Found what I think might be a good deal on a 3/4 ton '99 Dodge PU with V10. I know these things should be thirsty...how thirsty? What are their weak spots? How long do they usually run?
I need something to tow cars (one at a time) to AutoX, Jeeps, a tractor, a small excavator, make trips to Lowes and Home Depot, etc. It would likely not be driven every day
The dash will fall apart shortly before the rest of the interior and the motor will still be happy. If you're just using it for a tow vehicle, you may not care. One of the guys I worked with awhile back said he got 10-14mpg depending on what he was doing with it.
My pal Bob had one. The transmissions are made of very thin glass - they're that delicate.
He got 12mpg city... and highway... and empty... and loaded.
EvanR wrote: My pal Bob had one. The transmissions are made of very thin glass - they're that delicate.
Depends, I hear this all the time, don't actually know anyone who had trans issues, myself included. Completely random happening. Bigger issue is the wandering all over the road and dumping money into the front end not fixing it. But, that's much like the trans in that it doesn't happen to everyone.
EvanR wrote: He got 12mpg city... and highway... and empty... and loaded.
This is true.
A lot of trans problems on those trucks come from a restricted anti-drainback check valve in the cooler lines. With stupid E36 M3 like that throwing in variables it's hard to say what's the transmission's fault.
They are known for OD section failures even under stock power,(there are tons of parts to build the OD section, how much do you want to spend?) but the front section is basically a 727 and you dont see too many people treating those like black magic that is out to get you after 40 yrs of people using and rebuilding them. 
I only had the diesels, which may have a different transmission, but I put over a million miles between two and only had one rear end fail (poor maintenance) and one transmission fail (shop didn't reconnect a fluid line). Other than that, I think they run forever.
Diesel is basically the same transmission, only minor differences.
FWIW, I know where a 2wd, long bed, extended cab, with an engine knock is for sale. I think he was asking $1200, but it's been there a long time. In Illinois, 60963 is the zip.
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