Buying used CTD--how much mileage is too much?

[AHarris]

I've seen lots of good looking used CTDs on eBay with high miles (100K up to 300K). Should we be scared off by 150,000 miles on a 2003 (for example) that is otherwise a great looking truck in good condition with mostly highway miles?



Should a gooseneck hitch ball in the bed be a reason to run?



The idea of picking up a late model CTD truck for $16K cash is attactive... but is it practical or will I spending tons of money on auto trans rebuilds, fuel pumps, etc? Has anyone done this and what was the outcome?

 

[24V-DSL]

I'd have to have verifiable service history and guages in a high mileage truck used for towing before I'd even consider. No??, then the owner was clueless or careless, IMO.

 

[Grizzly]

I would run. The engine may go 500K miles, but what about the truck. Towing can be rough on the rest of the truck.

 

[EKlem]

Like grizzly said, the engine can be good but the rest of the truck may not. My feeling is that if the truck has high miles, you really need to test drive it. By test driving it, you can see how it shifts, how it steers and how it sounds. Don't be afraid of driving a truck hard during a test drive. Also, by seeing it in person, you can climb underneath and get a good look at how much rust there is and how the front end looks.



As far as towing goes, it is not necessary really bad for the truck. People who stay on the road at reasonable speeds with medium sized trailers may not actually put that much wear on the truck. On the other hand, people who tow at the max weight and go on a lot of uneven terrain can really tax the truck. This comes down to test driving it again and how comfortable you feel with the previous owner.



Look out for plow mounts on the front end. Plowing quickly destroys your ball joints and loosens up the entire front end. Additionally, it is hard on clutches, synchros or auto trannies in general.



I think that used trucks are great for people who don't want to spend as much money and don't mind doing some wrenching.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

It depends on how you look at it , too.



The ones with the high miles are the good ones, if you think about it.

 

[TSkibyak]

Alot depends on you if you. The way i always looked at it was if i can get a truck with more miles and a good running engine for alot less than a similar truck with low miles for a lot more money i can put that much more into the cheaper trk

 

[mhenon]

It depends on how you look at it , too.



The ones with the high miles are the good ones, if you think about it.

ThrottleJocky- Good point! Never thought about it like that. If it's high miles but starts right up, runs good and isn't blowing smoke the engine must be in good shape.

Mike

 

[Mudgett]

I bought an '03 4 months ago with 122k on it for $16k. truck is nice and tight. so far so good.



,03, non ho, auto, 4x4, quad cab

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

There are a lot of good posts here. I personally do not consider a CTD with 100 to 200K a high mileage truck. When I sold my 99 in Feb. 05, it had 183K on the clock. That truck was my baby and got more attention then most people's kids :-laf Anyhow, it must have shown because the gentleman who looked at it bought it immediately. I think if you run a carfax, test drive the truck, find out its history, it's pretty obvious what kind of care the truck has been given, regardless of miles. I would much rather buy a CTD with 300K on the clock that has been well cared for vs one with 75K that has not. Sorry for my rambling... good luck in the search!



Paul

 

[jltcasper3]

You could alwayse ask the owner if you can take an oil sample of the engine oil. And if he says no-run. This could tell you if their is some excessive wear going on, before theres a major failure. You could do this If no body else is looking at it right then because it takes at most a week to get the report back.

 

[Thomtek5]

I considered my 92CTD to be just broken in at 155K, that being said 2k miles after I made my purchase, I had my truck towed to the local Cummins Service Center for a brand new lift pump and injector pump. ($2300 ouch) I have been surfing CTD forums since and I'm still happy with my $4000 truck.

 

[dpuckett]

I wouldnt be scared to buy one that had 150K. I'd rather have an 03 with 150K than 10K. The ones that tow normally get serviced regularly, when something breaks, it gets fixed NOW, doesnt get put off til next spring. Plus, you get a price break from the "excessive mileage. " That translates into more money for go-fast goodies and creature comforts.



Daniel