Rookie looking into buying a diesel.
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Rookie looking into buying a diesel.
Alright guys, I truly aplogize I know this is a question that gets posted oftenly but... I am looking into upgrading from my baby V8 to a diesel, Cummins only. I am currently looking at a variety of years, but I cannot decide wether to upgrade in engine and get a lesser payment by buying an older year, or to upgrade into a diesel and get a newer 05+. I have been slowly leaning to getting an older one. But I know when looking into the later years I need to know more of what I am at and what to look for. Hopefully that is where you guys can come in. Here is a prime example of what I am looking at, )http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/1055828002.html ) my hopes are you guys could give your opinion of this vehicle and give me some tips of what to look for when looking at other vehicles. Thanks in advance, and I'm sorry for the damn book but just want to be clear! Thanks again
Rob
Rob
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Thats a very nice looking truck. 
140k mi. isn't that high mi. for the cummins, but I would plan on upgrading the tranny, if it hasn't been done already. Plan on spending at least $3k to $4k on a good rebuilt tranny. Also with those bigger tires, how is the front end as far as steering tie rod ends and such. Those things tend to wear on those trucks with factory tires, I'm sure larger wheels/tires will compound the problem. If its a one owner and well maintained, I think thats a decent price for the truck. Just get as much history of the truck as you can as far as maintenance and any repair work or upgrades. Good Luck.
140k mi. isn't that high mi. for the cummins, but I would plan on upgrading the tranny, if it hasn't been done already. Plan on spending at least $3k to $4k on a good rebuilt tranny. Also with those bigger tires, how is the front end as far as steering tie rod ends and such. Those things tend to wear on those trucks with factory tires, I'm sure larger wheels/tires will compound the problem. If its a one owner and well maintained, I think thats a decent price for the truck. Just get as much history of the truck as you can as far as maintenance and any repair work or upgrades. Good Luck.
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Scary
Wow thats scary, I wouldnt have imagined the tranny would need work at only 140k miles on a un modded truck. In your guys opinions how long will these trannies go? Or when should you be "expecting" to do tranny work? And is it all years that you need to worry about. Reason why I ask is I just found a stock 03 w/ 90K on it... Thanks for the replies guys & Keep em coming!
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I personally would plan on rebuilding the tranny soon on the first truck your looking at. I have heard of those trucks going over 200k on a stock tranny, but I personally don't know anybody that has one that did. The guys that I know here in my area have all rebuilt there trannies by 140k mi.
I would also perfer the '03 over the '01, as the third gen. trucks are just a lot nicer all around. Your front end and steering will be much better, not to mention how much quiter the truck is. As for the tranny in the '03, I believe its a 47RE, just like the '01 has. I don't think they changed to the 48RE till '04. Somebody else might have more insight in this. Either way I would feel more confortable with the '03 as far as the tranny goes, as that 50k mi. less on the truck.
I bought an '04 with 112k mi. in June of '07. The day after I bought it, I had to fix the tranny. I think that is a little unusual, but I have talked to numurous guys since that have rebuilt there trannys, often between 100k to 150k mi.
The 48RE is usually considered a little better tranny, but like I said I'm not sure exactly which year the were put in these trucks.
So much for my ramblings.
I would also perfer the '03 over the '01, as the third gen. trucks are just a lot nicer all around. Your front end and steering will be much better, not to mention how much quiter the truck is. As for the tranny in the '03, I believe its a 47RE, just like the '01 has. I don't think they changed to the 48RE till '04. Somebody else might have more insight in this. Either way I would feel more confortable with the '03 as far as the tranny goes, as that 50k mi. less on the truck.
I bought an '04 with 112k mi. in June of '07. The day after I bought it, I had to fix the tranny. I think that is a little unusual, but I have talked to numurous guys since that have rebuilt there trannys, often between 100k to 150k mi.
The 48RE is usually considered a little better tranny, but like I said I'm not sure exactly which year the were put in these trucks.
So much for my ramblings.
Rookie
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Not to mention that the guy freely admits to using and Edge programmer. With the touch of a button, it can increase torque an additional 250 lbs (or something close to that). Since he hasn't done any supporting mods to his tranny, it's gonna be smoked!!!
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48re came out mid year 03...
See, the thing with the transmission is, guys go throwing a programmer or box on it, and then are pissed because the transmission goes out. You cant turn it up, and hotrod it, and expect it to last. Yes, I realize they go out on stockers too...
The worst part in a stock transmission is the torque convertor. Upgrade it and the valvebody, and have the rest checked out, and you may get away with that. It wouldnt hurt to replace the clutches with better parts anyways.
The 47re can be upgraded with most of the better 48re parts. Not all, but most.
And heres another vote for a Common Rail (03+)
See, the thing with the transmission is, guys go throwing a programmer or box on it, and then are pissed because the transmission goes out. You cant turn it up, and hotrod it, and expect it to last. Yes, I realize they go out on stockers too...
The worst part in a stock transmission is the torque convertor. Upgrade it and the valvebody, and have the rest checked out, and you may get away with that. It wouldnt hurt to replace the clutches with better parts anyways.
The 47re can be upgraded with most of the better 48re parts. Not all, but most.
And heres another vote for a Common Rail (03+)