Hello everyone, I am currently thinking about buying an 04 Ram 2500 Cummins 24V, and I had a few questions. First of, it has extremely high mileage (156,000), but is all highway mileage, most of wich werent towing or hauling. This wasnt a work truck or abused, but the owner is recently deceased and the widow knows nothing about the truck, and just wants to get rid of it. Are there any specific things that I need to look for when I go and look at it. I will ask for maintenacne records, as well as check brakes, tires, hoses, belts, and look at the oil for good consistancy. Any special problems with this vehicle with high mileage like this (wheel bearings, CV joints, engine problems)? I am fimilar with diesels, and know that they cany run for a long long time with proper maintenance, I have an '85 MB 300TD turbodiesel with 170k on it now, and it runs like new. The truck is an extended cab SLT with 4wd, and towing package for $13,000. KBB and Edmunds both say that it is worth $22k. Thanks in advance.

 

I would buy that thing and not think twice about it!!!!!!

but I do have some comments,

get the lift pump tested, it may need replaceing.
get the ball joints checked, after 156K they may need a little TLC
last, is it an 04, or an 04.5? the way to tell is look at the valve cover on the drivers side. there is a white sticker that has all the engine info on it. if it sayd 305hp@2900RPM then you have the tripple nickle, if it says 325hp@2900 then you have the 600. the 04.5's are the 600's

 

that is a steal. buy it and see how fast you can get another 150k on it

 

Awesome news, I didnt think that the Cummins 600 was released until 05. What is the lift pump, is this an auxiliary oil pump, or fuel pump. I will check for the info on the engine. I have a feeling that it is an early 04 by the mileage, but, they could have mis read it and it really is 15,600 . I am meeting the widow tomorrow so I will keep everyone posted. I know this is an amazing deal, and I cannot wait to see it.

 

the lift pump is to supply the injector pump with fuel. if the pressure is below 12-14 at idle and about 6-8 at full throttle it is time to look at scoreing a new one soon.

the HPCR(which is what this is) engines are quite a bit more robust when it come to the injector pump. the 98.5's to the 02's were terrable about the lift pump dieing and then takeing out the injector pump with it. that ended up being an expensive repair.

even at this price if something does need repairing you have a long way to go before you reach the NADA book value

 

I just went by and glanced at the truck, I didnt have time to talk to the owener, but the truck is not an 04, as far as I can tell. Probabily and 02. I am going to do a little more research, because it wasnt the body style that I was expecting. I will definately have to check the lift pump now.