Thinking of buying a 95 CC SLT 4X4

[DJP]

I'm thinking of moving up to a second generation rig. I found a pretty clean '95 Larame SLT Club cab 4X4 with 197K miles for only $12,500. The truck is two tone Green and Driftwood, with a Tan interior. The only thing I don't like about the truck is that it has an auto trans. The transmission was recently overhauled by the dealer, and has a new torque converter along with new clutch packs and bearings. The truck is fully loaded with all options except leather, and has the preferred 3. 55 gears. There are no performance mods done to the truck, it is completely bone stock.

Does this seem like a fair price for a 95 with almost 200K on the clock? If it were any other engine than the B5. 9 Cummins, I would shy away because of the high miles. My trusty 89 has almost 230K, and I feel it will easily go another 100K miles without any troubles. I've always wanted club cab 4X4, but didn't want the high payments to go with it.



I'm lookin for some input from some 2nd generation owners out there, should I go for it or pass?

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Looked up the truck on Nadaguides.com, it shows $11,225 for trade in and $13,475 for average retail. I would try to talk them down a bit, say 500 or so. Overall, it sounds like a good deal. Second generation trucks are WAY nicer than the first gens. Good luck.

 

[Joe G.]

You might want to check a few things. Some of these trucks have alignment problems so check to see if it pulls hard to one side or the other. Same may be true for braking. Mine has never had these problems, but some people have. Also you want to check the cooler line fittings at the transmission. The original plastic fittings have a high failure rate. Many of these fittings have been replaced with non-plastic fittings. If not, expect to have that done.

 

[DJP]

Thanks for the info!

I guess if my biggest worries are brakes, alignment, and plastic trans. cooler fittings, it sounds to me the 2nd generation trucks should be as durable and reliable as the 1st genners. Overall, how well has your auto. trans. held up? I have heard of problems with the torque converter when it comes to heavy towing or performance modifications. I realize most problems probably result from neglecting to service them regularly.

Anyway, I'm going to look at it tomorrow. If it looks and drives as good as the pictures, I will probably buy it. I think I will bring a print out from nadaguides.com as a negotiation tool.

 

[Joe G.]

A TPS problem took out my first transmission at 80K. At that time no one knew what was wrong with it. Now we know that if the OD or TCC (torque converter clutch) lockup starts acting funny it's most probably the TPS. Others have had real good luck with a stock trans behind a stock engine. Even with a "warmed up" engine, the stock trans does ok as far as life span is concerned unless you use some device to force the TCC to remain locked with a lot of power going thru it. I don't think the 2nd gen auto is as efficient as the 1st gen in getting power to the ground, but it does have the TCC so you can hum along the freeway at 70 with about 1800 on the tach. As you can see from my signature that my engine is a little more than just warmed up and I have DTT mods in my trans. Different truck!!

 

[moparguy]

DJP, the only thing I'll add is that the 95 has the small 160hp pump and injectors. The pump can be helped with a plate, and a set of 215 injectors will wake things up nicely. But then you'll start thinking even bigger injectors, better turbo, bigger cam plate, better convertor and transmission, and then... ... . Well, you know the drill.



Good Luck



Ronnie

 

[Pit Bull]

If I were you I would buy this one for just a few thousand more. Melton Sales is located close to you outside of Tulsa. The truck is a 5 speed with 140,000 less miles and it is 4 years newer with the 24 valve engine. Hope this helps. You can look melton sales up on the internet and they will have the following information plus a picture of the truck. I don't work for them but have heard good things about them.



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Vehicle

Description

1999 DODGE 2500 QUAD CAB 139"WB

Ext. Brilliant Blue Silver Mist lower-break

Int. c3- Mist Gray Cloth

Eng. 5. 9 Cummins Diesel

Trans. 5-Speed Manual Pkg.

