Hey guys I have wanted a Cummins for a long time. I have always wanted a 6 speed or 5 speed truck but lately am considering the auto because they are much easier to find. I want a 98.5-02 but I would buy a 12 valve if it was a 98 and in good shape.

I am not going to do any heavy towing, the most it would tow is probably a 3500lbs boat and my Mustang on a trailer. I would probably mod it to make about 300-350hp. Will the transmission hold up? I see people buying DTT and others, but that is very expensive. Are there any shift kits or anything that would help the reliability?

Also, how many miles is too many for one of these trucks? Id like to stay around 100k or less.

Thanks,
Joey

 

I'd think you can go for a lot over 100 k miles if the price is right. If you want to up the power you will need to pep up the tranny. Shift kits can help, but a lot of the troubles come from bad seals in the tranny and that won't be remedied by the shift kit.
Owning a 24V and having worked on 12Vs I am looking to get a 12V... and to do a tranny build on it. (Same as I did on my 24V)

AlpineRAM

 

Thanks for the reply. Ive searched and read quite a bit but still have a couple questions. The mods I would probably do would be:

Gauges first of course, at least a 4" exhaust straight pipe (maybe into some stacks), probably an Edge EZ or Edge Comp, and BHAF.

My questions are:

Say I was running in 3rd with the convertor locked and laid into the fuel, would the truck downshift to 2nd or is there a way to make it hold the gear? What about in OD? I looked at convertors as well. Is a good single disk convertor a big improvement over stock or is the triple disk the only way to go? One more, would a valve body and convertor make a big improvement to the shifting?

Sorry for all the questions,
Joey

 

bump

Anyone?

 

I believe there are controlers out there that keep it in the gear. like from BD power and what not. But dont quote me on that. As far as converters, Youll notice a huge improment no matter what way you go, jsut depends on the power you plan to apply

 

Just wondering why do you have to have a 98?

 

I like the interior of a 98 and plus in 98 you could get the 4-door right?

 

Yup 98 is when they came out with the Qaud cab. I sold my 98, I loved it. There all good trucks. If you can (depending on what you want) 99's are the same exterior, interior, but that's when they came out with the 24 valve = )

 

Well I'd simply calculate like that- find a nice 96-00 auto CTD and add the $$$ for a fully built DTT and a VP44 for the 98+ truck. Can't go wrong with this.
If you don't have to change the parts you'll keep the $$$ on your acount and that doesn't hurt too bad.
I would not just band aid an old failing tranny. (just a TC ) If you are handy you can buy the factory service manual (about 100 US$) and rebuild the tranny yourself. (2-4 days for a beginner)

HTH

AlpineRAM