There is a 94 2500 CTD 4x4 automatic with a plow for sale that I am considering looking at. In the pictures the plow looks new, so I am not sure how long it was on there. What should I look at for potential issues if I go look at the truck? It has 101k miles.

Thanks,
Nick

 

I wouldnt touch a plow truck unless either he has installed a good aftermarket trans like DTT, Goerend's, etc. or you intend to shortly after buying it. Plowing kills transmissions and can cause cracks in the frame up front depending how hard it was used. Also make sure the front springs arent sagging from the extra weight.
Id look for rot too if its been in a colder climate where salt is used. pop out the turn signals and look in there at the wheelhouses with a flashlight. Check the cab floor where your feet are, as well as the front cab mounts, lower doorskins.

 

Unless it's been abused I wouldn't worry about it, transmission failures from plowing are mostly driver related somehow as soon as we put a driver on a truck they only last 2 years, while mine and my dad's 99 (traded for the 04) manage to go for 5 years and it's usually the planetaires that go. I know this doesn't give you any history but just a little personal experience.

The low mileage would tell me that it's spent most of it's life just plowing, our 98 has just over 50K miles (113,000km) and that's pretty much all it's ever done.

Other than everything already mentionned, just check out the steering components such as Drag Link, Track Bar etc... typical dodge stuff

 

I wouldn't touch it. There's a reason he's selling it, but he won't even mention them to you until you find out for yourself.

 

Id do it if you had someone handy that knew all the trouble spots, things to look for and if youre prepared to replace that transmission. Goerend's is in Iowa. Dont know how far your nearest DTT builder is.
The good thing is when you do find stuff thats bad you have leverage to haggle on price.
When I got my 95 it had a lot of rust and the transmission was on the way out. I still think I got a good deal at 5500$

 

Yeah, I guess if you are already planning on a tranny replacement you would be okay. I'd also consider looking all metal over very closely as plow trucks tend to see a lot of salt & will rust out very fast if not taken care of.

 

I pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying. Check the trouble spots, check for rust all over, if it looks like it was abused or used for a lot of plowing i'd stay away from it. If there is minimal rust and minimal wear on parts i'd say it was probably used for a few driveways here and there. I bought my 97 with a plow, but I know the PO only used his plow a few times. Otherwise, I would have just kept looking.

 

Ok, so if it is still available, I will check for excessive rust and suspension wear. I really prefer a stick, but if I get an auto, it will be getting at least a new tc and vb eventually. They are asking just under $6k for it. just as a side note, is $2k a good amount to allow for midlevel tranny upgrade?

Thanks,
Nick

 

you could maybe get a VB and TC for 2k.. if youre going that route Id get a goerend's setup because Im pretty sure (email them and double check first) theyll credit you towards a full build-up later on if something goes and you decide to overhaul the trans.
Price sounds about right for here, I dont know about the demand for them out in your neck of the woods though. Might be a bit steep?

 

Demand is pretty good around here. I rarely seem 4x4 CTDs for under $8k. I haven't gone to look at it yet, as it is 2 hours away, but from the pics I can see that it needs a rear bumper and the guy said there is some rust on the lower part of the doors and rockers which I belive is common for the early 2nd gens