Howdy folks,

I am new to this forum and diesel ownership. I am an arborist in SW Virginia and need a 1-ton truck for work.

I found a 1997 automatic trans 3500 dually 4WD 12 valve Cummins with 89,000 original miles (according to seller). He wants 9,995.00. Truck has little to no rust but the tailgate does not match the body( white body/black tailgate)

I researched it and it sounds like the 12v Cummins is a strong, simple engine. Is there anything I should be looking for when I go have a gander at the truck? It does not have a ball in the bed so no gooseneck or fifth-wheel hauling. I have heard bad things about those transmissions in the ‘97 Dodge. True?

thanks ya’ll!

 

Well, this is a 22 year old truck. Look everywhere!

But- the engine is very reliable and just needs the KDP addressed.
The transmission is not the best there is, but there are a ton of aftermarket improvements to be had for quite cheap when it's time for a rebuild.

The most serious weaknesses were in the front axle- especially the track bar getting loose, the steering box being tortured by the drop pitman arm, and some balljoint/ujoint wear.

As with trucks that age a lot of the rubber parts will be deteriorated. This causes water ingress into joints and corrosion. How much has already been fixed?-Take a good look.

The brakes need a little help too, there are bigger rear wheel cylinders, and keep the rears adjusted- then the truck actually does stop if you want it to.

 

Thanks! I checked it out yesterday but the owner was not there. His buddy showed us the truck but did not have the keys. The tires are all new but the front ones show some serious wear. I was told it needed an alignment. The front axle issues you mentioned could also cause that though right?

The truck is not dripping fluids but directly under the engine it is oily. The buddy told me it was a leaky head gasket.

A friend of mine mentioned that I needed to buy an aftermarket light kit for the VP44 pump.

I’ll check the brakes as well. My budget is cut though as the Jeep Grand Cherokee I was going to sell suddenly overheated which msg mean a blown head.

Thanks!