Sorry for double posting but I'm really tight on time and this seems perhaps better place to post but:

Yeah I'm new to the site but I'm in a bit of a pinch right now on buy'n a truck...........neighbor has a 2000 Dodge 3500 Cummins, 50k miles, 12ft dump, freak on maintaining it so its perfect condition........perfect for me and doing landscaping.

I've done some searches and come up a little short of really trying to find the hard info on these trucks. I and most my family are Chevy people and I know little on Dodge other than people raving over the Cummins.

So, YES I am still reading but I may have to buy in the next 2 days to get the truck (prob $17k). I would GREATLY appreciate a run down from some of ya'll on this truck as I continue to read up on it. Plenty of power is there I know but I would like to bump up the gas mileage with a chip and extra power never hurts..........reading up on Bully Dog etc but what kind of mpg are ya'll look'n at and what chip? He tells me he gets about 14mpg runn'n around in it with mulch (all he used it for basically).

My background:
I'm a Honda guy and know my way around swaps and parts and shops, mechanically inclined and meticulous* but I'm just not as prepared as I would like to be before deciding on purchasing a truck just yet but I'm in a pinch on this one before someone else grabs it. I think the price is great......ya'll? Any questions just ask I'll do my best to answer and thanks for the help!!

 

Personally I'd avoid it. Dumps are hard on every part of the truck frame, especially if it wasn't originally made that way. And 17k is a bit high. Heck I'll sell you mine for that much, and it doesn't have a ding on it.

 

the truck is in perfect condition, he is very much into keeping it clean and well maintained. I will be using the truck for towing cars to teh track every once in a while but the main purpose is for sidework. I do landscaping.

as far as dumps they are ok, you can't be stupid and dump on a hill or anything but a dump is your friend in my industry...........mulch, trash, pallots, gravel etc.

i called the local Dodge dealership but all i could get out of them is "yeah thats a good price" vs finding out what the value is. Kelly Blue Book only shows pickups.

time to search autotrader and see how much they're go'n for.

 

It does sound a bit pricey for a two wheel drive but as far as using it for work. Its the best truck to get. I tow a lot of equipment and get about 12. Finding one to compare price wise might be hard to do since i haven't seen too many. Theirs one here in town. I can't run anyother truck and i'm on my 4th dodge and all i do is construction and hot shot work. get it you'll be happy

 

it dont sound too high to me.How much would it cost to add a dump bed
on one. As far as not buying it because it has a dump bed if that is what you want you should get it.50,000 on that truck it aint even broke in good that is no miles for that motor.

 

yeah it ALREADY has a dump on it, i'll run the stats once more:

2000 Dodge 3500 regular cab
Cummins
50,000 miles
12ft dump bed (solid, not little sides on it, soid sides..........state/stake whatever body more or less)
dually
chrome wheels etc
very well maintained and cleeeeeeean

$17,900 is what he is asking, I know I can prob get for $17,000 no prob

 

what transmission??

you should also check for the infamous '53' block...... don't forget to check the fuel pressure as well.

 

ok, yeah thats the kind of info i'm look'n for..............i'll check on the tranny, what fuel pressure #'s should i be looking for? also, sorry i'm illiterate with truck terms...........whats the 53 block? thanks for the help guys! keep it com'n!

 

the 53 block had a flaw in the casting that would cause the engine block to crack and spew oil. These engines can be identified by a 53 cast in the block (cast in brazil)
another one was the killer dowel pin, it would work it's way forward, land in the timing gears and crack the front gear covers on the motor.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/index.html Has the tsb's you can read up on them... the rest you can search on this site.

 

tranny is the 47RE

 

dont worry about the 53 block i got 270k out of mine before i traded it in and i worked the dog crapp out of it