I am possibly going to downgrade from my 03 to either a 24v or possibly a 94+ 12v. I want cheaper payments and lower yearly costs (insurance and plates) mainly because I want to get a house soon. I still want a diesel though, preferably a Cummins. I stopped by a local dealer today and found 2000 that's in pretty much average condition. It's a quad cab long bed laramie, automatic. The bottoms of the doors are already rusting. Driver's side mirror is cracked. Heat/AC or blower doesn't work so it was a cold couple hours of driving it around. The transmission shifts kind of crappy, and several times when I went to accelerate from a roll (say as in coming to a light and making a turn without a complete stop) when I could get back on the acclerator it would not really go very well....felt like a whole lot of slippage. I can't find anything anywhere as far a chip, but it blows some pretty good smoke and I know that's not happening with a factory 2000. It's got boost, pyro and tranny gauges on the pillar. There's quite a few switches around inside. 3 of them on the overhead console, one above left knee on the bottom of the dash, and another toggle switch on a small box with an indicator light on it that is mounted on the bottom of the dash just in front of the 4wd floor shifter. There's also a fuel leak, which appears to be coming from something just above the starter. It drips down onto the starter and then onto the back of the front diff. Other than that it looks to be in pretty decent shape, couldn't find any dents. I thought about maybe offering 15k even but i'm kind of unsure. Thought i'd post and see what everyone's thoughts were first.

 

make sure it doesn't have the 53 block, ad for 15k I would make them rebuild the tranny and get everything else working properly

 

what is the 53 block about? How do I tell?

 

All you want to know about the 53 block, and then some most likely...

http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

 

Sweet, thanks a lot!

 

How many miles are on the truck? You can find a lot of clean 2nd generation trucks around if you look. The one you described sounds like it could have a some issues that might lead to you to a lot of money in repairs later down the road.

Also how much are you looking to spend?


~Nick

 

Yeah that is true. This one has just under 80k on the odometer....79 and some change. I probably won't get it, but this thread can really help me out on what to look for and expect on the 2nd gen trucks. I really don't care how much the truck is, I just want to get my payments around 300 or so a month, which I know is pretty doable.

 

The main expense is the dang tranny.......if that sucker goes south on you it could end up costing between $3k and $5k to get it rebuilt and back on the road.

Another thing with the 2nd gen trucks, is the injector pump......if you do look at one, see if there would be a chance to check the fuel pressure to check and make sure the lift pump or the injector pump isn't bad. That could also cost you some bucks.

Those are about the only REAL BIG issues with these years of trucks, the rest is just wear and tear. Well one other thing, but it was already mentioned before........is the 53 block.


~Nick

 

yeah, I am well aware of the auto tranny situation! That's the reason I bought a manual in my 03, lol! That and i've read many a time about vp44 failures, which is why I'm starting to lean more towards finding a 94+ 12 vavle and just doing it all mechanically.

 

The 12V's are definetely cool!! I'd love to have one.......but I do like having the adjustability of power with the 24V's.



~Nick

 

I do love my 12v I don't even miss the rear doors on my 99.

 

Yeah i'll agree there, it's nice to dial back the power on the electronic engines. But there's nothing like the reliability in a 12v.

 

Trust me keep looking.

I thought I found my dream truck in Dallas, TX. So me and my pops took the trip down their one weekend before classes started back, got down their and the pictures on Ebay told a different story and they lied about everything. Worst trip of my life.

Then came back home and found the truck I have now in Shelbyville, KY. Great condition, and a 12V like I wanted!

 

Really, man I would have been breaking out the beating stick! Misrepresentation of a product no matter what it is is grounds for a ....

The more I think about it the more I want a 12v. You hear nothing but good things about them, and as long as the rest of the truck around it is in good condition i'm game.

 

No doubt my man.