Help me buy a 12 valve cummins!

[Darwin]

Been looking long and hard. Here are a few I have found.

First one is a manual with 270k and an ugly paint job.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1945902832.html

Another ugly paint job with a new built auto and 209k.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1945402765.html

Third one is a manual with a broken tach now fixed with unknown mileage.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&n...iew&ad=3090639


Let me know what you all think!

[Terrainist]

Some other options for your purchasing pleasure. Hard to go wrong with a dodge diesel. There is one with a fiberglass utility body on it ... hint, hint.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1940216586.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1943534291.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/1891202980.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/pts/1941884922.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1871424473.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1935347105.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1875722605.html

[DT75FLH]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48418

:sombrero:

[Terrainist]

Been lookin' at that truck too, she's a nice one.

[Darwin]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=48418
PM sent!

[redthies]

Buy the first one! The 5 speed is what you want!!! That is a great deal. Well, get it for $6000 and it is a better deal...

[Darwin]

Well things fell through so I am back in the market again on the never ending quest it seems to buy a decent cummins. If anyone finds anything let me know.

thanks.

[Terrainist]

Give me a good description of what you want, don't want, price range, etc, and a search area, I'll keep my eyes open. The one in NV seemed nice.

[Terrainist]

Here's some.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1959886598.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1960679871.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1962250497.html

[Darwin]

Thanks. Yes the one in NV was the one I was hoping to get. I was planning on flying there today to pick it up! The seller backed out last night.

I am looking for a 12 valve extended cab long bed.

[Terrainist]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1957760399.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1887793462.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1952756316.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1959107758.html
http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/1964396541.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1964764898.html

[Darwin]

Thanks for posting. I called on one of the craigslist ads you posted but the truck was sold. Another one I called and its still for sale but somebody is supposedly coming by tonight with cash to buy it. I will keep searching!

[Terrainist]

Here's quite a few others. Think I got some in there you weren't interested in, but I narrowed them down for you. You can save the ones you like. Good luck finding a truck!

http://showlow.craigslist.org/cto/1956158733.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1945759467.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1950357195.html
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/1946069479.html
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/1931704632.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1917173224.html
http://prescott.craigslist.org/cto/1925573100.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1954638667.html
http://tucson.craigslist.org/ctd/1966316961.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/ctd/1967757933.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1941252703.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/1964026997.html
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1940415579.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/1964673218.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1966273885.html

[Darwin]

What do you all think of this one? I did a carfax and verified the mileage to be correct. I would definitely change a few things if i bought it like remove the 5 inch lift in favor of a 3 .

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1952756316.html

[Terrainist]

I would make sure the 4:11 gearing would work for what you want to do (will it cruise the interstate at decent RPM?). I'm not that familiar with gearing. The HID lighting, it is my understanding that if it is not wired correctly (a few in line relays?), then the in cab headlight switch will burn out at a faster than desired rate. And someone told me that the automatic transmissions in these things are only good for about 100,000 miles. However, I have read of people getting 250,000 out of them. The transmission is something to pay attention to, as they are spendy.

It's a low miler engine, and the truck is a good price for the miles. But these dodge diesels go 600,000 miles regularly with good maintenance. There is a 'how many miles on your truck' thread on the DTR, and there is a guy with a claimed 1.3 million miles on his motor. So don't be overly leery of "high" mileage trucks, good maintenance is key - pertaining to just about anything dealing with vehicles. A truck with 230,000 miles might just be getting broken in motor wise. I have 300,000 miles on mine and it runs like a top.

When you inspect a truck to buy, a quick and dirty way to check for 'blow by', one indicator of engine wear, is to pull the oil filler cap off while the truck is running. If there is any smoke coming out of the opening, then be concerned.

Curious as to what other dodge owners and enthusiasts have to say about this truck as well.

[Darwin]

I appreciate the input and advice. I am not really stuck on looking for a low mileage cummins for the reasons you state. That 98 I wanted to buy had 245k.

This truck is definitely not set up the way I would have it if I owned it. I would get rid of the 5 inch lift more than likely and go to a 3 inch. The HID lights I do not care much about. As far as the gearing goes I think I would probably prefer taller gears for cruising highway speeds. Right now I have 4:10's on my f 250 but the thing is so underpowered that I couldn't imagine going lower. I much prefer a stock height or less than 3 inch lift than a lot of those lifted beasts you see around. I guess you can't have it all.

[billy bee]

Two words for you: Tex As. Really. Fly to San Antonio with a stack of cash and hang out for a few days. One will pop up.

I found my 24V in Denver. I was lucky that the seller was busy and could not return calls. I hounded him for days. Got a good truck and a good deal. But as you are discovering, they go quickly.

bb

[jeepdreamer]

Two words for you: Tex As. Really. Fly to San Antonio with a stack of cash and hang out for a few days. One will pop up.

I found my 24V in Denver. I was lucky that the seller was busy and could not return calls. I hounded him for days. Got a good truck and a good deal. But as you are discovering, they go quickly.

bb

I agree...I went home on leave and the night I spent in the hotel waiting for my am flight to Atlanta I hopped on CL. Found one right off the bat, went that night and bought it! 99 QC 4X4 Manual 3/4 ton. 166k miles and even the leather interior is near perfect! 6500 bucks. Needs paint to be pretty on the outside (like I care!?!) and some normal Dodge steering issues need to be addressed. But it came with rear air bags and a big @$$ exhaust...
I'd look in TX and southern NM.

[Darwin]

I have been checking Texas. I will keep looking. My old man just moved to San Antonio so buying one there would be very easy. I also have flight benefits so I can expand my search to include pretty much everywhere east of the mississippi. The problem I have run into though is many I have seen down there are two wheel drive or dually. Anyways I will keep looking, thanks for the heads up!

[Terrainist]

Sounds like you were/are willing to do some work on that Inland Empire truck. If you're willing to work a little bit on a truck, might not rule the duallies out. They can be converted to single rear wheel fairly 'easy'. Can take the bed off and sell it, put a flat bed on. And sometimes they can be had cheaper than the 3/4 ton counter part. There are a couple dually conversions on the boards here, they're nice.

Some other trucks. Good luck in your search!
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1969937539.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1916737054.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1902491895.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/1941897740.html
http://sierravista.craigslist.org/cto/1910329269.html

[DT75FLH]

as far as gearing.....what size tire do you want to run?

with 3.55 gears and a 285/75/16 tire (32.83" tall)and auto. I am turning around 1800-1900 @ 75 mph...

if you plan on running a 35" tire or 315/75/16 (34.6" tall) and an auto I would want the 4.10 gears. good compromise on highway/off road...with a 3" lift and 35" tires you wont sacrifice any mileage and would have more clearance off road

[redthies]

I had 3.54s and 35" tires with my 12 valve and auto. Seemed ok to me. Maybe a bit slow on the highway...