Possible New Truck

[FLynes]

I found a 2006 3500 4x4 dually automatic for sale. I used to have a 2005 2500 4x4 automatic and miss it terribly. My questions are pretty simple:



1) The truck is a one-owner, with 155,000 miles on it. Did the '06 models have the 48RE, like my '05?



2) Given that it's an '06, do you guys think that 155,000 is too much? The truck is immaculately clean in and out.



3) What are the odds that the truck has 3. 73's vs 4. 10's?



4) Given its VIN, I know the truck is a Mexico truck... don't know if they still made them in St. Louis in '06. My '97 was a Mexico truck and my '05 was a St. Louis truck. Are there pros/cons to it being a Mexico truck? I know that the '97 Mexico trucks had better paint than the St. Louis trucks.



The truck is black with grey cloth, woodgrain around the radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a Western Hauler bed.



Given the POS I have now, I really want this truck, but I'm tired of making mistakes. Any insight on what to look for is of great help.



The asking price is $20,885. I have $13,972 left on the Ferd and I'm pretty sure I can get $23,000 in trade, given that it's a loaded King Ranch and has a Hauler bed too... my payments would pretty much stay the same as what they are now.



Thanks for the answers.

 

[Jim W]

Is this truck being sold through a dealer? If so, I would ask for a carfax report. Just to learn the history on the truck.

My 08 was built in Mexico and I believe must of the newer trucks are built there. Other then emission issue my truck has run great, also mine was an early 08 built in Sept 07.

You can go to this web site and put in the request for the build sheet and receive the assembly line build sheet for the truck. Need the VIN for it, and then request the sheet.



http://www-5.dodge.com/wccsapp/univ...ontact+Dodge&familyStr=brand&franchise=D&acti



My son's 06 had a stock 48RE transmission in it I believe. He did rebuild it to hold more horse power.



Hope this helps?

 

[FLynes]

Jim,



Yes, this truck is being sold at a dealership and the Carfax is bone clean, with the exception that the steering linkage recall (H34) hasn't been performed yet.



The only thing that makes me hesitate is the mileage on the automatic transmission... . the big weak point on the Dodge. That said, I never had any type of problem with my '05 48RE, and I towed regularly, but when I traded it in I only had 58,000 miles on mine... . this one is almost 100,000 miles more.



Link didn't work, BTW.

 

[RBridenbaugh]

I bought a Texas truck from a dealer with ~95k miles on it. Price was really good and figured that since its has a 350k to 500k motor, life would be good.



Now at 144k miles I have my engine torn apart. #1 piston ring broke, scored cylinder walls and messed up piston. Root cause was the engine was "dusted". All the rings were very, very worn.



Before I'd buy another high mileage Texas truck I'd have an oil analysis done, if it hasn't been changed recently, and look for bearing wear metals.



When considering buying the truck I had asked dealer to do a compression test, but they quoted a very high price and assured me the truck was sound ... What I'd do today would be to have them do an air leakdown test on all cylinders. Figure a couple of hours labor for the test is significantly less than an engine overhaul ($3k to $10k or more, depending if you do it or a shop does it).



Depending on the results you can either walk away or have them lower the price by the cost of an overhaul.



Like all good mechanics, they should tell you what the rate for a good cylinder, a worn cylinder and a bad cylinder is, before the test is performed. If they don't know the rate, then they shouldn't be doing the test. Ask them how many leak down tests they have done. Otherwise you will always wonder if they will say it is "good" out of ignorance or potential conflict of interest because they want sell it to you for a high price.



Might be worth going to your local Cummins shop and talking to them about how to detect a "dusted" engine and have them do the tests before you decide to buy the truck.

 

[FLynes]

Thanks for that reply... I assume that by dusted you mean drywashed cylinders, something I hadn't considered. It does get dusty down here and, if you don't change the air filter out regularly or use an aftermarket filter, the cylinders are screwed.



I'll talk to the local Cummins repair shop and ask them what the norm is for a leakdown test.



Thanks again.



If anyone else wants to chime in with advice, I'm all ears.

