2nd. Gen Problems.
whats so great about a Ford? Put a Cummins in a 97 F350? Give me a break. Ill take a Dodge gasser over that hunk a junk any day of the week. Get real.
02-24-2007, 08:42 PM
#19
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I tell you, of the Fords I had, none of them gave me a tenth of the trouble my dodge has. I love the Cummins, but the rest of the truck, I'm not crazy about. Electrical gremlins all over, and its rusting much more than it should be. Maybe my truck is worse than others, but everything I've seen on here, its not that much out of the norm.
02-24-2007, 08:54 PM
#20
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94-98 12v: KDP. Cheap if fixed before it falls out. Usually very expensive afterwards.
98.5-02 24v: VP44 injection pump and electric lift pumps. Ponying up for a quality lift pump system and monitoring fuel pressure supposedly reduces the chances of the VP44 dying, but they can and do fail. A rebuilt injection pump alone is over $1,000.
All years: Automatics are weak, especially if the motor is turned up.
All years: NV4500 5th gear will eventually come lose.
All years: NV5600 6 speed is an orphan transmission with parts and repair being expensive.
All years: Steering on 4WD models needs help. Steering box stabilizer and track bar upgrade at a minimum.
All years: Little stuff that goes wrong with any brand. Electrical and vacuum system in particular.
98.5-02 24v: VP44 injection pump and electric lift pumps. Ponying up for a quality lift pump system and monitoring fuel pressure supposedly reduces the chances of the VP44 dying, but they can and do fail. A rebuilt injection pump alone is over $1,000.
All years: Automatics are weak, especially if the motor is turned up.
All years: NV4500 5th gear will eventually come lose.
All years: NV5600 6 speed is an orphan transmission with parts and repair being expensive.
All years: Steering on 4WD models needs help. Steering box stabilizer and track bar upgrade at a minimum.
All years: Little stuff that goes wrong with any brand. Electrical and vacuum system in particular.
but with the Cummins that you get with it and a few mods its definitely worth it! 
02-24-2007, 09:18 PM
#21
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! thats what is wronge with it!!!
02-24-2007, 09:58 PM
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I am not happy with dodge at all. EVERYTHING needs replacing except the cummins block. vp44, lift pump, ball joints, apps, track bar, steering and on and on. I do love the cummins engine. I wish I could get a ford body with a cummins engine and a alison tranny
02-28-2007, 02:27 PM
#24
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They are all the same
I have had Chevy's, fords and Dodges over the past 35yrs and I can truthfully say they all had a problem or two and the problems with electrical was evident in all the brands. My 2002 Dodge has been the best truck I have owned. 102,000 miles and never seen a major repair on anything. It is not super bombed or anything but it tows great and rides fine. Every brand has a lemon and the guys who get them are the most likely to be screaming. I had a 98 Dodge and traded it in because it was a truck with demons. I had a 93 Ford 7.3 international with a Banks turbo and man that truck was great but after 300,000 miles there was not much left on it that wasn't broke or needing repair. My opinion of Dodge is that they have stepped up and make a great truck compared to years ago and with the Cummins they have the whole package.
02-28-2007, 06:53 PM
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Personally, I'd go with a 96-02 Dodge if I found one in good shape. The key things to look for would be the condition of the tranny if an auto and the presence of a fuel pressure gauge on the 24vs and verify the fuel pressure was good. My second choice would be an older 7.3L Ford; however, I just not that fond of Fords in general for no particular reason.
02-28-2007, 07:31 PM
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my 02 runs fine with no big problems. Just have to keep it maintained, serviced, and keep the fuel above half to be on the safe side. From what I hear the auto trans can be a problem particularly if you add hp and more torque.
02-28-2007, 07:51 PM
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I think the Cummins a better engine than the Fords. Little problems here and there with the body come with any used truck. It's not like the Ford body is way better than the Dodge. Just depends on how the truck was treated and maintained. I'd say get a 12 valve Dodge between the years 94 to 98.5. Mechanical engine, not too many electrics and computers to deal with. Although 24v's are great motors too, just don't let the fuel pump issue get you down into thinking you made the wrong choice.
03-02-2007, 02:50 AM
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No moreso than the vacuum systems from any other automobile manufacturer, in my opinion. As the plastic and rubber pieces age or are exposed to fuels, lubricants, battery acid, etc, they can become overly brittle or soft and fail, just like everyone elses.
03-02-2007, 11:50 PM
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There have been a few. But they don't seem to significant. Most of the vacuum related issues have be with regard to the cruise control and the hose in the vicinity of the firewall. The vacuum problems associated with the cruise are usually due to battery acid as the vacuum hoses are routed under the battery. Most of the issues are with the connection at the firewall but that is just because the vacuum hose gets disconnected at a T fitting (usually you can tell because the heat won't move from the defrost setting). A few problems have also occurred at the front axle 4x4 select assembly due to a loose connection again easily fixed. The most serious problem would be the reports of the vacuum pump failing but they seem pretty rare.