Ok I found a pretty good deal on a 97 extended cab long bed cummins. It has 191,000 mileson it and used to be an auto but someone swapped out the tranny andnow its a 5 speed. It has a southbend 4200dd, new HD transfer case, 150 horse injectors, Fass, and gauges. (The last three havent been installed yet). He is asking 7300 but I am going to have him keep some of the extras that I dont need such as rims, brushgaurd, and extra performance parts to knock off some of thecost. If I can pick it up for around 6400 do you guys think this is a good deal. He says the only thing wrong with it is that the 3rd gear syncronizer ring needs to be replaced. So my question is how hard is this to replace and if I cannot do it myself how much will it cost to be done. THis is the major determining factor on it. THanks guys for all the help.

 

I would give interest to the truck for that price, but have you driven it? What shape is it in?

As far as the synchro goes, it can be done by yourself but you'll need to either buy or make some special tools. Just changing the ring requires pulling the rear bearing on one of the shafts (I forget which, I think the counter, maybe both?) which I managed to make a puller for (not fun though) and you'll need to shim up some new bearings, dial indicator with mag base works for checking end play. Not to mention the 5th gear nut, which I made a socket for with a 1-1/2" floor flange and some 1/4" square keys welded to it to fit in the spline. These are the biggies I remember. Anything can be done, just a matter of if you want to - or in my case, have to!

Call some transmission shops around and get a rough idea. I'd say if 3rd synchro is shot, others are not too far behind though. If you could get it down into the 5g's I'd buy it and rebuild the tranny. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info. I have not seen or driven it yet. It is about 3 hours away from my home near my parents house so I was thinking about going back this weekend to look at it. I just wanted to make sure that it was worth my time before I drive that far. I was thinking about low balling him to see what he said. He said that the truck is still driveable but it will need to be replaced soon. So I dunno how he knows thats whats wrong with it or what, but Im hoping that he will come down in price cause I am wanting one bad. THanks again