 

[LBARTLETT]

Thanks for that reply... I assume that by dusted you mean drywashed cylinders, something I hadn't considered. It does get dusty down here and, if you don't change the air filter out regularly or use an aftermarket filter, the cylinders are screwed.

some of the aftermarket filters are very good and exceed the Dodge/Cummins filtration specifications



however, cleaning and replacement of all filters is very important



Whenever I get my oil changed I do not let them touch my Volant Cool Air Box, if they say they can't change the oil filter without taking the airbox loose they don't change my oil, simple as that, they never get it put back in place and tightened to my satisfaction

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

20+k for a truck with over 150k, dude what are you smoking. that is way way too much money. I think more like 15k, and even at that I wouldn't do it, you figure that the 48re while a great auto trans will still need to be rebuilt soon, that is 4k down the toilet, if you do a search on my posts, my '06 is a piece of junk honestly. bascially every joint or bearing that is replaceable in the suspension has needed replacement before 70k. if this truck hasn't had ball joints, front u joints, well bascially ALL the u joints, front driveshaft rear etc. hanger bearing replaced, it will soon need it, so the way I view it you are looking at likely spending 6k in repairs on that truck just driving it to 200k miles. frankly buying that truck would not be worth it to me unless it was below 13k.

 

[FLynes]

Well, I'm not smoking anything, which is why I asked for the input, in order to make my decision... my experience is more with my '01 3500 and '05 2500HD.



I went down to San Antonio yesterday and stopped by the Dodge dealership, where I got the Ford. The dealer I bought my truck from had quit last year over some money owed to him... long story short, the dealership is under new ownership and they paid him what they owed him and he came back. I told him what I wanted, and he told me he'd probably have something by the end of this coming week.



I ran that POS Ford at 2000RPM all the way down and the best I got was 14. 3MPG... . sad, I hope..... the 3500 CTD gets what kind of MPGs w/ 4. 10's? I'd rather have 3. 73's anyway.



While the interior of the Dodge might not come close to the King Ranch, at least I'll have the mileage back.



I can retrofit Rostra seat heaters, if need be.

 

[rscurtis]

Compression and leakdown tests are all well and good, but a quick test is to see what is coming from the crankcase vent tube. If it's sending smoke signals, it's been dusted.

 

[Wingate]

Yep... doing a crankcase blowby test will tell almost everything you need to know about cylinder condition. I very seriously doubt that Cummins gives that spec to Dodge... and from what i've seen, the Dodge techs. would know what to do with it anyway!!!. Basically, there is specialized tooling that is attached to the crankcase vent, then the engine is run at various loads/speeds and the results are compared to known measurements. Its actually a very accurate test as far as overall condition, but it does not really help with troubleshooting a poor running engine. It can't determine exactly where the excessive blowby is coming from.

IMHO, 20K is too much for a truck and engine that has absolutely no warranty. The Cummins is a great little engine, but can easily empty your wallet if its been neglected/abused. Carfax doesn't show that...

 

[FLynes]

Very true, gentlemen... thank you for the info. It's definitely a conundrum for me, because I finally have the 6. 0 PSD reliable (added coolant filter, changed to ELC coolant, deleted EGR cooler and EGR, new FICM), but a V8 diesel just doesn't make sense to me..... crappppppp!!!!!! I should never have gotten rid of my '05.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

Well, I'm not smoking anything, which is why I asked for the input, in order to make my decision... my experience is more with my '01 3500 and '05 2500HD.



I went down to San Antonio yesterday and stopped by the Dodge dealership, where I got the Ford. The dealer I bought my truck from had quit last year over some money owed to him... long story short, the dealership is under new ownership and they paid him what they owed him and he came back. I told him what I wanted, and he told me he'd probably have something by the end of this coming week.



I ran that POS Ford at 2000RPM all the way down and the best I got was 14. 3MPG... . sad, I hope..... the 3500 CTD gets what kind of MPGs w/ 4. 10's? I'd rather have 3. 73's anyway.



While the interior of the Dodge might not come close to the King Ranch, at least I'll have the mileage back.



