well the title says it all, i need to buy a new (to me) truck. i have never owned a diesel but i very capable of working on anything. now lets get down to why i need a CTD. i need a truck that is foremost reliable. secondly, i need to pull a 7k - 9k load. third, it needs to get good mileage. Forth, i dont want an auto (see reliability) lastly. i dont need a 4x4 but i would not hurt.

my budget is about 9000 bucks.

also i cant leave well enough alone (see sig for play toy) so it will get some mods.

so 12v? or 24v? year?

Thanks a bunch.

BTW you all have a great site, i have been reading and lurking here for almost a week.

 

Well, there is hope for you. I just snagged a '95 with 100k miles and auto. Yes, it has an auto, but when it craps out (when, not if) I will put in a built tranny. I paid $9000 for the truck. It doesn't have a speck of rust on it. It has a b&w turnover ball, nerfs, auto meter trans and pyro and 7" stacks in the bed! Get yourself some!

 

i can find them all day for under 9k

 

If u can find a lower milage 4x4 5spd 12v for under 9k, get it, and get it quick, lol. Even high milage won't hurt. The 24v's are alittle more tempermental when it comes to fuel problems (see Vp44), but still great trucks, but are mostly gonna be a couple grand above $9k, and ur gonna want to keep money aside for when the vp44 goes out.

96-98 12v manuals have the 215 stock pump, but the prior years 94+ can be turned up real nice to. Just get a nice condition one and u'll be happy. And as far as power and reliabilty, well theres guys on here with 500+hp and 1100+tq daily drivers.

 

I'd go with a 12v, the stuff you have to worry about with them seems a lot simpler/cheaper to fix than something like having a VP44 go out on a 24v. But, with a 24v you can get electronics and stuff which I have to admit can be kind of fun, but a 12v can make that kind of power just as easy, just in different way.

 

I just picked up my 94 2500 4x4 (yes unfortunately with auto) for $5900. It needs painted, but runs great and has no rust. 5 speeds seem to be harder to find and people want more money for them. I would suggest a 12v for the price range you want to be in. check out the DTR classifieds.

Good luck and welcome,
Nick

 

thanks guys

 

Can you be a little more specific as to what you want.