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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
   
Location: Kansas | The motor is basically shot in my 01 Dodge, and my budget won't accomodate an upgrade in trucks so I'm looking at getting something roughly identical to my current truck, which has the 5.9L v8, automatic transmission, quad/extended cab and is 2 wheel drive. I got this one past 250K miles with original motor & transmission before the motor trouble, so I have darn sure gotten my $4,000 worth out of it and wouldn't mind fixing it except that I worry about the transmission (only major thing that hasn't needed replaced yet) with that many miles on it. Dad finally agreed to help me buy a different truck but only if I shop in a really low price range.
So, Mom and I found a 1998 with the same specs as mine and only 147K miles for $2,500. Any common problems I should be aware of, or any reason to run far far away from this truck? It sounds like it's been maintained perfectly but I thought there were certain years of Dodge gassers that were junk and I darn sure don't want to buy one of those! | |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Not sure about the 5.9 gas engine, but the 5.2 was HARD on gas. However, for a 1/2 ton they do as good as a 3/4 ton for a gas engine. Our 5.2 Dodge 1/2 ton would out-pull our Chevy 1/2 ton with a 5.3 any day of the week. But our's was an 01 as well. I've not heard anything bad about the 98's but it has been a few years since we've had one. They still seem to be running around strong in our neck of the woods. For $2500, if it ran good and shifted good and has and does the things you want in a truck without any major issues (i.e. shifts rough, has some electrical problem, etc.), I'd definitely give it a shot. Good luck! 
P.S. If you came to MT, we'd give you a heck of a deal on a 93 GMC 3/4 ton 2-wheel-drive with a 350 v-8 and a manual tranny...if you could find a truck like that, it would run a long ways!
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-11-18 11:27 PM
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  Desert Diva
Posts: 4946
 
Location: The birthplace of Honest Abe | we have a 98 and 96, the main problem with both is the seals around the transmission needed replaced and the head gaskets need replaced. I love both our trucks LOL | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I am pulling a steel 3 horse stock combo and with my 01 was getting right around 10 mpg loaded on the highways. I don't drive super fast and occasionally I'd get closer to 12 depending on the wind, terrain etc. I still fully intend to move up to 3/4 ton or 1 ton within a couple years but am not in a position financially to take on payments now and I would like to be able to at least move my horse trailer out of its "temporary" parking spot in the yard LOL.
So far no one has said RUN FAR FAR AWAY from a 98 gasser so that makes me feel better. | |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I loved mine, called her Beatrice. I didn't drive it hard, it pulled the trailer great(2 horse, steel, BP.) It had a new transmission put in when I bought it, other than that it was general stuff as far as maintenance. My brake lines did rust on it though. Other than that... Beatrice was a trooper! I got rid of it and bought a 2012 f250 and I am dying to go back to the older style dodge. | |
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Location: Central Florida | I had 4 transmission repair bills in one year. I would stay far away....... I wasn't even hauling with it just a daily driver. | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | FloridaPriss - 2014-11-19 8:03 AM I had 4 transmission repair bills in one year. I would stay far away....... I wasn't even hauling with it just a daily driver.
With a 98? Crap. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| A '98 half-ton was my first truck! And I'm sure I was pretty hard on it as a 16 year old, but even with that we never had any issues with it. I pulled a two horse gooseneck all through high school with it, and as long as I went slow and steady, she did fine. Finally, at around 325k miles, the sucker just wouldn't start one day. If you had it looked over beforehand and there were no major issues, I'd say go for it. | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | bowersk - 2014-11-19 8:10 AM A '98 half-ton was my first truck! And I'm sure I was pretty hard on it as a 16 year old, but even with that we never had any issues with it. I pulled a two horse gooseneck all through high school with it, and as long as I went slow and steady, she did fine. Finally, at around 325k miles, the sucker just wouldn't start one day. If you had it looked over beforehand and there were no major issues, I'd say go for it.
The current owner has it parked to be seen at a mechanic/auto parts place and they're fixing or have fixed the only mechanical issues - cruise control (which I could care less about pulling a trailer) and a right rear axle seal - that it has. He's put a new radiator, blower motor, driver side window motor and bumper on it in the 11 years he's had it. There's some minor body damage but heck my 01 had hail dents all across the hood LOL. I am THAT trailer - the one that everyone can't wait to pass because it's doing 60-65 mph on the highway instead of hauling a$s, and between Dad, Matt and I we are religious about maintenance. This is probably why the 95 F150 is still going with 245K miles on it, my brother's S10 has 218K and my Dodge was past 250K. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | Just remember that gas is $1.50 a gallon less than diesel is right now. I think that you are very wise to look for a gas pickup right now. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 164
| Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?!
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2014-11-19 11:32 AM Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?!
Oh trust me, I want to keep Blackie and fix her up as a farm truck/backup truck. My Dad still has my 1995 F150 with 240K and counting on it, and my brother could use a farm truck for when we get the extra 2 horse trailer fixed up for him. Plus, we already know everything that's been done with the black Dodge and there isn't much left to fix on it! We've replaced the radiator, dash, fuel pump, heater core, air conditioner all in the past 2 years. She's got dents & dings and hail damage, plus some stuff that's not quite right on the interior but that truck has darn sure earned her keep.
