Buying 2012 RAM 3500,What to look for?

[jrollf]

Title says it all...

Life long Ford Guy looking at buying my first ever RAM. Currently own a 1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually with a 7.3L IDI turbo diesel (with an upgraded Banks Sidewinder turbo). Absolutely LOVE this truck, it is in awesome shape and I've done a lot of work to it.... but realistically I'm at the reliable limit of power I can generate with the mechanical 7.3L IDI. Wife and I are doing more vacation travel with a RV Travel Trailer. The truck is a tank, it will hall mountain but just don't be in a rush doing it. I can't afford new, even at MSRP. I started looking at Ford 6.7 Powerstrokes (2011 and newer) but the ones in my price range seem to be pretty trashed around here, most seem to have been used in the oilfields / hot shot, interiors pretty beat up.

I do all my own maintenance and repairs, including "heavy" maintenance like engine and suspension rebuilds, etc. I'm not afraid of having some minor items to do to the truck after I get it, but it does need to be road ready for an upcoming vacation towing the Travel Trailer.

I just put a deposit on a 2012 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually Diesel with 145,000 miles, no recorded accidents. Attached is the "Window Sticker" I pulled from RAM's website, the CarFax and below is the add for the truck I put a deposit on.

https://everestmotorsinc.com/vdp/18...IESEL-1OWNER-DRW-for-sale-in-Houston-TX-77031

I'm able to back out of the deal, I still have some time. What kind of gotchas / things should I go back and look at? I have one more chance Monday/Tuesday to have them fix things/or bargain to reduce the price more before I sign the contract.

I spent a good hour crawling over the truck checking for the obvious things truck "appears" to be in great shape. Virtually no rust, undercarriage/frame looks good.

• Negative
  
  • Small oil leak, looks like front main and/or front cover.
• "Pros"
  • Body undercarriage look great / rust free
  • Engine "sounds" good
  • Transmission (68RFE) seemed to operate/shift without issue
    
  • Test drive went well
  • Interior is in good shape
  • 4X4 High and Low appeared to engage properly (on pavement so couldn't really drive test it)
  • Not deleted, full emission system in tact
  • A/C works, center vent 45 degrees on a humid 95 degree day
    
  • Adjustable Air Bags (springs) added to the rear
  • Engine looks bone stock, no mods

I have had my 1993 F350 for 20 years and have become pretty comfortable with it as I know every detail about it and the condition it is in. I will likely own the RAM 3500 for 20+ years too. It's the unkown below the skin condition of a new to me used truck that stresses me, after I have it for 2 to 3 years I'm sure I'll be a lot more comfortable!

TIA!

 

[AH64ID]

Looks like a decent truck.

With pre-DEF emissions you have to work the truck a little harder, clean the turbo, and likely clean the intake from a higher EGR use rate. This doesn't seem like it will be too bad for you and your intended use. That generation of engine prefers to be worked hard.

Are there any maintenance records? How many engine hours?

@Jim W has a 6.7 in the same generation and can probably help you out with some of the motor stuff.

But if it all looks good I wouldn't be scared of it. Change the fluids, filters, add some diesel and go camping.

 

[bcbender]

We have a 12' HO 2500 for our shop truck, not as many miles as that but has been problem free. (aside from one of my guys filling it up with unleaded)

I would not be afraid to jump in on it.

 

[Jim W]

I agree with John, there really nothing wrong with the 6.7L for that year. In fact, the 2012 model year was the last year built before DEF was introduce on the 6.7L 3500 trucks.

So, the 2012 should have had all of the issue ironed out with the emission system, by then. My truck is an early 2008 model truck and the first year I had several CEL's and teething issues, but I was able to work through them and now have 145,000 miles on this tuck.

If you haven't checked out the LH side of the home page, I would look at the BUYER'S Guide for your year of truck a lot of very useful information. For you to read up on.

PM, me if you want a break down on what I have done to my truck, since i have owned it.

 

[Timd32]

Always have this to read.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/tdr-buyers-guide-2010-2012.263513/

 

[Cummins12V98]

My 11 HO DRW was flawless and had no fuel dilution over 65k towing 29k combined 50% of the miles.

 

[jrollf]

Looks like a decent truck.

With pre-DEF emissions you have to work the truck a little harder, clean the turbo, and likely clean the intake from a higher EGR use rate. This doesn't seem like it will be too bad for you and your intended use. That generation of engine prefers to be worked hard.

Are there any maintenance records? How many engine hours?

@Jim W has a 6.7 in the same generation and can probably help you out with some of the motor stuff.

But if it all looks good I wouldn't be scared of it. Change the fluids, filters, add some diesel and go camping.

Only maintenace records where those that showed up in the car fax. Engine has a little more than 4,000 hours on it, so doesn't appear to have been idled a lot.

 

[jrollf]

Thanks everyone! I did read the "Buyer's Guide", lots of good info. I bought the truck, got it home, so far really happy with it. Real test comes next month when we head out on a 2k+ mile vacation towing the trailer.

 

[AH64ID]

Only maintenace records where those that showed up in the car fax. Engine has a little more than 4,000 hours on it, so doesn't appear to have been idled a lot.

I would agree, a 36 mph average is good.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks everyone! I did read the "Buyer's Guide", lots of good info. I bought the truck, got it home, so far really happy with it. Real test comes next month when we head out on a 2k+ mile vacation towing the trailer.

As we always say on TDR "If there are no pics it didn't happen"

 

[jrollf]

As we always say on TDR "If there are no pics it didn't happen"

She's home in the driveway...

 

[Ozymandias]

Wow, what a beauty.

 

[MichaelD86]

Good looking truck. Hindsight I wish I would have gotten a long bed.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yep, no compromises with a LongBed

 

[SnoKing]

Yep, no compromises with a LongBed

If you own acreage!!!

 

[AH64ID]

If you own acreage!!!

Anywhere. Never known a guy with a long bed who wished he had a short bed, everyone I know with a short bed wished they had a long bed at some point.

 

[Jim W]

Anywhere. Never known a guy with a long bed who wished he had a short bed, everyone I know with a short bed wished they had a long bed at some point.

Not me. My truck for the model year 2008 is long enough with a short bed. Try parking a Mega Cab Long bed it would be a nightmare.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My wife even drives my LB Crew DRW to Palm Springs to shop when we are wintering down there's who is the "BadAzz"

 

[Ozymandias]

Try that with her east of the Mississippi.
It's a small world.

 

[SnoKing]

Not me. My truck for the model year 2008 is long enough with a short bed. Try parking a Mega Cab Long bed it would be a nightmare.

Tell this guy that!