I ready to buy a 3/4-1 ton truck with the V10 engine. However when I look at trucks for sale, seems like a lot of 94-96 V10s are selling cheap and usually say in the add something to the effect of "needs tune up, idles rough, or won't start" are these easy fixes? I can use a wrench, but don't know much about the V10's

A quick qoogle search reveals posts about people with V10 problems which point to a relay, or ECM or CPS, etc.

Is there a certain year I should avoid?

Seen 4 cases of failed lubrication, engine seized, or "new engine". Did these engines have oil pump problems, or are these 4 cased due to neglect?

Thanks for the help

I would only go for a 1997-2003 and no earlier. The early V10's have some design issues that caused a lot of problems.

just a couple of dumb questions - but you know they drink gas like there's no tomorrow. and that for some more money you can get a diesel that will outwork that V10.

there's not that many V10's in here that post regularly, so they must be ok. the few engine problems posted are often something to do with the oil pump.

Thanks for the info. Out work a v10 and double the mileage, Yes I would Love a Cummins, if I didn't need my left arm, i'd trade it for one.
I have a very small budget of about $5k. love paying cash for vehicles. Not to many cummins in my price range, (2nd gen) but plenty of V10's.

Problems with the oil pump?! that sounds like a new engine to me.
there are a few 1997-1999 for about $5.5k, people out of work or mileage is over 160k

Should I (dare I say it) consider the F-word P-stroke?

I have seen some oil burner second gens for under what your budget is, and they were pretty nice trucks for the age too. Granted, some of them were 'high' mileage, but, what is considered high for a gasser, is just getting broken in on the cummins. All the trucks suffer from poor transmissions... but, I see a lot less of them posting here, than I do the gas trans problems.... (maybe they are just posting in the cummins sections? who knows.)

Check Ebay, craigslist, autotrader, local car dealers, etc. They are out there. (cue x-files theme)

i just did a quick craigslist search. 98 cummins, 3k-99 cummins, sold but 4.5k. and a 01 4x4 5.5k. now all of these were base model's. but i would say look around and spring for the diesel.

edit. if i had the money i would have bought this forever ago. still for sale,
http://jackson.craigslist.org/cto/1792323122.html

WOW!, THAT's A Low PRICE!

Here in Colorado, any 4x4 ex cab Cummins is $10k if it is newer than 1998.

Gonna search head south for my next truck.

Thanks

haha everybody down here has a truck. after katrina truck sales were down everywhere because of gas, except the south. mainly here in mississippi.

Same here. Cummins are worth their weight in gold it seems. Up here, from a gasser to a Cummins adds 50+% resale value most of the time.

here in texas even the 2nd gen 12 valves go for like $10k, my truck is only kbb value $5000