thenrie

I'm looking at a truck on the Internet. It's an 02 2500 5.9L CTD, 4x4, 6sp manual, QCLB. Just what I'm looking for. Except it has 283K on it. Now he indicates the ball joints were rebuilt last summer and the clutch and flywheel were was replaced 50K ago, injection pump 70K ago, and he lists some other power and mileage management mods, like Edge Juice, also comes with a snow plow (which I don't need), pics show it needs a new driver's seat. According to my best guess on KBB, his asking price is in-range. What kind of things would worry you about this vehicle? For a couple thou more I could get one with 100K fewer miles, but I might end up having to do work on it that has already been done on the above truck. Opinions?

RickCJ

The engine should outlast the truck, so if the truck is decent the mileage shouldn't scare you.

nickg

mine has more mileage, and the last thing I ever worry about is the engine, its everything else that wears out, as mentioed above, give it a good inspection (pay someone if you have to) and if it checks out, make an offer that your comfortable with

D2 Cat

The plow would concern me. If it's been in much use check for EXTRA rust and wear. And if you don't see it now you will in the future. A plow is the best way I know to expedite the demise of a good truck.

Midnite

I agree--the plow would make me want to eyeball that front suspension in particular very closely. Hopefully he at least installed a set of Timbrens.

The mileage is the last thing I'd worry about.

Mike

thenrie

What are Timbrens, so I can ask about that? I have no experience with plows, except on my garden tractor!

justme-

yeah, as a plower myself I make it a rule to never buy a used plow truck unless it's less than 3 years old. Too many people with no clue how to plow running them and abusing the truck to pieces.
The condition of the plow should tell you a lot- if it's like new that's good, if it's well used and repainted may want to back away. Pretty easy to see when

Check for rust hidden - plow trucks rust, it's a fact of life. Especially after 9 years.

thenrie

Pics of the underside from the rear look clean. Where, specifically, should I look for rust? What damage should I look for in the front end? He indicated the plow hyd pump was recently rebuilt and the cutting edge was replaced 2 seasons ago, so the blade, at least is probably in good shape (I would sell it anyway), but no pics provided of underneath the front end of the truck. I was interested because, apparently, a lot of the work I might have to do on a younger truck is already done.

I haven't yet contacted the guy yet (he's probably a member of the forum...he'll be the guy telling me to buy it at any price...hehe). I'm just trying to make a list of intelligent questions to ask him, since I won't be able to actually inspect the vehicle myself, and don't have any contacts there to do it for me. If I decide to do it, I'll have to contact a local garage to go take a look at it for me.

Thanks for your input so far.

SIXSLUG

283K miles is almost 36K/year since new. Those may be highway miles with a bit of plowing, or 8 winters of heavy plowing, I'd ask.

I'd avoid a work truck with that many miles, regardless of shape.

Just my .02

1-2-3

I know someone that got an 05 with 258k miles on it a year ago. I was a bit skeptical but it turned out to be a very good reliable truck.

SIXSLUG

Its the plowing that worries me.

roughstock

Plowing is hard on trucks. Mostly the front end parts, and the tires. And the Transmission, and the transfer case. And the Ujoints. and the rear end, because of all the things you back into. A plow truck with 283K.
Id pass.

thenrie

He says he's had the plow about 4 years, but never used it on the roads; just for personal use for himself and his brother's place. Still, 283K miles is a lot of miles. I think I'm going to keep looking. Thanks for the input.

waterhaul_36

just remember they made millions of these trucks If it doesnt work for you there is one out there that will. me personally I like em with less than 150k, might be out of your price range though. you'll find what your looking for just be patient....

justme-

For completeness of the thread -
You want to look for rust on the plow and plow frame- that is an indicator of how old the plow is- old plow means lots of plow time no matter what the seller says. Rust to the cab mounts, door bottoms, cab floor, linkages... that kind of stuff shows up first on normal trucks and even faster on plowing trucks.

You want to see the frame horns front and rear- looking for evidence of bending/straightening. Someone here posted a few weeks ago about bending the frame from plowing in an 18inch heavy snow storm...unusual especially when plowing with a storm, but happens and damage can happen gradually is the operator does not plow properly.
Look for any accident damage, then look for accident damage that could be covered over easily/repaired from the 10 foot mark.
Plow pumps don't need replacing for personal use systems- original pump in mine and motor- my other truck has the original on engine pump from 1986 and they have both been plowing commercially....although Dodge trucks often get Meyer plows which have poor service life.
Plowing for the city/town is not usually done with pickups so mileage is not relevant with a plow truck- I plow at least 4 times the distance my odometer registers when plowing- lots of back and forth in driveways. Also, a plow operator should NOT be backing into things.....