Hey folks, I never figured I'd be posting in this section, but here goes. A guy I work with told me about a truck that's for sale, a 98 with about 180K on it. For $2500. Yes, $2500. He said he went out there one night and talked to the guy and it started right up in pretty cool temps. Apparently it's spent a lot of time in front of a gooseneck trailer, as the bed is pretty beat up and the guy said that's what he used it for. Anyway, this thing has been for sale for about a month now with no buyers. What could be wrong with it? I am thinking it probably has a cracked 53 block, but I'm not sure as I haven't seen it. Besides checking for injection pump codes, what else could be seriously wrong with this thing to make it not sell for $2500? My coworker said he might buy it after he looks at it in the daylight but he hasn't got approval from his wife yet. If he doesn't buy it I'm going to drive down there right away to have a look. Anything I should really look at with the 24V?

Thanks guys!

 

Also, is there any form of repair for the cracked block if it does have this? Thanks again in advance!

 

Look up "Lock and Stitch". I've never seen it done, but have read about it.

For the money you are talking, you would still be ahead if you had to do a new motor.

Ed

 

Maybe the price is just too low and scaring people off?

You'll need a code reader to check the codes on the 98, the key on-off trick doesn't work on that year.

 

If it has an engine and transmission in it.. buy it.. the engine is worth that.. you can picked up a block for a few hundred if it has a cracked 53.. and switch everything over..
Give me the number.. I'll buy it sight unseen... haha..
That's too good to be true.. but if it is.. don't pass it up... Check out parts on ebay.. to get an idea what just the parts are worth..

 

....he's in Minnesota. After a few winters that may be all that is left.

 

I'm going to call my coworker tomorrow to see if he bought it. Boy I sure hope he didn't because I'm really starting to get excited. I read about folks on here getting these deals and now there's one right under my nose if it's still available! The only thing that makes me a little nervous is the fact that you can't see the codes with the key method. Hopefully I can drive it to Autozone or something and get the codes checked.

 

just get you an OBD2 code reader. If you tinker with vehicles at all, you could definetly use one. You can pick a cheap one up for about 150 bucks at Advance or any of the chain Parts stores. Hell I will ride up from GA & take it. Great price.

 

The scanner could give me a code "Warning Danger to Manifold Welds" and I'd still probably buy it for 2500 bucks.

 

Update... I talked to my coworker today and he didn't get out there to look at it yet. This is driving me crazy. I wish I could find out where it is, but it'd be pretty low to sneak in and ****** it away from him.

 

Ask him if he would mind if you went and looked at it?

 

True.. Even if the block is cracked.. the drivetrain would be worth it.. if its a manual trany with an 80 under it.. just the axle can bring $1000... used...
All I can see out of it.. is.. 4x4.. pullingtruck.. or 2x.. chop it.. and racetruck..

Let us know how you turn out... (take cash.. haha..)

 

well, my coworker finally went there in the daylight and he said it's the biggest pile he's ever seen. Apparently the interior is in real bad shape, no headliner, seats torn, door panel missing, etc. Every panel has dings and dents in it, the gooseneck trailer wrapped around and hit the box, not much rust though. The clutch also slips. Also, the biggest thing is the injection pump apparently is cracked. The owner said it leaks (you can smell diesel when it's running) and his mechanic said the VP is cracked. Anyone ever heard of this one?

So... he said he lowballed the guy and he didn't take it. I am going to try and find it on Sunday, hopefully I can find it and the owner will be around. From what he's told me it would be best suited parted out. That's the update for now, I'll keep you posted.

 

Too bad about the rough condition. A guy might even be able to part it out and make some $$ still. Make sure there isn't quarts of oil vapor coming out of the road-draft tube. The downside is that if he'd treat the body that way, he probably didn't spend a pile of money doing fluid changes and other maintenance.

 

I would still buy it. Slap a flatbed on it and you can find the other panels cheap. Or you could just turn it into a puller.

Andy