Just thinking out loud here....... You were the last one to have apart when you did the clutch right???? What did YOU do?
It sounds like you have this figured out to an extent. Sounds like either the wrong u joints were used previously, or they are totally shot. Hopefully it's as cheap and easy as that. I'll add my Chevy input since I'm a smarta$$. It's a good thing gm finally bowed out from several failed attempts at making their own diesels and asked Isuzu to make them a diesel that was actually worth buying.
That's because the motor is great and the rest of the vehicle was sub par. Great motor + rust + electrical gremlins = donor motor laying around.
Sounds like you need to make sure you get the right Parts, replace the whole shebang there, not much money and not that hard to do
6.0? Want to purchase one? They are selling cheap,everyone runs away. 14 years 3 duramax 500,000 miles I've only changed glow plugs.
2000, 2002, 2003 Cummins, changed oil...........the problems start when people modify things from factory specs. Lift kits , front end problems, tuners pump problems along with tranny, they all rust. Personally, i have owned and maintained 4 Dodges and never have done anything except normal mantenance.
Bought lots of tires. 200,000 they go bye bye while there is still a little value. Another year and a half I got to spend more $$$$.
As long as your ok with the Japanese motor in your American truck it's all good. One acquaintance I knew about lost his mind when I told him that's a Japanese motor in his American truck. I seriously think I destroyed his world when he realized I was right. I didn't mean to make him pee his pants and crap himself, but he was one of those anti anything but American made guys. Everyone knows that type. That Japanese motor and Allison tranny is probably the only reason is want a gm truck, to be honest.
7.3s were lousy? Heck, even the 6.9s were durable...just low HP. As a former heavy equipment mechanic, I really can't say much (if anything) bad about a Cummins though...saved Dodges butt
Yeah the 6.0 powerstroke was far from the best diesel. I've got a friend with one. I've actually thought about buying it. If I can figure out what the issue is with that particular one. He's replaced a few things, bulletproofed it.etc...