Hiya,

I'm new to these trucks.... first post.

98 12V 5spd 2500 3.5axle 2wd is what I'm looking at on a lot, with about 80k miles.

1) What is the factory tow rating with the 3.5 axle ? (I've found a 14k rating for the 4.10).

Fluids haven't been kept up..... rad overflow tank is empty, rad seems full though, but with the top coupla rows rotted.

2) How sensitive is this block to old anti-freeze ?

I can live with changing a rad, but don't want more related headaches.....

2a) Can these rads be re-cored, or do they have plastic headers ?

3) How sensitive is the engine to low motor oil ?

(The stick read about 1" BELOW the Add line). Oil is very black (I get the impression reading here that these 12V run v. clean, esp. for a diesel) so is likely way past change due, or just a bad grade of oil.

4) The bottom end of the oil dipstick is not flat, more like a round ball, with a somewhat discolored tinge. Is this normal, or a symptom of something going nuclear ?

Haven't driven this yet.... they are open to letting me take an extended test drive, so I'd like to assume the engine isn't grossly damaged.

Should I pass on this one, or spend the $ to get my mechanic to check it out ?

Rgds,

 

These trucks are grossly under rated in their towing abilities. I met another guy with a '98 12v with an auto and 3.54 gears that tows 15K every day of the week. In fact, most guys here say that you don't want 4.10s unless you're going to be towing OVER 15k, so I'd say you'd be safe to tow about 15k or so with your truck, assuming everything is in good working order.

 

Thnx for the info l***9.

I'm guessing that is a "built" auto.... I get the impression a stock auto wouldn't live long doing those 15k pulls, one reason I'm innarrested in this 5 speed stick truck.

I'm budgeting for a 10k trailer (total) load, but prefer to over-engineer my pull vehicle, the main reason I'm looking at these trucks.....

 

black oil and Dip stick is normal, low oil (still on the stick) is OK I have run mine 1 gal low many times and im at 700k now. replace the radiator and be done with it there not to expensive, and like said it will pull more then there rated for. the engine will be your least worry . plastic pieces are more the pain.

 

Thnx rebal.... always good to hear from someone who's been there.....

I'd heard these are tough motors..... just trying to run the numbers..... if I have to end up changing the turbo and the fuel pump (I think the 12's are engine lubed ?) just because some clown was too lazy to change the oil...... I'm guessing that could be as much money again as buying the truck.

(I'm in Canada, so parts are usually 2x+ your side of the border. I've learned to take the time to drive to NY state to buy parts.....)

Thnx again.

 

They are incredibly stupid to not have changed the oil, and these engines do not run clean, so you cannot tell by the oil color at all.

If you can, use that and the Rad to beat them for the price, but an 80K mile 12 valve is about as close to nirvana as you get.

You need to kill the KDP as soon as possible, be aware that 5th gear nut might back off, but easy fix especially with the 2WD.

 

Thnx Pat..... I'm used to olde school (Ag) diesels, I expect them to run black oil.... was getting confused with these Cummins, as I've seen posts about how they run with very clear oil (more than a few posts too.... mebbe just a joke on us Cummins newbies ?)

May test drive this next week..... they are listing it about $4500 higher than the highest book listing I can find, and it's not mint - not a beaten on work truck either, but definitely not mint. So yeah, I would need to do some hammering on price.......

I'd read about the 5spd nut, but also had a brief conversation with a local ace mechanic today concerning the 5'th gear bearing - I THINK this was just an issue (limited lubrication) if the truck was towed (ie. breakdown), but will check back with him about this if I get serious about buying this truck...... the sense I got was that 5'th is turning soooooo slowwww that some of these stick tranis haven't been getting enough lubrication to this bearing. I'm not 100% clear on this yet, but have known this mech long enough to pay further attention when he flags an issue.

 

the nv 4500 is a good tranny and most guys run all of them 1 quart over (G360 NV 4500/5600 5TH will fall off if you tow in 5th after that go to quad 4x4 and put a torque king shaft in it that will solve that permanently

 

I don't much care for the $4,500 above list part, but with only 80,000 on the Odo, I agree with patdaly--close to nirvana.

I paid more than list for my '95 that I bought in 2000. But it was a low-mileage truck, and had most of the upgrades that I wanted--PacBrake, Rhino liner, TST plate, 2 Mag Hytecs, tool box, cd player. So counting the upgrades I got a good price. Does the '98 you are looking at have any aftermarket goodies on it? If so, you can factor that in.

 

You are looking at what I have. Bought it 4 years ago and don't hardly use it - mostly just a toy. Fellow I bought it from only used it to tow a 5th wheel down in the states. Before taking it down south, he had it rust proofed so it's in pretty good shape. I was wondering what is the book list price for this truck (pretty much stock,2wd,ext cab,8ft box) with 214000 Kms on the clock?

 

the only time the oil will be relatively clear is if you use non detergent oil, (it's not recommended)

 

Well.... the truck sold on Monday.

The only thing I was really stuck on figuring out was the tow limit....
had to go out of town Friday to a funeral.... couldn't hold a cell long enough
with DC Canada to get that. A guy walked in Monday morning, and bought the truck on the spot.

Hindsight is 20/20......knowing what I know now, I would have put a deposit on it early, conditional on a 10k tow limit (DC said on Tues. to use a 5'th wheel between 10k# and 12,300#..... so best I can tell it is 10k bumper).

This is why I don't buy lottery tickets... that truck had been sitting with that
dealer since December !!!!

Learned a lot here.... thnx guys. The 5spd nut and shaft upgrade didn't bother me that much, aside from DP, the main thing that truck needed ASAP was a radiator.

Lyall - where are you in Canada ? PM me if you ever want to sell... had to say it b4 everyone else !

Book price on these trucks seems low, compared to market lately, the highest book I could find was $8500. This truck sold for $11,800 Canadian, pretty much stock except for a bedliner. Body had a few scrapes, but pretty clean overall.

Yep, that's my "One that got away" for sure......

 

I'm in the Ottawa area. Let you know if I ever selling it.

 

Thnx Lyall, I'd appreciate it if you did.

I live near Toronto, but get up to the Valley fairly often (2 weeks out in fact) as I have family in Ottawa.

I think my PM is setup OK (I could PM myself just now), but will PM you my contact info next. Rgds.