Stock #107242

Miles on vehicle: 65,444







Vehicle

Options





SLT Package

Carpet

Power Windows

Power Locks

Tilt Wheel

AM/FM Cassette Stereo

Chrome Wheels

Center Console

Heavy Duty Service Group

Cruise Control

Power Mirrors

Air Conditioning

Trailer Tow Group









MELTON'S NO HAGGLE PRICE



$18990





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[Steve Roseman]

DJP, I paid a couple thousand more than that for my 2 wheel drive with 102k on it and haven't looked back.

The miles don't really mean a lot if you know the truck was taken care of.

Ask yourself how many owner's, what kind of miles(towing, empty, highway,around town) What kind of maintenance.

Yes, the 95 auto has the smaller pump, but still lots of room for improvement.

 

[1tuffram]

Check the driftwood paint over carefully. Starting this spring I have noticed the driftwood centerband on the drivers side to be developing many blister which then flakes off. Just noticed another 1"x2" blister yesterday. I think several people have had problems with the driftwood paint doing this. The thing I find strange in my case is that only the drivers side of the truck is affected, the rest looks like the day I bought it.



All else aside sounds like a good deal if you can live with the limitations of the stock auto. Maybe with the money you save you can have DTT build ya a bullet proof transmission

 

[DJP]

I drove over and looked at the truck last Sunday. The interrior was in very good condition for a truck with almost 200K on the odometer. The seller told me he is the second owner, and purchased the truck used with only 60K miles on it.

About the only thing I didn't like about the truck was the previous body work done to the Right side.

The bondo was starting to chip off around the edge of the door, I think Earl Schieb was here! The right side bed fender supports were broken for some time, and were tied together with zip ties. Needless to say, I was a little dissapointed. I made an insultingly low offer of 10K, and left him my phone number.

I guess most of the time, you get what you pay for. I think I'm going to spend a little more, and get something a little better.

I guess I'm still trying to match the deal I found for $6,500 a couple of years back on a one owner 91 Cummins W-250 with 14K original miles. The old man who sold me that one never knew what he had!

 

[Cooker]

IMO, that is not a bad price for the truck but it's not real good either, especially given the little problems you found wrong with it. I think 11 might be a little more realistic, but 10k would be a decent buy. Who know's maybe you'll get a return call.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Keep looking! Second gens are incredibly nice! I hated hated hated hated HATED my first gen. BTW have I mentioned how I feel about first gens? I found my truck with 128000 highway miles on it for $14,500 three months ago and have been in second gen heaven ever since. My first gen had no suspension; I have a bad back that it beat the tar out of. It was noisier than an airport runway. The thing had low power (turned up with a 16cm exhaust). It got bad mileage. JMO though. Good luck- a deal will come but be patient. If you can get a 98 or newer cuz the interior is a bit nicer. Be patient, it took me over a year to find the truck I wanted for a price I could almost afford.



I LOVE MY TRUCK!!!!

 

[Joe G.]

I'm a little confused here. Do you like your truck or not?

 

[DJP]

C Anderson,



I agree the first gen 4X4's ride like they have no suspension, but the 2 wd models are tolerable. This is the main reason I sold my 91 W-250, it rode like a pogo stick. All I can say is what a difference the coil springs make in the front end!

Anyway, I'd be willing to pay ten grand for the truck, despite all the cheese work on the Right side. I don't think I'd go any higher than that.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

DJP

I bought my truck here is south OKC in Aug for 17,900 it had 64k on it and no mods had been done and is in real good shape, If you chose to you can call the same people at 405-392-3664 ask for John Hawkins the place is close to Tuttle on Hwy 37. If he has something or knows of something I'll check it out for you. PM me if you have any questions.



Jim

 

[DJP]

Melton sales here in Tulsa has some pretty good prices on their trucks too. I think I'll shop around a little more before I take the plunge ( or shall I say my savings account). I would really like to get a CC 4X4 short wheel base with a 5 or 6 speed. I think I'm better off spending five or six grand more and getting what I really want.