Used with 100k miles too much?

[EBottema]

Hello guys



new todiesels... .

found a few trucks 01. 5 with 100k HO 6spd 4x4 for sale. looks to be in good shape but is buying a truck with 100k miles buying problems and $$$ future repairs to transfer case/ AC unit/ etc?



should i look for a low mile truck instead?



erik

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Nah, she's barely broke in! There are many CTDs out there with 300,000+ and going strong. If it is in good shape, and the price is right, I would go for it. These trucks are not gassers. They don't live in a 100,000 mile reality. Semi trucks live in 1,000,000 mile worlds. The CTD is somewhere in between. A CTD with over 200,000 miles I would only buy if it were well cared for, but 100,000 miles should be fine. Just look it over real good and test drive it. Have a trusted mechanic check it out. Heck, bring along 5 TDR buddies and really scare the people selling it.

 

[dpuckett]

HEE Hee hee

EBottema,

I'd be leery of a pickup with LESS than 100k, just because the higher mileage trucks seem to be better maintianed- the owners cant afford for them to break down, so problems get fixed yesterday. Lower mile rigs get delayed on oil changes, transmission service, brakes, etc, because they ARE driven so seldom, it can sit another two months till he/she drives it again.



I have bought 2 First Gens with 220K+- traded my 3/4T 4x4 for my 1T 4x2- both were right at 242K. My truck was worked hard its first 200K- pulling a 40' GN flatbed, with as many tractrs as could be stuffed on the deck, running 70-75, with a 80 top end. I blew the head gasket (common ailment on older, non intercooled trucks) at 245K when I advanced the timing. I didnt know it was the HG- no oil/ water mixing, no leaks, just a funny noise under load. Pulled the head at 254K, and had the factory cross hatches in every cylinder. Another advantage of "high mileage" trucks is that you can BOMB the snot out of them, and still not have the money in it you'd shell out for a low mileage, unBOMBed one. If you like it, and the price is right, snag it up 'fore someone else here does.



I'd rate the Cummins SuperB as a 750Kmi engine on average, if nothing gets melted, and the oil got changed somewhat regularly (no more than twice the book recommendation).



Daniel

 

[CATCRACKER]

i would say at 125-150K you should start to see steering and front suspension parts showing wear. brakes and axle seals will probably be and an issue, wheel bearing, hoses and maybe even rearend wear. i am not saying you will have all of these but the dodge part will not hold up like the cummins. the cummins at 200+ is nothing its the dodge part that will absolutly need little things in my sumation. also if it has auto be ready for to rebuild. if i may say so get a 6spd its one less thing to worry about. dont flame me its the truth i am speaking from experience. i will be looking at used trucks soon and expect to find these issue but its no big deal. crawl under it check blow by tube. have someone turn the steering wheel and listen for poping or excessive movement of steering components. look at the ends of the axles to make sure they are not leaking rears are bad about leaking onto brakes. check cruise control. check ac temp. check the title to make sure it not slavage. see if he has records of service. ride on smooth hwy to see if it has death wobble. look at tires for cupping. boucne yhour knee on the front of the truck to see if it bounces to much b/c the shocks might be bad. if it has brand new tires be leary. check steering alignment. make sure it tracks staight down the road. notice most of these are to check the dodge part i would not worry about the cummins unless you see alot of air bubbles in the radiator of excessive blow by. if it has a gooseneck find out what they pulled. i could go on but someone on this board may call be anal. the reason i am is i got burned on my last 99 ctd SOB had the death wobble.

 

[DDT]

I bought mine used with 100K on it. It pulled a 32' stock trailer every mile. I have replaced brakes, thats all. I am glad I got this one. If the old owner seems truthful, you decide. I all ready have 120K on it. OH it had a new transmission at 80K too. If cared for they will last a long time. my $0. 02

 

[bmoeller]

I bought my '97 w/ 139k. Have had VERY little trouble with it. Have made some repairs, and the usual routine maintainance. Nothing to major yet. Tires and exhaust are the most expensive things I've had to do yet.



The Ford that is in my sig, is the worst I've had. Never should've bought it. Very neglected. Spent as much in the first 10k miles on it than my last Ford ('82) and my '97 put together (71,000 mi. together). Put 28k on the '86.



The Ram STILL doesn't use any oil. '86, 1qt. /1000mi. , as low as 1qt. /500 before fixing leaks.

 

[truckstom]

My uncle bought a used '97 3500 ex cab, loaded, even leather, with 208,000. . runs like a champ. Got it for HALF what blue book said it was worth. Some used dealers just don't know... .