I am looking at a '95 cummins with 195,xxx miles on it. The price is right thats the only reason why im interested. The truck looks to be in good mechanical and physical condition. Assuming that only routine maintainance was done on the truck, what would I be in-store for if I bought this truck? What will be needing replacement or attention soon?

 

check the crankcase cover and see if there is fallen dowel pin damage and check the steering components. if its a stick you should be able to handle a fuel plate and gsk with the stock clutch for a while, if its an auto be ready to drop a converter and valve body in it before any mods. these trucks are slugs from the factory but a fuel plate and gsk should get you about the same if not a little more power then the new common rails and it will only cost you 100 bucks, a little grindin, and gauges, minus tranny work if necessary. i say you cant go wrong with a p-pump 12 valve.

 

Yeah the truck is a stick

 

at that mileage the front end components are getting to the end of their life u-joints ball joints and tie rod ends so check to make sure there all in good shape or that they have been replaced. if the trans has not had any work done it is getting to the end of it's life so a rebuild maybe in order shortly (some people get 300k some get 100k and everything in between not saying it is gonna quit in the next 10k)

 

i just got the same truck, it needed upper and lower ball joints and an idler arm, third brake light was out 2 bulbs, does the fuel gauge work? check the belt tensioner and clutch fan also. you can do both when you do the kdp. so far thats what i had to fix. my windshield was cracked to. check for rust and fuel leaks. there was a return hose to the tank from the engine that had small (very small) cracks in the ends that leaked under pressure. replaced that also check the turbo play and oil on the compressor said for blown seals. mine is 2wd so if is a 4wd you may wanna check those items too. there fun trucks if you get it.

 

The clutch is fine. My mods aere in my sig and I run the stock clutch with LS and pull fairly heavy (12000# to 25000#) with no probs and I've seen those nv 4500s with well over 300k on them and some with 400k. Use the right oil, syntorq, and change the oil. It helped mine enormously. Check all seals for leaks. I've had to do wheel seals, pinion seals, and engine seals with 215k on it. other than that, should be fine. They are good trucks if taken care of and that mileage is fine for the major componets. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Im still considering buying it.