I can retrofit Rostra seat heaters, if need be.

honestly if you where driving my truck at 2k like you said, I don't think it would be much over 16 mpg, on winter blend fuel. so your likely only looking at 10% or so better mileage. I have lots of guys brag in my neighborhood about getting 20 mpg in their 05-08 models, it turns out everyone one of them just looks at the overhead and trust it, my overhead has always read 4 mpg higher than actual, so be careful in believing the people who claim to be getting in the 20's with and truck that is an 04. 5 or later. I call BS on it. yeah maybe if its a 2wd 6 speed single cab and its driven the whole way at 50 mph.



I think you should look for a low mile 03-04 model, make sure the 04 has the 305hp motor, they are out there but tuff to find, look for something with less than 50k miles, I think such a truck could be had for around 22-23k easily, that is quad cab 4x4. heck I might even do that with my POS '06 seems like I hear fewer complaints with the earlier 3rd gens or maybe its because there is more of them out there.



I paid 32k for my 06 brand new, 12k in depreciation is not anywhere near enough for a truck that has 150k or more miles.

 

[Edgemann55]

Just my two cents worth but my 05 is the best truck I have ever owned. 84K on it and it gets a solid 18mpg in winter,19-20 depending on how hard I drive it in the summer. No heavy mods to mine as you can see what I have added below. The only part I have had to replace is the #4 injector line at 70K. As far as the transmission goes unless you go crazy on mods and HP the 48re is a stout trans. My buddy who hauls generators with his 06 that go 15-18 thousand pounds. His truck is stock and he just hit 240K with the original transmission just workin fine. If the price is right I don't think 155K is that big of a deal.

 

[DPrew]

I had a 97' F250 that I bought used with 130K for mileage. After 35K the crank started to move around inside the block. I will never buy a high mileage truck without an oil analysis again. I run oil analysis on my 02' that I'm selling just to make sure there's no problems lurking in the future.

It's hard to buy a truck from a dealer used and get a good deal. It almost always work in your favor to buy a truck from an individual. I would check Craig's List and even the Truck Trader since your in Texas. Not knowing the options on the truck except for cloth I would guess the dealer is asking high retail (NADA) which in today's world is probably at least $3000 too high.

 

[DPrew]

On your mileage topic I just had a guy email me a question about an 02' truck I'm selling. He claimed his 06' Mega Cab with 37's was getting 25 mpg! His was offended when I questioned the methods he used to achieve his miraculous numbers. I think you'd have to drive the truck 14 miles and push it eleven miles to get 25 mpg with 37's.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Hey Fred!

I just bought my '04. 5 a month ago. It has the 4. 11 rear end which is totally unnecessary in a truck with this much power. Take your time and find 3. 73's, you'll be glad you did.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[FLynes]

Hey Trent! Long time no speak!



I got a call from my dealer this morning asking me how I felt about going to a 2500HD. I told him that it would actually work, given what I tow (the dually really is overkill, but the wife likes it). He's got a guy coming in this afternoon to trade his '05 Patriot Blue 2500 4x4 LB SLT 4x4 auto... . 63,000 miles. He asked me if I'd be interested and he can make the numbers work so that I stay the same on my payments (he has someone who wants my King Ranch).



The gentleman, who is the original owner, is a non-smoker (something I insist on) and doesn't tow anymore, because he's getting up in years, so he's going to a gas engine.



So, with the exception of the Patriot Blue (mine was Atlantic Blue Pearl) and the LB (mine was short), I'm coming full circle back to where I was. This might be the one; I'm going to go take a look at it this weekend. I gotta say, I miss the hell out of my '05; it was a good truck, except when it had that hiccup in Kansas, which turned out to be a programming issue. If I do get it, I'm not getting rid of this one.



Does anyone have any experience with aftermarket seat heaters in cloth seats? I'd appreciate any input on that, as it looks like I'll have to do that.



I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[FLynes]

Going down tomorrow to pick the truck up. Hopefully the finance knucklehead doesn't try any last-minute shifty crap.



I'll post pics, if and when I get it.