2000 — 2002
5.9L Cummins 24V I6 - Turbo Diesel
Diesel
Accelerate hard from a standstill up to highway speeds (100 km/h) and check for hesitation, white smoke, or a temporary loss of throttle response ('dead pedal'). | Note: The Bosch VP44 injection pump on the 24V ISB is notorious for failing if the factory lift pump fails to supply adequate pressure. Replacing this in NZ is highly expensive due to shipping costs.
Drive the vehicle at 80-100 km/h over rough, uneven NZ backroads or potholes and check for violent front-end shaking or excessive steering wheel play. | Note: Commonly known as the 'Death Wobble', this is caused by worn-out track bars, steering boxes, or ball joints. 2nd-gen heavy-duty RAM steering geometry is notoriously weak.
Pay close attention to the automatic gear changes under load. Check for 'gear hunting' between 3rd and 4th, transmission slippage, or delayed engagement. | Note: The stock 47RE 4-speed automatic transmission is under-engineered for the immense torque of the 5.9L Cummins, especially if the engine has been modified or used heavily for towing.
Inspect the steering column shaft, firewall welds, brake booster relocation, and wiring loom under the dashboard. | Note: As these are US imports converted to Right-Hand Drive (RHD) for NZ, the quality of the conversion work varies drastically. Poor conversions pose significant safety risks and WoF/CoF failure points.
Conduct a cold inspection on the passenger side of the engine block below the exhaust manifold, looking for coolant weeping or evidence of previous welding repairs. | Note: Engine blocks cast with the number '53' (Teksid casting) have thin water jacket walls prone to cracking under thermal stress, requiring a costly complete block replacement.
Replace the fuel filter (crucial for protecting the VP44 pump), change the engine oil with high-quality 15W-40, and grease all front suspension steering fittings.
Service the 47RE automatic transmission (fluid, filter, and critical front/rear band adjustment), replace transfer case and differential fluids, and inspect the steering track bar.
Perform a mechanical valve lash adjustment on the 24-valve head, test lift pump fuel pressure (must remain above 10 psi under load), and inspect all RHD steering conversion joints for play.
Monitor fuel lift pump pressure constantly; install an aftermarket fuel pressure gauge if not already fitted.
Adjust the automatic transmission bands every 40,000 to 50,000 km to prevent premature clutch wear.
Drain the water separator on the fuel filter canister regularly to prevent moisture from reaching the injectors.
Inspect the front track bar and steering box sector shaft play annually to prevent the 'Death Wobble'.
Apply UV protectant to the plastic dashboard, as 2nd-gen RAM dash pads are extremely brittle and prone to severe cracking.
Estimated repair costs if issues arise
Essential preventive upgrade. Replacing a failed VP44 with a rebuilt unit, plus installing a high-flow aftermarket fuel pump system to guarantee constant fuel pressure.
A standard rebuild will just fail again; a heavy-duty build with a multi-plate torque converter, upgraded valve body, and stronger input shaft is required for durability.
Upgrading the weak factory Y-style steering steering linkage to a heavy-duty T-style linkage, combined with an adjustable track bar and steering box stabilizer brace.
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Disclaimer: This report is generated with the assistance of AI analysis based on verified automotive data. While we strive for 100% accuracy, enthusiasts should always conduct physical inspections and consult service records. View Full Disclaimer