to buy or not to buy???

[jeffnvegas]

that is the question. found a SLT 2500 4x4 quad cab short bed CTD truck with 47k on it (MFD "9/03") which, according to the owner has a bad clutch. no dents, no dings, good interior except for minor tear in cloth drivers seat, otherwise normal soil and wear. have been told by other members that the NV5600 6 SPD is a disaster waiting to happen with no parts available and hardly anyone who is able to repair or rebuild these things. IS THIS A DEAL KILLER?? i can get it for 15K. it has a 3" lift with fairly decent T/A radials on stock rims. everything else on the truck is totally stock. the dude says the dealer quoted him a price to fix the clutch. what should that cost and would you buy this truck? are there potentially any other issues with late "03" rigs i should know about?? if the thing has a totally shot transmission, is there an alternative and what does a reman or billet transmission cost, that could be readily installed??

 

[mberry]

I would say with only 47K on it, you've probably got another 100K on that transmission, depending on it's history. Parts and replacements can be found, but they will be pricey. Figure 60% of what a built auto would go for. One thing I would do is check the condition of the transmission and trans case fluid prior to writing that check. Start the truck and listen for any unusual sounds coming fromt he transmission or transfer case. That should give you an idea of its life with this owner.

The clutch can be replaced for around $650 or so.

If you like it, buy it.

 

[ILIANBG]

What is a billet 6 speed manual transmission?

 

[1smoknC]

if i lived in vegas id buy that truck if it only had a bad clutch... . im about to spend a good bit buying an nv4500 and all the stuff needed to do the swap.

 

[JDiepstra]

Id say buy it also. Talk him down because of the transmission. Say, yeah gee you are right, I looked into it and it is REALLY expensive! How about $13,500? Go from there. Either way, 15 k sounds like a good deal.

 

[jeffnvegas]

gonna take the risk and buy it for 14K. got several prices so far from 1k to 1. 35K to replace the clutch and think i'm going to have the OE southbend installed so the kid has a little easier time getting used to the 6 spd and a beefier transmission. he's only used to shifting his 5spd 84 ranger pre-runner. did a VIN check and it scored 92 all green. turns out his father-in-law works the same place as me so he can't afford to screw me over. guess now i need to start looking around for the best price on an AFE STGII to get a little more MPG out of it. it's completely stock except for the lift. thanks for all the input, i've just had a hard time convincing my wife that he's better off with a full size diesel truck for this money and the same mpg as what he can get with another little ranger or the like. if the deal goes south i'll be looking for a divorce lawyer and will probably have to sell MY truck. HA!

thanks,

jeff

 

[RVTRKN]

My concern would be low mileage and worn clutch. Mine has 53K and as far as I can tell, the clutch still has a lot of life left. Any history on where it was driven? I know there are a lot of off road trails out there in Vegas and being lifted might be a clue it was on the trails. When 4X4ing in an extreme condition you would use the clutch a lot.



Also it could be an 04, check the valve cover for the HP and torque, there can be 4 different horse powers rated for that year, depending on the state where it was purchased new.

 

[Motorhead]

gonna take the risk and buy it for 14K. got several prices so far from 1k to 1. 35K to replace the clutch and think i'm going to have the OE southbend installed so the kid has a little easier time getting used to the 6 spd and a beefier transmission. he's only used to shifting his 5spd 84 ranger pre-runner. did a VIN check and it scored 92 all green. turns out his father-in-law works the same place as me so he can't afford to screw me over. guess now i need to start looking around for the best price on an AFE STGII to get a little more MPG out of it. it's completely stock except for the lift. thanks for all the input, i've just had a hard time convincing my wife that he's better off with a full size diesel truck for this money and the same mpg as what he can get with another little ranger or the like. if the deal goes south i'll be looking for a divorce lawyer and will probably have to sell MY truck. HA!
thanks,
jeff

Jeff, Let us all know what failed when you get it apart.

 

[jeffnvegas]

makin the deal tomorrow morning and having the truck towed to Diesel Specialists for a South Bend Clutch. if there is anything else wrong with it i am going to the guy for a serious pow wow. his pop-in-law turns out happens to work at the same place as me so it will be hard for him to do me wrong without it causing him a lot of grief. i've asked him several different ways if there is anything else wrong with this truck and he swears that is what the dealer told him was wrong with it. we'll see. if it turns south on me i'll be in the market for a good divorce lawyer, cause my wife is not on board with this deal. course the kid is in, but only if he gets a righteous running rig out of the deal. will keep everyone posted on how things turn out. keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[JimB1]

Shopping for a truck when you need one is like going food store shopping when you're hungry.



