I'm looking into trading in for a 1999 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 with 63,469 miles on it. It has an auto tranny, long bed, extended cab.

What issues should I be aware of with these trucks?

 

kdp

lift pump (fuel pressure)

53 block (can crack)

torque converter (can slip / wear out)

 

What is a KDP and what do you mean when you say the 53 block can crack?

 

Hoss, do a search for the 53 block and you'll get more than you ever wanted to know. Basically, in late 98-99, there were a bunch of bad blocks built. On the side of these blocks there was a big 53 printed on it. Hence the "53 block". The kdp is the "killer dowel pin". Dodge machined a hole to big in the block for this pin to go in and over time, it works itself free and falls into your cam gears and causes massive damage. I'm pretty sure that by 99 though they were all fixed. It was a bigger problem with the 12 valves. Definately check the lift pump though. The 99's injection pumps aren't the greatest.

 

I think in '99 they came stock with a Concrete Bedliner.

 

Blue,

The KDP problem is an issue for trucks up to 2000. And the 53 block problem included early 2001's (I have one).

 

Hmm. Didn't know that. Learn something new everyday. Thanks doc.

 

Hoss, that sounds like a decent truck and has very low miles. The weak points of the second gens were already pointed out by sharpmachine and he's right on the money.

If you are serious, it wouldnt hurt to run it through and inspection at Cummins....would be worth the $150 or so bucks they'll charge you.

Good Luck.

 

Have you checked yours??

 

Mine's a late 01 and no, I don't have it. Thank god.

 

Thats what I said until that HUGE 53 was staring me in the face.....felt like someone reached out and slapped me right across the face...

 

 

I have a 53 block with 148K on it with no problems. My understanding is that most of the problems was with trucks that done a lot of heavy pulling. Like most things, you hear more about the bad ones then you do the good ones.

I've had sensor problems with mine, but nothing serious. I replaced the lift pump at about 120K. It did not quit, but was weak. I do think that gages, especially a mechanical fp are a must for the 2nd gen trucks.
I've owned 30 or more new cars and trucks, and my '99 is by far the best truck I've had. It's also the loudest.

You might want to run it through Carfax and have some dealer check the Dodge data base for service records or problems.

The other day you mentioned a Z71.....my daughter is still driving a '95 I bought new. I has 213K on it now and has never had an engine problem. One TPS, a few batteries, one alternator, one set of rotors, four sets of brake pads and a lot of tires and oil changes.

 

On the money.
The 98/99s had the weekest IPs of the second gens but there is no way to test them that I know of. Hope this would help the $$ issues

 

Assuming I bought this truck and it did have a weak lift pump, how much would a new lift pump cost?? What about torque converters?

How can a person check to see if the truck has the 53 block or the "kdp"?

Are the auto trannies in these trucks any good??

Is there anyone here who works for a dealer that would be willing to run the VIN for me?