So after narrowing down over 20 7.3's, 6.6's and 5.9's in the last 24 hours, I've got my heart set on a '02 3500 5.9 dually that sticks out at me over the rest. It's got 135k miles, some sweet extras, and pics look great, and I'll be going down tomorrow to check it out in person. Now I've just got some specific questions on this year/engine, so I can have an idea of what I may be getting into:

1. For this year, I know obviously the VP44 was the weak link, and I have the bankroll to replace it if need be.
--How can I tell by visual inspection, or turning the truck on, if it's had the VP44 replaced?
Carfax unfortunately doesn't give too much detail on the specific services done on vehicles, so if I can't tell, or it just hasn't been replaced, when should I expect it to fail? I've heard ~150k miles usually, which is why I'm asking so I can brace myself.

2. Also, I know this isn't the year range that injectors were an issue, but have any of you experienced bad injectors around this mileage, or soon? Injectors are a huge deal for me since their price is through the roof, and this is something that will financially sideline me and the truck. I'd be able to replace one or two if they go, but it would be hell to replace all at once...could I get by replacing them one by one?

Thanks in advance. The price is right, and if everything checks out tomorrow, I might be headin back home in a new rig. I appreciate any advice, and I also thank 95PowerSmoker for taking the time answering my prior questions

 

There isnt any way to really tell unless the VP looks new. If its hard to start then thats a sign the VP could be heading south. First thing you need is a lift pump ie; AirDog, FASS, or something. The factory ones on the 24v are horrible and when they go thats what causes the VP to go. The VP isnt ever really the issue. It just needs proper fuel pressure to stay happy. Mine still has the orginal one and we just hit 200K miles but I have had an AirDog on mine since 100K miles. Now on the injectors you might be confused with the Common Rail injectors 03 and up as being expensive. Those are the ones that are 200-300 bucks a pop. A 24v VP-44 injectors arent that bad. I got 75hp injectors for around 650 bucks installed. What are the sweet extras that the truck has?

 

200K miles on the stock injectors, to my knowledge, before I swapped out bigger ones.

As said above, visual or a receipt is the only way to tell when the pump was done.