Opinions wanted - repair or replace truck

[rtimgray]

Alright, here's the question:

I've got a 1997 Dodge 1/2 ton truck. I've had it since about 2002 or 2003. In that time, it's required numerous minor repairs (water pump, brakes, brake line, wheel fell off one time going down the road) and I had the transmission rebuilt in 2007. Well, the transmission has been "acting funny" again, so I took it to the transmission shop (same as rebuilt it 2007). He also replaced some solendoids that control shifting points a few years ago. He says that it has metal shavings in it and that probably the best solution would be another rebuild, so that I have a good starting point and a warranty again (he warrants for 1 year/12,000 miles).

His estimated cost is about $1500. Aside of the transmission, and all of the other minor repairs, the truck is generally okay for farm use and the occassional 50 mile trip to town.

I would like to get a 3/4 ton truck, because I do some pulling of hay trailers that probably overload the Dodge, but I don't do it that much - it's more of a desire than a need.

So I ask the collective brain trust: if it was yours, what would you do? I'm a little hesitant to get it rebuilt again if it will only last 4 or 5 years, but then again, that's only $300 or $400 per year. On the other hand, another bigger truck would be nice, but I won't get much out of a truck that has transmission problems either being sold or traded.

Let me know what you guys think..I want to meditate on this for a while and not make a snap decision.

Thanks.

 

[bucktaker]

You dont mention how many miles you got out of the rebuild. maybe he is not the greatest rebuilder..... maybe find a replacment tranny instead.

 

[dusty3030]

If it ain't rusted out and otherwise sound, I'd be looking for another tranny as well or rebuild / repair route as well.

$1500 one month is better than payments or buying another any day if the rest of it is pretty sound.

 

[namesray]

i had a 99 dodge dakota that i got in 2001 with 17,000 miles on it. ran it with very little problems for 9 years. i too replaced brake lines that rusted (i think common on any vehicle that ages). when it got about 116,000 miles on it the truck started to make a hollow rattle sound underneath from time to time. found out it was probably the torque converter in the transmission. at the time i had a pregnant wife and was just starting a small firewood business. i was in about the same position you are. i needed a truck and bigger was better. however bigger cost more money then a rebuilt or used transmission in my smaller dakota. my thoughts were: with a kid on the way (truck was only a regular cab) my business getting going and i needed to haul and tow heavier loads, and the dakota was only 2 wheel drive (i live in north central pa where we get snow) why not get something now that would be worth rebuilding the transmission in or putting a new engine on down the road if need be. so i sold the 99 dodge dakota for $700. the truck still ran and had a lot of new parts and i told the guy who bought it everything about the truck. while i was looking for a full sized truck to better suit my needs, i did look at and test drive a few dodge rams. now i am NOT bashing dodge (i owned one and my grandpa owned one at the time) but every dodge that i looked at either drove funny, sifted rough, or had some sort of leak with the drive train either on the tranny pan or rear part of the drive shaft at the "pumpkin". now these dodges were used and not at big used dealerships, but still to look at around 5 or 6 of them and every one of them have transmission issues along with what happened to my dakota and even my grandpa's 2000 dodge ram bought brand new and shed kept, developed a leak in the transmission pan at 30,000 miles. my opinion is that transmissions could be a weak point in a dodge. you make your own opinion on that. as far as needing a 3/4 ton, they have a heavier frame, heavy duty engine, and heavy duty TRANSMISSION. in theory all parts on a 3/4 ton should last longer and perform better then a regular 1/2 ton. the only down fall in my opinion would be fuel economy. if you don't take many long trips with your truck and mainly just use it for farm use, if it were me i would get a 3/4 ton. it might be better in the long run and you still can use it for your general use. it is not like you would be trading your 1/2 ton in for a dump truck. and just for info, the used gmc sierra extended cab, 4x4 i replaced the dakota with had 216,000 miles on it when #1 cylinder took a crap so i just recently put a new reman engine in it. i feel that was more worth it to me then if i kept the dakota and put a different transmission in that. i got a great deal on the gmc so that made it even easier to do the engine replacement. this is just my experiences and hope they help some. i wish you luck with your decision. keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[rtimgray]

You dont mention how many miles you got out of the rebuild. maybe he is not the greatest rebuilder..... maybe find a replacment tranny instead.

Yeah - I've wondered about that, but he's been in business for 30+ years and I've had several folks recommend him. I like working with him - he's always very nice, professional, and pretty timely (his shop is always busy, so it's usually about a 2 week lead time to get your vehicle in).

You bring up another good point - I only got about 30,000 miles on the rebuild - that's not too many, because the truck is not a daily driver. I've wondered about finding a replacement transmission as well.

Thanks for your take on the situation.

 

[Western]

I'd be thinking like the other guys, but then again I would have to consider the 1/2 ton vs the added pull of the 3/4 ton. Your use of the 1/2 ton may be what is killing the tranny or it is just normal wear. I pull a 10,000#+ haulmark (loaded) almost every day, I had 3/4 tons that would pull it fine, but the problem I had was the suspension, so I use a 1 ton.

Point to me is the tool for the type job. If the 1/2 ton meets the demands, then $1500 for the tranny is cheap wheels, not withstanding any other out of pocket repairs.

 

[shortthrow50]

replacing a tranny or an engine is cheaper than making payments on another truck. Especially if you do the work yourself. even so, if you pay someone to do it it will be cheaper. You want the luxury of a newer vehicle that will eventually cost you in repairs down the road and cost more money in the long run. OR do you want to go the more cost effective route and just do repairs as needed. Just some food for thought. Everyone has their own way at looking at it:thumbsup:

 

[chucko]

If you are going to get a rebuild let them know you need it built to pull and not a stock build

 

[dodge man]

The real question is, what do you want to do? I like vehicles, so what I buy is often based more on want than needs. If you can afford and want a 3/4 ton, buy it, it sounds like you can justify it. If on the other hand, you just look at a truck as a tool, rebuild the tranny and keep on going.

 

[TripleR]

If you are going to get a rebuild let them know you need it built to pull and not a stock build

My brother did this with his and they beefed the components up a bit; cost him a little more, but he felt it was worth it.