Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Looking at 98 12v 6 speed

[esamuelson]

I know I will get into trouble for this from the 1st gen guys (see sig) but I need a good truck to tow and haul with and my 1st gen is under construction and will be a while. The truck I am looking at is a 98 QC 3500 4x4 with a 6 speed. The truck was originally an auto but previous owner converted it. It seems like a good conversion and is clean. The truck has 240,000 miles on it. It is at a dealer and I think I can get a decent price on it. My question is would you guys be afraid of this due to the mileage and mods done due to the trany install? I still want to finish my 1st gen but need a truck, and my current daily driver (73 dodge cc gaser) is killing with gas mileage and maintanace, and the wife says if I unload ALL the other trucks and just keep the diesel I can afford and get this one.

Truck has a few minor problems ( heater and A. C only discharge to def. , hopefully just vacuum problem, inside of bed sides welded and braced, like sides tried to bow out) but I am hoping that the truck will still be reliable.

Anything else I should look for in these trucks? I really want the stick I wish my 1st gen was stick, I have had nothing but trouble with all the auto vehicles I have owned.

 

[GAmes]

I certainly wouldn't be afraid of the mileage. If it drives good and the price is right... ... ... . I'd say OK. The defrost thing, at least on mine, is an easy to replace actuator near the throttle pedal. You can manually move it to trouble shoot it.

 

[The patriot]

It wouldnt deter me if it's been reasonably taken care of,(oil changes etc) and the price is right.

Eric

 

[esamuelson]

Drives good, has some front end wonder, probably track bar or steering shaft. Dealer fixed defrost, line was off under the hood. Runs strong, have receipts for trans swap ( about 7 grand) and receipts for front end work ( brakes, rotors, ball joints, u-joints, all new tires about 5,000 miles ago. Has all power options, except mirrors, stacks, dealer said new injectors, pump and turbo work, dealer has no recepts for this though. Fuel appears to be turned up some ( smokes when floored under load :-laf ) The lowest price I can get is $15k. I didn't think this was bad based on what has been done??

What do you think?



Thanks

 

[GAmes]

Sounds too high to me. He has a lot of $$$$$$$$in mods, but... .....



I'd offer 11k and watch his reaction.

 

[tp0d]

15k is a bit high... I`d give em 12 or 12. 5 and let em gnaw on that for a while...



Also, has the KDP been done? can you see any evidence of resealing on the timing cover? or a screw from the KDP jig? that would be my biggest worry. .



As for the front end work, thats the majority of what fails, sounds like a pretty solid truck there. Track bar repair is minor. .



try the 12 or 12. 5 and give em a bit to think on it. . (have you checked kbb.com for blue book value?)



good luck



-jerry

 

[DBCooper]

12V or 24?

 

[esamuelson]

It is the 12 valve. Dealer will fix front end. I cannot be sure if kdp was fixed or not. I figure I can do that myself, I don't mind doing some work on it. I tried every angle I could to get him down but is not budging. I talked to my diesel mechanic and he seemed to think it is an ok deal. They had it listed for $17. Dealer keeps saying receipts add up to close to $9k. KBB says $11k and I showed that to him but he says they don't factor in the mods and updated transmission. The wife really likes the truck, and she is the one letting get another ctd . I have found other trucks for the same money with less mileage but they are auto, some 5 speeds, and or not liking the truck. If this was auto or 5 speed I would not buy it for sure for more than $12k.

 

[ndurbin]

So what if it has an updated transmission? Did the dealer pay for the work done in the receipts he's showing you? If not he's just trying to make money off of it. B/c I bet he didnt factor that in when he took the truck in. Dodge diesel's are high right now and I think the dealer's just trying to cash in on it right now myself. I'd say stick with the 11-12k. But thats just my . 02 coming from someone who distrusts used car salesmen.



Nathan

 

[DBrickel]

I wouldn't go more than $12 with that many miles. The engine will last many more miles "IF" it was maintaned properly but the truck itself will need more and more maintenance as the parts wear out. Its the little things that nickel and dime you to death. I'll almost gaurantee that the dealer didn't do the mods. Most won't do anything more than oem

 

[esamuelson]

I checked KBB Trade in 10k, private party 13k, dealer 15k. I am going to take my diesel mechanic to look at it. He can verify condition and with a "professional" there dealer may be more willing to deal than with me telling him of potential problems. He also knows what these are going for here and can say what it is worth. He also owns one, not just work on them.

Thanks guys.

 

[JBrookshire]

u may also want to check???

I would look under the truck and see if it has any blow by??? if so it would have oil all over the under neath. And also check the bottom of the doors to see if there rusting out, and the inside bottom of the tail gate will rust out. Justin

 

[RBrunson]

Manual transmission

When a truck is traded in that has a manual transmission, they deduct $500 because it is a manual. He should be discounting the transmission, not trying to make money on it.



I know because they took off $500 on my 98 12 valve manual when I bought it.

 

[Hammer]

Remember the dealer in question with said truck has a known reputation for selling trucks of less than perfect quality and not standing behind them at all. IF this truck has had that much in front end repairs and it still wanders it would worry me. Also of note,for them to sell it and you to have it inspected it has to be able to pass our inspections. With it wandering it will not so they are liable to repair the front end all the way. There is no such thing as a "As-Is" sale here in Pa anymore and by our laws here you have the right to take the truck to a different inspection shop and have it gone over before its purchased.



Now for the naysayers on the price here,I will dispute your quotes to him and tell you if its fixed and drives nice it could bring more than than what he said they want. 4x4 duallys and it being a stick will bring premimum prices no matter what the milage is. I have seen recently a 98 12v Quad SB,leather loaded,with over 150k on it bring over 20 grand. I also know of a 12v,5spd,Intense Blue Sport,SB Quad,leather,heated seat,loaded with 24,000 garage kept miles on it(never seen rain or snow) and the dealer is asking 28 grand and will get it easily. They are very popular trucks out here and sticks are a hard to find commidity and bring big coin... ... ... ... Andy

 

[stover]

I have had a not so good experience with that dealer that has that truck! A few months ago I saw a truck in the Auto locator (95 reg 5-speed 4x4) and when I called about it, it was sold. Anyway I needed a truck and so I remembered that this dealer deals in trucks so I called them up 2 days later and they described to me the exact truck that I had seen in the trader but was wanting 3-4 grand more. And so I nicely told them it sounded like the same truck I just missed a few days ago but they assured me that it was a different truck. ????!!!! Anyway I got to thinking about it and so I called the guy up that had the truck in the trader and told him that I know that he sold the truck but was curios to know if he sold the truck to (this certain dealer)? He assured me that it was and so I'm getting to see some fun in this!!! So I called up this dealer that lied to me and told them that I just talked to the other guy and he told me that you bought it from them and so why would you tell me a lie to my face? SILENCE!! And this is what I got "The person you need to talk to is on lunch break and won't be back in for another hour" okay. (This is 3'oclock in the afternoon) And so I wait an hour and call back. I said " So how was lunch?? SILENCE and so I said again how was lunch? UUUUGGGRREAT he said. I said the other guy said you were off for lunch. No comment. Anyway I proceeded to tell him what I found out and he would not admit that it was the same truck but told me that the other guy works in the shop and doesn't know what he is talking about. Anyway it made me very cautios of this dealer!!!! I hope that if you decide to buy the truck that you have good luck with it. I saw the truck advertised in the lancaster farming and it does look nice. But I know looks don't say everything!