Looking to Buy a Used Truck

[Boczech1]

Hello Everybody,

I have started looking serious at buying a Dodge diesel used and would like to hear from some of the folks here on what year model they would buy and why. I have started looking on EBAY,Craigslist,Truck Trader,etc... . Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and SORRY about the redundant question. . )



BO

 

[69RoadRunner]

What's your price range and how will you use the truck? What body style do you need (standard, quad cab, mega cab)?

 

[JFaughn]

What ever the answers to the above ??? , a 2nd gen 12v, 94 - 98 1/2 .
The diesels are a simple eng system [ few components , very little electrical ] no need to muck it all up with , whatever .

 

[Boczech1]

I wanted to get a quad cab to be used for pulling a trailer loaded with a small tractor to work on the property I own and possibly a small RV trailer for short trips. The truck would be some for commuting but not a majority of the time. Looking to spend from 8-15k for a good dependable truck. JFaughn- I heard the 12v's are good trucks that are bullet proof. So would it be worth to find one and spend the money to fix it up the way I want ? Not looking to do much bombing just want something that will be dependable in case I need to drive a long distance loaded or unloaded. Thanks for your input and opinions . . )

Bo

 

[Joe G.]

I wanted to get a quad cab to be used for pulling a trailer loaded with a small tractor to work on the property I own and possibly a small RV trailer for short trips. The truck would be some for commuting but not a majority of the time. Looking to spend from 8-15k for a good dependable truck. JFaughn- I heard the 12v's are good trucks that are bullet proof. So would it be worth to find one and spend the money to fix it up the way I want ? Not looking to do much bombing just want something that will be dependable in case I need to drive a long distance loaded or unloaded. Thanks for your input and opinions . . )



Bo

Go for the 2nd gen 12 valve. It will fit what you want in the above better than any of the other trucks. The '97 and early '98 are the best choices. The difference between these two is the interior and dash layout. I'm going to keep my '95 until it falls apart. I suspect that will happen to me before it happens to the truck.

 

[Jason Griebel]

The only good advise I got is make shore it doesn't have a "block 53" in it.

 

[IanF]

If you buy off Ebay, be sure to go look at it first. Especially if the seller is somewhere in Western PA...



Make sure the VIN's on the dash & body match. There is a number stamped on the passenger side of firewall above the engine and also on the header panel next to the radiator.



I found this out the hard way...

 

[JimB1]

I shopped used diesel rigs for about two years. Eyes wide open honest assesment. You're ahead on money going for one of the few remaining new 5. 9's where ever they might be found. Giving the used numbers a full add up will reveal there's just not much, if any, savings going used. Asking price of any decent 2nd gen Cummins is $20K+. Add in all the fair wear and tear things most used rigs need, conservative $4-$6K. Accept the value loss of things you'll never spend $$$$ that ought to be fixed/upgraded. Accept the risk and/or wear & tear on a stealth de-bombed rig that seller isn't going to want to reveal. Now take a read in 3rd gen forum's on pretty good new truck deals that quite a few members have gotten lately shopping last of 5. 9's for prices in low $30K's. If your goal is keep same rig for many years then the door isn't quite shut yet on the best value $spend$.