I think the price is close but I noticed that the tires show signs of cupping it can be caused by underinflation or bad tierods, so I would check on that, plus the tires look like they can be replaced fairly soon... As for the OBD II (ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS version II) If you find someone with one for Dodge Pickup you can monitor EVERYTHING!!!, Wastgate, Sensor Voltages, ect ect, so if you can find someone who knows what they are looking at then they can tell if things look right... Truck looks clean and nice! But think you may need to negotiate a little, but I think will all can prep you for the battle, so you dont look like a total A** !!

Also it has a Hour Meter check that out and let me know how many hours its says it has, because if its past 6000 to 7000 Hours it may have seen alot of Idle time and Diesel do not like excessive idle it can cause cylinder washing, and cause premature cylinder and piston ring wear....

Dont let what Im saying scare you, Im just informing you so you have an understanding what excesive idling does...

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

Its a little more than a quarter inch wide about 3/4 but Im not gonna break out the tape measure.

 

Thanks for taking an in-depth look at it for me...
I sent an information request to the seller asking for the hour meter read before I make the long haul up there.
Is the cupping/wearing of the tires something I would use as leverage for negotiation when I was to make that trip to the dealer?

 

I would!!! because if you cant fix it your self it can be quite expensive, To redo the front end on my truck my self will cost about a grand, to have a shop do it 2-3 grand I would call them and get and in depth info from them, if they have had the front suspension, and steering components checked for wear? in all honesty its proably time... Dont let that stop you because if you can get it low enough its still worth the extra effort... I didnt do a blue book on it, but you can go to KBB.com and see what they sugest is a correct price...

 

When checking the coil springs, seals, and shocks (for leaks), is it necessary to go under the body to inspect these properly?

I am constantly searching, so I will post any other vehicles I find on this thread.

 

I would you can go under the front end and try to move things from sided to say if there is alot of play (1/4") it needs replaced, I wouldent worry to much about the coil springs if they are bad you will notice because the truck will be sittin on the tires... Its good to crawl underneath and see how things look, and check for leaks and anything out of the ordinary, but if you not sure what you are looking at, you can try to find a reputable mechanic to look at things for you.. I spent 15 minutes underneath my truck pulling a tugging.... Making sure there was no redneck fixes, even though I am quilty of a couple.... On ranch trucks anyways... But keep positn and well keep informing...

 

Its always good to get underneath and check every single component. Make sure there was no quick fixes done to it

 

I got it out of the dealer that the tierods are not looking so hot...in his words, "yeah it may need some new tierods in about 20-25 thousand miles, just like all dodges."
Also, the hour meter magically disappeared after it went through clearing safety checks at the dealer? wtf? Don't think Ill be making that 200 mile trip north.
Ill keep looking!

 

Yea seems kinda fishy to me. I definitely wouldnt waste my
time with a dishonest dealer

 

Yea keep fishin, more out there youll find the right one...

 

Ill throw in my 2 cents. I love my Dodge. I would never trade it for anything. But I have also owned since she was a baby (37K miles). Now for your price and what you are looking for I would suggest looking at the OBS Fords (Older Body Style) 94-97 with the 7.3 powerstroke. You could get a lower mileage, bigger cab, and still have a very solid truck. The 7.3 is the most reliable diesel engine behind the 12v Cummins. Its not going to be a 750hp truck so if you have big dreams of sky high horse power then stick to the Cummins but an older 7.3 can make a very reliable and driveable 450-500hp but thats going to be its max potential. On the front end, if you jack it up and grab the top of the tire and wheel and pull towards you, nothing should move. If you feel it move back and forth, more than likely it needs new ball joints. Dodges have alot of play but there are upgrades out there to help with that. I also wouldnt get a truck over 150K miles unless the front end has been rebuilt/replaced and the transmission has been looked over as well.