I had this posted over in 2nd Gen and it was suggested I post the questions here.

I'm looking at buying an 2002 2500 4X4 with 24v CTD and auto tranny. It has only 66,000 miles on it. Is there anything I should particulary look for or be worried about? What should I ask about. It is really clean inside and out and I know it was probably detailed, but I also know you can only polish a turd so much and this truck appears to have been well kept as evident by the low miles. Also can anyone tell me what MPG I can expect? Thanks,

 

Look for rust under the truck, frame and cab. At 66 thousand miles, the truck should be barely broken in. If i'm not mistaken the 2002 starts the common rail and you shouldn't have any fuel pump issues. One issue I've had having dodge trucks 99, 2006, 2001, they ALL had issues with the AC control flap going out, either breaking off its hinge or the actuator going bad. Ask him if he noticed anything strange with the AC ( i know right now in most of the US its actually cold outside anyways ) but it could still be an issue if you don't want to rip the dash out your self to get at it and fix it. Other than that, mechanically in 66 thousand miles, there isn't much that should go wrong.

The mpg is almost entirely dependent on load as well as rear end gearing and tires. My 2006 with 5.9l common rail and 3.73 in the rear with stock tires got about 14mpg city (when i babied it) and about 19mpg on the highway at 65-70mph. 12mpg in city when I drive with a lead foot =)

Get the truck, enjoy the hell out of it, and change the fuel filter regularly.


good luck!

 

Hey thanks Garret for the info. The underneath and wheel wells are emaculate. I know that they have been professionally detailed but you can only clean them up so much. I mean the truck inside and out looks like new. Even the light grey floor carpet and cloth seats have not one soil spot on them. So either they took it to a great detailer or the previous owner took really good care of it.

 

How about towing? Is there a 5 wheel hitch in the bed or evidence that there was one? I got fooled on my 99, they put a new plastic drop in bed liner on it and I failed to crawl under and actually look to see if the bed was cut for a 5th wheel hitch.

You may also want to ask if there was any computer/programmer installed and look at wire harness areas for the common places to splice in some of the programmers that don't come with a in between harness.

 

Common rail started in 2003. 2002 is a Vp44 electronic pump set-up. You'll need a fuel pressure gauge before you buy to make sure the pump is still good. Search for problems. Avoid 53 block and signs of bombing. Look for new lift pump or upgraded fuel system=good. Have tranny checked also. The engine with auto is Single output, not high output as in 6spd. 02 is the best year for vp 2nd gen models because of 4wheel disc brakes. That low of miles says it was a daily driver and never used on long hauls. Starting and stopping and low miles is worse than long hauls with hwy miles imho. Good luck.

 

Thanks for all the good tips guys, keep them coming........I still haven't convinced the wife that I really need this truck and how practical/useful it would be Anyone with suggestions about that issue would be welcomed as well

 

Pssh. She gets shoes, you get a truck. What's the issue?

 

i had a 02 dully. great truck and tough. the only problem i had was about 98k miles the fuel pump went out taking the injector pump with it. but it was covered under warenty.
i had 152k miles on it when i wrecked and totaled it. if it wasnt for the wreck i would still have the truck. i ran a edge box on it all the time (comp) on level 5 and got between 22 to 24 mpg. with 4-10 gears. as far as talking your wife into it tell her the truck will last u a very long time. i heard of people having over 500k miles before rebuilding the motors. GOOD LUCK