Well I do have a few engines both 12v and 24v, both complete and were purchased less than $4k mark.

Buy that truck and take the engine/tranny out. Sell the rest.

My neighbor sold a running sport long box 98.5 24v auto, high miler for $3000, still a driver. My wifey wouldn't let me buy that one at the time.

 

Now that's a bummer.

I keep a pretty close eye on prices, and buy when I think the price is right for what I am willing to spend. It took me 7 1/2 months to find that 01 550, for a price I was willing to pay. It also helped, that the fellow I bought it from is a really stand-up guy, and easy to deal with. He didn't hide any info from me, told me exactly as it was.

I had a buddy from edmonton go look at the truck, and drive it, he liked the way it drove. Had it hauled up by another buddy who was on his way to inuvik with an empty float. Never touched the truck, heard it run, or anything, til it landed in my driveway. And yes, after driving it, I got a really good deal on it. Basically bought the new tires that were on it, part of the price of the boom ( used ) and got the 550 thrown in for nothing.

Now THAT... yeah, that's my kind of deal.

However, the plan all along has been to drop a 12 or 24v engine in there, and make a real truck out of it. Otherwise, it is a pretty tough unit.