Advice on 01 Dodge 2500 Diesel

[CWOSCSU]

I'm looking at buying a 01 2500 with 108,000 miles. Diesel, auto, 4x4.

I drove it today, and everything (except a few interior items, and one mirror) worked, felt, sounded fine. A quick look under the truck didn't reveal anything, but I going under on a creeper tomorrow.

Is their anything I need to be looking out for? Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks much. Mike.

 

[RobertN]

Sounds like my truck. I got mine new in '01. I have 130,000 on it so far. I keep an eye onmy front brakes; seem to wear faster than my previous gas pickups. And, my lift pump(fuel) went out at 120,000 miles.

Otherwise, mine has been pretty okie dokie good.

We did a 4400 mile trip to Texas last August, towing a mid size 5th wheel.

My only regret, is I got 4.11 gears. I wish I had 3.55 gears. I definitely take a hit in fuel mileage with the lower gears.

 

[flusher]

I'm looking at buying a 01 2500 with 108,000 miles. Diesel, auto, 4x4.

I drove it today, and everything (except a few interior items, and one mirror) worked, felt, sounded fine. A quick look under the truck didn't reveal anything, but I going under on a creeper tomorrow.

Is their anything I need to be looking out for? Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks much. Mike.

I'm looking for a similar vintage 2500. I figure the expensive problem areas will be front end steering system, high pressure injection pump, the turbo system, and the engine/powertrain controllers.

I'd check the steering joints carefully. If they're original equipment, they're probably pretty worn. Jack up the front end, grip the tire at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and try to wiggle the wheel. If you get movement, the wheel bearing may be bad. Grip the tire at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and wiggle the wheel. If it moves, it might mean that you have worn ball joints in the steering gear.

The 01 Cummins has the VP44 injector pump that uses the diesel fuel for lubrication. If the lift pump that supplies fuel to the VP44 is weak (low output pressure, <5psi), the VP44 may have excessive wear. It's recommended that a pressure gauge be installed to measure the output pressure of the lift pump. Check the instrument panel to see if the previous owner installed such a gauge. If so, it'll indicate that he knows about this problem and did something about it.

Check this web page to find out how to bring up the OBD codes using the ignition key. You're looking for the P1693 code that indicates problems with the VP44

Injection Pump! - Diesel Power Forums at Diesel Power Magazine

 

[CosmoAU]

I had an 01 auto for a while.* Had no problems.* The only reason I sold it was because I got a company truck.* I did learn on the infamous "53" block after I got rid of it.* You can read all about it here: http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htmI never knew of this while I had it so I don't know if it was one of them.* I currently own an 05 cummins and have had zero problems.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Watch for 53 blocks, weak Lift Pump, weak Auto Tranny, rusting front quarter panels, and front end components. One other thing I see a lot with all Dodges is broken or non properly functioning switches, knobs, ect.

To be fair all the diesel trucks of that era had weak auto trannys.

Chris

 

[Lt CHEG]

As has been said the auto transmissions suck, but Ford's autos weren't much better and the Allison from GM was still getting some bugs worked out. My uncle has a 2000 with the Cummins and I fervently believe that the engine will last forever. However he is on his 5th or 6th transmission. Keep an eye out for some of the wiring harnesses, especially if the truck has power seats. My uncle had a very small fire one day on his Ram in the wiring harness underneath his power seat. He was able to get everything repaired without any major damage, but according to his research wiring problems were not at all uncommon on that vintage truck.

 

[weldingisfun]

2001, Ram 2500, 4X4, six-speed manual with 178,000 miles. Replaced injector pump while still under warranty. No other problems. Going for 250,000 miles and the day when Obama no longer owns and runs Chrysler.

 

[QueBota]

May be a minor thing and depends upon the climate the truck lives in, but take a look at the bottom of the doors, where the weather stripping and door panel drain holes run. Very common for rust to form in this area, may be hidden by the remaining paint, weatherstripping or the fact that is somewhat inside of the door and facing the ground.

Dave

 

[CWOSCSU]

Thanks to everyone. I'll check all these areas when I look at the truck again.

Mike.

 

[F350]

When looking at older used diesels, I normally test drive the truck and afterward with the truck idling, I remove the oil filler cap to check for excessive blow-by.

Does anyone else do this??