new to me 97 Dodge 2500 V10

NICKB304 · May 2, 2012

my 98 has the 3.55 gears. it tows good once you get rolling but it does not like to get rolling pulling 10k. I should note that it has taller tires than stock though. if you stay with the stock size tire you would probably be more than happy with it.

jeffsw6 · May 2, 2012

Yeah I can't imagine wanting bigger tires. Since it is 2WD I might get something with a more aggressive tread for the rear axle though.

I am not much on modifying trucks. I might put a 2" receiver on the front for a recovery winch, that's about it, unless I come across a totaled 4x4 model and can figure out how to frankenstein the extra drive parts onto this truck.

jeffsw6 · May 13, 2012

A quick update on my "new" Dodge. A friend and I installed the Curt 15K 2" receiver. It was pretty simple once I realized the exhaust mounts on the truck were not the factory ones and chopped them off. I need to get those welded back on soon so the exhaust pipes don't fall apart.

New spark plugs, wires, and cleaning the intake has fixed the idling problem. It still misses a little and is quite rich in open loop mode. I remain convinced it needs fuel injectors, but it's not so bad that I am in a hurry to do something about it anymore. I am surprised the computer system in the truck is not noticing this. Check Engine Light seems to work correctly but it doesn't come on except for the bulb test, go figure?

The factory 4-way TBC harness under the dash was NOT wired how I think it should have been. A few minutes with a VOM sorted that out. However, I have some wiring issues at the rear that still need to be fixed. About half the pins on the 7-wire aren't getting any juice -- one turn signal, running lights, not sure if the brake one works yet. etrailer.com sold me a kit with a bunch of wires, connectors, and a new 7-way. My hand isn't steady enough to solder so I am waiting for a friend to have time to solder and heat-shrink it all for me.

The Indiana BMV has me in title nightmare, too. Previous owner didn't get a new title issued when he bought it from a guy he knew who had it titled to his dealer number. Dealer number is inactive now, BMV gave me different answers on how to solve this problem. A guy in Indianapolis told me to fill out a complaint form and he thinks he can fix it all for me without a lot of fuss. Hopefully he is right.

I still feel like I got a bargain at $2450 even if the title is a headache, but I haven't taken it for a joy ride on the highway yet since I lack current tags, and that is eating at me.

Dmace · May 13, 2012

I don't know about your state but in NH you don't need a title on vehicles 15 years or older. Also, a 98 should be able to display the OBD-II codes in the odometer with the "key trick". With the vehicle off, turn the key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON and leave it in the ON position (not starting), the codes if any will show in the odometer display and it will say "done" or ---------- after the codes are shown. It will just say done if there are no codes.

jeffsw6 · May 13, 2012

This is a 97 so the odometer is not a digital display.

I am sure I need a title, and I physically have it, the BMV just won't let me transfer it without jumping through hoops. They want proof the dealer is not in business any more since I don't have a certificate that says someone paid sales tax. I said I didn't pay sales tax and your computer already says the dealer is out of business, so just let me pay the tax. They said I need a letter from the state attorney general's office. The AG said the BMV is nuts and call the Secretary of State. Those SoS people also said the BMV is crazy and they would help me once I send in this complaint form which they emailed to me.

jeffsw6 · May 14, 2012

I'm glad I knew this would be a bit of a project when I bought it. Today a friend and I put the Prodigy P2 TBC in the cab, but it indicates a short in the blue wire that goes back to the 7-wire couplers. My VOM seems to agree with it.

I have a piece of 10/2 or 12/2 cable. My plan is to simply run that through the firewall and back to the trailer couplers and ignore the factory wiring, instead of spend a lot of time trying to find out where the short is happening.

Dmace · May 14, 2012

For some reason I thought it was a 98, I didn't see the thread title on my tablet.

As for the wiring, I did the same thing to my 03 for the charging wire since the factory 12 gauge looked weak so I ran a new 10 gauge the whole length with an inline fuse. Not that difficult and good piece of mind.

jeffsw6 · May 15, 2012

Dmace said:
As for the wiring, I did the same thing to my 03 for the charging wire since the factory 12 gauge looked weak so I ran a new 10 gauge the whole length with an inline fuse. Not that difficult and good piece of mind.

I was thinking about putting a large fuse on the extra wire and using it to isolate the trailer loads from the truck's light circuits by installing some relays. Good winter project.