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'99 Dodge Cummins pickup, what to look out for?

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  • '99 Dodge Cummins pickup, what to look out for?

    B-I-L just got a gift pickup from a relative that passed away.

    Truck is in running condition, but has been sitting for a few years. Around a 100k on it... 5.9L with a manual. 4wd.

    Any 'gotcha's' to watch out for?

    Lol, i.e, other than questionable repairs by the previous owner?
    Yes, I'm a CarJunkie... How many times would YOU rebuild the same engine before getting a crate motor?





  • #2
    Front end parts (wheel bearings, drag link, tie rod ends, ball joints) They go bad about this point, all relatively cheap fixes execpt for those wheel bearings they run about 200 a side. You got a real score with the manual trans, the autos are junk. You will also run into injector and lifter pump isses sooner than later. the dashes crack and the heat and a/c issues are well known. Google 1999 dodge ram a/c issues and there will be tons of info to back brief you. Over all you have a fantastic truck that I would cut a nut off for without hesitation.

    I have 2 now and my 99 I had since new.I have countless hours with repairs and issues with these trucks. Love them, love them, love them....good rigs esp with that diesel manual combo.....I so envy you man.
    Last edited by JOES66FURY; June 14, 2013, 09:51 AM.
    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

    Comment


    • #3
      Some 98 & 99-01's used Brazilian #53 blocks with thin crack prone water jackets.
      They have a '53' on the side of the block so they're easy to identify..
      Check this site for more info.. http://www.cumminsdieselspecs.com/cummins-53-block.html
      I know a few people who've had this problem, they can be fixed but it's a pain in the ass..

      Comment


      • #4
        my dive into these was finding the performance realm right away (find things an owner might have done)

        look for egr bypass, aftermarket intake/plates..they'll jump right out at you.

        at 100k, its a baby.
        great candidate to play with.
        Previously boxer3main
        the death rate and fairy tales cannot kill the nature left behind.

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        • #5
          I had a 12 valve for a little while pulled GREAT! Not sure if its in Joe's list by anouther name but the front control arm (4 link) bushings were shot on mine. Oh read up on the Killer Dowel Pin. If you can keep the wheels under it and the oil changed it should last forever
          http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...-consolidation
          1.54, 7.31 @ 94.14, 11.43 @ 118.95

          PB 60' 1.49
          ​​​​​​

          Comment


          • #6
            NEver had a problem with my controll arm bushings but I could see it being a problem. WOuldnt hurt to replace them. The front end will give you more issues more often with bigger tires and lifts...but stock they tend to hold up a little longer.

            Also, there is a rubber transmission mount between the cross member and the trans, that item is a POS and they crack and break.
            If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

            Comment


            • #7
              A couple months ago I put a clutch in a friend's 1-ton with about 150K on it...amazing how great the general condition was, and how hard it pulled. Yeah, you scored with the manual...my brother was a Dodge/Cummins/automatic loyalist for years and finally jumped ship to Ford because he was so burned by transmission problems.

              So anyhow, I'll trade you my wife's horse...
              ...

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Loren View Post
                So anyhow, I'll trade you my wife's horse...
                LOL! There is a man who wants to sleep alone! Trade the wife's hay burner for an oil burner! Thats one thing I will not have to worry about Jennifer is alergic to horses!
                http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...-consolidation
                1.54, 7.31 @ 94.14, 11.43 @ 118.95

                PB 60' 1.49
                ​​​​​​

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank your lucky stars Russell!

                  Horses are second only to top fuel dragsters, helicopters, unlimited hydroplanes for $/mile! LOL
                  There's always something new to learn.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by milner351 View Post
                    Thank your lucky stars Russell!

                    Horses are second only to top fuel dragsters, helicopters, unlimited hydroplanes for $/mile! LOL
                    Yeah cars are way better you can leave them in the pasture for months on end and never feed them, and when they die they are scrap metal and not bio-hazard.

                    I don't remember the numbers but the cost to go 3 miles in Ohio last fall was up there in the DPM. Which not counting the car most came from fuel and room cost. The track in Ohio is great, but Man I miss Maxton!
                    Last edited by Russell; June 14, 2013, 11:57 AM.
                    http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...-consolidation
                    1.54, 7.31 @ 94.14, 11.43 @ 118.95

                    PB 60' 1.49
                    ​​​​​​

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      rust-cracked instrument panel-injector pump-oil leaks - bad automatic trans-front axle u joints -overpriced diesel fuel

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        My '98 with an NV4500 has nearly 360,000 miles on it now.

