First Time Ram Diesel owner

[LazyMechanic]

So after years of talking smack about dodge, I found a deal that I couldn't pass up. I probably should have signed up to this site to get some inside information and opinions before pulling the trigger but I couldn't stop myself. I've traditionally been a Ford guy with push rod mustangs, F series trucks, crown vic etc... Probably the best thing I've learned from working on my stuff is that being part of a forum makes life much, much easier.

So what I got is an 08 crew cab, long bed 3500, big horn, srw with 142k. It needs a driver door, from sliding into a fence at 8mph and a driver side bedside replacement from a jack knife of a gooseneck at probably 5 mph.
Original owner, No mods, oil changed every 3k, religiously, test drove great, interior 8/10. Tons of power, no suspension or transmission problems to be felt. Folder full of receipts. Truck has been parked in the same spot for years with no evidence of leaks/oil spots.

I think I did OK at 7k.

I do have questions about the auto transmission and, ballpark, how long I should expect it to last?
And deleting this engine. I live in a state that does not require emissions testing, but I'm not going to be drag racing the truck. I'd like to hear from someone who knows how deleting would affect transmission and engine longevity.

Thank you for any helpful input!

 

[moezer]

Wow 7k! That's a steal... not good with diesel my self but I'm sure someone will pitch in

From what I know deleting would free up some horses and avoid any carbon deposits and build up in the chambers and gaining u a bit more mpgs

Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk

 

[crash68]

Wowsers...with 142K miles on the clock, that's a nicely broke in CTD..
If the original owner did oil changes every 3K miles(which is shear excessiveness) that mean he went through 142 gallons of oil. Holy [emoji207]!
I would be half inclined to have the oil analyzed to see where things are at. You can put a few more miles on an oil change, probably more like 10K miles.

 

[LazyMechanic]

Wowsers...with 142K miles on the clock, that's a nicely broke in CTD..
If the original owner did oil changes every 3K miles(which is shear excessiveness) that mean he went through 142 gallons of oil. Holy [emoji207]!
I would be half inclined to have the oil analyzed to see where things are at. You can put a few more miles on an oil change, probably more like 10K miles.

While this does raise my curiosity, I'm skeptical of what a single test would really tell me. I'm also guessing that multiple tests, for a clearer picture of trends, would add up very quickly.

I'm in industrial maintenance and deal with oil lubricity, breakdown and longevity all the time. There's no way I'll be changing the oil every 3k miles.

 

[Smokeybear01]

First off, is that really a 'Holy Sheep'? haha You done good at $7K for that truck, even with a little body damage. Granted, I have the 5.9 and it hasn't been deleted, but I know a couple of guys that have. I personally don't like the custom exhaust that brings the decibels to outrageous levels, but the other mods seem to be a slight improvement in performance at the risk of trans burnout. Are you aware that the control module has a torque limiter control to prevent trans problems because these Cummins turn out so much torque? Tell a Ford guy that and they think you're just blowing smoke up their 'Sheep?' Anyway, that Cummins probably won't give you any problems for several hundred thousand more miles if you take care of it. The trans is the weak link. My neighbor just traded his 07 with 215K miles for a Chev Duramax because he was afraid the trans was getting close to the end of its service life. He misses his Cummins haha. Neighbor on the other side of me has an 08 with the 6.7 and he claims its been deleted and modded to 800 HP. I thinks he's full of 'Sheep', but he has the 6 spd stick and keeps blowing clutches pulling a 42' RV with it. And 'Sheep', he's even older than me. Good luck with your new to you baby,

 

[Sandevino]

Holy cow... $7k is a steal.

142k is still to early to tell as the engine isn’t broken in just yet. My father-in-law swears by Cummins and says the body will rust away and fall apart before the engine does.

He got rid of his at 450k and swore it still had 500k left in it.

Long story short, comb through the stack of paper history you’ve got on it, get it serviced and head on down the road.

 

[LazyMechanic]

Thanks for the input! I did not know about the the torque limiter. I'm guessing without that tune, it would really smoke a transmission.
Speaking of the transmission. I asked the owner if he'd had any issues with it and he kinda paused and said that earlier that day it didn't go into reverse as soon as it should have. He also said that the truck had been sitting for a few weeks. He just bought a new dually laramie, so he's had no need to drive the 3500. But then he said that if I wanted, he'd take it to his mechanic tomorrow and have it checked out and if something was wrong, he'd have it fixed. Needless to say, I'll be going back to pick it up.

Also, I've read that at 150k the valves need to be checked out. Anyone know how much/long that job takes?

 

[Smokeybear01]

Thanks for the input! I did not know about the the torque limiter. I'm guessing without that tune, it would really smoke a transmission.
Speaking of the transmission. I asked the owner if he'd had any issues with it and he kinda paused and said that earlier that day it didn't go into reverse as soon as it should have. He also said that the truck had been sitting for a few weeks. He just bought a new dually laramie, so he's had no need to drive the 3500. But then he said that if I wanted, he'd take it to his mechanic tomorrow and have it checked out and if something was wrong, he'd have it fixed. Needless to say, I'll be going back to pick it up.

Also, I've read that at 150k the valves need to be checked out. Anyone know how much/long that job takes?

Can't help you on the valve question, but with regards to the trans, it's probably the seal on the torque converter allowing the fluid to flow back into the trans. housing while parked. When it's started up and put into gear it takes a moment for the fluid to be pumped back up into the torque converter. This is a common failing and not overly serious until the seal goes completely. Then it's not just hesitant to go into gear after sitting for a while, but it won't move at all. If that's the determination it's probably time for a complete overhaul of the trans. anyway. And then again, it could go years like this and not give you anymore problems. Cummins engines should idle for a minute when they're cold anyway just to let the oil get to the turbo and what not before you take off. Good luck,

 

[JohnnyMac]

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