Cummins Wanna Bee needs Advice
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Cummins Wanna Bee needs Advice
I am ready to come out of the Dark side and get rid of my PSD for a Cummins. I am on a very tight budge so I will be looking for a good used one. I am talking about late 90's and at best probably a 2000 or 2001. My question is, are any years better than others? Bugs, problems etc? I forgot to include that it will have to be a 4x4 with an automatic. What things should I be looking for when I find one?
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Cummins Wanna Bee needs Advice
Do a search here and even google and such:
53 Block (a '98 - 2001 or so hiccup) Easy to check for.
Lift pumps in '98.5 - 2002 24V engines.
VP44 due to lift pump failure
Those are the most common engine problems, I myself have a 98.5 24V, it isn't a 53 block, I do expect more lift pump problems, but it isn't that big a deal if you know the devil you're dealing with.
'94 all the way to '02 can/will have trackbar problems causing steering wander, another search will yield plenty of info on that one too.
So, that's the basics, I'll leave it to Drew and others wiser than myself to expand on that for ya'. Education about what you're looking into is the key, lots of info out there, dodgeram.info was a big starting point for me.
53 Block (a '98 - 2001 or so hiccup) Easy to check for.
Lift pumps in '98.5 - 2002 24V engines.
VP44 due to lift pump failure
Those are the most common engine problems, I myself have a 98.5 24V, it isn't a 53 block, I do expect more lift pump problems, but it isn't that big a deal if you know the devil you're dealing with.
'94 all the way to '02 can/will have trackbar problems causing steering wander, another search will yield plenty of info on that one too.
So, that's the basics, I'll leave it to Drew and others wiser than myself to expand on that for ya'. Education about what you're looking into is the key, lots of info out there, dodgeram.info was a big starting point for me.
Professional
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: 33.43.342, 84.21.602
RE: Cummins Wanna Bee needs Advice
that pretty much covers it right there.
the 5 speed NV4500hd tranny has a slight issue of the 5th gear sproket wanting to walk off. this is an easy fix at any tranny shop.
the auto's, as long as you keep the fluid cool and clean you wont have any problems.
if you happen across a 93-98 these engine will be a 12 valve equiped with the P7100 injector pump. Many of these truck that are still on the road as still going strong and probably have upwards of 600K+mi. these engines are easily upgradeable and tweakable sincec everything is mechanical.
98.5-02 you have the VP44 pump. as long as the lift pump is pushing enough fuel, you wont have any problems. the problem happens when the lift pump goes out starving the injector pump. one SNAFU with these pumps is that they are libricated by the fuel itself, the P7100 and the newer CP3 is lubricated by the engine oil.
if you do happen across a truck you like with the VP44, before you sign any paperwork take it to a good diesel shop and have them check the fuel pressure of the lift pump and check out the VP44.
other than those issues the engine will still run long after the body rusts off the frame
the 5 speed NV4500hd tranny has a slight issue of the 5th gear sproket wanting to walk off. this is an easy fix at any tranny shop.
the auto's, as long as you keep the fluid cool and clean you wont have any problems.
if you happen across a 93-98 these engine will be a 12 valve equiped with the P7100 injector pump. Many of these truck that are still on the road as still going strong and probably have upwards of 600K+mi. these engines are easily upgradeable and tweakable sincec everything is mechanical.
98.5-02 you have the VP44 pump. as long as the lift pump is pushing enough fuel, you wont have any problems. the problem happens when the lift pump goes out starving the injector pump. one SNAFU with these pumps is that they are libricated by the fuel itself, the P7100 and the newer CP3 is lubricated by the engine oil.
if you do happen across a truck you like with the VP44, before you sign any paperwork take it to a good diesel shop and have them check the fuel pressure of the lift pump and check out the VP44.
other than those issues the engine will still run long after the body rusts off the frame
