97 Dodge 2500 diesel known problems?

[4bearhug]

My son is looking for a older truck for work as has found a 97 Dodge 2500 w/ Cummins diesel that might be in his price range. I thought some of you might have some idea what likely repairs he would have or the owner has already done? This would give him some idea what he might be expecting down the road. Truck has 133k miles. Also if you have any idea of estimated costs of potential repairs, please share that as well.

Thanks for your assistance. I know there are quite a few Ram loyalists on here.

[Cummins12V98]

jimmyfred wrote:
..........Friend has 2001 2500 cummins , 188k miles had complete front end work done ~$2,000 . His Track Bar still had problems ! , jf

Tell him to bag the factory track bar. Get a 3rd gen adjustable and be done with it.

[jimmyfred]

..........Friend has 2001 2500 cummins , 188k miles had complete front end work done ~$2,000 . His Track Bar still had problems ! , jf

[rhagfo]

blofgren wrote:

4bearhug wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

4bearhug wrote:
OK, here is the update to the story. The truck is a one owner, and does appear to run fine. The paint is really faded/gone on hood and roof. The AC works, but not really that good. All in all it's a decent truck for the age. The real stumbling block for my son is the fact that there is no access to the back seat except thru the two front doors. My son wants to use this for hauling/securing tools for construction and he just sees this being a real pain to get stuff in and out of. He lives in an area where you can't keep tools in the bed w/ a topper/tonneau. Also he is thinking about trying to get a car seat back there will be a real hassle.

So at this moment he is considering whether the good points outweigh the bad points. The price is non-negotiable, but that really isn't the issue for him. I think he was shocked to find this out as he never dreamed that a truck would have a back seat w/o having a separate door.

Really!! :S

a 18 year old one owner Ram Cummins with only 133,000 miles. I think he could learn to live with it.

Yeah, he could learn to live with it, but the thing is he doesn't really need a diesel or a 2500. He just needs an PU with an oversized cab and 8 ft bed that's in reasonable mechanical condition. So the benefit of the low mileage diesel is less useful to him than someone who is towing sizable loads regularly. He might still go for it, but based on his needs it's not such a no brainer as it might appear.

You would be hard pressed to find a truck that will be as reliable mechanically and as good on fuel as that one. I wouldn't hesitate for that price.

The 97 12V is an entirely MECHANICAL diesel, way simpler and far less expensive to repair/ maintain than the new electronic units.
A complete set on injectors is less than $400, no electronics in the injection pump. Can I say extremely simple and reliable, this is the million mile Cummins of legend!!

I may be PMing you for the sellers info if you don't want it, so I can get for my daughter to tow her GN horse trailer, so she will quit borrowing my 2001.

Empty/not towing that truck will get better than 20 mpg on the highway!!

[blofgren]

4bearhug wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

4bearhug wrote:
OK, here is the update to the story. The truck is a one owner, and does appear to run fine. The paint is really faded/gone on hood and roof. The AC works, but not really that good. All in all it's a decent truck for the age. The real stumbling block for my son is the fact that there is no access to the back seat except thru the two front doors. My son wants to use this for hauling/securing tools for construction and he just sees this being a real pain to get stuff in and out of. He lives in an area where you can't keep tools in the bed w/ a topper/tonneau. Also he is thinking about trying to get a car seat back there will be a real hassle.

So at this moment he is considering whether the good points outweigh the bad points. The price is non-negotiable, but that really isn't the issue for him. I think he was shocked to find this out as he never dreamed that a truck would have a back seat w/o having a separate door.

Really!! :S

a 18 year old one owner Ram Cummins with only 133,000 miles. I think he could learn to live with it.

Yeah, he could learn to live with it, but the thing is he doesn't really need a diesel or a 2500. He just needs an PU with an oversized cab and 8 ft bed that's in reasonable mechanical condition. So the benefit of the low mileage diesel is less useful to him than someone who is towing sizable loads regularly. He might still go for it, but based on his needs it's not such a no brainer as it might appear.

You would be hard pressed to find a truck that will be as reliable mechanically and as good on fuel as that one. I wouldn't hesitate for that price.

[4bearhug]

rhagfo wrote:

4bearhug wrote:
OK, here is the update to the story. The truck is a one owner, and does appear to run fine. The paint is really faded/gone on hood and roof. The AC works, but not really that good. All in all it's a decent truck for the age. The real stumbling block for my son is the fact that there is no access to the back seat except thru the two front doors. My son wants to use this for hauling/securing tools for construction and he just sees this being a real pain to get stuff in and out of. He lives in an area where you can't keep tools in the bed w/ a topper/tonneau. Also he is thinking about trying to get a car seat back there will be a real hassle.