                        Bangshift Chad and I upgraded the lift pump "just because" (used a $35 TBI fuel pump intended for a Chevy truck, you only need 10psi). Mine had the 5th gear nut back off but I had someone go through the trans around 140K miles and got rid of that issue. Coincidentally the trans just gave me troubles again at 360K miles, a few weeks ago, a friend is going through it as I write this.

                        Also, I have the "53" block and most of what you read about that is bunk. The guys who break them are guys who start it up cold and go WOT and, in my opinion, deserve what they get. Cummins engineers called this the "Turkey Crack" because it was discovered by a mining company in Turkey where all the trucks would be started in the morning, drive downhill into a mine for miles, then turn around and go back uphill at full steam never warming up properly. That's abusive on ANY engine, but later blocks had thicker cross sections in the crack prone areas to help prevent moron-induced early deaths

                        I go through the front end every 60,000 miles or so. Usually a track bar, sometimes tie rod ends, replaced ball joints ONCE in that 360K miles. Replaced control arms once too, but they ended up not needing replaced (paranoia I guess).

                        There is NO EGR on these engines, so scratch that off your list.

                        Even my stock turbo has lasted this long. I plan on replacing it soon, not sure with what, but it's been a damn reliable truck other than all the Dodge/Mopar stuff that goes wrong with it (mostly minor annoyances).
                        www.realtuners.com - catch the RealTuners Radio Podcast on Youtube, Facebook, iTunes, and anywhere else podcasts are distributed!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by dieselgeek View Post
                          My '98 with an NV4500 has nearly 360,000 miles on it now.

                          Bangshift Chad and I upgraded the lift pump "just because" (used a $35 TBI fuel pump intended for a Chevy truck, you only need 10psi). Mine had the 5th gear nut back off but I had someone go through the trans around 140K miles and got rid of that issue. Coincidentally the trans just gave me troubles again at 360K miles, a few weeks ago, a friend is going through it as I write this.

                          Also, I have the "53" block and most of what you read about that is bunk. The guys who break them are guys who start it up cold and go WOT and, in my opinion, deserve what they get. Cummins engineers called this the "Turkey Crack" because it was discovered by a mining company in Turkey where all the trucks would be started in the morning, drive downhill into a mine for miles, then turn around and go back uphill at full steam never warming up properly. That's abusive on ANY engine, but later blocks had thicker cross sections in the crack prone areas to help prevent moron-induced early deaths

                          I go through the front end every 60,000 miles or so. Usually a track bar, sometimes tie rod ends, replaced ball joints ONCE in that 360K miles. Replaced control arms once too, but they ended up not needing replaced (paranoia I guess).

                          There is NO EGR on these engines, so scratch that off your list.

                          Even my stock turbo has lasted this long. I plan on replacing it soon, not sure with what, but it's been a damn reliable truck other than all the Dodge/Mopar stuff that goes wrong with it (mostly minor annoyances).

                          Thats interesing about the 53 cracks, I never heard about the "turkey" reference before. I knew lots of guys with these motors and never once heard about any cracked blocks. Fuel deliver and trans yes...but cracked blocks...No. Hell there is a guy I work with with a 53 block in his ram and it is tuned and boosted to hell and back. He picked it up in Iowa from a guy who was buliding a pulling truck and ran out of money...That thing is a monster, torque, torque and mroe torque.

                          I was in a Ram truck club a few years back. We would do trail rides, shows and cruises. There were a hand full of guys with earlier diesel Rams with 300K or more with only minor issues. During that time the guys with the 94+ rams were still ""newer" and the only issues were the ones we listed. Injector, lifter pumps and front end issues. That track bar can cause all sorts of steering issues.

                          I had to shit can my wheel bearings and ball joints pretty often only because I drove the shit out of mine on the trails AND I had a 6 inch lift with 35"s....


                          I really envy the owners of these trucks. I truly love them. I want another so freaking bad I cant stand it. I often considrer getting rid of the Mustang and driving the 01 Ram until I can save enough to buy a Diesel.....
                          If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by JOES66FURY View Post
                            Thats interesting about the 53 cracks, I never heard about the "turkey" reference before. I knew lots of guys with these motors and never once heard about any cracked blocks...

                            I've seen it happen on 2 trucks, one was a 1998 3500 dump truck, the other was an 01 2500 ext cab...
                            The dump truck had the worst crack, they ended up yanking the motor to fix it.
                            The 2500 had a small crack. The guy drilled holes in the ends and plugged it to stop the crack from spreading.

                            dieselgeek says it's all bunk though (he's seen everything you know), so my eyes & these guys must be lying...

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                            • #15
                              I dont doubt they happen. There is enough intrawebs evidence to support it...but considering the climate here is much warmer, there could be something to the warm up theory.


                              I did come across this out of bordom and curiosity...pretty good explanation of the whole situation

                              If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

                              Comment

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