Might get this... what should I look for & ask about

[NS Gearhead]

1998 Dodge 3500 4x4 - New Glasgow Farming Equipment For Sale - Kijiji New Glasgow Canada.

If everything goes acording to plan I'll have my Jeep sold sat, and go have a look at this sunday. She's a cummins, 6 new tires, 2 new batteries, $2,000 worth of "panels and paint". He said he'd take $10K, and has turned down $9,700... so not much wiggle room there. It's probably a 3 hour round trip for me to go have a look, so I figgured I'd ask here as to what I could ask him ahead of time... and what to look for when I get there. Thanks in advance.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Interested in this one too;
2001 ford f350 with plow and dump - New Brunswick Heavy Trucks For Sale - Kijiji New Brunswick Canada.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Both have lots of miles. The Ford looks to be in better shape and have a better dump box.

Check the front end components on both. What motors?

Chris

 

[NS Gearhead]

Cummins in the Dodge and V10 gas in the ford. I won't be putting many miles on it, so gas doesn't scare me. I have a car to comute with, and I hope to start a small firewood buisness.

 

[Stimw]

If gas doesn't scare you the V-10 should! Mileage is poor and the spark plugs could blow out!!

Hard to argue with a Cummins engine!

In todays money they are both probably north of $60,000.00 as equipped. And you are looking at the very beginning of snow season. He can probably get what ever he wants real soon.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the Dodge. I figgure with 200K it's just getting broken in. I have to worry about it rotting before wearing out, as I won't be putting any miles on it... but it sounds like he replaced the fenders... and I'm assuming sills and cab corners if it cost him $2,000 but I'll ask when I call him.

Buddy with the ford said he has a deposit on it and should be picked up today... and has his price down to $10K. I told him to let me know if it fell through.

 

[dodge man]

Is it a 24v or 12v Cummins? If its a 24v the pumps were a known weak spot, but they can be replaced fairly cheap. Either way, one of the most reliable diesel engines ever put in a light truck in my opinion. Not near the power of the newer common rail stuff but very inexpensive to work on. A 98 model year also should beat the "53" block problem, which happened after the 98 model year. This was a known problem where the blocks would crack, not a common problem but a known problem. There is also something known as KDP(killer dowel pin). There is a dowel pin that has no function other than letting them put things together when they build the engine. This down pin can fall out, get caught up in the timing gear and wreck the engine or it just can fall out and end up in the oil pan with no problem. Not a common problem but a known problem. This can be prevented by installing a kit from the outside of the engine to prevent it. Its common for previous owners to do this so its worth asking about.

 

[terryknight]

Yeah, I'm leaning towards the Dodge. I figgure with 200K it's just getting broken in. I have to worry about it rotting before wearing out, as I won't be putting any miles on it... but it sounds like he replaced the fenders... and I'm assuming sills and cab corners if it cost him $2,000 but I'll ask when I call him.

Buddy with the ford said he has a deposit on it and should be picked up today... and has his price down to $10K. I told him to let me know if it fell through.

I'm a ford guy the v10 gets terrible fuel economy, but it will be a good motor. the rust on the dodge would be my issue, but if it's been fixed awesome.

Is it a 24v or 12v Cummins? If its a 24v the pumps were a known weak spot, but they can be replaced fairly cheap. Either way, one of the most reliable diesel engines ever put in a light truck in my opinion. Not near the power of the newer common rail stuff but very inexpensive to work on. A 98 model year also should beat the "53" block problem, which happened after the 98 model year. This was a known problem where the blocks would crack, not a common problem but a known problem. There is also something known as KDP(killer dowel pin). There is a dowel pin that has no function other than letting them put things together when they build the engine. This down pin can fall out, get caught up in the timing gear and wreck the engine or it just can fall out and end up in the oil pan with no problem. Not a common problem but a known problem. This can be prevented by installing a kit from the outside of the engine to prevent it. Its common for previous owners to do this so its worth asking about.

it looks (judging on the mirrors) to be a 12v. there are some free HP mods in the pump. other than that dodgeman nailed the issues

 

[QRTRHRS]

I would also inquire about the clutch and transmission. At 200k, most 5 speeds have lost fifth gear. Well, not really lost it but the nut holding the gear in the splines comes loose, backs off and the gear slips out of the splines. Best fix used to be a fully splined shaft but I have not followed the cures since I sold my 97' Dodge.

Having been used to plow, I would assume the clutch has been replaced once if not twice with those miles as well, especially if someone was doing a little engine tweaking.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Talked to the Dodge guy on the phone last night. He's retired and has a small gravel company at his house. He bought the truck a year ago as a project, says he put $12K into it... but he has an F150 with a dump trailer and a tractor, so he doesn't need the dodge anymore. It's a 24V. I got the feeling he's honest... told me she's not a new truck. Loud and stinks like an old dodge would. LOL Anyway, he never mentioned anyone else wanting it... and he said he's taken it off the side of the rd and for sale sign out. Basicly he said he's fine if it doesn't sell... wich kind of takes away my barganing power. LOL Oh well. I think it's worth the 10K if it's as good as the pics show.