So at this moment he is considering whether the good points outweigh the bad points. The price is non-negotiable, but that really isn't the issue for him. I think he was shocked to find this out as he never dreamed that a truck would have a back seat w/o having a separate door.

Really!! :S

a 18 year old one owner Ram Cummins with only 133,000 miles. I think he could learn to live with it.

Yeah, he could learn to live with it, but the thing is he doesn't really need a diesel or a 2500. He just needs an PU with an oversized cab and 8 ft bed that's in reasonable mechanical condition. So the benefit of the low mileage diesel is less useful to him than someone who is towing sizable loads regularly. He might still go for it, but based on his needs it's not such a no brainer as it might appear.

[rhagfo]

4bearhug wrote:
OK, here is the update to the story. The truck is a one owner, and does appear to run fine. The paint is really faded/gone on hood and roof. The AC works, but not really that good. All in all it's a decent truck for the age. The real stumbling block for my son is the fact that there is no access to the back seat except thru the two front doors. My son wants to use this for hauling/securing tools for construction and he just sees this being a real pain to get stuff in and out of. He lives in an area where you can't keep tools in the bed w/ a topper/tonneau. Also he is thinking about trying to get a car seat back there will be a real hassle.

So at this moment he is considering whether the good points outweigh the bad points. The price is non-negotiable, but that really isn't the issue for him. I think he was shocked to find this out as he never dreamed that a truck would have a back seat w/o having a separate door.

Really!! :S

a 18 year old one owner Ram Cummins with only 133,000 miles. I think he could learn to live with it.

[wcjeep]

Most 98's had 4 doors. There were a few 99's that had only 2 doors with the extra cab.

Rear facing baby seat isn't too bad with the 2dr extra cab. Having to buckle a forward facing baby seat can be a pain.

[Cummins12V98]

That is why my two 98 12Valves are sought after trucks. New style interior, last year of the mighty 12 Valve and yes 4 doors!

[4bearhug]

OK, here is the update to the story. The truck is a one owner, and does appear to run fine. The paint is really faded/gone on hood and roof. The AC works, but not really that good. All in all it's a decent truck for the age. The real stumbling block for my son is the fact that there is no access to the back seat except thru the two front doors. My son wants to use this for hauling/securing tools for construction and he just sees this being a real pain to get stuff in and out of. He lives in an area where you can't keep tools in the bed w/ a topper/tonneau. Also he is thinking about trying to get a car seat back there will be a real hassle.

So at this moment he is considering whether the good points outweigh the bad points. The price is non-negotiable, but that really isn't the issue for him. I think he was shocked to find this out as he never dreamed that a truck would have a back seat w/o having a separate door.

[bucky]

Buy the truck!

[Cummins12V98]

4bearhug wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Biggest problem with a 97 Dodge diesel is everyone thinks they are the best truck ever and they are typically overpriced. If you found a good deal, get it.
And the stuff mentioned above.

Would you say $4500 is overpriced?

Paint is very faded/peeling on hood and roof. Seats and carpet showing lots of wear/tear. It appears to be mechanically sound, but not a show vehicle by any stretch. It's an extended cab, Auto, with 8 ft bed.

I paid $4,500 for my 98 5sp 12Valve and put an additional 2K into it and the body is not great.

My friend that is a steal!

[boogie_4wheel]

Read

http://mopar1973man.com/

[Mote]

I bought my 1996 Dodge five years ago. It had 272k miles when I bought it. I took the time to go thru all the typical issues for that year of truck. Some things I replaced even thou they didn't need it yet just for a peace of mind. The only issue I've ever had on the road was the alternator went out.

Here's the things I fixed/replaced when I bought it.
All belts and hoses
thermostat
tabbed the killer dowel pin
rebuild leaking vacuum pump
rebuild weak starter
batteries
set the valve clearance
changed all the fluids
adjusted transmission bands
tires
brakes
shocks
front wheel bearings

I did all the work myself. Most of the engine parts I got from Genos' garage or Larry B.

the truck has been rock solid even in the coldest winter days.

[4bearhug]

Grit dog wrote:
Biggest problem with a 97 Dodge diesel is everyone thinks they are the best truck ever and they are typically overpriced. If you found a good deal, get it.
And the stuff mentioned above.

Would you say $4500 is overpriced?

Paint is very faded/peeling on hood and roof. Seats and carpet showing lots of wear/tear. It appears to be mechanically sound, but not a show vehicle by any stretch. It's an extended cab, Auto, with 8 ft bed.