Issues with the Gen II, specifically 96s

[A12pilot]

Hey guys,

I've come across a few 96 GTSs I'm looking at and was wondering what are some common issues I'm looking for maintenance wise with them? I read somewhere about the PS pulley, or bracket, that has a history of self destruction. Anything else I should be aware of? Also, can any parts still be ordered from Dodge like the interior moldings, plastic pieces, etc! One 96 I just looked at had some pretty ratting looking interior parts so I'm curious for sources of that stuff?

Thanks guys. I'm getting close!

Cheers
Dave

[Fatboy 18]

Yes, Power steering pulley is of a plastic bakelite construction, its not if the pulley will fail but when! Also the pulley cast bracket holding the Power steering pump can also break. Electric window switches in the early cars are now no longer available.

17" Wheels have some recorded problems too, the chrome plate can blister and also some wheels showed fracture cracks where the spoke met the rim (not all cars, but something to be aware of). 17" Tires are now becoming a problem too, Michelin no longer are producing the tire and are on backorder.
Interior parts are best sourced through the Salvage yards. There are Salvage Vendors on this site.

Good luck with your search.

[dave6666]

Anything else I should be aware of?

Cheers
Dave

Chicks dig them.

Cheers
Dave

[GTS Dean]

People everywhere love them. Still.

[Matt Houston]

Still the best looking car on the planet.side.jpg

[Mad Max]

Not entirely true on the 17" Michelin's. The word direct from Michelin is that they are not discontinued. They will do limited runs for the foreseeable future.

[A12pilot]

All good stuff, guys. Thanks! Yep, that is one sharp car for sure!
Cheers

Dave

[luc]

A lot of the interior trim parts are NLA and as a rule are very,very expensive. Make sure that you factor than in when looking at a potential purchase

[GTS Dean]

Discontinued parts used to be a huge issue. Now, with the advent of laser scanning, cnc milling and rapid prototyping, there is probability of virtually unlimited parts replication.

[Atari_Prime]

Still the best looking car on the planet.side.jpg

Hmm....Given the forum I'm sure many would disagree however I must admit I would trade my Viper in for a Countach in a heartbeat.

[SnakeWatching]

Possible elastic will have lost its spring (making droopy mesh pockets). (I am presently working on a "Drop On" repair for dead elastic on my low miles 97 GTS. Lots of testing being done).

Look for side sill paint bubbles (corrosion under paint). Expensive to repair.

Check weatherstripping on Door "Black Outer Stanchions" with windows down (make sure they are there). Expensive to repair. (I am working on a replacement weatherstrip now).

See if Frame recall was done. Can still be done under recall warranty, would need to find an experienced repair person to do it (Tom Sessions has been recommended by many).

Rear window struts could be shot, can still get parts and changing them are easy.

Radio could turn on but no sound from speakers, 30 amp fuse (2$) could be bad on amp itself, mine was, and its an easy change.

Seat foam under leather (seat lower pad) could have lost its height, making the seat sag a bit, making leather not look as tight as the "under leg" bolster in front of it (working on testing foam replacement now). My car has only 700 miles but the seat foam lower pad did not hold its original form.

Doors could sag (not shutting well) but can be adjusted back into proper door closing.

Good luck with your hunt, the car is so much fun to drive!!!

[Fatboy 18]

If you are Looking for an Original car, you may want to check to brakes too and of course see weather any upgrades have been done. Rubber brake lines should be checked for corrosion and cracking, these may have been replaced over the years with stainless braided lines?
Check the rotors too. 13" Brembo rotors not slotted or drilled came as standard, 4 piston Black caliper on the front and single piston caliper on the rear with no cover plate.

[Taximan1]

the common issues are:: They are 20 years old...... and have been in and out of the hands of many owners. It just depends on what you looking for..

If your looking for a $30-$35k driver. You will have to be willing to do some wrenching, repair, and expect the car to have some miles and paintwork on it over the years,etc.
make sure it wasn't in a heavy collision as many have been. And these cars are NEVER right again.. the panel gaps usually tell the story from 10 feet away.

If you looking for a sub-5k mile, museum car.. Expect to spend $50k and TAKE YOUR time finding the right example... you don't want one that has been put away and just forgotten about, and improperly stored.. Which many have,

[A12pilot]

That's great. Exactly the stuff I was hoping to learn from joining here. I have a real nice one that's out in CA I'm looking at. Didn't know about the recall. I'll check in on that. Great forum!

Cheers
Dave

[Atari_Prime]

That's great. Exactly the stuff I was hoping to learn from joining here. I have a real nice one that's out in CA I'm looking at. Didn't know about the recall. I'll check in on that. Great forum!

Cheers
Dave

What part of CA? Maybe we know the car. There aren't that many.

[A12pilot]

It's the one Marv has at American Supercars. Think he is South of San Jose. I came across it on a search and it looks pretty nice. I found another low mileage one in Denver too. I've got cash ready to buy too, but I'm trying to be picky.

Cheers
Dave

[harley56]

It's the one Marv has at American Supercars. Think he is South of San Jose. I came across it on a search and it looks pretty nice. I found another low mileage one in Denver too. I've got cash ready to buy too, but I'm trying to be picky.

Cheers
Dave

I bought my '98 GTS-R from Marv years ago. Very accurate on description of car. His asking price is all the $$$, but all dealers seem to be around that price point now.

[trappster]

Loose crank pulley/damper bolt as the crank isn't keyed.
Lumbar support inflation bulbs will be long gone, unless they've been replaced.

[SnakeWatching]

Loose crank pulley/damper bolt as the crank isn't keyed.
Lumbar support inflation bulbs will be long gone, unless they've been replaced.

I guess I am lucky, my 1997 GTS - with 700 miles > ALL the rubber is soft and flexible, even the tires.

It was stored inside away from sun (and UV), my lumbar bulbs work great. So the point is - you might find a GTS that has OK rubber.

[Atari_Prime]

Wait...your 97' has 700 miles? That's not a car, that's a paper weight. What good are toys if you don't play with them.

[SnakeWatching]

Wait...your 97' has 700 miles? That's not a car, that's a paper weight. What good are toys if you don't play with them.

I JUST purchased it a few months ago!!!!(someone else held it for 19 years).

I intend to get this car into Concourse level condition, so I will NOT be driving it much. I have other FUN cars to drive.

[Matt Houston]

I JUST purchased it a few months ago!!!!(someone else held it for 19 years).

I intend to get this car into Concourse level condition, so I will NOT be driving it much. I have other FUN cars to drive.

I would think that with only 700 miles on it, that it would already be at a concourse level. No worries, I have a '96 with just 800 miles on it, and yes, I too have other fun cars.

[Matt Houston]

Here you go...right here in Houston.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Viper-...m=232067847950

[MacGyvers Mullet]

Here you go...right here in Houston.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Viper-...m=232067847950

Looks pretty good, but that dash and shifter panel are pretty scratched up. I am sure it looks even worse in person. Shame, as someone probably cleaned it with the rough side of a sponge, without knowing how delicate it is. The OP would have to keep that in mind.

Also check for oil leaks from the oil pan area. Early Gen II's came with a plastic oil pan gasket, which was easy to fail. It will be black in color, as opposed to the newer metal ones. Front timing covers seals and rear main seals can also be the culprit.

[SliderJack]

You'll find a lot of answers and information in the 96 GTS Resource Guide put together by Chris Green

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-EE...Z1U/edit?pli=1