Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Should I buy this truck???

[blacksheepdiesel]

2002, 3500, Cummins, *new* 6spd, 2wd, QC, new rear tires, new front brakes with rotors, 115 gal aux. fuel tank, all hitches, 256k miles. Has 40hp Banks box (supposedly), saw a wire tapped into the pump wire. Exterior and interior in very good condition except electric lift on driver seat doesn't work and air barely comes out vents and defrost not that strong, mostly comes from heater vent on floor.



NO GAUGES!!! :--)

Checked for codes, only one is P 1693.



Owner told me the auxilliary fuel tank lift pump went out a while back, was able to limp to a dealer. Do aux. tanks have a separate pump?



Asking price $19,500 US.



Whatcha think?



Should I plan on replacing the VP44 soon because of code and lift pump went out?



BTW, are all 6spds the HO?



Any other things I don't know to ask about?



TIA,



Trent

 

[bmoeller]

If it has the Banks box on it, it shouldn't be really any problem with not having gauges. At least when it comes to pulling. Most, if not all, of their boxes back out of it when temps get to high. This is assuming it has the thermocoule installed, of course.



I looked on www.kbb.com for both the retail and private party ave. price.



$24K for retail and 19K for private.

 

[cumminspwr01]

If it where me I wouldn't buy that truck. I would think that it wouldn't be too far away from needing a VP44, the code p1693 is a companion code which means there is a real code in there somewhere. So needing a new vp puts the price near $21,000 I'm not saying for sure it would need one Im just guessing but if it where me I think I could find a little nicer CTD than that one to spend $20,000 on. JMHO.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Not being able to see the truck thru the web, what you have said makes me nervous. As a private owner, you would want to buy a truck with more like 50k miles, not five times that amount.



At 256k, it most likely has a lot of mechanical issues that won't be found for a while.



However, IF, this particular truck really has you cranked up-

• Ask for permission to drive it a couple days
  
• Take it to a reputable mechanic that knows CTDs
  
• Be willing to pay for his services
  
• Take his punch list and use that as a wagering tool
  
• Be sure everything you have already noted is checked
  
• Have that punch list made into a quote for repairs
  

You should get a better price. I agree that keeping $2500 in the bank for a VP44 is good advice.



Just my opinion. Everybody has one.

 

[rrausch]

When you say it has "all hitches" does that mean a 5th wheel hitch as well? If so, what is the condition of the hitch? Has it seen a lot of usage? 256,000 can be a lot of mileage if it was used to haul mason's materials (stone, sand etc. ), but not too many if only used to deliver empty trailers!

 

[24V-DSL]

I'd be very cautious... . It's been on the road lots of hours.



What kinda service records can he produce? All fluid change history, etc.



I'd have an oil analysis done.



Have the fuel pressure checked and scope it for other codes.



For me, this would have to have an impeccable maintenance history, and an owner who was savvy enough to have guages, TDR "speak", etc. regardless of the price.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

rrausch,



GN, 5th wheel, bumper hitches. For the past 150k this truck has delivered new travel trailers across the country so half of those miles were unhitched. I will be using it for the same purpose.



JOHN - K5AWO, cumminspwr01, bmoeller,



Appreciate your replys/input. I think I will take it to AutoZone and check for real codes, go from there.



Trent

 

[gitchesum]

Too much money IMO. I just picked up a 2002 2500 SO with the 5-speed for 20K. It's only got 47,000 miles on it.



If you're buying outright and not trading anything, you might consider looking down in this area(Texas). They are all over and they are going CHEAP!! You'l probably save a few thousand even after the plane tickets and the fuel to drive back.

 

[CDenton]

I agree with Curtis way to much money, all those miles makes me think it's worth about 13 to 16 thousand that my thoughts. sorry if it not what you wanted to hear.

 

[MDale]

With 256K on the truck don't foget about the Ball joints ( the most expense), track bar, and tie rod ends.

 

[d.miner]

I also would shy away from this truck. I have an 02 with 35K and that's a little high.



If he was selling it for 10,000. 00, then that might be another story.

 

[RussellDean]

Price is too high in No. Calif. I go to dealer only auctions and looked up the last 4 months of sales for 2002 3500's. Most had automatics and are stock. They were selling for 18k to 25k with 55k to 79k miles. Look around.