Buying used truck, what to look for?

[03worthy4link]

Greetings fellas. Quick backstory, i've been a sports car guy all my life but with some recent changes i'm looking to dump the car and get into a truck for a daily/weekend hauler. I'm between a 2500 and a SRW 3500, really depends on what deal I find. I've been pulling a 8-10k LB bumper pull with my fathers 99 F350 but im looking for something newer to move around the east coast more. Truth be told I dont know much about diesels, nor really have an idea of whats normal and abnormal. I've driven a few 68RFE trucks and the trans seems a little hokey at times but again im used to a 6spd manual, and ive never driven an Aisin equipped one. Essentially, aside from the usual leaks and squeaks what should I be on the lookout for with 60-80k mile used trucks? The most current one i'm interested in is a '14 3500 with the Aisin, but has some steering/suspenion repair showed on the carfax which leads me to wonder about the 'death wobble' issue. Any input is appreciated, this site has already proven a wealth of knowledge.

 

[dfb]

Leaks and squeaks ARE NOT NORMAL!. The aisin is an option for the high output Cummins and max tow.. if youre interested in a truck, have it checked ...good luck..

 

[DonFitzwater]

Depending on where you live, make sure it's stock and hasn't been deleted.........kids fooling with trucks can get very expensive and quick!

 

[CenTex]

You will find many many more 2500’s than 3500 SRW’s and hence more likely to find a better deal on a 2500. A 2500 will easily handle the towing you describe.



If you are new to diesels stay away from anything that has been modified for “performance”, i.e. deleted , raised, oversized tires, tuners.

If it is from an individual, try to learn how it was used and why they are selling it.

Then if you get to the point you are ready to buy it, take it to a dealer and spend a couple hundred dollars to have them inspect it and read the codes.

 

[Wayne M.]

Welcome to the TDR. Totally agree. Stock is king here. If you tell us the county and state where you'll be registering it, we may be able to tell you what kind of state inspection you'll be in for. You said northeast, so chances are you'll be looked at by enviro cops, and go through a visual component check and opacity smoke test at sticker time.
I think the steering linkage recall covered that vintage truck also, so you're wound up seeing steering related repairs, but in any event, you're getting into a "real truck" with a solid steering axle, and under certain circumstances, death wobble can and does happen. It's a big departure from the sports car scene!
Good luck in your search!

 

[jgillott]

Look very closely for signs of rust. Even the newer trucks are susceptible if they have been exposed to the road chemical in the northeast.

 

[Wayne M.]

Look very closely for signs of rust. Even the newer trucks are susceptible if they have been exposed to the road chemical in the northeast.

Yes. In fact I saw just, yesterday, I guess was a tradesman black nose 4 gen, and the finish was gone off the front bumper. Rusted. Strange.

 

[jgillott]

Yes. In fact I saw just, yesterday, I guess was a tradesman black nose 4 gen, and the finish was gone off the front bumper. Rusted. Strange.

The area on the front fender near the Cummins symbol, the rear wheel area of course, and the bottom of the rocker panels are where I'm seeing it here.

 

[wyosteve]

03, don't know where you're located, but I just traded my 2015 3500 SRW Bighorn w/ Aisin. All stock, 26,000 miles. PM if you want more details.

 

[TCDiesel]

I tell everyone to error on the caution side of things when Buying used, When buying used ,YOU MAY be BUYING someone else's PROBLEMS. I read How everyone comments on deleted trucks and the .07.5-12 Yes, 2013 and up NO,I agree with Don on this. Many have problems with Blutech Motors , most are self inflicted by listening to unreliable sources... One of the big ones is running DEF tank to near empty than adding 2.5 Gallons or filling, Its best to Keep the DEF Tank FULL when convenient. Another leaving truck sit for weeks or months without starting and Driving Occasionally. Keep your Fuel tank full when convenient. leaving Tank unfilled during winter months allows moisture to form on inner walls under certain conditions, Summer months the fuel is used to cool pumps/Injectors, When You drive long distances in Hot months and you let that tank get below a 1/4 tank that fuel can reach 150+ in the tank, its need the volume to cool the hot returning fuel form the Engine.

 

[03worthy4link]

03, don't know where you're located, but I just traded my 2015 3500 SRW Bighorn w/ Aisin. All stock, 26,000 miles. PM if you want more details.

