Rokcrlr

I'm thinking of buying a 2000 2wd ram with the cummins and auto LWB. The truck has over 200,000 miles , and the engine was completely rebuilt at about 150,000. Kid driving it ran it out of fuel and tried starting it with TOO much ether. Any way the truck is only $5500. It is a quad cab with air pw,pl sc ,nice looking truck. I don't know if it has the V44 pump andor if it has ever been changed, the owner didn't say when I talked to him, and I forgot to ask. O can't afford 15,000 -20,000 for a nicer truck right now. Oh it also has had a flatbed put on it . Can anyone give me some advice and tell me WHYI shouldn't buy this truck. The miles are almost all highway, pulling a 5th wheel hauling wood furniture. Any help woill be appreciated. HELP!!!!
Thanks

Geico266

Welcome to DTR

Sounds to me like you are buying a lot of trouble. If the kid ran it out of fuel the VP44, lift pump is suspect at best. Do a fuel pressure check on it before you buy it.

What was rebuilt and by who? What did they do and why? You need to ask alot of questions before you throw $5K at this truck.

BTW, ANY ether on a Cummins is a bad thing.

Rokcrlr

The engine was completely rebuilt 3 years ago at 130,000, now has 250,000 on it. I would they would have did something with the fuel pump also, but the ether would have been sprayed down the intake , shouldn't have effected the pump. Does this engine have a V44 on it

Geico266

Yes, to the VP-44.

After putting 130K on it after the rebuild I guess you have proof it runs okay.

The ether going in where the grid heaters are is the problem. It expodes before it gets into the cylinders.

Check the fuel pressure before you buy it. Should be 10-15 PSI.

If you buy it get an in cab fuel pressure guage ASAP. No excuses! It will save you $$$$ in repairs.

Rokcrlr

Does anyone else have any input on this?? I see 60 people have read the post.
Will find out tomorrow about the fuel pump on this I hope
Thnaks for any help. I have never owned a cummins and not sure if the 2000 is a good idea since it is the first year of the VP-44 pump.

NoSeeUm

I would buy it if it were me. Have a mechanic check it out for you as a precaution if it would make you feel better. 5K is next to nothing for a truck.

Of course in my case, I would likely be wanting to maybe shorten the rear axle, a posi and put slicks on it.....

Jim

hamilton71801

Also, you need to check and see if it's a "53" block cause they are prone to cracking but for the price, it seems like a good deal.

PaulDaisy

I would buy it for the price but personally prefer a 4x4. Is a flatbed something you will want? Even if not, for $5k I think you can't go wrong, especially if you are at all mechanically inclined. Doing your own touch-up on a truck with this mileage for this price - how can one go wrong. To me the only drawback is, its a 2wd. Then again, I hunt and snow is deep...
-P

D2 Cat

If the flat bed, two wheel drive and any other accessories it has or doesn't have suits you...I'd still take it to a local indep. mechanic had have them give it a once over. They usually only charge whatever their hourly fee is. Also, I'd try to find who rebuilt the engine, contact them and see if they remember any details, or determine their competency. With this info. you be in a better position to make a good decision.

RustyJC

If it has a flatbed, was it originally a pickup or a C&C (cab and chassis)? The frames, suspension, etc. are different between the two. The 2WD pickup has independent front suspension; the C&C has a beam axle.

Rusty

Rokcrlr

It was originally a pickup and the bed got damaged so they put on the flatbed. The truck is a 2wd and I would rather have a 4x4, but maybe I can use it for awhile and sellit later on when I find a 4x4.
Thanks for the help guys. Oh and case people didn't see it it is loaded with all power
Thanks,

John DiMartino

sounds like you cant go wrong to me,dont worry about the vp44,your luck is no better with a low mileage ,clean 2002.IMO,the 2000's was the best yr for the vp44.The 98.5-early 99s had trouble,the 01-02s had a lot of trouble,late 99 and 2000 were the least troublesome.My 2000 still has the original vp44,130K+ counting most of it with a drag comp box.If you cam,get it checked out by a local mechanic.Id still buy it if it had low fuel pressure,and ran well.A new lift pump is cheap,and doesnt always mean the vp44 is going to go out.