I am looking into possibly buying a 1998 Ram 2500 Extended Cab, LB, 4x4 automatic with the 5.9 Cummins. What I would like to know is if there are any problems associated with this generation of trucks. I realize the engine depends on the service records, and I will check that out. Really, though, what about 4wd components? Do they wear out? Ball joints? Frames breaking (Ford SD owners claim that that happens a lot.) My wife's parents have had bad luck with 2 different Caravans and burnt up transmissions. I have a mechanic friend that claims that Dodges without a tranny cooler will have failed transmissions. Does the 98 have a tranny cooler? I have been a Ford guy, so I need more info on diesel Dodges. Thanks.

 

You might have better luck with the diesel section of the forum. I haven't heard anything about a frame problem but you could always box it, if your worried about it.

 

no problems with the frames, ball joints do wear out as they do on all vehicals, mine made it 200k before i replaced them, with 6in lift and 35's, the trans all depends on how well it was taken care of (maintence) and how it has been treated, and it does have a stock cooler, is it a 12v or 24v?

 

12v I think. It is an early 1998 model (11/97).

 

Let me move this to the diesel section for you, more answers there I think, since you are looking at a Cummins.