Hello-
Currently I own a 03 1500 quad cab 4x4 laramie 5.7 hemi with the off road package. Great truck and my third dodge, but I tow a 20x9 renegade trailer used for motorcycle drag racing and the truck only gets 9 or 10 mpg when towing and 15 mpg normally. Plus the trailer is a bit much for the 1500 chassis and would rather have a 2500 chassis.
I came across a local guy (small dealer) with a bunch of used 97-03 Dodge CTD's. I'm thinking of going the diesel route for the mileage and the towing capacity. These trucks all have 150k to 230k on them and all the bodies look good. I've read the cummings is good for 300k+ without much trouble...if thats true. The 24v 5.9 seems the likely choice and I would prefer an automatic with an extended cab. The prices he's asking are ranging between 10K and 14K. Does that sound reasonable as a starting point for the amount of good miles left in these truck's? At 200k+ miles are these trucks (on average) on the edge of dying?? I'd hate to trade in my good running truck for something that's nothing but trouble. The diesel trucks he has come with a 6 month/7500 mile powertrain warranty. What do you think...is it worth investigating???? or stick to what I have.

 

The first, and most important thing to know is, theres no "G" in Cummins!! (sorry, no smileys to show I'm teasing you)
The motor will last 400,000 plus, the rest of the truck????
The '98.5 to '02 24 valve trucks have a sometimes problematic VP44 injection pump http://www.stamey.info/truck/RamFaq.htm#Banjo
The '94 to'98.5 12 valve's have what is considered to be the bulletproof P7100 pump.
Newer than '02 will be the common rail, much better choice.
Auto trans can just barely hold the stock power levels, and at 150k or more might need attention, especially if they've been abused.
You should get 12-15 or better towing, and near 20 empty, if the truck is setup properly, ie; 3:55 gears, no lift, non aggressive tires, etc. 4x4 will get slightly less, as will a dually.
Price wise depends on condition, mileage etc. Theres too much info to cover in one post, pick one or two that you like, look them over and then ask us any particular questions.

 

ok thanks for the info. So it seems 200k+ might not be a flickering flame then. I've read about the trans problems (my 99 4x4 trans. died) and also about the injection pump failure you mentioned. One thing...does $10-$14K sound at least within reason for 00-02 CTD's in good shape (body and chassis wise) with 200K+ miles??? going to look at them closely tomorrow

 

That is the asking price, they should come down a bit. Try blue booking it and see what that says. I think it's high for the mileage.
See if they're giving you what your's is worth too.
Look around a bit, don't get in a hurry, might find another good truck for less money.
See what they're going for on ebay, just to get an idea.

 

see what you think....found a 2004 CTD SLT single cab, 4x4, 6-speed manual, 140K miles, 4" lift, Texas truck no rust for $15900...from what I have seen on line that doesn't sound too bad. How's the feedback on a 6 speed manual trans? I wasn't able to get too much info on it?

 

'04 will be a common rail, no VP44 worries, 6spd is a good trans, sounds like a decent truck. 6 years old with 140k is a little high, but if the maintenance was taken care of, no worries. Make sure it wasn't a Katrina truck. Check the warranty and maintenance records. Some '04's had injector trouble, which might have actually been electronics related.
Make sure it is a quality lift.

 

first and foremost...thanks for all the brain pickin' I've been doing to you.

The lift is a Tuff Country. Researched reviews on line and most seem favorable. Have you heard of them? Hadn't thought about Katrina....good advice. The truck is in PA and I'm in central NY so a small road trip involved this weekend. Thanks again.

 

Tuff Country's been around a long time, should be OK. Good luck.