Want to Buy a 2nd Gen Cummins

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Posts
81
Reaction score
13
Location
Mississippi
Ram Year
1998
Engine
3.9L Magnum V6
Hello all,

So I've been pondering the thought of buying me a diesel burner lately. I love my '98 Ram 1500 with the V6, but since it was my grandfathers, I really don't want to rack up miles on it.

I started out quickly searching Craigslist and found several trucks ranging from $1,500 to even one 2001 truck sitting at $17k. All of them were below 250,000 miles.

I don't know much about diesels, but I know that when properly maintained, they can run forever.

So what're some common problems on these trucks? I'm hunting a truck with an auto transmission and 4x4, but I can live with a stick if the price is right.

I'm 18 and about to start college, I just bought a 2014 Charger R/T and while I love that car, I don't wanna take it out when the conditions are less than favorable. That's why I'm hunting another truck.

Let me know your opinions.
 

$$pitinblue

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2017
Posts
17
Reaction score
20
Location
Nh
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Cummins 6.7
vp44 injection pumps are weak and really need better filtration, pretty common to have them fail. P-pumps are more reliable and can create more power than the vp44. Auto tranny is also weak. While parts for the 24 valve Cummins are cheaper, diesels are expensive to buy and maintain. That being said they can last a long time reliably with love and care. I don't regret driving a diesel for the last 7 years but it's not the most practical/easy option available.
 
OP
OP
MCIntoDarkness
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Posts
81
Reaction score
13
Location
Mississippi
Ram Year
1998
Engine
3.9L Magnum V6
vp44 injection pumps are weak and really need better filtration, pretty common to have them fail. P-pumps are more reliable and can create more power than the vp44. Auto tranny is also weak. While parts for the 24 valve Cummins are cheaper, diesels are expensive to buy and maintain. That being said they can last a long time reliably with love and care. I don't regret driving a diesel for the last 7 years but it's not the most practical/easy option available.


So what trucks have the VP44 pumps and which ones don't? I've also heard of some issues relating to the 53 block. Are the manual transmissions better?
 

jlbayes

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2017
Posts
191
Reaction score
14
Ram Year
2001 & 1997
Engine
5.9l cummins
No the manual transmissions are not better. 94-98 are p7100 trucks and 98.5-02 are vp44 trucks. A vp will live a long happy life with higher lift pump pressure than the factory setup provides. Ppumps are not as robust as some make them out to be. They are susceptible to poor filtration and low lift pump pressure as well. Being in college I would recommend not stepping into a diesel 2nd gen.
 

BWC

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
108
Reaction score
15
Location
Northern CO
Ram Year
2003
Engine
Cummins
Given the situation I would recommend getting a jeep or another 1500 gasser. Diesels are expensive to get into if you dont know much about them. But if you are set on getting a diesel I will post about my thoughts.
 
OP
OP
MCIntoDarkness
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Posts
81
Reaction score
13
Location
Mississippi
Ram Year
1998
Engine
3.9L Magnum V6
Given the situation I would recommend getting a jeep or another 1500 gasser. Diesels are expensive to get into if you dont know much about them. But if you are set on getting a diesel I will post about my thoughts.

I'm interested in your thoughts.

I thought about a Jeep, but I do want to tow things from time to time and I'm also building this next vehicle to be a recovery vehicle for the local storm chasing organization and volunteer fire department. So that means lights, winch, plenty of torque, etc. That's why I figured a truck would be better suited, and a 2500 would be best.

I'm no expert on trucks, however, lol
 

BWC

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
108
Reaction score
15
Location
Northern CO
Ram Year
2003
Engine
Cummins
I'm interested in your thoughts.

I thought about a Jeep, but I do want to tow things from time to time and I'm also building this next vehicle to be a recovery vehicle for the local storm chasing organization and volunteer fire department. So that means lights, winch, plenty of torque, etc. That's why I figured a truck would be better suited, and a 2500 would be best.

I'm no expert on trucks, however, lol

Okay well 94-98 truck are 12v with a ppump injection pump. These trucks are tough old trucks and dont have many issues other than a KDP which can be easy to fix.

98.5-02 trucks have the vp44 injection pump. These trucks are hit or miss if the injection pump will last. Ive always have good luck with them. 53 blocks are found usually in the 98.5-00 trucks and are known to crack near the water jackets I believe. Those blocks are also hit or miss if the block will crack or not, my thoughts if it hasn't cracked by now its a good one. Transmission wise I would go with a manual over a automatic unless the automatic has a billet input and aftermarket torque converter.

These trucks down fall is the frontend stuff and seems to always be sloppy. Just to give you an idea for me I can find 98.5-02 4x4 trucks with 200k ranging from 7k-12k with different conditions around me in CO.

These are just my opinions

Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
Top