I have been wanting a 12 valve for fuel milage but just ran onto a deal for a 24 that sounds good. I have no idea what to be concerned about so I came here hoping for some help. I have been reading on the site for 2-3 months about 12 valves and know about the KDP but nothing on the 24 valve.

Its a 1 owner City owned truck, never used for work. He is a nurse.
1998 214k miles ext cab long bed with the 2 half doors. (Club Cab?)
Claims 17-18 hwy at 70mph and 15-16 City? Can this be improved upon?
Adds about a pint of tranny fluid every 60k miles, has changed it regular.
Non Smoker, Leather, all power, 2 dents in hood, 12k# Hyd Winch and heavy duty bumper, good body and interior other than dents. Also has fiberglass camper shell.

Has used Rotella T every 7k miles. Has brake job 20k miles ago, tires have 20k on them and are street tires, put new fuel injector pump in at 140k and new radiator at 110k, shifts smoothly and quietly, takes 3-4 sec before it goes into gear if its been sitting a few days, is automatic and 4x4 and has tow package.

He says it drives straight with no shimmy or shake.
He wants 9k as his bottom dollar and is asking 9800.
Says it never starts hard and has no repairs needed that he knows of.
Says it drips a very small oil drop in garage every so often.

What should I be aware of when looking at this truck. What major repairs are probably soon to follow with this truck and how much approx are they to repair? If its as I listed is it a good deal or just fair?
Thanks for helping me with my first dodge diesel truck purchase.
I am worried about fuel milage and costly repairs in the future.

 

The biggest things to worry about are the fuel delivery system and the condition of the transmission. If he replaced the injection pump at 140k and the truck is now at 214k it could be on the verge of losing the pump again or it could go another 140k without problem. Even checking the fuel pressure might not indicate a dying pump. A rebuilt injection pump can be had for around $1100 from some of the aftermarket vendors(part only, no install)... a dealer will be around 2 to 3 times that price for the same pump w/install. If you were to purchase the truck, the first thing I'd do is install a fuel pressure gauge. The next thing would be to ditch the stock lift pump and install one of the various aftermarket fuel delivery applications. The transmissions are usually ok in stock applications if they are taken care of but when you start bumping the power you'll probably find that the transmission disagrees with that decision. The price seems reasonable. Drive it and see what you think....

 

The fuel mileage sounds about right for a stock truck, unloaded at freeway speeds. And no, it probably can't be improved on (if you find out different, let me know!).