I'm looking at getting a 3rd gen, but am curious as too how many miles is too many as far as the drivetrain is concerned. I understand about the rest of the truck and condition etc. but as far as the drivetrain, how many miles before you wouldn't consider purchasing. Reason is that I want a 3rd gen (need the quad cab for the 3 kids) but most of the trucks I can afford have 130,000 plus miles on them. Thanks!

 

Drivetrain includes everything from the radiator to the wheel bearings, at least in my way of looking at it. With proper maintenance, the engine should be good for a million miles.

Everything else, YMMV.

 

I purchased mine at 116k, did the LP at 136k or so, brakes around 155K, ball joints at 165k, resealed injectors at 189k, trans at 176k. So the truck is still in pretty good shape but as you can see some good sized repairs will be in your future.

 

Most of that I figured would happen coming from doing ALL of that to my '02 24V before 100,000 miles, plus wheel bearings. I just know that the earlier 12V and such run forever, and I don't know much about the Common rails. I need the truck to last, and don't want to start behind the 8-ball so to speak as far as motor and tranny. Tranny would definately be a standard, so I think that helps out. Everything else on the drivetrain I know I will have to replace at some time regardless of year. My interest is in the tranny and motor. I am also considering a 2nd gen 12V, but the slightly bigger rear seat in the 3rd gen would help out. 8 foot bed is a plus as well.

 

Look for one that has not had a turner put to it even if you do have to pay a little more for it.100.000 to 160.000 miles if well taken good care of it. == good luck ==

 

If the ones in your price range have 130k + I would not really worry too much. Try to find one that the owner has some type of maint. records if possible. This will at least give you an idea of what might be in store in the near and far future for repairs. The miles really wouldn't bother me if it looks well maintained.

 

I wouldn't be afraid to buy one with 200K or less. The higher mileage will mean more nickle and dime stuff and maybe transmission issues, but the engine would be fine.

 

Mine didn't start getting "broke in" until 80K, got the best mileage at around 115K and now that I'm pushing 191K it's perfect... Just put on the first set of brake pads since new! On second set of tires too. (got 100K on the originals)Done nothing except reg maint.

 

If left stock the common rail engines are pretty durable. The biggest thing people struggle with is how little tolerance these engines have for sub-par fuel filters. Even the 48re is not a bad trans, it outlasted every other auto I have ever driven. Mine died at 176k bone stock, with at least 40+ hp going to the rear wheels for the last 65k of its life and it conked out going up a 6.5% or so grade in AZ after pulling my 9000# 5ver plus 120 gallons of fuel and a generator in the bed for the last 10k miles across the country. The deadman was pulled on the trailer twice at 65mph, and the trans hit 250*+ at least 5 times prior....once it was over 250 for at least an hour and a half. So they pretty tough trans IMHO. Go nuts with the power and they go quick but be semi-smart and they are pretty good.

 

That all sounds pretty good. I am looking at keeping it mostly stock for longevity purposes and towing my 30' travel trailer (7500GVWR) I need reliability more than tons of power. I had great success with the 47re in my last truck and I have heard that the 48re is pretty stout. I plan on adding an Airdog system to it as soon as I can for the filtering/pressure abilities. Intake, exhaust, maybe a small tuner depending on how she tows stock. Manual tranny more than likely. A lot of the trucks I am looking at are Texas trucks and were prior "hot-shotters" with higher miles on a newer truck, but the truck itself seems to be in real nice shape. Just want to know what I am getting into before I buy!

 

As far as LP, I would just get the raptor and run the stock filter or stock filter and an actual 2 micron filter not the crappy filters you get on AD. IMHO.

 

Is the Raptor pump a good pump as comparable to Fass or Airdog??

 

The Raptor pump is made by AirDog. It should be just as reliable.

 

Yep! Run a Baldwin PF7977 and a FB1311 filter for a true two micron filter and your good.

 

While I was shopping, I noticed that all the trucks with an auto trans advertised, "fresh trans" or "trans shifts ok", or something similar, all of which told me the autos have durability trouble, especially if a tuner has been used. I went with a standard trans. I like a standard and it pretty well guarantees the truck wasn't used as a dragster. I also found that trucks with less than 150K miles often were in need of ball joints, clutches, auto trans, and other things that go out about that time. Trucks with 150K+ miles often had all that expensive work already done. I bought the truck in my signature with 208K miles and am very happy. There are going to be expenses, but a lot of the big things are done.

My first big expense, after 6K miles has been changing out the rear brake rotors, calipers, and pads. Ball joints were done before I bought it. Tranny and clutch seem to be fine, although my 3rd gear synchro is weak (common on the NV5600 standard trans). Engine is fine. Got an expensive bumper and side steps in the deal.

The critical things I looked for were how did the truck make its living and how was it maintained. Mileage was secondary. Mine was apparently a "hot-shotter" that hauled medical equipment. The condition of the interior and drive train spoke of long-distance highway driving by someone who loves comfort and took good care of the truck. You can look at my gallery.

Don't be afraid of mileage if the rest of the truck looks good.