump, injector pump and turbo all at the same time at around 116,000 miles. That was unexpected and set me back alot.

 

i just wish the rest of my truck was in as good condition as the engine (like new) 218K miles

 

I have a 2002 that I purchased w/58,000 miles on it. Now I have 88,000 on it. Done some towing/racing with it, nothing crazy. So far I have replaced the following:
- 1 VP due to factory LP going south
- 2 LP Walbro crapped out on me, Airdog 100 is going great!
- So far that has everything that has NEEDED to be replaced. THings I have replaced or added for piece of mind...
- Steering stabilizer
- Lazarsmith trac bar conversion
- Gauges for EGT/Tranny/Boost/Fuel
- Exhaust (because I wanted stacks)

Tranny has been holding strong so far with a small chip (Quad XZT+) I replacd the tires as well for normal wear and tear.

I am trying to make the truck bulletproof to last as long as the motor. My next puchases will be a free-spin hub kit when the bearings go, new brakes/shocks, leveling kit, and a Goerend tranny when mine goes out. Other than that the truck has been problem free and runs great!

 

Yall are lucky
I bought my 00 with 106k on it and now at 150k
im on my second lp,
new tranny( 3rd gave with 2tons of feed on a trailer @ 50mph)
I fried 2 stock clutches and a flywheel in 7months


And yes i know im hard on my trucks thats why i didnt buy a chevy

 

These trucks hold up well if cared for. The tihngs that do go out commonly are LP, VP44, AC(Evaporator coil often), dashes. The rest is normal replacement items. i guess the auto's are prone to failure if stressed with heavy towing, racing, Boming.

 

Check the codes before buying it!!! I learned that he hard way. The one I bought had a p216 code (bad injector pump, $1000) and I had no idea. I cleared the code 2 times and it still came back. Just turn the key from off to ON three times and look at the millage screen.

 

321k on mine. 1 IP @ 300kish and on 5th LP. 1 Tranny@ 269Kish. It was my dad's truck and he has never changed the T Case Fluid and only changed the Diff's once at 205Kish. They looked prestine when we did but fluid was really dark. It has some wabble up front but amazingly enough it isn't the Ball joints. Has done that since 250K. Looks like stering box if gone as well as tie rod end. There is stablizer bar that is recommended, I think it was mentioned earlier that stiffens the steering and make the steering box last longer and keep frame from possible cracking. The exhaust manifold is cracked and probably been that way for 10K miles now.

 

the truck is fine it will do you good if you just treat it well .FORD CHEVY,Dodge...all of them have there share of problems .I have 1 dodge with 700K on it .1 with 120k,1 with 180.and 2 pushing 200k , 1 with 275 k all of them have had less problems then the 1 f250 superduty power stroke I got rid of .2 of them lost the tranny 1 at 245k 1 at 160k. all of them tow heavy trailers except the one with 700 k its loaded with tool boxes and only towed a few times .