The agony...buying another truck.

[steved]

Been trying to find another truck (quad cab)... something to mainly sit in the driveway, tow our camper, drive on vacation. The configuration requirements are simple: automatic, 4x4, quad cab.



I have been on the fence about buying a late 2nd gen or a early 3rd gen... both are in our price range to pay in cash. I like the reliability of the 2nd gen, but the 3rd gens have some creature-comfort advantages (more power, larger cab, better ride, etc).



Having owned my 04. 5 since new and put 211k on the ticker, I've found about every common weakness... the main issue being the costly injectors. However, my dad and I have also owned 2nd gens with well over 200k, and they hold up well (even the VP44s hold up well)... but they are surprisingly hard to find unmolested with under 100k (we plan on keeping this one for a long time). The most common weakness between the two is the steering. The 3rd gen has a better auto trans. Etc. Etc. Etc.



I have a line on a local 2003 3500 I'm going to look at tonight, but its CarFax history is questionable... its had no reported accidents (but the dealer stated the bed has been replaced), it has 100k (and had reportedly three owners, I counted at least five), its been sold FIVE TIMES through auctions. It is a Texas truck originally (I have some idea of typically how a 3500 would have been used in Texas. . ranch truck?)... and some of the maintenance is funny, with things such as: replaced all tires at 4k miles, replaced upper radiator hose and two oil changes within 500 miles of each other (blown head gasket?). So it has a lot of red flags. But it is within reason on asking price... although its still sitting on a lot for sale (what's wrong with it). I'm also unsure at this time if this is a SO or HO.



Should I hold out for that perfect 2nd gen, or look hard at another 3rd gen?



Opinions??

 

[Grizzly]

That local 2003 3500 sounds too iffy. I'd keep looking for an original private owner. No car lots, no dealers. Check craigslist.org.

 

[steved]

I'm leaning the same way... just too many questions with this 2003. I might look at it... see what its all about, at least I have some idea what to look at.

I've been watching Craigslist and AutoTrader... I've responded to people on Autotrader, and they tell me a brief description and never anything detailed. I don't know what's up with that... even dealers, they want to sell a truck, but not do anything to promote the sale (send me some pictures!!).

I did find a 98 24-valve, lifted for $3700 for sale in Virginia... the woman indicated she acquired it through a divorce (was her husband's). She sent pictures and told me it was still located in Texas, and that a previous buyer had backed out AND already paid to ship it... so she would ship it for nothing. And we were to use Ebay (Paypal) since that would "protect both of us"... YEAH, RIGHT!! I must have STOOPID tattooed on my forehead...

 

[Dieselnut59]

Hold out for a good third gen. I have both and prefer most things about the third gen truck better. Since you are wanting 4x4, the axle disconnect thing sucks in my opinion on the 2nd gen trucks. I prefer the third gen's full time axle better. They ride much better, as I am sure you are aware. I have been very happy with both of my personal trucks, so either would be a good choice if you find one that you think is a good value.

I do not believe a 2003 auto was available as HO, but I may be wrong. My 2003 is a HO but it is a 6 speed. You can look on the engine data plate and it will tell you. HO is 305 horsepower in 2003/2004.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I'm leaning the same way... just too many questions with this 2003. I might look at it... see what its all about, at least I have some idea what to look at.



I've been watching Craigslist and AutoTrader... I've responded to people on Autotrader, and they tell me a brief description and never anything detailed. I don't know what's up with that... even dealers, they want to sell a truck, but not do anything to promote the sale (send me some pictures!!).



I did find a 98 24-valve, lifted for $3700 for sale in Virginia... the woman indicated she acquired it through a divorce (was her husband's). She sent pictures and told me it was still located in Texas, and that a previous buyer had backed out AND already paid to ship it... so she would ship it for nothing. And we were to use Ebay (Paypal) since that would "protect both of us"... YEAH, RIGHT!! I must have STOOPID tattooed on my forehead...

VERY common scam! Glad you did not fall for that!! If you go for a second gen, go for the later ones. Early ones had those weak blocks with the potential to crack. Early fuel transfer pumps were more failure prone than the later ones also. I believe it was in 2001 when they became available with rear disc brakes and the 6 speed manual.

