I've been looking at trucks for awhile and I found one that seems too good to pass up. Since I am no expert I thought I would ask those of you that know. The truck is a '98.5 QC 2500 4x4, 5 speed LB w/ 170K miles. Here are the add-ons: EDM Mach 2 Injectors, Edge EZ, Autolite EGT, Boost, Di Pricol Fuel Pressure, FASS system, Mag HiTech 80, AFE Pro Guard 7, Rip Rook 4" Exhaust, South Bend OFE, Pacbrake, Gooseneck flip/over hitch, Line-x bed liner. That's about over $5,000 worth of add-ons! The ad says he used it to haul horses to rodeos and jackpots. I know some cowboys can be rough on equipment. He's asking $9,800. Which sounds really cheap. He says he's selling because he bought an '08 Dodge.

I basically need a truck to occasionally haul my jeep and some equipment and to get decent mileage. Should I be scared to buy a truck that has already been modded? And with 170,000 miles? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jake

 

I prefer buying trucks that are stock. Simple fact is that modifications = harder use, and a person can say whatever they want to say...what they do is what matters.

The 24V's are going for cheaper $$$ than the others due to known vp-44 & lift pump issues. If you only need it occasionally, I would strongly consider a gas engined, newer truck. Just my $.02....

 

Thanks 96 12v. Lately I've been reading about 24v having problems with the vp-44s. Is there really something wrong with the pump or is it because the LPs go out and starve the injector pump for fuel? Both our trucks are solid and run fine. They are also not abused. A buddy lost his vp-44 but he was hard on it and starved the truck for fuel once and killed the engine. Since this truck has a FASS pump it should feed the vp-44 quite well right? Or maybe it has a FASS because the old LP went and now the vp-44 is on its way out? Maybe I'm wrong but I'm just trying to understand.

I'd rather have a diesel truck for pulling for the power and better economy over a gas rig. Thanks again.

Jake

 

you can find nice first gens for way under that price and they get good milage but ride rough

 

i'm unsure as to the lift pump & VP-44 issues. Sounds like most folks on here who have them fail have been operating them normally - not that "normal" really ever happens with a truck, but as close as possbile. I looked again and realized that you already have 2 of these, so perhaps it's not as much of a concern. Good luck with what you decide.

 

i bought a 98.5 once didnt have the mods but was used to haul cattle. it had around 150k on it when i traded it off it had 277k on it in 2yrs. replaced the lp once and had a tst stage 2 box on it and it was a 53 block was a good truck. i would say its been used but not abused but cant tell without seeing but with the mods i would say he knows a few thing about the problems these trucks have. sounds good to me but thats my .02 worth. plus i would buy a gas truck to tow anything with. 6 in a row built to tow

 

Alwaysworking has some good advice. But if you use it to haul your jeep, the ride is VERY nice.

 

I was kind of in the same situation over the last year. I've had (2) 93 W350 club cab 5 speeds, and a 99' 3500 4x4 5 speed. My first one was a W350 from California and no rust. It was clean, turned up a little, but the ride and handling was not very good. My wife HATED that truck for the ride and the uncomfortable seats. I sold it and bought my 88 24V with 25K miles in 2002. It was a good truck, no lift pump or VP 44 problems, but totally stock. Got rid of it in 2996 for my seconfd W350. It's a pure work truck. dents, ding's and rusty rockers. rides horrible, but runs great! Last week I just bought a 96' 2500 CC 4x4 5 speed. It's a 1 owner truck with 145K miles on it, and NO RUST AT ALL! It's only an ST with manual windows & locks, but no big deal to me. I would much rather have a solid truck. No mods at all either. It's very clean. Gave a littletle over $7K for it with new tires on it. I almost gave up on a 12 valve 5 speed CC 4x4, and was looking at a few 24 valve trucks. I don't hate 24 valves, but preferred the 12v. I will probably keep this truck for a long time. They're definately getting harder to find. Ever thought of looking for a 12v instead?

 

This will be the first truck of my own. The second truck in my sig is our shop truck. I really want a 24v and I want rear doors to get kiddos in & out of the back seat easier. The mileage doesn't bother me but having the mods and not knowing how it was driven does. Wouldn't mind having a 1st gen though, but its not practical for my application. I forgot about the 53 block issue, I don't know if this one is or not. I'll probably keep on looking. The truck is also 3 hours away. Thanks again for the advice.

Jake

 

what state are you in? i know here in oregon 1st gens come up all the time, even club cabs but if you have car seat age kids then i see why a 1st gen wont work, no place for car seats

 

Back to the future???