2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Too few of miles?

[jclark5810]

So we all talk about our "million mile" Cummins; do we take too few miles into consideration? I'm looking at a 2001 that has just under 60k miles, (about 5k a year). Does that sound too low, like a lot of sitting or short trips? Anything to be concerned with when looking at low mileage trucks or am I making something out of nothing?

Thanks!

 

[AH64ID]

Do the 2nd gens have a engine hour meter like the 3rd gens?

If it was I frequently used for long trips that's not a big deal, vs lots of short trips.

 

[JMcCoy]

No hour meter on 2nd gens. If fluids look good, I say buy it. You may have to replace some dry rotted hoses and such.

 

[RikDavis]

Probably not a problem. I have an almost 600k 99 because I was delivering RV's at the time. Now I probably use the trucks less than 10 K a year, but it is all highway miles. Only 2600 miles on the 13 in 6 months

 

[GCroyle]

Joe,

How's the body/frame, been in the salt or never near it? Got time for an engine oil analysis? That can tell you about wear metals and contamination.

 

[ABennin]

I wouldn't let low miles scare me off. Like others said what shape is the rest of the truck in. Can you get history on it. I met a guy last spring who had a '01 2500 CTD with 42k. The truck was immaculate. I was there to buy a winch and ended up talking about the truck for 45 minutes. He said the only time the truck gets wet is when he washes it. He only bought it(new) to tow a boat. The thing I don't like most of the time with low mileage trucks is the price.

 

[JMarhofke]

I have heard the same thing many times since I have a 95, 2500, 4x4 with 45,000 miles. I purchased the truck new, and within a year got a "take home" vehicle to drive. I refused to drive the truck on "short" drives, or to a part-time job 5 miles from my home, so I bought a Jeep for the short trips. I used it for my ATV trips some 200 miles away. I would also drive it at least once a month for 25-100 miles. Again NO short trips. Beside the water from washing, mine did get wet on occasions from rain. I have done regular maintenance on it from new, and keep a battery tender on the batteries. The only "mods" that have been done, is 4" exhaust from the turbo back, Mag-Hytec diff cover, & deep trans pan, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation system and a "wake up" performance thing that was done by a diesel shop in WI. The truck does have aftermarket front & rear bumpers, color matched Century cap, Bed-rug, and other items that was added over the years. I kept all original items that were replaced. The truck has always been garaged, so in my opinion it is basically a "new" 1995 Dodge. So, I would say yes to a low mileage truck if it was cared for in the manner mine is.

 

[jclark5810]

Thanks for the insight, I think it's great to have trucks where I'm more cautious about low mileage than high mileage! The truck is very clean body wise, and looks like it's never seen salt. I took for granted the vehicles I bought while living in CA and not having to worry about salt and rust. Living here they salt the crap out of the roads. So the truck on that end is in great shape. I'm just having a hard time coming to grips with the price of these trucks. That might be more of a deterrent than anything else.

 

[jgillott]

So we all talk about our "million mile" Cummins; do we take too few miles into consideration? I'm looking at a 2001 that has just under 60k miles, (about 5k a year). Does that sound too low, like a lot of sitting or short trips? Anything to be concerned with when looking at low mileage trucks or am I making something out of nothing?

Thanks!

Just thinking out loud, the truck you are looking at wouldn't happen to be a white over driftwood regular cab 2500 4x4 would it? I had heard that my former '01 was for sale by its current owner but I didn't know what state it ended up in.

 

[jclark5810]

No it's the silver one on eBay, the actual mileage is 68k. It'll most likely go well past the magic number in my head. It's very clean but I just can't pay that much anymore. I'm going to be starting a family soon and need to probably put that money towards my Excursion conversion

 

[JR]

I bought my 98.5 with 67k miles on it 3 years ago from the original owner who was in his mid 80s at the time. He bought it as a retirement present to himself along with a brand new slide in camper, and spent several years travelling during the summer. It spent the winters in a barn. He told me he never towed anything with it and by the paint on the inside of the hitch receiver I believe it.
The truck sat alot the last few years and by the time I picked it up it did need some attention. Original tires were dry rotted, along with a few odds n ends vacuum lines and brake hoses. Also had to pull the brakes apart at all 4 corners and clean and grease everything as a precaution. But aside from that the truck has been flawless, I've done several long distance trips of anywhere from 300 miles to 3000 round trip. I'm now pushing 110k, I change my oil every 10-12k miles and it is still a dark honey color even at that mileage. Doesn't use or burn a drop in between.
Can I ask what is being asked for the truck?

 

[jclark5810]

Great story JR, that's what I would like to find.

At the time of posting it's at $14,300 but I expect it to jump quite a bit during the last day. I linked it below.

Truck on eBay

 

[AH64ID]

5 owners and only 68K miles, I wonder how many of those were dealers.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I haven't seen a 24 valve yet that's worth that kind of money. I could understand if it were a really clean, low mileage 12 valve or a common rail but that price seems ridiculous to me..........

 

[JR]

Look around some, thats the going rate for trucks of that condition/mileage.
I looked at an 02 HO/NV5600 before I bought my 98.5, it had 80k and the guy was asking 18.5k. It lasted 2 weeks.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Look around some, thats the going rate for trucks of that condition/mileage.
I looked at an 02 HO/NV5600 before I bought my 98.5, it had 80k and the guy was asking 18.5k. It lasted 2 weeks.

That seems like a pretty big number for a twelve year old truck......but I like the part where it lasted for only two weeks.

Sam

 

[JR]

I agree, I don't know what it went for but was more than I would be willing to pay. The deals are out there if your patient, I snagged mine for 10k which I thought was fair for the mileage and condition. But it also took over a year of looking and waiting to find it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I guess folks can pay whatever they like. I bought my 95 from the original owner with a 150k on the clock (all stock too) and very good condition for 4600.00. Maybe I can make some money!

 

[jclark5810]

I sold my 99' with 150k for $14k and that was a couple years ago. Had a buddy sell his 01' that was beat to death to some kid for $13k. The prices are so inflated that if you sell one, you'd better not want another one. I would say the best bet is find one sitting in an old man's carport. He'll have bought it 13 years ago and have no idea about the inflated prices... those seldom exist however. Just because that's what people are paying doesn't mean that's what I want to pay:-laf

 

[jgillott]

I'm not positive, but from what I heard, my former '01 was listed on craigslist for $24,500 and it sold last weekend for ~$21K. I sold it almost 7 years ago for $30K. It's amazing what the prices have done on these trucks.