I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea to buy a used Dodge 2500HD or 3500HD truck with the Cummins Turbodiesel engine. I'm a few years from buying a new truck and camper rig, and in the meantime I'm thinking about getting a used truck to put a new camper on so I can get started using it. I could go either manual or automatic transmission.
So let me ask the folks in this newsgroup:
1. Would you buy a used Cummins diesel truck, if the previous owner could show that it was well maintained? Have you ever bought one used and if so, how did it work out? 2. Would you buy only from a dealer, or would you consider a private sale? 3. Is there anything special that you would look for that would be a warning sign not to buy the vehicle? Lots of smoke would be a warning sign, and a transmission that didn't shift right would be another. Others? 4. Would you have it looked at by a diesel mechanic that you trust? And if you don't have a diesel vehicle now, how would you find a good diesel mechanic?
I've bought quite a few cars used, I've generally had good luck because I bought clean vehicles, and I know generally what to look for in that regard (straight body, no collision damage, tracks straight, doesn't leak liquids, good compression, tranny shifts right, etc.), but I wouldn't know what special things to look for in a diesel truck. Any hints you could provide would be appreciated.
Yes, I would buy a used Dodge/Cummins. As a matter of fact, I have. I bought a '98 12 Valve with almost 100,000 miles on it. I had never owned a diesel before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to look for, until I visited www.turbodieselregister.com Go the forums, and just about thing you are looking can be found.
Obviously, a good maintenance record is a must. The same criteria you applied to previous used car purchases also apply. Take it for a test drive, and make sure the conditions vary (highway, side streets, main streets, uphill, downhill, high speed, low speed, etc.) If you want the engine checked out, look in your phone book for a Cummins shop. They won't check the whole truck, but they will know the most about the engine. Dodge dealers are a little, well "dodgy" when it comes to the Cummins. Call your nearest dealer and ask to talk to the Cummins tech. Some dealers farm out work on the Cummins to the nearest Cummins certified shop.
Good luck in your search. There are some great trucks out there. Some dogs too, unfortunately...... Scott Collins '98 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins 12 Valve Renton, WA
> I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea to buy a used Dodge 2500HD > or 3500HD truck with the Cummins Turbodiesel engine. I'm a few years > from buying a new truck and camper rig, and in the meantime I'm thinking > about getting a used truck to put a new camper on so I can get started > using it. I could go either manual or automatic transmission.
> So let me ask the folks in this newsgroup:
> 1. Would you buy a used Cummins diesel truck, if the previous owner > could show that it was well maintained? Have you ever bought one used > and if so, how did it work out? > 2. Would you buy only from a dealer, or would you consider a private > sale? > 3. Is there anything special that you would look for that would be a > warning sign not to buy the vehicle? Lots of smoke would be a warning > sign, and a transmission that didn't shift right would be another. > Others? > 4. Would you have it looked at by a diesel mechanic that you trust? > And if you don't have a diesel vehicle now, how would you find a good > diesel mechanic?
> I've bought quite a few cars used, I've generally had good luck because > I bought clean vehicles, and I know generally what to look for in that > regard (straight body, no collision damage, tracks straight, doesn't > leak liquids, good compression, tranny shifts right, etc.), but I > wouldn't know what special things to look for in a diesel truck. Any > hints you could provide would be appreciated.
> I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea to buy a used Dodge 2500HD > or 3500HD truck with the Cummins Turbodiesel engine. I'm a few years > from buying a new truck and camper rig, and in the meantime I'm thinking > about getting a used truck to put a new camper on so I can get started > using it. I could go either manual or automatic transmission.
> So let me ask the folks in this newsgroup:
> 1. Would you buy a used Cummins diesel truck, if the previous owner > could show that it was well maintained? Have you ever bought one used > and if so, how did it work out?
I've never bought one used, but I would definitely do so if the need arose if its care can be proven.
> 2. Would you buy only from a dealer, or would you consider a private > sale?
I would look into a private party sale. You can usually get a better deal, and have a much better prospect of getting a history on the truck.
> 3. Is there anything special that you would look for that would be a > warning sign not to buy the vehicle? Lots of smoke would be a warning > sign, and a transmission that didn't shift right would be another. > Others?
Again, get a history on care. A diesel cared for properly will drive for several hundred thousand miles. If they are NOT maintained correctly, premature failure of parts will very quickly put you in the poor house. Diesel parts typicaly can cost a minimum of 1.5 times that of a similar part for a gasoline engine. They are used in high stress environments and have to be built accordingly.
> 4. Would you have it looked at by a diesel mechanic that you trust? > And if you don't have a diesel vehicle now, how would you find a good > diesel mechanic?
Absolutely. Compression tests are not easily done on the curb, and will likely require replacing some minor parts (injector seals) in the process. Failure to do this can cause leaks around the injectors.
> I've bought quite a few cars used, I've generally had good luck because > I bought clean vehicles, and I know generally what to look for in that > regard (straight body, no collision damage, tracks straight, doesn't > leak liquids, good compression, tranny shifts right, etc.), but I > wouldn't know what special things to look for in a diesel truck. Any > hints you could provide would be appreciated.
The above is still accurate for a diesel vehicle. Keep in mind that they are typically bought for high mileage use and heavy work, so suspension and driveline would require extra attention. A Cummins diesel is an awesome engine, and will last many hundreds of thousands of miles. Good luck.
> I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea to buy a used Dodge 2500HD > or 3500HD truck with the Cummins Turbodiesel engine. I'm a few years > from buying a new truck and camper rig, and in the meantime I'm thinking > about getting a used truck to put a new camper on so I can get started > using it. I could go either manual or automatic transmission.
> So let me ask the folks in this newsgroup:
> 1. Would you buy a used Cummins diesel truck, if the previous owner > could show that it was well maintained? Have you ever bought one used > and if so, how did it work out? > 2. Would you buy only from a dealer, or would you consider a private > sale? > 3. Is there anything special that you would look for that would be a > warning sign not to buy the vehicle? Lots of smoke would be a warning > sign, and a transmission that didn't shift right would be another. > Others? > 4. Would you have it looked at by a diesel mechanic that you trust? > And if you don't have a diesel vehicle now, how would you find a good > diesel mechanic?
> I've bought quite a few cars used, I've generally had good luck because > I bought clean vehicles, and I know generally what to look for in that > regard (straight body, no collision damage, tracks straight, doesn't > leak liquids, good compression, tranny shifts right, etc.), but I > wouldn't know what special things to look for in a diesel truck. Any > hints you could provide would be appreciated.
