I just bought my first diesel, its a 1998 12v Cummins w/160,000 miles. My wife is about to take it across country and I was looking for some advice to make the trip as easy on the truck as possible. Yes I understand the truck shouldn't have hardly any problems but I don't know when the previous owner replaced any fluids last so that's first on the list. As with any new vehicle I replace all fluids and filters just because I don't trust the guy before me. I did a bit of research over the past few months on different fluids and filters and I'm looking for some advice. Opinions are like armpits but lets hear it. I need help haha

 

Grease the bearings check the difference when doing other fluids. Check your drive shift u joints. Basically anything that could leave her stranded that would be easy to do ahead of time.

 

Preventitive maintnece will take these trucks a long ways ....

 

You could start an argument that will last forever by asking which fluids and filters are the best. Use what Cummins recommends and you can't go wrong.

If you're going to be putting her in a '98 to drive cross-country, the last of your worries should be the engine. I'd be more concerned with having the front end checked out, specifically ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings. Second gens are well known for death wobble because these parts sh** the bed well before their time. They call it death wobble for a reason. A very literal one.

 

Hell yeah thank you guys. I'll make sure those things get taken care of, I appreciate the advice!

 

The 6BT does like synthetic oil .. but.. with that said .. if you have a leak, Synthetic will only make it worse ..