I'm new to the diesel side of trucks and I think I've found the truck I want.
Its a 2001 2500 Power Ram automatic with 279km on it.
From the sounds of the add this truck is in very good condition with receipts for work thats been done on it. I've also called the owner and aside from a few small things like a window motor and I think he said starter. Nothing major has gone wrong with the truck they've kept it pretty well maintained. I'm pretty sure I know what to look for when it comes to inspecting the body but I'm completely oblivious to what I should look at engine wise.

In your guys experience what should I look for when it comes to inspecting the truck when i go and look at it.

Thanks for any advice you guys got I'm pretty excited to go look at this truck!

 

see if its got aftermarket gauges and such...does it have aftermarket lift pump?

big thing to check, does it have a 53 block? if yes, is it cracked? (have a good look at the passenger side of the block above the freeze plugs and below the head. if there is any sign of coolant leakage there steer clear.)

53 would be stamped on either passenger or drivers side of the block, or raised numbering, and its towards the front of the block just above the oil pan...inch tall numbering. if any number other than 53, nothin to worry about. only the 53 blocks had cracking problems.

 

If it doesn't have a fuel pressure gauge installed, go get one and check the fuel pressure before buying it. If it's not running ~18 psi at idle and >10psi at WOT, plan on spending another couple thousand bucks replacing the fuel injection and lift pumps.

Other than that, check for the 53 block, and check for slop in the steering or front end.

 

I doubt anyone is going to let you mess with their fuel system before buying...just a gamble you will have to take...

Mine came with an in tank lift pump which means the lift pump and probably IP died at some point and got replaced...but I have not had to replace my IP yet and I've put 50k on my truck since I bought it, and over doubled the stock HP and TQ since I bought it...

If you do buy the truck, just get gauges on it, put a good aftermarket lift pump on it. run some 2 stroke oil in the fuel and that injection pump will live a nice long life.

 

If they want to sell, they had better be willing to let a buyer test fuel pressure. I sure as heck wouldn't buy a 24-valve without doing it, as the prospect of putting an injection pump on it would definitely alter how much I would be willing to spend on the truck.

 

Thanks guys I appreciate the advice you've all given me.

Although when I called wednesday to confirm when I was going to show up the next day. Him and his wife were apparently having second thoughts if they really wanted to sell the truck. So pretty much I didn't even get to go look at it, hopefully I'll get a call from him in the near future about him still wanting to sell it. But in the meantime I'll just keep my eyes open.

 

Less than 1% with 53 blocks had the cracking problems. Mainly because people did not warm up their trucks before towing. (Something that should be done anyway)

I would buy 53 blocks all day long. Still, the advice that was given is yes, do inspect it for leaks. Automatics you have to really get under there and look behind a bracket attached to the transmission.
Pretty easy to tell if it is cracked by the amount of coolant that drips down and when it is warmed up, it would be totally obvious.

 

I'm very aware of this...my truck has a 53 block and has 225k miles on it, hasn't cracked yet and hopefully never will.

 

Yeah mine has the 53 too and was concerned about it but use common sense when towing, not abusing the engine, and watch the gauges. I have had no problems. Not chipped either, just a pcm flash with a super chips tuner. Nothing crazy.
First thing i did was replace the lift pump because i was not going to risk an injection pump failure.

Good luck and hope it turns out to be a good deal for you!

 

Hell with all the mods you have on that and the miles you have on that beast, it probably would have by now if it was going to crack.