Advice on Ram 3500

fall_risk

fall_risk

Participating member
Location
Philadelphia
I'm considering buying a Dodge 1 ton from a coworker, since I've been without a vehicle since the winter. I'm still going to bike to work, but I'd like to get back to doing my own work, and maybe back into contracting on the weekends. I'm a good driver, but know very little about vehicles beyond changing the oil and brake pads, so I thought I'd try my most trusted source of information...the buzz...tied with the Daily Show.

The truck is a 2004 Ram 3500 SLT with just over 180,000 miles on the clock. Quad cab, 8' bed, 5.9L Cummings high output turbo diesel, 6 speed manual, towing package. The truck spent most of its life on the highway, hasn't plowed, and rarely towed; perhaps the easiest life a work truck could lead. Maintenance records kept, and are reliable based on the seller's character. New clutch 35k-ish ago, several other new parts, mostly in the suspension, about the same age, only other repair was an auxiliary fuel pump at 99k that was handled (just) under warrenty. I got underneath it, and it looked pretty good for something older than @JeffGu 's girlfriend, some rust, but little on the frame, maybe a small oil leak, maybe not, but nothing that's dripping.

I'd like to eventually put on a dump body and toolboxes to use it as a light chip truck, but one thing at a time. Seller wants $15k and is willing to finance for me(!) Kelly has it at $11k for good condition and $13k for very good condition, but I think I'm getting a deal. It's going to be a bear to park in my neighborhood (Manayunk for those in the area), but I'm basically sold. Can anyone talk me out of this?
 
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Seems a a bit high for '04 with a buck eighty..if it's sound truck and he's willing to finance that may be your deal. That motor is good one long as maintained proper ..imo buying a little dumper with a 7.3 might be cheaper and better move right off the bat
 
Or shit your in tight places but an Isuzu that's what I got and LOVE it capacity and manuarvability..not too shabby on fuel either..so people just don't like riding in a snubbed nose though..I like it. My uncle has nearly The Identical truck to the one you posted.. and it is a bad ass truck I drove that 6-speed from Jersey to Colorado and back a few times they are real nice I just think in the long run you'll be better off the nice little dumper to boot! sounds like you're heading that way already
 
I love my Dodge but there were a period of years where there were major front end issues and trans issues. My 2001 need a rebuild on the trans at about 190k. Not sure if the previous owner did the front end or not. I don't remember the exact years. For a price comparison I had a 2001 2500 extended cab long bed 4x4 with the big diesel in fair condition and it was only worth 7k.
 
Make sure you get along with your neighbors before you buy it. Check any ordinances, by-laws and any of that crap. Buddy of mine bought a Cummings and the neighborhood came after him for noise (couldn't get him), then the commercial truck. They forced him to move in the end cause they kept pushing.
The biggest problem with a pickup ---> a chip truck is the center of gravity when putting an insert in. If you decide to go that route give me a call you can come out and look at the set up I used for so many years. And see its flaws and advantages.
Otherwise.... Buy a ford!!!!!
:bailando:
 
Any of the diesel trucks are very expensive to maintain. Unless your doing a lot of heavy towing (10k + lbs) on a regular basis, buy a gasser. That thing will need injectors soon $1200 plus $400 labor, another lift pump again $450 plus $200 labor, and oil changes are $100 a pop if you do them yourself. The early common rails are know for dropping valve seats, if that happens you better have at least 5k ready to fix it if you can't do the work yourself (this happened to three people I know). To me it sounds like going from a bike to this is a bad idea.
 
Treeco is right.....dont waste your $ on turning a 3500 SRW into a dump. Other than that, I have a 2007 6 speed DRW and its been a perfect truck and a towing machine
 
tc262 said:
Any of the diesel trucks are very expensive to maintain. Unless your doing a lot of heavy towing (10k + lbs) on a regular basis, buy a gasser. That thing will need injectors soon $1200 plus $400 labor, another lift pump again $450 plus $200 labor, and oil changes are $100 a pop if you do them yourself. The early common rails are know for dropping valve seats, if that happens you better have at least 5k ready to fix it if you can't do the work yourself (this happened to three people I know). To me it sounds like going from a bike to this is a bad idea.
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This is all fact. Not to mention if just once it had a sub par fuel filter the time line will be shortened exponentially. They are more than 1200 too I think the last one I bought was $340 dealer cost. There are six. Valve seats are def a concern if poor fuel was used.
 
tc262 said:
Yeah $1200 is a cheap remanned set not new. Don't get injectors from a dodge dealer go strait to a Bosch dealer.
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This is yet another piece of sound advice. Remember that 5.9l is used in a multitude of machinery from tractors, to generators, to excavators.
 
I mix 1 gallon of bio-diesel per tankful (about a 1/25 ratio) of low sulfur diesel each time I fill up. (1996 Cummins 12 valve)

Look into the lube properties of bio-diesel and the lack of lube found in low sulfur diesel.

I do this in all of my old diesels.
(1987 6.9 International) (a second 1996 Cummins 12valve) (1996 Cummins 4bta in Bandit Chipper) (1985 International DT466) (Deutz 75hp on Rayco stumper)



.
 
If it dies the day you buy it, can you walk away and survive, financially? I spent my first incorporated year on a bike with trailer and bought gear. Then I bought a mini skid (18k with attachments) and a blazer ($2200) with 135k miles to tow it. I have a news van with 180k lined up to buy for $1000, to be my second vehicle. I can walk away from either vehicle if they die and carry on business operations. 14k for a 180k vehicle would be inconceivable for me, at this stage. Too many eggs in the basket.

Trucks are not getting work done. They are status symbols. You have to crawl back in that bed to get your gear. They suck gas. They are expensive to buy. You can't lock up your gear in the bed until you've converted it into a van knock-off by buying a camper shell. Trucks are American, not useful. The most utility you'll get out of it is on your estimates where you'll be showing your trucked status to other 'mericans.
 
tc262 said:
These are both ridiculous statements. My trucks get a lot of work done.
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I agree with you 100%. I built a pretty damn good business with a pick up truck. Yes the set up may not have been ideal but it lead up to the chip truck purchase and is one hell of a back up if I break down.
If done right pick up trucks can be EXTREMELY useful!
 
So I was looking at a 2012 Ram 3500 dually today. 6.7 Cummings with 6 speed automatic transmission. Crewcab, long bed, 74,000 miles on it. Any wisdom would be great. Been looking at all kinds on stuff including a used 35ft bucket.
 
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