[FlaCracker]

Hey guys, I am an old Cummins 12v guy, but I am now selling my 98 Ram 3500, looking at stepping into the 4th gen world. I am currently looking at a Ram 3500 Big Horn 4x4 dually. Truck is a single owner, very clean, exterior/interior excellent condition, no rust. Suspension/steering is tights, runs great. Engine sounds/runs great, no smoke. no oil drips. I think this guy must have did some hauling with it. This at a Dodge dealership for sale. The big issue is that the truck has 474k miles on it. If this was a regular truck, I would be more concerned. Not worried about the Cummins engine, runs tight. Tranny shifts really well, fluid looks good.

Due to the high mileage, even though truck is in great shape, price reduced to $18.9k, I talked them down to $17.5.

Sorry for the long dissertation, but here is the questions:

1 - Any unique things to look out for this year, i.e., engine, tranny, etc?
2 - Any particular forum articles I should check out for more info?

Thanks, guys! Really appreciate the help in advance.

 

[EvilBrutus90]

1. The 2013’s had dual radiators and the upper y pipe can develop leaks, but with this mileage I’m sure it was replaced already at least one. And I would recommend looking at the drive and idle engine hours to verify the average miles per hour.


2. Someone else can chime in with what threads to read.

3. If the trans dipstick is on the passenger side you have the 68rfe. If it’s on the driver side, you have the aisin.

 

[FlaCracker]

Great, thanks for the info. I haven't went back to check the truck yet, close deal this week. Based on the build sheet, it has the 68FRE tranny.

 

[Grit dog]

I wouldn't touch a 500k mile truck with a 10' pole for that much money!
Possibly, if there was a complete and extensive history of major and minor repairs and you could satisfy yourself that racking up a pile of repair bills was not imminent.
For that particular model, dual radiator, not awesome, but not problematic if you replace the Y pipe. First year emissions truck. Is it deleted? Can you delete it? How many miles and hours on the emissions system if keeping it in tact?

It sounds like you want a 4th Gen, but considering you could buy a clean 3rd Gen Quad cab with 1/3 that many miles for the same money, I would be considering that

 

[Kmehr]

I agree that's a ton of money for a truck with that many miles. Sure it might keep going for a long time, but you've got to remember the B50 life on this is 350k miles I think. That's just a statistic, but dang that's a lot of miles in 5 years. Especially buying from a dealer that doesn't know much about it.

 

[Grit dog]

It's pretty much a given that the truck was a hauler. Possible that they were just over the road bobtail miles, but not likely.
Crazy part is NADA shows a value for a SLT diesel 4x4 crew cab at over $20k rough trade in and $28k clean retail!
Thank you NADA for helping to over-value these trucks even more! Makes $17k sound like a deal, but I still think thats double what it's worth.

 

[FlaCracker]

Yeah, good points, guys! Anyway, decision made for me. Bank will not approve loan for any truck with over 300k miles. I am hoping to get a 2014 truck, looking at a few now.

 

[Ricky_Bobby]

Yeah, good points, guys! Anyway, decision made for me. Bank will not approve loan for any truck with over 300k miles. I am hoping to get a 2014 truck, looking at a few now.

I think you should maybe find a way to save up some money to either take a very minimal loan, or none at all - its bad enough people take out loans on new vehicles but a 5-6 year old truck with north of 100k or 200k miles, regardless if a diesel or not, is not a good idea, IMO -

You were talking about a $17k truck originally so this isn't a large amount here -

 

[FlaCracker]

Talk about getting off subject, Ricky_Bobby! If you remember, my questions were:

1 - Any unique things to look out for this year, i.e., engine, tranny, etc?
2 - Any particular forum articles I should check out for more info?

Not asking for financial advice. I will talk to my bank about that.

Nothing personal here, would appreciate it if we stay on subject.

Thanks!

 

[Ricky_Bobby]

Just looking out for my fellow forum members as I'd rather read threads about "My rig is back on the road again!" as opposed to "my trans/turbo took a dump and now I have to sell it" - and if you're borrowing $17k to buy it, a 6k transmission is not something I think is in the cards to get fixed with cash.

Since you're not a diesel mechanic that I can tell (otherwise you probably wouldn't be asking about any issues with the trucks), my advice still rings true.

I'd recommend any used truck with higher miles to factor in the cost of a good 3rd party warranty on the truck, whether you want bumper to bumper, or just powertrain - with all the electronics on the upper trims, and cost of powertrain stuff when it goes, turbo actuators over 100k miles etc, 68RFE transmissions, etc - it will pay for itself easily two to 3 times over, if not more, in the first couple years - and especially if you have a loan on the truck, the bank will look favorably on it as they will be happier knowing you can still pay the loan on the truck if big repairs are covered.

