Good Money Wasted?

[Bearhog]

About a year ago I acquired a 1994 1500 2wd due to the death of a family member. The truck has a huge amount of sentimental value but typical market value for our trucks. It's got less than 95K and except for some dulling from the South Georgia sun it’s as clean and straight as you will ever find. The inside is even cleaner. Smells a little but considering that it spend most of its life parked in a dirt floor barn it’s not bad. The engine starts on the first turn and idles smoother than my Honda. The trans is fine except for being a little slow to react when first put in gear.

My question to y'all is this: Should I stop putting money in the truck? I've done ALL the maintenance except for the rear diff and a flush of the trans. I changed the filter and the fluid but not knowing what was done previously I was afraid to flush it. I've replaced the cat and muffler; shocks tie rod ends, rear brake cylinders and a few other things. I've also added a new head unit and having it tinted today. I also plan to add keyless entry and a few other conveniences. I'll save all the appearance stull until later.

Anyway, I love the truck and love Dodges as we've had them in the family since '67. I just don’t want to be stupid with my money on a 20 year old truck that's worth maybe a couple thousand dollars.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[leadrofthepak]

I have never put any faith into transmission "flushes". A simple drain, filter swap, and fill has always been enough for me. Flushes, when not done properly, can do more harm than good.

When you say slow to react, what exactly do you mean? Does it take 5 seconds to go into gear once you move the gear selector to drive? 30 seconds? Longer? Once in gear does it run/drive properly, shifting through all gears without slipping?

With the low miles, clean condition, and work you have already done to the truck, I see no reason not to continue to invest in keeping the ole ******* the road. If it sat for an extended period of time, it may take more than one transmission fluid/filter change to clean out any old fluid left in it. I am a big fan of changing out the governor pressure solenoid and sensor when I have the pan down. Also, if you have the tools, this is the perfect time to do a band adjustment. Fairly small investment for the health of the transmission in my opinion.

Let us know how things are going and welcome to RF!

 

[toofart]

First off, my sympathies for your loss.

As for the truck, I think it depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to drive it daily, put enough money into it so that it runs reliably and according to your needs. Personally, I wouldn't bother with keyless entry, but you know what you want better than anyone.

If you want to sell it, know when to stop, no one buyer is expecting a perfect truck. Seems like you've covered most of what needed to be done.

 

[Bearhog]

Thanks for responding and for your sympathies. This was my Mom's truck and I cant let it go.

I overstated what the trans is doing. It's likely not an issue at all, just me looking for problems. At idle, when you put it in drive and release the brake it may or may not begin to move. Apply any throttle at all and it moves with ease. I’m used to an automatic tranny pulling the vehicle forward as soon as you put it in gear.

The truck is mostly a convenience item and for transporting a Boy Scout trailer for outings. I work in a very conservative business environment and I will say I LOVE parking the truck in a row of black BMW’s in the office parking deck! I also dont mind gooseing the throttle at Starbucks!

 

[WhiteExpress]

It sounds like you have zero plans of selling the truck, so keep putting $$ into it and keep it on the road!

 

[leadrofthepak]

I think I know exactly the issue you are talking about. There is a check valve in one of the lines from the radiator to the transmission. If that check valve sticks open (when they fail, they almost always fail open) it allows the torque converter to drain. When you start the truck, it takes about 30 seconds to a minute for the torque converter to refill at idle. It obviously refills faster once you apply throttle. It really is a non-issue, if it were to fail closed it would be a huge issue. In my opinion, you should be able to drive it the way it is without fear of further problems.

 

[dodge dude94]

If the truck has sentimental value, there is no such thing as money wasted.


Drive it, love it, care for it.

 

[Merc225hp]

First step is remove the check valve from the tranny cooler line. Typical start up for a 2nd gen is, start it, put it in N for 30 sec drive it. These trannys do not charge the system in P so it helps if you go to N for a bit this get the fluid moving (charging the system) and away you go. This is the same as checking your T fluid it must be checked in N to get the right level.

I put money into my truck on a reg bases, but I know full well what I put into will never come back or increase it's value very much.