Im looking at getting into my first diesel and have found an 02 cummins with auto transmission. Nothing else done to it other than it has a 5 inch stack. The only problem is that the guy says the transmission is completely gone out of it , but from what he told me he said he went to get groceries then he had no gears left in the thing. So im possibly wondering what it could be if the whole transmission is gone or im starting to hope its something simple. And another question what should i be checking on this truck like things to look for that's its a bad truck to buy. Anything would help alot, Thanks !

 

Things to check:
-Age of injection pump and lift pump
-How tight the steering is
-Last time the front end was rebuilt
-Any and all maintenance records

Auto could be just the torque converter, or even low on fluid. Pulling the dipstick for a smell can give you some information. Worst case scenario it is completely toast, $3000 for a stock rebuild (bad idea) up to $6000 for performance build.