1998 Dodge Ram 2500

Extended Cab Pickup

5.9L 359Cu. In. l6 DIESEL OHV Turbocharged

Manual

1B7KF23D7WJ143578

Clear

Diesel

This is the one you read about, but rarely see. A first half 1998 Dodge with the Cummins 12 valve diesel motor and 5 speed. This is the first year of the cab with 4 doors and the last year that you could get a 12 valve motor. The 12 valve is legendary for its power and reliability because there are no computers in the engine. After start up, you could pull out the batteries and the engine would run until the diesel ran out! I bought this truck used in fall 2010. Early in 2011 I had the transmission rebuilt along with the transfer case. This included a new flywheel and pressure plate. I also had the shop go through the differentials and brakes. They ended up replacing one of the drive shafts and U-joints. This one has the highly desirable Dana front and rear axles (limited slip in the rear). Never been stuck, but I have pulled lots of newer rigs out of the ditch. This truck is amazing! I had the engine gone through by Bradley’s Diesel here in town. They’ve been featured in some diesel magazine articles and do great work. They went through the engine and did the killer dowel pin mod, added a 4” exhaust, a cold air intake, a 3 piece pulse manifold, new valve cover gaskets, added an Air Dog fuel pump, reset the valve timing, and checked pretty much everything else. The engine got a clean bill of health and I expect it to go at least another 250K easily. Basically the mods just took out the restrictions and opened it up without messing up the engine tuning. Daily in town driving gets 20 MPG routinely! It has a pillar mounted gauges. Rarely gets over 1000F on the pyrometer even on hills and just purrs along at about 3-4 psi running 65mph down the road without even trying very hard! Basically there is a 1998 body sitting on top of a chassis that’s been refurbished over the last three years! The body has several dents from being a working truck on my farm. It also has the Dodge clear coat peel. There’s a nice tool box in the bed and the bed has an older spray in bed liner. It could stand a refresh, but I fill it up regularly with hay, gravel, bark, etc., it holds up to hard work. Diamond plate full length running boards protect the truck and make side loading a cinch. There’s a 12 volt power outlet in bed. The frame is undercoated with some kind of black epoxy to prevent rust. I’ve replaced the power window and lock switches in both doors and they work as expected. There’s a newer radio with aux input. A/C blows cold and heater blows hot. Cruise control stopped holding speed. It still powers on with green light on the dash, just won’t hold speed. I haven’t torn into it yet since I don’t use it much. Intermittent setting on wipers is not working, just low and high. I have a new switch in the box which I’ll include for the winner to install. Good size crack in the front window that’s well to the left of the driver’s field of view. Hasn’t changed in 3+ years and doesn’t bug me so I haven’t ever replaced it, but want you to know it’s there. Good: outstanding mechanically, will run easily to 500,000 miles through any conditions; snow, mud, EMP, end of the world etc... Bad: dents, dings, paint fade / peel, and a couple of minor things listed above that are basically cosmetic or nuisance. Routine oil, filter, and fuel filter changes. I just replaced the fuel filters (normally twice a year) and will include spare(s) with the sale. Also, I have the Dodge Ram owner’s manual with the factory Cummins supplement. It is wired for a 7 pin pigtail with trailer brake controller (all work correctly), and front and rear receivers which is nice for putting trailers in a tight spot. This winter I was going to change differential fluids so I will include the fluid, posi-track additive, and new gaskets. They don’t need it yet, just part of scheduled maintenance. This is about $300 in extra supplies included free to the winner. Super working truck that will not disappoint and never leave you stuck! Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE