My sister-in-law has a found me an 03 CTD that seems to be everything I want. She is going to go take a look at it tomorrow. She is going to call me while she's looking at it. What should I have her look at specifically? I want to know what the build tag in the engine compartment says.
Can she check for trouble codes by turning the key off and on, or does it take an OBD2 scanner?
She has been selling vehicles for many years down there, so I trust her if she tells me it's in good shape vs. a beat to hell farm truck.

 

On the 03's the build tag is in the glove box. Check trouble codes by cycling key on/off 3 times leaving it in the on position the 3rd time. Good luck!

 

I just got an 03 3500 in the winter and so far no probs and its got 200k , tell your sis to check how far off is the stearing wheel couse it probebley needs alignment like mine did , good luck.

 

Steering U-joints and ball joints seem to be weak points.

Drive slowly in a wide circle both clockwise and counter-clockwise, listening for clicking or light knocking. The truck will need to be off the ground to check the ball joints.