1st gen vs 2nd & 3rd

[Ironforger]

Off hand I don't know of any ways to test the lift pump system. Just figure that' it'll either have gone by now or most likely will. Once the VP has been replaced and lift pump upgraded they are a fantastic set up.

Blow by is a concern for every year, but in reality it's not that common for a motor to go bad. If it's not smoking and the oil pressure is good then you are probably good as well.

The 6 pseeds were high outputs, the 5 speed and autos were not.

Ok great. Thanks for the info.

If I get the truck I'll dive into all the good bits. I like the suggestion to modify it with a VE.

[RCCUMMINS89]

The main thing to check on the 2nd gen trucks is the front end. Ball joint, and all of the steering/suspension joints up front are either tight or not. Those things can add up very quickly when replacing them.

Me personally, when I look at a 2nd gen truck I spend 90% of my time looking at the tranny (if auto) but the front end....ball joints, wheel bearings, brakes, steering connections, suspension, etc...

[Ironforger]

The main thing to check on the 2nd gen trucks is the front end. Ball joint, and all of the steering/suspension joints up front are either tight or not. Those things can add up very quickly when replacing them.

Me personally, when I look at a 2nd gen truck I spend 90% of my time looking at the tranny (if auto) but the front end....ball joints, wheel bearings, brakes, steering connections, suspension, etc...

Ok thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

I can live with rebuilding/replacing the suspension/brake components if I can get the truck for a decent price.

[Mark Nixon]

Don't discount blowby, this is coming from my own recent bad experience.
If it fogs out the filler tube when it's cold, it'll get worse when warm.
If blowby is serious enough, it will coat the engine and underside in the proximity of the vent tube.

Most of all, drive it long enough to get it warm, DON'T JUST IDLE IT, DRIVE IT!
If the seller is against a test drive, chances are there is a reason.

Mark.

[RCCUMMINS89]

True, I did kind of act like it wasn't important.....when I meant it isn't more or less important for any particular year.

[Mark Nixon]

Eh, most of us who have half a grain of sense DO pay attention to it, so it's a moot point.

My experience recently was with an engine I COULDN'T hear run, because it was already removed, but the SIGNS were there, I just didn't pay attention.
What I now know is that the "missing" filler cap, coupled with the donor body being COATED on the underside, with what the seller said was tranny fluid (I know better, now) and the fact that it was just a plain bitch to start after we installed it, now tells me it was plain WORE OUT and down on compression.

If the fable about an engine with worn out rings going runaway was true, this one certainly should have.

Mark.

[RumbleFish]

If the fable about an engine with worn out rings going runaway was true, this one certainly should have.

Had it run away, I bet you would've made great time on your return trip!

[oldestof11]

Then have a lawsuit against Cummins and Dodge for "unintended acceleration" of which you might no be smart enough to turn it off OR put it in neutral after you ride the brakes more many miles.

[Mark Nixon]

Jeff, just my luck it would have happened in Colorado on some super steep down grade and I would have ended up in the Colorado river.
Jon, lawsuit or not, if the above HAD happened, I'd be worm (or fish) food in some river bottom and unable to partake in the "windfall".

Mark.

[Ironforger]

Ahh finally purchased a decent truck.

2002 3500 6speed 2wd quad cab. 200,000 miles. Picked it up for $5000.

A few minor dents and chips but zero rust. Truck came from Texas so I guess that's why.
Interior is dirty but decent. Rip in drivers seat. Seller was a pipeline welder.
Good tires %80
The bezel around the instrument panel is cracked. looks easy to replace.
Heater blows air out off the defrost vents, doesn't respond when I try to change it to floor or in your face.
Runs& drives great. Didn't notice much blow by vapor when cold but a little when warm. Is a small amount normal or should there be none at all? It has a small condensing catch can at the end of the rubber breather tube. These trucks come from the factory with this? Just a little bit of oil around it. Bottom of engine/truck looks clean except for fluid leaking from power steering pump.
AC does not work. I'll figure it out.
Yea it needs a power steering pump.
Needs a brake job but the seller included a new set of good quality napa rotors and pads. Holy crap the rear rotors are huge. Pleased to get a truck with 4 wheel disc brakes.
I'm going to put a 10 foot van body on it so I don't care that the bed is missing. I'm taking the truck to the body shop for a urethane paint job before I put the body on.

Can't get over how good it runs. Very powerful & quick turbo spool up/boost. Then again I'm used to my W250 (Which is going to be for sale very soon)

Can you guys point me in the right direction to fix the known lift pump problems mentioned here in this thread?

Also wondering, if I install a VE pump, will the cruise control still work?

Thanks for all the great tips and advice! Like I said I wasn't initially considering a 2nd gen put I liked all the good things mentioned here regarding the 2001-2002 model year.

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[CumminsPower59]

As for the little catch can on the front of the engine, I have made a longer hose and did away with that messy p.o.s. Keeps the front of the engine a lot cleaner, routed the new hose down past the frame enough that the dribblings wouldn't splatter up the underside of the truck.

[Mark Nixon]

Nice looking truck and it appears to be a standard dually frame, not a Chassis Cab, in that it still has the full bed supports welded to the frame.
Don't worry, that dent in the door will likely come out 98%, with a decent body man.

I have several of those instrument bezals, they are different, yours will have the airbag switch clear on the right top side.
IIRC, the 1998-2000 models had a power port, or a little junk hole, there.

Mark.

[PToombs]

I like the rims, I bet they look awesome cleaned up!

[ellis93]

Good find, watch out for that dash...breath on it and it'll break into a thousand pieces

Buy an airdog fuel supply system and that VP44 will live just fine

[Ironforger]

I like the rims, I bet they look awesome cleaned up!

They are Moto Metal MO953 aluminum wheels. http://www.motometal.net/moto-metal-953.html

It looks like this particular model is specific for duallys but non-reversable

I'm not ready to even think about what it's going to take to clean them up LOL. Yea you're right, they're pretty cool but sooo many groves & nooks to clean. I also need to check to see if they are clear coated etc.

I wouldn't mind finding a set of factory steel wheels for winter driving.