O/T 96 dodge ram 3500 duley

I almost gave up looking for another work truck. I was checking craigs list tonight and found a 96 dodge ram dulley with 140,000 thousand miles. It has a V 10 engine. The only problem it has is the trans doesn't shift into overdrive, it's been like that for a while. He wants
$ 2800.00 for the truck. What about 140,000 miles on the truck? What do you think. Stan

Dodge had a lot of problems with the early V-10s.
The brakes were undersized in that truck to. Only about a little bigger than a ford rangers.

Who needs super-duper brakes when the tranny won't get you "up to speed"?

(SORRY, I just couldn't help myself!)

Hi I have a 2500 with the v10 and had the same problem. That transmission has to run at a minimum 180degrees or it wont shift into overdrive. When its cold I cover the trans cooler rad.Solves the problem.

canuck4, What year is your V 10? Any trouble with it? What about milege. Stan

I think Toyota might.

I have a 96 3500 dually as well. GREAT truck! My v-10 has like 135,000 or so on it and still runs strong as ever. I have not had any engine problems with it. The tranny is typical Dodge....weak. Mine has been acting up for like 4-5 years now. Mine likes to bounce between 2 and 3, until the rpm's get up a little bit....then it will shift like its supposed to and be just fine.

Mileage sucks, but then again, if your buying a v-10, your NOT buying it for fuel economy.

I love my truck, and hope its around for another 100,000 miles!!!!!!



kevin

I remember some of your past posts. I guess if you're determined to get a cheap truck with "issues", this may be as harmless as any. At 140 K, its probably about time for a new tranny, but then you'll be good to go. Go for it.

You are right I want a cheap truck to pull my mowing tractor. I don't travel much freeway. The problem with my 80 F350 is sometimes I just run out of power on the hills around here. It has a 400 engine. As for gas usage I don't think I get good milage with my ford eather, as I always have my foot in it. Another problem is how to get rid of my ford if I buy the Dodge. Seller is responsible to pay for smog check. By the time I jump through that hoop, I will probably have $200.00 in a $400.00 truck that starts hard in the morning.stan

I have a 1996 Ram 2500 4x4 with a 360 gas and auto tranny. 183,000 miles and still going ! No squeaks,rattles or oil leaks on the floor !Original tranny too I think. I have the same issue as the others of not coming out of 2nd and going into 3rd. Vary intermitantly. Not going into overdrive should be no big deal as when pulling a trailer you should turn it off anyhow.
And as for the brakes my 3/4 ton 8800 GVW has way heavier brakes then a Ford Ranger ! The 3500 should be the same or even heavier.

Hey Stan, the 140K on that truck aint squat, but like another person said here, Chrysler automatics are what they are, not known for having a good reputation, and for reason. The price seems right, but you may be having someone go into that trans and it costing you another $2,500. Is it worth it to you? All in all, if the truck is sound I'd do it without giving it a second thought or hesitation. I did my '96 3/4 ton a couple of years ago with 265K on it, cost me $2,500. I did my '02 3/3 ton last summer with 50K on it, closer to $3,000 and that's after it was done once before at 25K on it under warranty from the dealer. Dealer didn't really fix anything, he just did the warranty to get it moving again if you ask my opinion. Since the tranny place did my first one and did a good job, I had the same guys do the second one and so far, good job with heavier internals than when it came out of Detroit. The place back home in Elkhart, Fred's Transmission is a member of ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) which is nationwide, and means I'm warrantied nationwide. Little things like that add up and mean stuff.

Its really up to you Stan, its your money and you flipping the bills, but personally, again, if the truck's in good shape otherwise, and assuming that it is, if it were me, I wouldn't have a problem doing it. Your choice though, and good luck with your decision.

Mark

I had a 96 v10, but with a 5 speed. Scored a piston at 110,000. Locked up the motor at 145,000 or so. Put in a new crate engine, ran it another 25,000 or so and got rid of it as the rest of the truck was showing its age

If I remember right, the V10 had the same tranny as the diesel, get ready to spend some bucks to fix it right.

I liked the truck, good engine, but not really known around here to live a nice long life. The 360's lasted longer and the cummins last a lot longer.
If it is a clean truck, might be worth buying

(quoted from post at 16:43:21 03/01/10) Another problem is how to get rid of my ford if I buy the Dodge. stan

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I might be able to help ya out with that....got a buddy thats hardcore looking for a work truck.......

Stan Sorry for the late reply. My truck is a 96 with the v10 automatic and 4x4. It has 190 thousand miles on it.The only problem that I have had with the engine was due to bad gas. My son was away from home and must have picked up bad fuel on the trip. Dodge dealer there fixed under warrenty but took three days to find three plugged injectors.That was at about 30thousand miles.The only other thing that has been done to the engine was replace the plug wires.The trans blew up at 110 thousand miles and was replaced with one from a wreck At 190 its still going but has to go to the trans shop as it is slow to move when first started. That is the best engine I have had in 45 years of driving and I have had quite a few vehicles. The trans is definately not the best. but the truck will pull. The only other problem is the front Ujoints dont last if they dont have grease nipples. Canuck 4