So I'm new to the diesel world but have been browsing threads here trying to get a feel for them. I have a 01 1500 now that I love but have decided to go in to business for myself and need a new to me vehicle to do it. My 1500 is on it's last leg and won't hold up to the job. I'm looking at 2500 diesels but don't have a clue what I should be looking for in the truck. I've found a few 98-99 models that are in my price range like the truck in the link below. A van would probably work better but I can't use it for much outside of work and I want to pull my Jeep with it as well.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2359138990.html

So school me, what do I need to be on the look out for? I don't want to mod it other than maybe an exhuast and air intake, stock form will more that do what I need it to do. Should I bypass the 12 valve and go for the 24 valve? That means more money that I really don't have. What kind of milage will it get and can it be increased?

Thanks in advance.

 

The older you go, the better the fuel economy is and the more reliable they are simply because they're more basic mechanical systems with lower rated output.

My friend gets 22-24 in his 24 valve 5-speed 4x4. All he's done is a lift pump and edge attitude w/juice.