Hey guys - I found a 5.9 Diesel which appears to be in decent shape, my only concern is it has 98k miles. I'm looking to tow an RV within the next 3-4 years (buy the truck first, RV second once truck is paid off), but i'm concerned that by then it'll be a 10 year vehicle with 160k on it (Should I be?)

I've done a lot of research and decided I only want the 06-07 5.9 so I don't have to deal with the EPA crap they have now. I don't think i'm as concerned about the Engine as much as the body and trans.

What are your thoughts? Dealer is asking 29k which I think is a little high. But it's a one-owner truck and has a clean carfax.

Vehicle History report -> Welcome to AutoCheck

The dealer is about 120 miles away, so I only want to make the drive if i'm very serious about it. I'm not sure if I should continue looking for something closer or not.

Any advice would be great - this would be my first diesel.

Here are the pics.

 

My truck has 240K on the engine and originall tranny! what kills the tranny is lack of maintaince and not adjusting the bands. Looks like a decent truck I had a friend just buy an 06 with a 6 speed for 21K with 102K miles on it but trucks. Cummins is a very good and dependable engine. As long as you take care of it. It will take care of you. You can put on a bigger exhaust, add a new aftermarket lift pump, and a programmer and you can have a great daily driver and a good hauler! I would not worry about having 160K miles on it once its ten years old that nothing for a cummins as long as you take care of it.

 

Seems high to me.if your going to be pulling remember you'll need gauges,fuel system,and trans modifications.

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Thanks for the response - this thing will need modifications to hull a 10-11lb RV?

I thought these things were ready to go right from the factory?

 

Shell pull that no problem stock, but the little upgrades always help. They're relatively inexpensive and can make a big difference. And i do agree with needing trans upgrades becasue the 48re isnt known for its longevity. I have the same truck (higher miles though) it pulled 12k without a flinch, with just the exhaust done to it.

 

How about the body? I often here "the body will go before the engine will" I asked the dealer to be very picky and go around and send me a picture of everything he could find.

He came back with these pictures - think these are a big deal?

 

If your going to pay anything near what there asking if have them fix some of them. These trucks are ready to haul from the factory. But when your towing you take a big risk of causing damage if you don't watch your exhaust gas temperatures (egt), your fuel pressure,boost, and trans temp you can destroy parts in an instant if temperatures get to high.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC

 

I'm surprised these don't have the trans temp right on the dash. My dad's 7.3 turbo diesel ford has it from the factory.

 

They're asking A LOT for that truck to begin with so i would see what he'd do about the rust on the fender. as for the minor scrathes and dents, its a truck... they're gonna happen eventully no matter how hard you try.

 

If you take care of the body by washing and waxing often it should be ok, and putting on mudflaps that will protect the inside of your fender wells. Trans upgrades are a commodity in my oppinion and I wouldent worry about them untill you run into issues. But guages, or an edge insight to monitor egt, boost, and fuel pressure will make you aware of issues before them become a major problem and costly repairs. I think they are asking a little high but im sure you can knock him down several grand. but that truck looks like it either has a bad pain job on the bed because of the bubbles? I think that 29K is to much for a truck with cosmetic issues like that... more like 19-20K at least for the area here...