Dodge Broke Down... how many $$$$ ?

[Marty S]

So I'm out in the middle of nowhere with a broken Dodge because I wasn't smart enough to do my preventative maintenance. My transfer case is making noise, and the only place that'll potentially get me running is the dealership, but I fear dealerships and perceive that I will be subjected to astronomical costs that are out of this world??

What is a dodge transfer case going to cost me vs a Napa/jobber part?

If I manage to find a wrecker part, will dealerships install such or is that beneath them?

Truck does have 711,023 on it... so I guess I got my money's worth out of that transfer case! It's a 2003

[1shotwade]

Originally Posted by Marty S

So I'm out in the middle of nowhere with a broken Dodge because I wasn't smart enough to do my preventative maintenance. My transfer case is making noise, and the only place that'll potentially get me running is the dealership, but I fear dealerships and perceive that I will be subjected to astronomical costs that are out of this world??

What is a dodge transfer case going to cost me vs a Napa/jobber part?

If I manage to find a wrecker part, will dealerships install such or is that beneath them?

Truck does have 711,023 on it... so I guess I got my money's worth out of that transfer case! It's a 2003

LOL If you have that many miles on it I would put my money into some new wheels!!!!

[waterninja]

Over 700 thousand klcks??? On a 2003??? Is that a typo? Yeh I'd say you got your money's worth.
I bet you buy another Dodge.
P.S. Hope you get back home OK. It's the poops being stranded in the bush.

[bat119]

As Kenny Rodgers would say;

You have to know when to hold them and when to fold them.

Let the truck pass into Valhalla its earned it

[58thecat]

You got your money's worth there...now crunch time, repair costs vs vehicles worth vs early stages of continuos issues ....crap!

[Bergerboy]

700,000 km on a Fargo? Its used all of its 9 lives. Send er to a wrecker.

[Bigwoodsman]

Part it out, scrap it and buy yourself another Fargo. Here on forward it's going to be a money pit.

BW.

[Marty S]

It's just a transfer case... so I'm hoping $1500 and not $2500. The truck purrs. It's got the Cummins in it and I fixed the ignorant steering problem. Was figuring it to go the 1,000,000 if it wants to, then I still want to keep it if things are good.

I actually don't want a new truck, the next one is going to be a hybrid, cummins motor, Allison tranny and I'm not sure what the rest of it will be. No pollution crap, no secondary tree hugger fuel to prevent global warming which isn't happening anyway... etc!

Anyways, the truck is totally maintained... although I did my own body work... which does need a repair sometimes after the car wash... but black duct tape is cheap.

[CanuckShooter]

Probably cheaper to buy another 2003.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Over 700 thousand klcks??? On a 2003??? Is that a typo? Yeh I'd say you got your money's worth.
I bet you buy another Dodge.
P.S. Hope you get back home OK. It's the poops being stranded in the bush.

I dunno, Boogerfart has like over 1,000,000,000 real kilometers on his Dodge, the thing sure runs well!
Lots of stuff like alternators, tires, brakes ,etc mid you, but it is still a reliable truck for him.

Cat

[Tactical Lever]

Well I guess you know what you're dealing with better than us. I was throwing a bunch of money at mine because I was having it built the way I wanted, and I would end up spending money on the next, anyway. At least some.

Regardless, if it was I; then someone with more mechanical aptitude than myself would be consulted for a general overall evaluation on the big ticket items that might need attention in the future. ie: transmission, differential gears, unit bearings, etc.

[bat119]

Check here for used

http://www.sgi.sk.ca/salvage_parts/s..._frameset.html

usually $1000- 1500 + ship for a used transfer case they have a guaranty on most parts

[Bigwoodsman]

Part it out, scrap it and buy yourself another Fargo. Here on forward it's going to be a money pit.

BW.

[chimpac]

Stay away from any dealership or big repair shop they will take you to the cleaners. The only way to deal with the big shops is a negotiated flat rate price before they touch it. Find a mechanic you trust, the repair may only be a bearing replacement unless it was run out of oil. If so try the auto wreckers for a used one.

