astep577

Hey guys, I need some input:
Currently, I drive a 2000 1/2 ton silverado. I bought it at 130K in high school and have brought to 177K today with a new tranny, wheel bearings, alternator, and of course, exhaust haha. It has the 4.8 and I average 12 around town and 14 on the highway.
My main usage has drifted from twenty to forty miles around town each day to a 200 mile commute between home and college a few weekends each month. This summer, and probably other here on out, I will be doing a decent amount of highway miles, but still need the benefits of a truck. I need something more fuel efficient but I will still utilize a bed on a regular basis. I also tow cattle a few times over the course of the year.
I am looking at some quad cab dodges but everything is around $10-15K with over 100,000 miles. Specifically, I found a 2003 with 169K for $12K. If I take the plunge and buy it, am I going to be replacing parts on a regular basis?
I can't afford to spend $12K if it will need a couple hundred every few months.
What do you think?
Thanks

J-man

Diesels are known for their longevity, but you are always running some risk buying something older. I would suggest having a mechanic look it over to check the obvious and if he doesn't see anything too bad then go for it.

highmileage

Pull up the hour reading on the odometer.It may be relatively low hrs/mile.Mine should hit on 400k miles this week.But it was a hotshotter.Mine runs as new and reliable.Ask the dealer if the ft band could be adjusted and see how many threads are showing afterwards.If barely none,it is probably worn out.Has it been hotboxed?If so,you can be sure that the injectors are showing pressure erosion internally.If you dont know diesels,esp these,I would suggest getting someone who does to look at it for you.As good as these trucks are,they can turn into a $$ trap fast.$2k plus for injectors,$5k plus on tranny and converter.Has it been ran on synthetic lubricants(if so,run from it) maybe ask for some background on the truck or service records.Here locally,these trucks are in high demand and are bringing more than their worth.

hector

Really,Does that mean that the truck is on it's last leg ?? Are synthetic lubricants bad to use or will in some way destroy the truck ??

astep577

I've got a pretty good idea of what to look for. I was going to rule it out if it looked like it had been romped around or chipped, but judging from the pics, it looks like a grandpa's stock truck.
I realize there will be wear and tear, maybe what I was trying to ask is would anyone buy a stock cummins with 169K on the odometer for that much cash? My main fear is buying a truck and then watching the tranny blow in the first year. There are risks with everything obviously, but is this around the age/mileage where things start going south?
Thanks for the help

nelrod

577, unless your current truck is down, one option is to keep looking for a lower mileage truck within your budget (if you have misgivings about the 03). Sounds like you have looked enough to know the market price. If you need a truck and it is for sure a well maintained truck in good shape and not wrecked or abused, then go with your gut feeling on the truck. Of course always a good possibility to have to replace clutch - - -or rebuild auto with that many miles. good luck

nelrod

High mileage, curious to know about why run if synthetics used. I value your opinion since you have such high miles, and make a living with your truck. Not trying to start argument, as I use dino and synthetics in different engines I own. Thanks for your opinion

Grit Dog

It shouldn't be a money pit if it's well maintained and a "stock grandpa truck" like you said.
Ck engine hrs. If it was mostly highway, hrs will be around 4000-4500. More hrs will indicate more in town and idling.
Looking at trucks with that kind of mileage, I'd want to see recent recepits for things like new front end parts, U joints, water pump, lift pump, preferrably a freshly rebuilt trans or new clutch, brakes, shocks, front unit bearings, etc.
To me a higher mileage vehicle (150k or so) that has had "nothing" done to it is good from the standpoint that it was likely well taken care of (or a reallly lucky owner), but is a money pit waiting to happen.
A high mileage vehicle that has had everything replaced early on and possibly a 2nd time recently means it was run hard or beat on, or not maintained the best.(or a unlucky owner)
I'd pay more for a good condition high miler that had alot of the wear parts recently replaced than one that likely has a bunch of impending repairs.
Fuel system care would also be high on my list as well. Not necessarily secondary filtration as there's alot of high mle trucks that get good injector and CP3 life out of stock filtration and quality filters. I'd just want to see that the truck was being fed good fuel filters with regular filter changes.

FunFinder5

I bought mine from an auction dealer for $7k out the door. It had 206,000 miles on it when i got it... I didn't blink twice with that kind of mileage and price.

Even still I think $12K is a good deal for one with less than 170K miles. Mine gets a steady 20mpg Hwy and ~15mpg City. I've put less than $400 into mine so far (rear break calipers & upper valve body). The 48RE auto is pretty stout with stock power output. My tranny builder that put the upper valve body (was very hard to shift out of park... ) in for me confirmed for me that this transmission is the original and has never been rebuilt. He wasn't even sure if it had been regularly serviced and thought it might of had the original fluid in it at 208K. Even still it shifts nice and firm and expect for the 1-2 shift shutter I have zero issues with it now.

DrewGzy

I'd go for it; just check things over like everyone mentioned.

I just got into my first 3rd generation truck and couldn't be happier. I bought it with 311,000 miles on it knowing that it was a risk but I'd do it again assuming the price was right.

nismostate

i picked up my all stock 03 for 14.5k with 78k mi. hopefully no problems coming up. first things i did was change all the fluids and filters. shes running great and like new. 19mpg city/hwy w/ Sjr.

BLACKBEAR

I saw an 03 or 05 for sale the other day with 54.000 on it start looking on line for I don't rember where i was ===Good Luck

Boy i jest found it on TDR in the for sale part 2003 Lariet 4 WD 4.10 gear 6 speed White price B/O 50.000 miles