How many over 400k?

[GO 4LO]

Hello, all,



I'm finally looking at picking up a third gen. Found a fairly cheap '03 HO, but it has over 400k on it. Trans (NV5600) and balljoints were replaced about 100k ago, and he had all maintenance work done at the same dealership, so he's got records of Rotella dino oil changes every 5-6k over the life of the truck.



Anything you'd recommend paying particular attention to when I go test drive it tomorrow? How many of you are driving third gens with that kind of mileage?



Chris

 

[GaryOwen]

I have 416k on my 03, so I guess I fit the 400k criteria.



I would check the front end really well. Wheel bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints, tire wear, etc. These aren't cheap items to replace.



Check to see what lift pump replacement has been used. I am sure it has been replaced from the original position on the back of the fuel filter. Since dealer has done most maintenance, I would suspect replacement pump is an in-tank type. They seem to hold up well.



Check number of engine hours (ignition on, with odometer not in trip position, hold trip button for 6 seconds). With that many miles, it must have been mostly highway. I think I am around 50 mph average. Most avg about 30 to 40 mph. Very low mph average would indicate lots of idle time which is not good.



I recently had my injectors replaced, and from what the mechanic said, start looking for problems from injectors after about 300k. Look over maintenance records closely.

 

[GO 4LO]

Thanks for the input, Gary. I didn't make it out to test drive it like I wanted on Friday, so I'm going to try to go this week. I appreciate the info.



Chris

 

[Grizzly]

As cheep as new trucks are now due to high fuel prices, I'd opt for a brand new truck. The engine can go 400K and more, but the rest of the truck won't. At least not without costly repairs.

 

[Turbo_Bob]

As cheep as new trucks are now due to high fuel prices, I'd opt for a brand new truck. The engine can go 400K and more, but the rest of the truck won't. At least not without costly repairs.

I went to Kelly Blue Book and put in the specs of the 03 HO with 400K on it, comes up around 15K sale price.



A new 08 will be around 40K, a 25K difference which could buy alot of Dodge parts over the long run.

 

[GaryOwen]

I went to Kelly Blue Book and put in the specs of the 03 HO with 400K on it, comes up around 15K sale price.



A new 08 will be around 40K, a 25K difference which could buy alot of Dodge parts over the long run.

Yeah, and you don't have to break it in!

 

[MountainMan1]

412K no squeaks or rattles... when you get in my truck I'll instruct you to not slam the door.



Front end is what to watch, all components after 250K miles plus, was my experience.



I am amazed how well all is lasting. I haul 60-65% of the time at highway speeds (58mph) at an average of 20,000 pounds.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Since you - and presumably the truck, are from the salt belt, I'd look closely at lower body panel rust-thru, and the suspension for similar damage...

 

[JHardwick]

The engine can go 400K and more, but the rest of the truck won't. At least not without costly repairs.

I'm over 425,000 and my leather, carpet, dash and door panels, etc. still look good. The doors don't sag and still close nice. I don't have any major rattles except the tailgate that I beat up under the goose neck of my trailer.



I dunno? I did have it painted to get rid of the rock chips and scuffs from being used, but overall, it's held up really well.

 

[Grizzly]

I'm over 425,000 and my leather, carpet, dash and door panels, etc. still look good. The doors don't sag and still close nice. I don't have any major rattles except the tailgate that I beat up under the goose neck of my trailer.



I dunno? I did have it painted to get rid of the rock chips and scuffs from being used, but overall, it's held up really well.

That's good. You obviously take good care of your truck as I do and many others here do. I don't believe the average Joe does however.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

"fairly cheap" = less than $10k, right?

 

[CMChristensen]

if your gonna spend 15k on a truck with that many miles you can find used truck with 100,000 miles for around 20k... i would look for one of them.

 

[MountainMan1]

Since you - and presumably the truck, are from the salt belt, I'd look closely at lower body panel rust-thru, and the suspension for similar damage...

Gary...



I'm not sure who you are referring to as being in the salt belt. As noted under my picture I am in the western mountains of North Carolina. The closest I have had the truck near salt air is crossing I-80 on the salt flats! And of course highway salt in the winter. When I get my truck washed (truck wash) I have them rinse under the vehicle, even in the summer months. No big deal, no extra charge!



I also did opt for the undercoating when I ordered my truck. It's still as clean as a whistle under there as is the engine compartment.



This is my first Chrysler product and I am truly amazed at the feature in a pickup truck and how well all is holding up.



Peter - W7LUS

 

[Cattletrkr]

"fairly cheap" = less than $10k, right?

My '04. 5 hasn't been sold yet, dealer still has it. It has about 210K on the odo. I told the delaer it's OK to give out my cell # if someone has some questions. I got a call the other night from a guy who it testing it out for a couple days. He told me the delaer has it down to $15K. So yeah, well under $10K for soemthing with over 400K regardless of condition. My truck went thru hell and back the last year+ and it still looked darn good after the dealer got thru cleaning it up.

I wouldn't be afraid of a truck with over 400K, but I wouldn't pay much either.

 

[hearingyourlies]

There is no way i'd pay 15k for something with that miles, no matter what kind of shape it's in. Go on autotrader and you can find them all over the place for about 20k with only 100k miles.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I bought a 2wd 5sp '03 with 200k on it for $7200 back in March. From a dealer belileve it or not! (RV dealer)



truck had a clean title and ran/drove perfect! had one little spot behind the RR tire, otherwise super clean in/out



two months ago I bought the '04 in my sig... it had 57k on it at the time. I got it for $17k with all of the mods on it.

 

[Grizzly]

I went to Kelly Blue Book and put in the specs of the 03 HO with 400K on it, comes up around 15K sale price.



A new 08 will be around 40K, a 25K difference which could buy alot of Dodge parts over the long run.

I'd rather pay 40K for a brand new truck with 0 miles on it than 15k for a used truck with 400k on the clock. Besides, I'm thinking the price of a new truck may just be well below 40K right now since the new truck dealers and manufactures are offering fantastic discounts to move out these big fuel guzzlers.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

that and the fact that KBB has always been high as Giraffe junk

 

[ENafziger]

two months ago I bought the '04 in my sig... it had 57k on it at the time. I got it for $17k with all of the mods on it. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Man, that about makes me sick thinking of what I've put into my truck! You basically paid the price of the mods, and got the truck for free !

--Eric

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yeah, it's got Toyo MT's, Dynatrac hub conversion, head studs, all kinds of goodies...



I was looking for an automatic longbed that I could use for work, but when I stumbled onto it, I couldn't let it go!