ScottG wrote:
The auto's in the Dodge's of that era were not terrible. They were only bad if the power was increased without upgrading the trans. I personally put more than 100K on one that was unmodified but had extra power form the eng.
Also that 98 Cummins was a great engine. If it was loud it was because the timing had been advanced, which gives a big boost in power. Otherwise that is a dead reliable engine.
The '98 Cummins my brother had, he owned from new and it never saw the dealer for any engine work.....it was a terribly loud stinky, horrible engine that pulled well and got very good fuel economy....especially when empty. It had the manual transmission. I don't think he has ever been happier to replace a truck as he was the day he replaced that old Dodge. His kids cheered as they watched it drive out of the yard....it rode like a lumber wagon and had a very uncomfortable rear seat. I think he put about 100,000 miles on it and the whole truck was decently reliable....it seams to me it had a fuel lift pump failure and needed a bit of front end work.