i am thinking about buying a 1996-1999 2500 diesel 4x4 extended cab. i hope to find one with less than 100k on it. what kind of mpg do they get. ive never owned a diesel, so what are some things to look out for and things to check other than the norm. any other comments about it?

Below is a link that will have some info for you. I am not that experienced myself with the dodges but what I have read since I have started running a 98 dodge with a cummins has not been great. For me its been little nagging things such as starter contacts, cracked dash, whining rearend, noisy cab, and now a fuel leak. I have read numerous other forums that seem to indicate the tranny may be a weak link. I am not saying good nor bad with the dodges just do the homework. When visiting the site there is an index on the left side of the page that will lead you to other areas such as a forum. There was one other web page
I wanted to show you but I cant remeber the address.

http://www.mrtruck.net/

Jake you're right about the weak transmission; if I was buying the truck I would get a manual, as it's the automatic that got the bad rap.

Another site to check is: www.turbodieselregister.com there is a wealth of information there.

I understand that if you keep the rpms below 2000, you can get up to 25mpg.

thanks a bunch guys!!

So, you going to get it?

if i can find a good deal on one! haha!

Good luck....here ya go, I was curious:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1130937436050&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=used&make=DODGE&model=&make2=sel_one&start_year=1981&end_year=2006&min_price=1&max_price=20000&max_mileage=&distance=100&address=29407&engine=6+Cylinder&fuel=Diesel&drive=&transmission=&doors=&color=&x=134&y=4

Try www.dieselram.com, lots of info and free.

The cummins diesel is a great engine it's just the tranny behind it you need to worry about. Try to find a stick if you can. The nv4500 (5 speed)and nv5600 (6 speed) are great trannys. The 47rh and 48 re are not capable of handing much in the way of power increases if you plan to do that they need to be beefed up. You want to find out if the truck has been turned up because the tranny might be smoked then. The 24 valves started in 98 1/2 some like them more some don't. You get less computer controls with earlier 12 valves. Also theres the issue of the kdp(killer dowel pin). The dowel that is pressed in to the block to accept the timing cover can vibrate out over time. This causes it to drop down onto the cam gear, getting pinched in there will cause it to crack the aluminum timing case so look closely at that before you give any money over. It is usually corrected with a hole drilled and a set screw installed to prevent the dowels monvement. I'm not sure what years were all affected so find out (I think it was only 24 valves but I could be wrong.)
Also look close at the exhaust manifold. There can be an extreme amount of thermal expansion and contraction which can lead to cracks. With some years this meant actually cracking the tab that protrudes from the head that the bolt goes through but this is very rare. Chances are you wont find that I'm just letting you know to be informed in case you see a smokin deal or something. Pull the dipstick and look at the viscosity of the oil. If the oil seems too thin for 15w40 this indicates fuel dilution. Excessive idling causes the combustion chamber temperature to drop so low that fuel is left unburned in the cylinder this causes carbon buildup and varnish deposits and also the fuel draining into the pan causing the tell tale fuel dilution of the oil.