I'm looking to buy my first dodge diesel truck. I have not idea what to get. would like to get a second generation for my wallet. starting a small farm. need a daily driver. will haul some stuff around town now an again. are there certain years to stay away from? what would you choose for dependability?

I found a 97 4x4 and a 95 2x4 each for $6000. both are stock. is that the price range I should be looking at?

help with any advice...

 

Welcome to DTR! ..... where are you located?
First decision..... want a 12v (up till 1998) or a 24v (98.5 till 02).
Second....suggest 4x4 for a farm
Third.... probably best to stay with a 5 or 6 speed manual
fourth... suggest long bed. Much better ride and room for more stuff!
If unfamiliar w/ diesels, I suggest 24v, but I'll get a lot of negative feedback on that recommendation.

If 2nd Gen,24 valve - for dependability, get an 01.5 or an 02 (rear disk brakes). Under $10,000 not hard to find in most areas.
Biggest concern is the injector pump and lift pump. $1,000 for bad injector pump.
Make sure fuel pressure is 12-14 psi at idle.
Also check for too much play in steering (track bar and steeriing box) when you turn wheel back and forth.

All the rest is standard wear and tear items that you probably know to look for.

If a 12v, the 97 4x4 sounds like a good price. Latter yrs in either 2nd Gen model are always the best

Good Luck....RJ

 

I agree with whats said above , but if you want the most dependable out of the 2nd gens my vote would truly go for a 96-98 12 valve. The injection pump is pretty much they best and most dependable ipump ever put on a diesel , in my opinion that is. You can also make them get good mileage too. Plus that little added bonus that if you want to get a little crazy with it you will have a strong platform to start with.

 

Just pop the hood, if it has a cummins in there your good to go

 

you have a phone # youd like to share

 

thanks for the help. I'm in California, santa barbara to be exact. do you know of any trucks available around here?

I think I'm leaning for a 4x4 reg cab longbed 2nd gen truck. I haven't had much luck finding many. must be a rare truck to find for sale.

 

I believe all reg cabs are long beds! Just not many sold originally, so hard to find!

I would get on Autotrader .com. Start w/i 100 miles and go up from there. They list for dealers and private sales.
Your best bet is more rural area. I'd bet from Bakersfield to Tulare, you could have your choice of 20 different ones!
Worth a little road trip to find what you want!
Also, may find a DTR member in that area that is knowledgable and can check it out for you... for a free lunch!
Seen it happen.... just part of being a DTR member

RJ

 

what about the years 94-95?

 

RJ,
should I be scared of the miledge? is 200,000 miles a lot to get used, for like $7000?

 

200k isnt that bad on the engine... its the ball joints and steering you need to worry about at that point. What year?

 

94-95 is just fine. they just have a little lower power rating.

 

I found a 95 2x4 longbed with 140k miles. for $6000. body looks to be really good condition. what do you guys think?

 

seems a little high to me for a 2wd truck but not terribley bad. depends if you would feel comfortable paying that for the truck.

 

140k is nothing for that truck if the bodys good id go for it, im sure you could talk him down a little is it a extended cab? Does it have a LSD rear? LSD rear would help alot on the farm since its a 2WD.

 

its not an extended cab. does not have LSD. but I was thinking of putting in a LSD if I got it.