I found a 97 3500 12 valve 5 speed 4x4 ext cab with flatbed, I don't mind the flatbed. It's at a private independent local car dealer (a big nice dealer) and it's listed for $8997.00. It looks great and says it's a one owner and all regular service has been performed on time over it's life. Well of course I don't trust a dealer but it seems worth looking at. Give me a list of what trouble areas to look and ask for.

 

KDP, steering issues, of course you always crawl underneath and see if and where fluids are bleeding out of it.

Ask him what if any modifications have been done--fuel plate, timing, cold air intake, etc. Many of these guys will have no idea what you are talking about. You ask this question not to find out the answer but to test his knowledge. If he says he does not know or (worse yet) tells you it has "all that stuff" and you can see the stock airbox right in front of your eyes, then you have learned something about him. Do not let him know you know, until it is of value to you in the negotiation.

Take a buddy who is a diesel tech over there if you know one, especially if the salesman is blowing smoke up your skirt, and let him look it over.

In the end they will only cut the price so much, but your job is to make them cut it, and anything you can do from the basis of superior knowledge will be to your advantage.

Ask for the name of the Previous Owner, too. Might be a very good source of info. There is a decent chance that he already hates that dealership more than you ever will.:-)

 

how many miles on the truck, where are you located, I have a 96 listed for a friend in the classifieds, it is in Maryland, near Baltimore

 

200K miles on it, truck is in Nashville Tn. is the truck you have listed on this site's classifieds?

 

yes it is...... 2nd gen section, trucks for sale..... down to page 2 or 3 by now 1996 4x4