I did just stop by one of the local mechanics and talk to a guy who worked for Dodge as a service manager for quite a few years. He said there's no reason to stay away from the 98 vs. the 01 so if Dad can get down there to look at the 98, I'm OK with pulling the trigger on it. | |
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Location: Central Florida | Yes it was a 98 4x4. After I bought that truck I was informed that those are one of the worst years for transmission issues. Just my luck I got the pick of the litter. lol
I bought it in 2005 and got rid of it in 09 when it started giving me nothing but problems | |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | Have you looked at getting a 1st generation Dodge 12 Valve diesel?
We paid 6000 for our 93 but that was shipped from AZ with 130k original miles on it.
I was able to find a bunch for around 4k anywhere in OK and KS. They get around 20-25 MPG and can pull anything. May be an option to look at.
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2014-11-19 10:32 AM Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?! I have to agree, all Dodges (we've had any ways) have week front-ends, but we feel like the maintenance is worth it as Dodges will pretty much out pull anything and mechanically they hold up great. With the exceptiong of one Chevy, we have only used Dodges to pull with. They are flat out good for that sort of thing.
Clover Girl is right, too...the 12 valve Dodge diesels are the BEST truck Dodge ever made...the maintenance on them is almost non-existent...they will pull anything and go for ever. That is what we currently pull with, only our's is a 94 and no one could offer us enough to buy it from us.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-11-19 3:01 PM
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The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | mtcanchazer - 2014-11-19 2:59 PM HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2014-11-19 10:32 AM Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?! I have to agree, all Dodges (we've had any ways) have week front-ends, but we feel like the maintenance is worth it as Dodges will pretty much out pull anything and mechanically they hold up great. With the exceptiong of one Chevy, we have only used Dodges to pull with. They are flat out good for that sort of thing.
Clover Girl is right, too...the 12 valve Dodge diesels are the BEST truck Dodge ever made...the maintenance on them is almost non-existent...they will pull anything and go for ever. That is what we currently pull with, only our's is a 94 and no one could offer us enough to buy it from us.
And if anything ever goes wrong with it i can guarentee there is a YouTube video on how to repair it. Plus the parts are CHEAP! | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | clover girl - 2014-11-19 4:51 PM mtcanchazer - 2014-11-19 2:59 PM HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2014-11-19 10:32 AM Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?! I have to agree, all Dodges (we've had any ways) have week front-ends, but we feel like the maintenance is worth it as Dodges will pretty much out pull anything and mechanically they hold up great. With the exceptiong of one Chevy, we have only used Dodges to pull with. They are flat out good for that sort of thing.
Clover Girl is right, too...the 12 valve Dodge diesels are the BEST truck Dodge ever made...the maintenance on them is almost non-existent...they will pull anything and go for ever. That is what we currently pull with, only our's is a 94 and no one could offer us enough to buy it from us.
Did you just imply that something is cheap about a diesel? I thought those two words were mutually exclusive LOL.
I'm not sure that I can find a diesel, even an older one, that doesn't have 300,000 miles on it in my price range OR convince Dad that we need to go that route instead of the 98 we're looking at. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | rodeowithjoker - 2014-11-19 5:02 PM clover girl - 2014-11-19 4:51 PM mtcanchazer - 2014-11-19 2:59 PM HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2014-11-19 10:32 AM Ok, I have a 1998 Dodge 1500 5.2L V8 and it runs amazing. It has 180K miles on it. No engine work, no tranny work. It has been hauling around 7500lbs for about 2 years now. It was finally wearing it down. We did end up getting a new 2015 chevy dually a few weeks ago but that dodge has earned its keep and I'll have it forever. It is an awesome truck. The front end on these trucks typically need work, but that all depends on the size tires, if its lifted, and how much it's pulling. My truck has been through some SHIT. It hauls a lot, it has been through some hard core mudding in my college days, and it's lifted about 4 inches with mudders. These trucks do have a shot at having a bad tranny, but you'll really never know if it will or not. The diesels of this era REALLY are known to have bad trannies. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the truck, I would definitely suggest for the deal you're getting that you should get the truck. If it is in good, clean condition, it's definitely worth it!! And if it does end up needing something, well, you didn't pay much for it. You can buy a new engine for what you're paying for this truck. So I say get the new truck. Hopefully you can keep your other one for a parts truck?! I have to agree, all Dodges (we've had any ways) have week front-ends, but we feel like the maintenance is worth it as Dodges will pretty much out pull anything and mechanically they hold up great. With the exceptiong of one Chevy, we have only used Dodges to pull with. They are flat out good for that sort of thing.
Clover Girl is right, too...the 12 valve Dodge diesels are the BEST truck Dodge ever made...the maintenance on them is almost non-existent...they will pull anything and go for ever. That is what we currently pull with, only our's is a 94 and no one could offer us enough to buy it from us.
I'm not sure that I can find a diesel, even an older one, that doesn't have 300,000 miles on it in my price range OR convince Dad that we need to go that route instead of the 98 we're looking at.
To find a good, less than 200K miles on a 12 valve diesel is nearly impossible, let alone one in a good price range. But they are about the BEST diesel engine as far as maintenance and longevity go, IMHO.
Like I said before, if the truck you are looking at does what it is supposed to do (start, run, drive, stop), I would not be afraid of it. Every vehicle is going to have maintenance from tires to brakes to oil changes to transmission fluid flushes and on down the line, but if little things are taken care of, they don't become big things.  | |
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What's the story on 1998 Dodge gas 1/2 tons?