Which do I buy?

[WhichCummins]

The sad part is that I can't even find a hemi truck in my price range. I can only find Cummins trucks that both have what I want and are affordable. It's pathetic, really.

 

[jgillott]

The price of vehicles in general are rediculous.

 

[WhichCummins]

I know. There just isn't many hemis out there but there's a ton of used Cummins.

 

[jgillott]

I know. There just isn't many hemis out there but there's a ton of used Cummins.

I still wouldn't give up on the idea of a Cummins truck at this point. Yea, there are some issues to be aware of, but there are with anything. I've had very, very good luck with mine over the years and I've had on since the early '90's.

 

[WhichCummins]

I really want one.

I watched a video of a fully deleted 6.7L with a Jake brake doing a drive-by and it sounded like a turboprop plane coming towards the camera and a high speed jet flyby going away. It was absolutely beautiful and make me think wow I really want a 6.7...also, here in missouri, if the GVWR is over 8500, there is no emissions...

I'd be interested in this one but you can see the tuner on the dash. It has most of the stuff I'd want done to my truck done, but it also is obviously tuned. If it's a delete tune and it has everything deleted, should I be interested at all? The other bonus to this one is that if I buy the truck out of state,
I don't have to pay the 3.38% local tax, only the 4.XX% state tax.

 

[jgillott]

My only hesitation on a truck like that is how hard has it been run, we're the mods done correctly, and why was it sold? If you are comfortable with it, than by all means go for it. I'd rather modify something myself so that I know what is truly there.

Also, if you go and look at that truck, pull those fender flares out and inspect for rust, especially over the back wheels. They may be there to allow for those larger tires. Or they could be hiding major rust.

 

[WhichCummins]

My only hesitation on a truck like that is how hard has it been run, we're the mods done correctly, and why was it sold? If you are comfortable with it, than by all means go for it. I'd rather modify something myself so that I know what is truly there.

Also, if you go and look at that truck, pull those fender flares out and inspect for rust, especially over the back wheels. They may be there to allow for those larger tires. Or they could be hiding major rust.

I was also planning on buying a service contract for whatever I buy. I know it sounds stupid, but there are good companies for them and I know these transmissions end up being pretty weak, and also injectors.

If it is deleted fully, I reckon the service contract administration would come up with some bull**** about the tune though, so it's probably a bad idea because they wouldn't cover anything.

 

[jgillott]

Save your money for future repairs. I've never heard of anyone that has been happy with an aftermarket service contract on a used vehicle.

 

[WhichCummins]

I'm going to.

My grandfather said he'll cosign on my loan and he has a credit score in the 800s so I'm sure my rate will be a lot better, which means I can get a better truck.

I found a 2013 Dodge 3500 tradesman MegaCab with a Cummins and an auto. Has 127,000 miles on it, one owner with service records...I'm assuming I should buy it if I can get it financed? It's 24,995

 

[jgillott]

Getting off topic for a second, but I feel it is appropriate. From the details of some of your posts I gather that you are a younger person. While I appreciate your desire to own a Cummins powered truck, I hesitate to recommend anything expensive to a younger person. I've seen it happen many times over the years...take a loan on something you want, throw some money at repairs, and all of a sudden you find yourself in quite a hole over a vehicle.

Remember, that a lot of us here are in our 40's, 50's and 60's+ and at an entirely different place in life. Be cautious not to put yourself in a bad spot.

 

[WhichCummins]

Of course.

Even if I were to lose my job, I can always afford the monthly payments, and I don't expect to lose my job...


Also, I edited my last post with a new find that is probably a great buy.

 

[jgillott]

That's good to hear and no offence intended of course. I've just watched it happen a few times too many over the years.

 

[WhichCummins]

That's good to hear and no offence intended of course. I've just watched it happen a few times too many over the years.

I blew through $300,000 of an insurance settlement in 2 years...believe me, I know. Right now, I get $17,000 tax free a year, split up by month. I also make around $32,000 pretax from my job right now. My payments would be around $410 a month, which I can afford on just the $17,000 a year.

Any thoughts on that 2013? I think they just got it into the inventory because there's no pictures up yet. It's a very reputable dealer as well

 

[jgillott]

I'm honestly not sure. I don't have enough experience with the 2013+ trucks to be able to give you honest feedback.

 

[cerberusiam]

2013+ has a million mile umbilical to the dealer, that is the biggest downside. You can tune it with a Smarty and it will work quite well, just can't work on a lot of the other pieces. Example, the push button ignition switches have a module that has to be programmed by dealer when replaced. The SCR systems have eliminated a lot of problems with the EGR fouling things and they are a pretty solid implementation. Tradesman is missing the niceties but if that doesn't matter to you then that is a decent price. MegaCab as living room in the back seat so they are really good for families or sleeping in when wife gets mad at you.

 

[WhichCummins]

I drive a 1961 truck every day and her only amenity is Bluetooth and heat! I'll be fine with it, haha. Mega cab is also good when you have a lady friend with you but no bed at home available for certain activities!

So it's worth going to check out? I just need to make sure it's not a flatbed...that would explain why the price is so low.

 

[cerberusiam]

All you can do is check it out and see if you like it and it is good shape. What to look for is another discussion. Basically steering, vibrations, and transmission operation are the big ones. Used vehicle, need ot get it up to temp and see if anything jumps out in operation or codes show.

 

[WhichCummins]

All you can do is check it out and see if you like it and it is good shape. What to look for is another discussion. Basically steering, vibrations, and transmission operation are the big ones. Used vehicle, need ot get it up to temp and see if anything jumps out in operation or codes show.

I generally spend quite a bit of time with them...I let em warm up fully, and I drive it around on the highway, doing some WOT pulls in both tow haul mode and normal mode, check for leaks, make sure I don't hear anything strange.

Is there any signs that show up if the truck might have been tuned?

 

[cerberusiam]

Withe electronic tuning it is hard to tell if anything is there or has been there once it is gone.

 

[WhichCummins]

How does this 6.7 sound? I thought I could hear a knock but that's because I've driven gassers exclusively for almost a year, and haven't been around new diesels.

It has cosmetic issues, but it's $5000 below book and only has 127,000 miles.

The oil pressure is 35 at idle, 50 during WOT and 45 at standard operation. Highest oil temp it hit was 205 for like 10 seconds and the highest coolant temp it hit was 201, but promptly went back down to 194-195. Trans temp hit 173 I think.

https://youtu.be/603Vdi9Ob8Q