Sound decisions don't follow in either case.



Since you're convinced "this is the truck" I'm buying, try this deal modification.



Say to the seller, I'll pay the aggreed price $14K plus what the repair shop's estimation of cost to fix BUT you the seller and your money gets it thru the repair senario, then I'll write my purchase check.



That way buyer spends same money as planned but is relieved of risk liabilities if truck doesn't work as well as seller implies it will.

 

[MickeyMiller]

If your that concerned about the transmission, buy 6 qts of Syncromesh and have the dealer change the trans oil. With the power take off cover off, you can get a good look at the internals as well as a chance to check for 'stuff' in the bottom of the case. There should be a little fine brass dust from the syncro's, and maybe a little fuzz on the magnet. Any more than that and I'd be concerned. I've done 4 chsnges (every 25K) and everything is still looking good... no obvious wear pattern on the gears, no trash in the bottom of the case.

 

[jeffnvegas]

i'm not hungry for a truck, i have one (an "06" 35004x4 auto), but i really think this is a decent price for an almost brand new like rig. i'd hate to pass it up and miss an opportunity for my son to have one. there are many rigs here with 3-4x the miles and asking prices several thousand higher and older. besides the fact that this truck is completely stock except for a lift and BFG T/A's tells me that 47k miles couldn't have been too hard on it. the paint has no rock chips or dings and the bed (spray on liner) looks like there has never been anything it it other than ice chests and lawn chairs. i'm going to have Daryl pull all the covers and check it over with a fine tooth comb and see what he finds. takes three days for the check to clear so i suppose i could always stop payment and give it back. i'll be out a tow charge and my time

 

[JimB1]

Lowering liability position and maximizing dollars spent is smart business.



Offering seller a base price BUT requiring seller to conduct repair on his money, which you would also be willing to pay for AFTER truck is in good driving condition lowers your liability and for no more total money spent on your part.



If it's a buyers market, which it is, AND you don't need truck right now, then shopping around can maximize the dollars you have available to spend.



It's just a hunk of iron and won't keep your feet warm at night.

 

[Motorhead]

Jeff, MAKE SURE that the tow company pulls the rear driveline BEFORE they tow it. Towing a truck standard transmission will destroy it.

 

[jeffnvegas]

they lifted the rear end and towed it backwards. i thought it was kind of strange, but maybe that's the reason they do it that way.

 

[RVTRKN]

I had my 04. 5 towed and the operator picked it up from the rear (its a manual) and before he left with it, I got the owners manual out and found out on a 4X4 it needs all wheels off the ground. He then added the wheel dolly in the front. I hope yours didn't get damaged. It is in the owners manual!

 

[jeffnvegas]

if it did i'm suing the towing outfit!! they should know that stuff!!!

 

[MMeier]

Jeff, any progress on it?

 

[JimB1]

You'll find suing a towing outfit about as easy as putting smoke back into a chimney.



Taking on tow company attorney in court of law attempting to prove a undriveable truck due to known clutch/transmission problems recieved further clutch/transmission damage due to towing methods and fixing amount of said damage and winning judgement is highly unlikely.



You could've been waiting for previous owner to call, saying rig is fixed, come test drive and review the repair bill plus $14k base offer.



Instead you've paid money for a "hangar queen" and previous owner can rightously claim original problem was only the clutch and any transmission issues are between towing company and you.



When properly fixed you'll have excellent rig for your son.



Pay the repair bill. There's no recourse to previous owner after you towed it.



Whatever money you might be willing to spend suing towing outfit, take it to a casino instead... ,

 

[TCDiesel]

You'll find suing a towing outfit about as easy as putting smoke back into a chimney.



Taking on tow company attorney in court of law attempting to prove a undriveable truck due to known clutch/transmission problems recieved further clutch/transmission damage due to towing methods and fixing amount of said damage and winning judgement is highly unlikely.



You could've been waiting for previous owner to call, saying rig is fixed, come test drive and review the repair bill plus $14k base offer.



Instead you've paid money for a "hangar queen" and previous owner can rightously claim original problem was only the clutch and any transmission issues are between towing company and you.



When properly fixed you'll have excellent rig for your son.



Pay the repair bill. There's no recourse to previous owner after you towed it.



Whatever money you might be willing to spend suing towing outfit, take it to a casino instead... ,

X2... . it’s the owner’s responsibility to request what type of tow... Flat bed, hook, dollies Etc...