[Tactical Lever]

Where are you located? If you are close to me, I would take it to Cory and Paul at OK tire. If Edmonton, Mike at Caliber. And quite a few years back, I had work done at Jaybeck. They were very reasonable back then, and have all the used stuff ready to go. More recently, I had gear work done at Alberta Driveline, and they were alright to deal with. I ended up spending more than I thought I would, as issues cropped up, but they did consult me before doing work. And I was able to see some of it first hand. I seem to have a small leak on one, so I guess I'll see how they are correcting, that. I don't anticipate trouble. They might be able to fix it up for not too bad a price. NAPD might sell reman units also. I got my transmission there, and it's been good, aside from a little leak that I have to see them about...

It never ends.

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by chimpac

Stay away from any dealership or big repair shop they will take you to the cleaners. The only way to deal with the big shops is a negotiated flat rate price before they touch it. Find a mechanic you trust, the repair may only be a bearing replacement unless it was run out of oil. If so try the auto wreckers for a used one.

And this.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I dunno, Boogerfart has like over 1,000,000,000 real kilometers on his Dodge, the thing sure runs well!
Lots of stuff like alternators, tires, brakes ,etc mid you, but it is still a reliable truck for him.

Cat

1 billion km?? Are you serious?

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

1 billion km?? Are you serious?

That's not that far for a good running Dodge. Only like Mars and back 6 times.

[spoiledsaskhunter]

...don't listen to these guys who want you to by a different one! if you know what you have and like the truck, keep fixing it.

take a minute to figure out what your payments would be on a different one and then you'll know how much you can spend on the old one to keep it going........I'll bet you'd be further ahead fixing on the one you have.

I've got a 96 - 12 valve and happily spend on it to keep it going. costs me pennies on the dollar when compared to payments on a new one.

[KBF]

I bet that truck has carried as many $$$ worth of coyotes as it has kms

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

1 billion km?? Are you serious?

HAHA!! sorry, to man 0's!!
Milion, as in 1,000,000
Cat

[Marty S]

Well it's got $1300 worth of kiyutes in the back of it right now... on top of the tow truck deck!

[neilsledder]

You sure it's the t-case? I would check the double ujoint cv on your front drive shaft. It's 8 bolts to pull off and take it for a drive to see if that's cause of the noise. You can't grease that so wears fast!


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[^v^Tinda wolf^v^]

I gotcha, when there's a connection to something it really doesn't matter how many clicks are on her. I would go factory or a quality rebuilt and wouldn't mess around with the rest but that's just me.

[neilsledder]

The transfer case on the dodge is bulletproof! When it does break you know it! It usually explodes lol.


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[bobtodrick]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

HAHA!! sorry, to man 0's!!
Milion, as in 1,000,000
Cat

Yeah, I figured if it really had a billion NASA would be wanting to have a real close look at it 😀

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by bobtodrick

Yeah, I figured if it really had a billion NASA would be wanting to have a real close look at it 😀

Instead of having a Toyota pull the space shuttle??
Sorry, excuse me , I just infracted myself!!
Cat

[Marty S]

It's a kiyute truck

Figure I better post that cuz it's an outdoor forum!

[Marty S]

Originally Posted by neilsledder

You sure it's the t-case? I would check the double ujoint cv on your front drive shaft. It's 8 bolts to pull off and take it for a drive to see if that's cause of the noise. You can't grease that so wears fast!


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I'm thinking and hoping you're the winner??? I tried wiggling the driveshaft in front of the t case and there was some play. It I'm a wallet mechanic so I don't really know up from down on mechanic ing. Got the coyote thing figured tho... but sadly only got half done. They were biting good tho

[Drewski Canuck]

Neilsleder,

Actually you can get the greaseable U Joints for the top end front U joint double setup that you are describing.

I have that in my '03 5.9 Cummins. (470 K)

See Pat's Driveline for the U joints.

Drewski