Unfortunately im located in sunny south florida, so Wyoming is a bit of a haul. Currently I'm between a 2014 megacab 3500 w/ Aisin and 85k miles in NC (11 hours away) and a 2013 crew cab w/ Aisin and 50k miles located about 20 mintues away. The prices are near identical. The megacab truck is better equipped, but logistics make it difficult for me to get up there with work, plus the lower mileage of the local one is a plus. Are there any significant differences between the 13-14 that would lend advantage to one vs the other? Both appear to be in stock form

 

[03worthy4link]

Anybody? :{

 

[dfb]

I dont know on this one..

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Used truck prices are ridiculous. I looked for over a year before I bought my '16. In my case I was able to snag a well-optioned Tradesman 2500 for just over 40k new, which was just a bit more than 3-5 year old trucks with 50-100k on them. With the new truck coming out for '20 I would look for the best deal on a leftover '17 or newer rig and get a warranty to boot. I added an extended warranty for 10 years/100k just to be safe. No emissions issues yet (knock on wood) but I'm only at 25k after 2 years.

 

[dfb]

Used truck prices are ridiculous. I looked for over a year before I bought my '16. In my case I was able to snag a well-optioned Tradesman 2500 for just over 40k new, which was just a bit more than 3-5 year old trucks with 50-100k on them. With the new truck coming out for '20 I would look for the best deal on a leftover '17 or newer rig and get a warranty to boot. I added an extended warranty for 10 years/100k just to be safe. No emissions issues yet (knock on wood) but I'm only at 25k after 2 years.

Id Consider selling mine however the price on an equivalent truck may cost much more. Like in the upper 80s or low 90s!. HolyCats!.

 

[03worthy4link]

Used truck prices are ridiculous. I looked for over a year before I bought my '16. In my case I was able to snag a well-optioned Tradesman 2500 for just over 40k new, which was just a bit more than 3-5 year old trucks with 50-100k on them. With the new truck coming out for '20 I would look for the best deal on a leftover '17 or newer rig and get a warranty to boot. I added an extended warranty for 10 years/100k just to be safe. No emissions issues yet (knock on wood) but I'm only at 25k after 2 years.

I hear you on the used market being rediculous. I'd really like a Laramie, and when inquiring on new they were telling me $900/mo is pretty much a given which is no dice for me. For the right deal i'd stroke some money down but the best deal I was offered was a 17 Laramie 2500 mega cab for $56.5k + all fees/tax. They didnt seem to inclined to get rid of it as the offer was only $1000 less than a same trim '18 model so I walked and have been on cargurus since lol.

 

[03worthy4link]

Update for anyone interested as i know it was mentioned, I went and looked a '16 3500 over the weekend. Nice truck overall but the front bumper (painted) had a massive amount of rock/debris chips in it and everyone of them was rusted. I was kind of shocked to see such. The search continues.

 

[03worthy4link]

Another update , ended up purchasing a '16 2500 mega with factory air rear. If anyone in a similar situation finds this thread hopefully this info can be of some assistance.

2500 VS 3500
I've seen many ask about the ride quality and it was something I myself wondered. In my opinion the 2500 does 'ride' noticably smoother as your cruising down the road. But when it comes to absorbing bumps or adverse road conditions, the trucks are as near as makes no difference (Single wheel 3500).

68RFE VS Aisin
Here is where reading the forums had me a bit torn on the 2500's. There is a drivability difference in the two. I drove a '16 3500 Aisin with a serious case of dead pedal. It was atrocious and all the things you'll read about it being unsafe, AGREED. BUT I also drove a '13 3500 and the dead pedal was nowhere near as prominent and the Aisin indeed felt good. I dont know which truck was flashed with what but I can only assume the '16 needed an update. Both of the 3500's had a slight buck on downshift when stopping.
For shift quality, the 68RFE is definetly a little strange. Pedal feel on the 68 was more in line with what I would call normal, but not at all that different from the '13 3500 that didnt seem like it wanted to get me plowed into. 1-3 shifts go by without any discernible 'shift flare' but from there out you can/will notice it. I would assume if you've been a diesel guy for a long time, the 68RFE would feel slightly subpar to the Aisin. But for a guy like me whose only driven them as utility vehicles towing small to medium loads a few times a year, its apples to different color apples.

Mega Cab VS Crew
So originally I was dead set on a mega cab. However I did drive a CC shortbed truck and enjoyed the slightly shorter wheelbase. So much so that it had my reconsider my stand on ONLY mega cab trucks. Obviously I ended up with a mega which just happened to be the right deal for me, but if you dont NEED it seriously consider trying a CC. That way if the right deal comes up on a crew cab you wont miss out on it. Again only applies to the shortbed gang.

Overall, I feel I got the right truck being largely a daily and couple time a month 9-10k hauler.