I've realized that part of doing business is accepting whats available. Such as the nearly impossible 2nd gen 5 spd Trans on a fair priced truck. I found a very clean 2nd gen one ton dually, nearly perfect, it is priced right but, has the automatic trans.

 

My question is... do the one tons come with a better built trans? More reliable? It has 177 K miles.

It's a 1996.... are the front end problems the same as the 2002 trucks with trac bar and tie rods and BJs'?

 

I might add, it was a power company truck so it was regularly maintained and will check fluids, and how she runs in the morning.

Edited January 17, 20178 yr by JAG1

My 2000 has 289k on it now no issues. My uncles 1999 has 339k on it but 3rd gear is getting a little notchey. Both trucks tow quite often.  Just my 

D'OH!!!....just re-read  I was thinking 5-speed

Edited January 17, 20178 yr by BBHD
Can't read!

39 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

My question is... do the one tons come with a better built trans? More reliable? It has 177 K miles.

 

Sorry to say 47RE is still the same in either 2500 or 3500 series trucks. They both have the same weakness.

All 47re are the same.  Good at stock power levels.

Thank you..... I think it might make a good work truck. I just don't like going thru all the fuel system upgrades required with gauges and all.

One good thing Is PGE took off the utility body for the next truck so easy working the fuel system and I have my own utility body that fits right on there from my first gen.

The ball joint setup on a 96 is not the same as the 00-02. Those 3 years are different than the others. Do the  12 valves have the fuel pressure issues the 24 valves have?

Edited January 17, 20178 yr by JAG1

2 hours ago, dripley said:

The ball joint setup on a 96 is not the same as the 00-02. Those 3 years are different than the others. Do the  12 valves have the fuel pressure issues the 24 valves have?

Not nearly the problems. They can have issues but normally shows up as low power first before damaging the injection pump.

2 hours ago, dripley said:

The ball joint setup on a 96 is not the same as the 00-02. Those 3 years are different than the others. Do the  12 valves have the fuel pressure issues the 24 valves have?

No dripley they don't. It was my mistake when I thought it was a 24 valve truck. I was mistaking for a long time that only the 24 valve trucks have a red badge under the Dodge Ram Badge on the doors. Wasn't till I looked it up on the website I saw it is a 1996 truck. It just looks so clean and upholstery not torn either.

Sounds like the 97 I just bought. I about fell over when I opened the door and saw how nice the interior is.

Just called the guy and he told me the truck does not go into overdrive on the transmission. Should I stay away?

Could be as simple as a sensor or could be as expensive as a complete rebuild. Are you prepared for the latter?

Trying to get insurance on it right now for the day and bring it up the road to run some pressure tests and diagnosis.

 

I will give you an update later.

Look at the pcm output of the od solenoid. It is nothing more than a ground. Check tps position.

Basically the truck is a beautifully detailed piece of junk.

 

Wouldn't get up over 50 mph

Tie rods rusted with no grease

BJ's worn

Track bar sloppy as slush

Steering box shot Pitman arm shot

Bad brakes

Emergency brake didn't work

Trans needed complete overhaul

Valve covers leaking

Transfere case and transmission leaking

Oil filter looked like it was on there for years

Heater not pushing much air

 

Guy wanted 8,000 w/o the bed because I have my own flatbed

So when all fixed would be over 16 grand I figured.

Edited January 17, 20178 yr by JAG1

No kidding man.  I would guess that is the average condition of %80 of the 2nd gens for sale these days.

don't walk but run away

2 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Basically the truck is a beautifully detailed piece of junk.

 

Wouldn't get up over 50 mph

Tie rods rusted with no grease

BJ's worn

Track bar sloppy as slush

Steering box shot Pitman arm shot

Bad brakes

Emergency brake didn't work

Trans needed complete overhaul

Valve covers leaking

Transfere case and transmission leaking

Oil filter looked like it was on there for years

Heater not pushing much air

 

Guy wanted 8,000 w/o the bed because I have my own flatbed

So when all fixed would be over 16 grand I figured.

 

If the crossed out items weren't actually issues, you'd be looking at an 8 grand truck. With those issues they'd have to pay me to take it. The amount of time and money, as you stated, is not worth it.

You guys are right. It's junk. What gets me is how people can take some green horn young guy that would become excited about the paint job and new tires and steal from the guy. I bet they'd be laughing about it when it left the lot.. It's beyond me and am angry about people like that. I've always been a Crusader against dishonesty. Always felt this way..

 

In 2004 I was supposed to build a home for the owner of this dealership since I had worked for his brother many times before. I'm glad I never got to build it.

 

It wasn't like you needed hip waiters... more like neck waiters.

2 hours ago, JAG1 said:

You guys are right. It's junk. What gets me is how people can take some green horn young guy that would become excited about the paint job and new tires and steal from the guy. I bet they'd be laughing about it when it left the lot.. It's beyond me and am angry about people like that. I've always been a Crusader against dishonesty. Always felt this way..

 

In 2004 I was supposed to build a home for the owner of this dealership since I had worked for his brother many times before. I'm glad I never got to build it.

 

It wasn't like you needed hip waiters... more like neck waiters.

 

JAG it's funny you mention that. I was just talking with my dad about selling my second cummins as its just sitting majority of the time and not being used, might as well go to someone who could use it. Well, in its downtime it's developed some 'issues' that I could just not mention and sell. They're not noticeable and could easily just be 'forgotten' by me. I just have a time sleeping at night knowing I did that to someone. So, I'll fix everything up before selling because I just feel like that's the right thing to do. Sad that that seems to becoming less and less of a priority for people these days.

Dang I wish it was a 4x4, because I would not be able to get out of my road in winters. That's the only problem living out of the way in the foothills. Taking up the garbage each week the tractor is only two wheel rear drive and makes it only halfway in snow.

Edited January 18, 20178 yr by JAG1

15 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Basically the truck is a beautifully detailed piece of junk.

 

Wouldn't get up over 50 mph

Tie rods rusted with no grease

BJ's worn

Track bar sloppy as slush

Steering box shot Pitman arm shot

Bad brakes

Emergency brake didn't work

Trans needed complete overhaul

Valve covers leaking

Transfere case and transmission leaking

Oil filter looked like it was on there for years

Heater not pushing much air

 

Guy wanted 8,000 w/o the bed because I have my own flatbed

So when all fixed would be over 16 grand I figured.

 

 

Congratulations for the excellent inspection. You covered all the bases and then some.