Well I've seen quite a few very high mile dodges for sell around my area. Wondering what you guys thoughts on 12v 4x4 200k+ dodges? I know what to look for, for the most part (turbo, tranny, x-case, axles, how much it's towed, etc)

But your opinions?

Granted I'm a college student and I can do about 90% of my own work aside from ripping a engine and tranny apart and having it back together in a decent amount of time.

 

I don't really think that Cummins are considered "High Mileage" until 600,000 miles...

Common logic, especially for somebody who doesn't mind wrenching on things, is that as long as the truck runs and sounds good the odometer isn't really relevant. You can find trucks with 800,000 miles left on them that have plenty of life yet.

 

I agre with Beagle. These trucks were designed and built to be worked, so they're gonna have some miles on them. After looking the truck over, the next best clue to the conditon of the vehicle is the rest of the owners yard and stuff. Take a peek around (without being rude) and notice how he/she takes care of his/her other equipment. My truck had a pretty tough previous life, but it was all I could afford. Now that I've built the tranny and rear, I've got into it about what I would have paid for a truck that didn't need the work, so it kind of evens out. As for the engine, it's just a hoss. Runs stronger the harder I work it. 411,000 miles.

 

Good advice on the looking around part. I found one I"m going to check on that is being sold in a very rich neigborhood. Hell the background of the house (i'm assuming his) is incredible. My only gripe is if and when is the tranny going south with 200k+ on it.

G1625S I'm with you on the what I can afford routine. I love diesels, I love my old chevy, but I need to switch it out for something better.

 

After what ive seen on some high mileage trucks,

IE Gunracer1's trucks, and even Mike from hotroddiesels, i dont even think mine is broken in yet at 180K..

Rick

 

Look for a manual if possible, and yes, maintance records tell much.

Check my signature as for my thoughs on 200k + trucks!

 

Front end problems would be a thing to look at. Front hub bearings, track bar, ball jounts. Last high mileage I looked at the owner didn't even know it had a fuel filter. Truck I sold before the one in my signature was a 97 with 235k the motor was fine. I'd replaced the tran, and clutch, 5spd., and most of the front end.

 

Well just test drove a nice dodge with 250k on it. Front end all redone, new brakes front/rear.... BUT... tranny is slipping pretty bad thou. He's asking 8.2k which isn't bad, but the the transmission will have to be replaced in at least the next 10k... what to offer?

 

Bad transmission auto? Let the owner eat at least half the cost.

 

Yes it's a auto. He directed me to a nice size hill (steep enough to put you back in the seat) and the transmission started having a coniption (sp?) fit up it and I was afraid to even stab it up the hill thinking the truck was gonna fry that tranny.

The body is a little rough, was a contractors truck. Inside isn't 100% great, shows some wear and good size rip on the drivers side. Contractor was a bigger guy from what the current owner says.

So my question is 1997 4x4 Ext Cab Longbed Dodge Cummins.... whats it worth? I'm thinking $7500 maybe less.

 

You sound about right on with the price. Mine is a stick, clean, not worked hard, had 110k when I bought it a few months back. I paid $12k

 

iF YOUR WILLING TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON A ROUGH TRUCK,WITH 250k AND A BAD TRANSMISSION GO TO THE AUCTION ,THATS ABOUT A 3,000 DOLLAR PIECE,PERSONALL i RUN AS FAST AS I COULD AWAY FROM IT.

 

Well I'm in a little bit of a pickle.. start my new internship for the summer, getting paid well for it, but just don't have the funds and will have to take a small auto loan. I'm more than willing for the auto loan part, been there, done that.

But I do hear ya Hmmajamma, I'm just anxious to get a diesel. I'm looking over a few more in my area I just don't want to take a seriously high loan out (i.e. 15k) because I'm still in college.

 

Bought my 95 std cab for $8600. Decent shape but needed tires, alt, and steering linkage needed attention. Not the best deal ever but better than yours being autos sell for less. I could have bought an original owner good shape 96 4x4 for $6K a month before.

 

I'd do some more looking for a better deal. Are you willing to travel, if not don't get in a rush unless you have to have it to make money. From what you discribed I'd say more like 5k or less. And then expect 1500+ to rebuild front and 2000+ to fix tran. If you want the interior fixed $? I think you could get the seat repaird for 2-250 depending on what you did replace.