Major Truck Trouble, What Would You Do????

[greatrandini]

Arthur, parts is parts. I have been driving dodge trucks since 1998. New or semi new. Then I trade them off while they still have value. I do however know folks with very long lasting Dodge trucks. My hay dealer has a 1994 dully that he works the heck out of. If you get new parts it is just like new truck. Parts is parts. You got shafted by a crummy shop. They caused more damage to your truck then it had when it came in and they tell ya it was already that way. Your truck prob don't even need all the things they say. Rebuilding a heavy duty suspension would cost alot but should be well worth it. Your engine will last forever if you take care of it. I think someone abused your unit if the suspension is that badly worn already. alot of times folks never replace shocks, struts, bushings etc.. which leads to more rapid decline of the suspension parts. I go to the same time tire shop for all my oil changes, tires, brakes etc... they check out my vehicles constantly. I replace whatever they say to but I trust them. They are not a repair shop though. I have to punt when I need repairs. Everytime I take a vehicle in to a repair shop or dealer for a tune up the vehicle always performs worse when I get it back.. It is very hard to find a good repair shop. I don't work on my cars anymore. My solution is to drive fairly new vehicles and make the payments.....I may get something from the sixties which is restored then I can make any repair myself provided I can get the parts. Also this way the thing wont lose all of its value in a few short years. Problem is in finding a good old TRUCK that you can pull horse trailers and tractors with......

Find a good shop and fix your truck! Then if you sell it you are not passing the problem on....

 

[kenmac]

my mistake .2500.I haven't seen a cummings in a 1500 either /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

Art, I have 309,100 miles on my 1996 Dodge 3/4 ton Auto w/Cummins. I ain't about to give it up yet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It needs new brake rotors and brakes on the front, a new headliner, some attention to the vacuum pump, and the paint on top of the cab is starting to come off down to the primer. I thought the transmission needed rebuilding last year because it went nuts, but rebooted the PCM by disconnecting the batteries overnight, and now it acts like a new one.

In the 10 years I've owned this truck I've never had the air conditioner serviced and it still works perfectly. I did have rear axle seals replaced once.

My truck has given me a steady 21 to 22 MPG from day one. The only thing I've ever had done to the engine is an oil pressure sending unit replaced. I love this old truck and drive it 140 miles round trip every day. My target is at least 500 kMi. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I think your front end problems are just the kinds of problems seen on a lot of 4x4s.

 

[Jstpssng]

Just my .02 worth... those of you who have trucks that treat you well have kept up on the maintenance. It sounds like the truck Art bought doesn't fall under this category. This is the voice of experience talking...

In 1998 I bought a '93 dakota with <75K miles, partly because it was a "Certified Auto" and partly because I could pay cash. Apparently the original owner never changed the oil; then traded after overheating it because the radiator sprang a leak, and running it dry on tranny fluid. (I figured all this out later.) When problems arose the dealer simply blew me off, saying the "ticking" of the engine was from the EFI, and that it was normal to take your foot off the gas in order for the AT to shift into 3rd gear. Then I found out the phone # for the "warrantee company" simply was a recording telling you to call your dealer with problems. I had that truck less than 1 1/2 years and dumped $7500 in repairs, matching the original purchase price; and was glad to get $1000 in trade toward a Toyota. (I was even more glad that it made it to the dealer so I could pick up my new truck.)

Based on experience, I'd cut my losses and dump this truck.
It will save you many headaches in the future.

 

[cp1969]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The owner of the repair shop advised me to just get rid of the truck, said that the cummins is not that good and the dodge trucks start to fall apart after 100K. )</font>

Why would he be in possession of this knowledge and it not be widely known? If there is a brand that falls apart much more rapidly than others, that's kind of hard to keep secret.

When people make generalizations like that, that should raise your level of skepticism of anything further the guy has to say by at least a notch or two. You could ask him to explain further as to what the weak points are but it is unlikely he would have anything specific.

I have owned all three American brands. All have their good and bad points but certainly nothing that would cause me to swear off off a brand for good. I see bumper stickers that say "I'd rather push my Ford/Dodge/Chevy than ride in a Chevy/Dodge/Ford." If the owner really believes that, then he is one seriously stupid person.

I would almost bet that this mechanic has one of those stickers.

 

[arthr31]

Hi All:

An update... After a lot of great advice here, I had the truck fixed. Thanks all for the input. It definitely made me think about what I had and whether or not I should fix the truck. Anyway, I had the axle work done, about 3-400 cheaper than the original shop too! While the truck was at this new shop, I also had the dowel pin secured and a new exhaust (already had in possesion) installed. Truck came home two nights ago and runs as good as ever...

Here's a picture of the truck, having just finished rolling up the driveway thru about a foot of snow, with no problem... (we had a storm today, yea!).

Thanks again for all the feedback! -Art

p.s. The exhaust is a new 4" mbrp. Very good, I recommend....

p.p.s. if anyone needs a good diesel truck mechanic in eastern MA, send me a PM, I have a great recommendation.

 

[Bird]

Sounds like it might be a keeper. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[HGM]

Congratulations Art,
Sounds like you got things straight.... Enjoy....

 

[arthr31]

Thanks, guys! Yea, it's good to have the "truck of your choice" back. I had a lot of stress trying to figure out if I was going to get another vehicle, and what exactly that would be ! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif But, now I don't have that worry /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

..nice weekend to all...

 

[JimR]

Hey Art,

Can you find a good used front axle for the truck locally??? Replace the whole dang thing and be done with it.