Need some advice on a 10-2003, 2wd, Auto, 85,000 miles

[Motorhead]

I am looking at a truck for a good friend. A local place has a 2004 (10-2003 production) quad cab, 2wd, short bed with 85,000 miles on it. I lifted the hood and saw that it has a common rail 235 hp in it. I thought all of the pre 325 hp trucks got the 305 hp engine. So with the 235 hp diesel, what automatic will it have? 47RE or 48RE? It DOES have the Tow Haul mode on the shifter. The place is asking $19.999 for it. I noticed the drivers electric seat slider is got broken gears in it. It is in general nice shape. My friend doesn't need a 4wd and will the 235 get better fuel mileage than the 325?
Here is the ad: https://slo.craigslist.org/ctd/d/86k-miles-turbo-diesel-2004/6652145822.html

 

[Crunch]

I am looking at a truck for a good friend. A local place has a 2004 (10-2003 production) quad cab, 2wd, short bed with 85,000 miles on it. I lifted the hood and saw that it has a common rail 235 hp in it. I thought all of the pre 325 hp trucks got the 305 hp engine. So with the 235 hp diesel, what automatic will it have? 47RE or 48RE? It DOES have the Tow Haul mode on the shifter. The place is asking $19.999 for it. I noticed the drivers electric seat slider is got broken gears in it.

The broken slider is the least of your worries. Are you sure it's a diesel? You state you saw that it has a 235 HP common rail on the engine. But the Craig's List ad says that it has an 8 cylinder engine in one part of the ad, and 6 cylinders in others. You definitely don't want one of those hybrid gas/diesel engines.

As for the transmission, it should have a 48RE in it. I think my truck is also a 235 HP engine, i.e. not the HO engine. I've always liked Craig's List for selling things, but have been suspicious when it comes to buying. A 14 year old truck with only 86K on it and a sweet price like that would make me really suspicious. If you can, snag the VIN # and do a CarFax check on it and try to find out as much as you can about its history. Sounds like a great deal, but the combination of Craig's List, dealer, low mileage, low price and located in California would make me do a serious background check on it before I bought it.

My friend doesn't need a 4wd and will the 235 get better fuel mileage than the 325?

As I said, I think I have the 235 HP engine, and I've gotten excellent fuel economy over the life of my truck. All kinds of driving - highway, surface streets, fast, slow, towing, hauling and everything in between and my lifetime fuel economy average is over 17 MPG. I've run 500 miles (empty, tailwind, under 2000 RPM) and had 23 MPG, hand calculated. Under 2000 RPM seems to be the biggest factor.

 

[Motorhead]

I physically looked at the truck and it is the 235hp. I did some look up online and what I saw was that the 235 was for Commiefornia. Engine sounded good, I took off the oil cap at idle and no blow by but I won't tell my friend to commit unless the guy runs a carfax. I would think that the 235 common rail would deliver good mileage. It will be his commuter 15 miles to his restaurant and when he caters, he will pull a 12 foot enclosed trailer. As to the mileage, my truck,a 2007, 5.9, I just turned 100,000 mi.

 

[cerberusiam]

A 235 HP is a CARB SO engine, IIRC the standard SO was 250 HP. The SO in 235 and 250 was produced up thru late 03 and maybe a few into 04 but not many.

Trans will be a 47RE if OE. 48RE did not debut until 01-04. Not a bad transmission for general use and the engine in front of it.

For DD commuting and a light towing it should be outstanding for efficiency, the lack of 4wd helps a lot. Speed is the biggest factor in mileage on those trucks, at or under 65 mph in should be well into the 20's for steady cruising. Stop and go driving should also be decent.

Biggest question will be injectors. Early 03 had almost no updates that have addressed the ULSD issues and fuel quality problems. At 15 years old they are suspect just on age.

 

[Mark31]

I think this truck came with a 10 micron fuel filter. The very minimum I would do would be to install a 5 micron (Baldwin?) filter, but preferably a 3 mic add-on. I would consider using Power Service religiously for a while. I think there were some reasons not to put any power adders on these engines. Maybe this engine came with a smaller rear end, like the gas motors? If the previous owner got clean water-free fuel and drained the filter occasionally and lived in a lower humidity area, the injectors stand a good chance of being ok. My buddy Chris changed out his HO 03 injectors 3-4 months ago with 493k on the clock. Number 6 injector had a little more carbon build-up, but it ran fine. He may be getting slightly better mileage, he's not real sure. $20k seems a little high to me, but a 15 yr old truck is worth whatever a buyer and seller can agree on.

 

[Tuesdak]

IMO it's worth around $15,500. The Power seat is a $500 OEM part that should be replaced as part of the sale terms. Sure you can DIY cheaper, but, time=money. Injectors would be a big reason for the $, but, it's NOT a 4x4. It looks like 4x4's go for $25K... So forms the "ballpark" price range that this 2WD one is out of.

No tow package...

 

[Motorhead]

It has the tow package

 

[Tuesdak]

Must not include towing mirrors in the towing package then? Pictures look like the standard mirrors where my 2003 will flip up.

 

[Motorhead]

You are right. It doesn't have tow mirrors but it has a receiver hitch. I need to look at it again when the weather cools down. It's been 107-109 and hotter when you are standing in the sun on an asphalt parking lot.