I'm on many car boards and there are guys who have had warranty companies pay 2-3x the vehicle cost in warranty repairs, because unless you're buying a one owner car with impeccable service records and history, the "Oops" SHTF, unexpected repair incident will happen on these big trucks, and as I always say, you gotta pay to play.

If the truth stings I'm sorry but thats just me being honest, I'm sure a lot of people around here don't like it but I'm offering my own experiences here as well, as someone who just crawled out of 75k in debt.

And my last sentiment is that I hope you don't take financial advice from a banker - who makes a living selling loans and making money for their bank off fees and interest - if we all did that we'd all be underwater on 2 or 3 houses with a couple of depreciating assets collecting dust in our driveway and without a drop of cash, like it was 2008. Find yourself a good financial advisor who is a teacher and wants to grow his clients wealth.

Best of luck in the search for your truck - plenty of information on this forum and others.

 

[FlaCracker]

Let me see if I can clear up the haze for you!

(1) Did you answer the original questions I asked?
(2) Did I ask for your personal financial advice or knowledge about my work experience?

Enough said. Please do not reply back anymore, your silence is appreciated!

 

[Ratdog1]

@FlaCracker

Umm...
q#1.. There were many changes between 13s and 15s 16s for sure. Better check on frame upgrades frontend upgrades.
Cooling systems upgrades.
I would look past 13 and 14 for sure . many changes happened..
The thing I mentioned are from reading threads without research.
That's my $0.02 worth and no financial advice..

Sent from my LG-M255 using Tapatalk

 

[the man in black]

At 474k you should look at everything with a fine toothed comb. Expect to replace any and every part tomorrow now matter how tight it feels unless there are receipts showing maintenance. The only specific '13my item is the dual rads. Other than that pretty much the same stuff as any other used truck with 474k....

Now that we have that out of the way I'd really recommend you listen to Bobby. We are just trying to help. If the owner felt it was time to put the truck out to pasture at 474k there is probably a reason. If he thought it was still a money making reliable hot shot he likely would have kept racking up miles. Not likely he traded it in for the high trade value..

 

[FlaCracker]

Thanks fro the great info. I have lof of experience and time with the 2nd gens, none with 4th gens. Aprpeciate it. I have narrowed down my search to two trucks, one is a 2013 3500 Big Horn dually with 205k miles, excellent condition. The other, which I am leaning toward, is a 2014 3500 Tradesman dually, only has 47k miles on it, excellent condition, looks like it came off showroom floor, plus, in my hometown. Going to look at it today.

One other question, what are key differences between the different option packages, i.e., sport, Tradesman, Laredo and Big Horm. I have learned about some, just could not find a lot of info on this.

 

[Too Tall]

The DPF will need replacing. Ask if it has been and when. From a dealer they are like 3k or so.

 

[EvilBrutus90]

The trim levels are as follows: Tradesman (SL), SLT, big horn, Laramie, longhorn, limited. The higher up the ladder, the more bells and whistles. Honestly, the tradesman have came along way with the features compared to base 2nd and 3rd gens. Tradesman have cloth and plastic door panels, smaller radio screen,solid back window, rear seat that doesn’t split fold, etc. SLT and big horns can be added with the 8.4 touchscreen, heated seats, etc

 

[FlaCracker]

Great, thanks for the info guys. I got lucky, I continued looking around on Craigs List, found the truck, located in my town where I live! Bank closing this Thursday, here are the details:

2014 Ram 3500 Trademan Dually, auto, rear-wheel drive. Excellent condition inside-out, all original, no mods to engine or drivetrain, only has 42.5k miles on it. Babied by owner. Was asking $35k, got it for $33k.

I am a happy man!

Now just got to get my 98 Ram 12v sold!

 

[Grit dog]

Nice!!
Think you'll be much more comfortable with a 40k mile truck vs a 400k mile truck!

 

[Ricky_Bobby]

Great, thanks for the info guys. I got lucky, I continued looking around on Craigs List, found the truck, located in my town where I live! Bank closing this Thursday, here are the details:

2014 Ram 3500 Trademan Dually, auto, rear-wheel drive. Excellent condition inside-out, all original, no mods to engine or drivetrain, only has 42.5k miles on it. Babied by owner. Was asking $35k, got it for $33k.

I am a happy man!

Now just got to get my 98 Ram 12v sold!

Congrats! A MUCH better choice with 400k less miles - hoping it gives you many many years of happiness!

 

[FlaCracker]

Thanks, Ricky_Bobby. No hard feelings, really appreciate it. Got to admit, I was little nervous and tentative about the first vehicle. This one is definitely the right choice. Have a good one!