therobzilla

Well I finally did it, after some serious reasearch off this board, and a long and hard period of waiting, I purchased my first diesel.

I have spent about 2 months lurking and reading the information off this board for all the necessary information to make a formulated plan and to understand what I need to look for in purchasing a CTD, KDP, VP44, Block 53 the whole gambit.

After looking at least, 20 trucks, and getting down to 3 I found what I was looking for, no block 53, original owner w/ records, Lift Pump and VP44 recently replaced, no PCM or ECM codes, I bought it today.

I purchased a 1999 3500,4x4, Manual Trans, 4:10 gears, factory towing package, factory swaybar, totally loaded except leather. 126K miles, recent replacement of VP44, and lift pump. Not a scratch on her, new rubber, almost no blow by, with an added custom matched utility body, with 5th wheel. I paid 14K for it.

I'm OK with the price, but the really happy with the truck. After looking at so many trucks, this was by far the best I looked at.

Soooooo, I'm now going to be lurking in the background more, need to learn more about these diesels.

I purchased to to tow my 72 K5 Blazer that I wheel all the time. It's just about to become a trailer queen, as it's beat beyond hope.

So, no more getting spanked by the tow rigs when heading up to Moab, UT or Farmington, NM.

I wanted to thank everyone here for the excellent tech and feedback that you have provided to this site, and to the moderators for allowing newbie's the ability to use the search button. Excellent customer service. I am a moderator on coloradok5.com, and I understand what a great internet board is about, and this is one of them.

You will be seing my donation to this board by the end of the week, this board has saved me some serious money by showing me what to look for in a CTD.

Thanks and great board everone......

therobzilla
wheeling fool

Smokee

Welcome to the board, therobzilla, and welcome to the world of Cummins diesel. I don't thin that you will be sorry for your well-researched purchase!

Tengu

Congrats and welcome aboard. I cannot relate to the reserch that you have done as I got into my CTD through dumb luck It was just the biggest baddest looking and sounding truck I have ever seen! I couldn't agree more with you on the value of this site. Good luck.

Commatoze

Hey, the new rides sounds great. Lots of luck and many miles with her, and welcome!

kandgo

Congradulations on the new to you truck. Welcome and don't lurk jump in with both feet and learn and help. Goodluck,,, Rick

jrs_dodge_diesel

Congrats, sounds like you got a awesome truck.

kd460

Welcome! It sounds like you got a nice truck at a nice price!

Think about the money you will save if fuel alone.

Get yourself a fuel pressure gauge ASAP. The fuel pressure (or the lack of) is probably why your vp44 failed in the first place. The lift pump became sub par, and it starved the injection pump. So a pressure gauge is cheap insurance. Other gauges to follow as the mods require, but fuel pressure is a must.

Do lots of reading and saving of files, build up a personal reference library. It's amazing what you can learn from websites like this. A great group. Always willing to help, and it will also save you tons of $$$.

Next thing to do is find your local Cummins parts supplier and get to know them as well. Good luck with your new purchase, Kevin

Craig93

Thats the way to do it, and your efforts were well worth it by the sounds of it. Congrats on the purchase of a truck that will change your life for ever!

farmer dave

Welcome to the forum! You got one heck of a deal on that truck, I just sold a 97 for 13000. Good job on the research, I am sure you will love your truck. Good luck
dave