What to look for in a Cummins truck

[Aceman85turbo]

I am in the market for a 2500, found one that meets ALL of my criteria. I do not know much about these trucks maintenence wise other than the typical suspension wear and consumables.

What else should I look for in a 2500?

It would seem that it is in outstanding shape body and interior wise for 272k, but since it has those miles I am wondering if they will come off the price.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/2392511440.html

[Damnittsteve]

ah oh. its white. here comes forrest

[jw33]

Good looking truck...

[Pooter]

Doesnt seem like a terrible price, truck looks pretty clean.
Just be wary of the vp44 trucks, or save up for a pump(and make sure you have a good lift pump.

Id say look for a 12valve, but cleaner ones are getting harder to find.

[Aceman85turbo]

I like the interior in the 01+?? trucks

I have read I should just put a fuel pressure guage after the lift pump to see when the VP44 is not getting fuel?

[Cooter]

98-02 had the same interior

[Pro88LX]

98-02 had the same interior

Yea i really want a 98 12v manual trans 4x4....guess i need to keep dreaming huh?

[stevo]

Shit, since someone is already asking, what do you look out for in a 1st gen 12v Cummins? Like a '90 model?

Stevo

[JC316]

Freeze plugs, for the love of God, check the freeze plugs in the head. Just had to do them on an 05 Ram, 124K miles and they were completely rusted out on the exhaust side of the head. I don't know if it was a problem on the older ones, but it's easy to check.

[Cooter]

Yea i really want a 98 12v manual trans 4x4....guess i need to keep dreaming huh?

I've had four 98 12v's. They definitely command a premium

[Cooter]

Shit, since someone is already asking, what do you look out for in a 1st gen 12v Cummins? Like a '90 model?

Stevo

just make sure it runs/drives well

[Cooter]

I am in the market for a 2500, found one that meets ALL of my criteria. I do not know much about these trucks maintenence wise other than the typical suspension wear and consumables.

What else should I look for in a 2500?

It would seem that it is in outstanding shape body and interior wise for 272k, but since it has those miles I am wondering if they will come off the price.

truck looks pretty good, I just couldn't do the VP44

[sdun]

Looks like a pic of my truck. Mines got 245,000 and the dash just started to crack. I've replaced one wheel hub, rebuilt tranny (auto), upgrade lift pump, brakes, and rotors. It pulls 10k more than it doesn't. The vp44 is always in the back of your mind but the trucks paid for I can replace it for what 2 payments on a new one would be.

[fastwhite99gt]

VP44's are around $1300 and you can replace it yourself. As long as you keep a good eye on the fuel pressure, it'll live forever.

[Aceman85turbo]

so the cliffsnotes are:

Low lift pump pressure/volume kills the injection pump.

what else gives them a bad name?

Seems like you could put in a holley blue and a pressure gauge and be done with it? Or maybe put a hobbs switch inline and have it shut the injection pump off when lift pressure falls below xx?