 

[Wingate]

I have a line on a local 2003 3500 I'm going to look at tonight, but its CarFax history is questionable... its had no reported accidents (but the dealer stated the bed has been replaced), it has 100k (and had reportedly three owners, I counted at least five), its been sold FIVE TIMES through auctions. It is a Texas truck originally (I have some idea of typically how a 3500 would have been used in Texas. . ranch truck?)... and some of the maintenance is funny, with things such as: replaced all tires at 4k miles, replaced upper radiator hose and two oil changes within 500 miles of each other (blown head gasket?). So it has a lot of red flags. But it is within reason on asking price... although its still sitting on a lot for sale (what's wrong with it). I'm also unsure at this time if this is a SO or HO.



Should I hold out for that perfect 2nd gen, or look hard at another 3rd gen?



Opinions??

I'd stay away from the Texas truck... not sure aobut where you're from. . but Dodges with Cummins get "ridden hard and put away wet" around here.

It might have been bought/sold at auction WITHOUT a bed... Indicating possibly that an oilfield welder or hot-shot service had it. Every guy and his brother has a hot shot service here and they all have a few welders in the family... Of course VERY few have a "company name" that the title would ever be registered to..... So theres no way to track it.

On top of all that, if there were a way to check, you would find that probably 75% or more of the Dodges here are modded with plates, pressure modules, programmers, etc... .

 

[steved]

I'd stay away from the Texas truck... not sure aobut where you're from. . but Dodges with Cummins get "ridden hard and put away wet" around here.

It might have been bought/sold at auction WITHOUT a bed... Indicating possibly that an oilfield welder or hot-shot service had it. Every guy and his brother has a hot shot service here and they all have a few welders in the family... Of course VERY few have a "company name" that the title would ever be registered to..... So theres no way to track it.

On top of all that, if there were a way to check, you would find that probably 75% or more of the Dodges here are modded with plates, pressure modules, programmers, etc... .

Your read my mind... that's why I made that comment regarding a Texas truck. I was going to look at it, figuring full well that there is evidence of a hitch on the frame (or something hidden by the bed).



Its a good looking truck via pictures, don't get me wrong. There are just too many flags getting raised.



Thanks for confirming my thoughts...

 

[pullya]

75% ?????? Your painting with a awful broad brush, and making assumptions about the trucks you have no idea of their history or the way the owner has treated them. How about just taking the trucks one at a time and checking them out individually like the OP is doing. Just because a truck has a programmer etc etc, doesn't automatically mean its a POS and not well cared for. IMO

Jay

 

[steved]

Knowing what I know, I would say he's pretty close... southern states are more mod friendly than the north. The one dealer I had replace a lift pump in Greenville, TX offered to install a "box" and would still maintain my warranty... they had trucks on the lot (new trucks mind you) already lifted with "boxes" installed!!



They use a truck as a truck down there!!

 

[pullya]

My point is that just because a truck has a box installed does not necessarily mean that it is a POS and been beat to death. Every truck should be judged individually.

I agree however, we do things a little different down here:-laf Good luck in your search.

Jay

 

[steved]

I hear you... I would be more concerned about the double oil change and replaced radiator hose. I guess what the scare about the programmer is, is the fact that it *could* have had the living snot beat out of it and then sent on its way.



I would buy a truck from someone that seems to know what they are doing... with mods/without mods.

 

[Wingate]

Sorry, didnt mean to imply that every truck with a mod is junk... Was merely stating that while in other parts of the country, trucks are used to just pull 5th wheels and stock trailers... . A southern truck... . or more specifically a Texas truck with that many red flags can/could have been used for ANYTHING!. It could have been used on a working ranch and it originally had a flatbed, hence the bed being replaced but was never modded and is a great truck.

Theres also a possiblity that it was the oilfield welder that I met on a location one day that was bragging about the smoke show he could produce and how he outran his buddy's GMC welding truck... . Then complained that Dodge wouldnt replace his clutch under warranty. Come to find out, he was running a Bully Dog setup and fueling the crap out of it!!!. .

We have ALL kinds of unique ways to destroy a truck here in Texas...

Pullya... . Ive been thru Austin too many times... . I see what ya'll are doing to them down there. . hahaha...

 

[pullya]

I confess----your right! Saw a CTD this morning on the way to San Marcos that had 10" stacks

Jay