Mine only has 164K but I dropped 12K on it and so far:
1 lift pump($500 I know I got screwed since it went into a shop)
4 shocks ($150)
front pads($50)
front rotors($75ea)
front wheel bearings($275ea)
fuel filler neck ($65)
fuel gasket on bleeder bolt ($1)
tires soon, +/-$700

Regardless of the miles it's a gamble. The things I have had to deal with are mainly the truck parts.

 

ya ... it gets expensive quick, when you gotta take it to a shop

sure glad I'm able to do all my own work!

 

Doing my own work isnt really a problem. Two of my best friends are mechanics, we are always doing some project of some sort. Alot of our nights out are spent under a friends hood. As for the I plan on doing, one of the mechanics has a 12v thats getting a built tranny good for 600 hp right now.
I think I am going to pass off the high millage truck. I dont see this turning out well... I found one with 102k on her, its a northern truck so rust may be a problem but they are asking 8k for it... Id have it put on the back of a truck and taken to me. Hmm...

 

wise call! especially if you can find one for slightly more, but under 100k miles.

much easier to find a deal if you like single cabs. extended cabs drives price up a bit.

there was a thread earlier about best places to look for CTD's. texas ranked right up there for pricing and condition.

 

I didnt know single cabs were easier to find. Honestly I like single cabs alot. My friends ext cab long bed is a bus! He has trouble parking it everywhere. Screw that!
Ive been waiting on Craiglist, autotrader and yahoo autos for awhile. Some no name dealership has to have one around GA or a state next to it. They just arent listed...
I guess its back to the drawing board. Thank you guys for all your comments, suggestions and what not for a noob to the diesel world.

 

yep... extra cab long bed is a bus!

but you get used to it. got two kids, so std cab is not an option. rather like my extra cab long bed

 

My truck was literally babied all it's life. 3/4 of its life highway miles, 3200 miles oil change average. Plan on replacing everything but the engine and frame. I am, but making a custom 3500 hauler. Starting next January I'll begin to spend easily 15,000. Wait to you see what you get if you put your own labor in it. Nothing on the market will touch it. We keep these trucks for their georgous motor. They are money pits, but done right you can rebuild with reliability.

 

got mine at 96k miles and have spent aprox. $200. for filters, trans syn fluid, timing cover seal (KDP), TC gsk, workshop manual, overflow valve, etc.

have had zero major issues, only minor one's like KDP and adjusting idle. but since I've got CTD, have gone down list of preventative items to take care of. truck had new tires and front end checked out perfect.

ball joints were pumped full of grease right off the bat. frt pads checked out. Ujoints are tight, diff fluid levels checked. all filters changed, belts and hoses checked out. with with K&N air filter.. etc..etc.

it really helps if you start out with a super clean truck!!!!!

without a doubt the best truck I've ever driven!!!

 

Wow, 96k on her? I didnt think those were still around. I would like to find one somewhere around 150k or less.

 

here's a 97 4x 5sp std cab 150k mile for $8500
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=492

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=897

 

**** I wish that red one was not in AZ. GA is a longggg way away. If I buy a truck, I look at it before. No matter how many pictures you take, it still does not do a good hour inspection the same thing. I found 2 in NC that are worth looking at. I found that silver one last night too. I guess Im in the right price range... 150k area, 4x4... single cab long bed... And both of those were even lifted.

 

Well, you COULD be making BIG payments on a new $60k truck and STILL have the SAME and WORSE problems to deal with after the warrantee expires. That's why I have a 12 valve and got rid of my 03. That and I needed the fifteen grand I sold the 03 for. I'm convinced my 12 valve will outlast me. The 03?, not so much...

 

I just read every one of these posts, and this point you made at the end is very true. The new diesels do not have the staying power the older ones do. I mean you can get on ebay and buy a new rebuilt guaranteed 12 valve and you got a new truck that will last the rest your life. I mean the down payment on a new truck would buy a new motor.

 

Shoot, a complete rebuild kit for a 12 valve is less than a thousand! And the down payment on a new fifty grand truck will buy you a bulletproff tranny, a new front suspension, Bilstein shocks, and everything else your 12 valve needs!

 

yup, Im building my 12V up to new again- but I have to get to the bottom of the steering slop- its driving me 100% nuts. Iv replaced everything except the pump,shaft and box and I still have a 1/8 turn of slop and get pulled over for not holding a lane often.