DieselTorque said:
at a dealership, near where I work, there's a '00 3500 4x4 6spd regular cab for sale for $12k. questions was there a 6spd in 2000, and does the 53 block affect this year? oh yeah, there is no mention of mileage, and it it has a huge exhaust tip(6"), so it's probably bombed somewhat.
should I even bother looking into it? thanks
dt
Pretty sure there was the 6 spd. It would have been the version with the smaller input shaft (big deal if you are pulling heavy loads). I think they actually switched to the larger shaft mid year. You would need to check the VIN to find out (if the truck is stock).
Checking for the 53 block is easy enough with the hood open or with a flashlight from beneath. Just below the power steering pump and just above the oil pan flange on the drivers side front of the engine. The "53" will be obvious. If it is otherwise (a good one). You will just se a series of #'s cast into the side of the block. Being an HO it is unlikely. But I think it has been proven that it affects all the trucks.
This has been posted so often it is really kind of old. Do a search and you can read about it "until the cows come home".
Look for gauges or a replaced "A" pillar. How large is the exhaust off the turbo. 6" exhaust doesn't mean squat unless you are at the tractor pulls and the stack is coming out of the hood... ..... IE: Just looks really cool at the tip.
If it was bombed that hard... ... . It is probably on the "chopping block". The NV 5600 can be pricey to work on. Listen closely on a test drive. It should be silent IMO. Any noise at all... ... ... . Walk away.....
Listen for tapping or knocking that does not sound normal. Hard to do on an HO. Could mean a scored cylinder or a stuck injector...
Lots of stuff to look for under the hood... ... . Hopefully more people will chime in..... Look for the Puke bottle delete, butchered wiring, air filter mods, tapped exhaust manifold (pyro gauge), check the turbo type and #, silencer ring, exhaust brake, boost fooler, oil in the inlet, etc... . etc...
Limited slip? It should be listed in the glovebox. Find a remote road... . Put one side of the truck off the road and the other side on the road and floor it from a stand still. Both sides should spin and it should be a fun ride. If it is boring and lackluster... ... It is either an open diff. or burned out limited slip.
Grab the keys and go for a test drive... ... Put the key in the ignition and rock the switch from off and on 3 times. Leave the switch in the on position on the 3rd time and write down the codes that come up in the odometer window (if any). Do a lengthy test drive and check the codes again when you get back.
Lift pump problems are about the biggest issues with this platform. Is it stock? Is there a fuel pressure gauge or low fuel pressure warning light? If so ... . It is a good thing... ..... Some one has been keeping an eye on it. This is a ticking time bomb. The stock lift pump would be behind and below the fuel filter on the drivers side of the engine (obvious). Ask questions about this item... ... If quesions cannot be answered... ... Walk away!! KMA..... This is where you would have problems with a dealer. They will always deny anything and tell you every thing is perfect. Ask for the pressure off the side of the VP44. Regardless of the mileage. The truck is used, so you have to cover your @ss.
Oh... ...
Look closely for all the "storm damaged" vehicles. There are a bunch of crappy, flooded and repaired vehicles out there.
Common Sense and a little bit of Knowledge (Especially off this site) will take you a long way.
Regards,
AJ
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
