98 dodge 2500 cummins 12v 4x 4 buy or no?

[winky]

Looking at buying 98 5 speed dodge 2500 4x4 guy is asking $3500 bottom line... has a rebuilt title from being rear ended inside is rough ( work truck) has 160k miles.. wanting to get something for all the car hauling I do.. think this one is worth it assuming everything is decent?3?

[Blazin]

Hard to beat a 12 valve Cummins! I have seen alot of these Dodges in my neck of the woods with frame rust in front of the front wheels, behind bumper.

[winky]

Thanks, I'll b sure to check for that. Where about are you from I dont THINK this truck will have that problem, I'm in west alabama

[Tx Firefighter]

Make sure there's no Killer Dowel Pin damage on the front of then engine. 12 valves are bad about it.

[winky]

New to diesels (worked on bunch of 6.0 fords last year) this will b my first diesel so I'm just trying to make sure I get it right. I'll definitely make sure that had been addressed if I get it

[winky]

260k miles on it... oops.. change any ones mind?

[Blazin]

I am from New Hampshaa.
As long as it was maintained 260k is not a big deal for a 5.9. I know of half a dozen around here that have 375k plus, and handfulls with 250k plus. I have fixed oil leaks under the power steering pump on quite few 12, and 24 valve 5.9s over the years. Its not imposible job, but the back bolt behind the pump can be an experiance to behold!

[winky]

I'm sure it cant be worse than some of the froze up pedestal bolt s on the 6.0. (2 hrs of throwing stuff and 5 mins of blind welding in the back an bam! Striped bolts come out )
Thanks for your replies. Any ways I have base cert in engine performance and repair so I look at this AS a great time to learn more about diesels, it'll be used mostly for light towing ( cars... scrap metal. Maybe something heavy every now and then so I guess it should hopefully be OK for a while?

[Blazin]

No welding needed, just a long extension, a swivel, and a little mirror. Oh, and being able to do everything backwards looking in the mirrior! Or just doing by brail! lol

[winky]

Lol yeah that mirror will mess with you pretty bad until you get use to doing everything opposite

[winky]

Called this morning said I was getting it.. went to bank on lunch break got approved for the loan told him  fax a copy of the title to bank... 2 hrs later no fax... text him and he said someone was looking at it... hour later he told me he sold it.... WTH

[Tx_Phil]

If I was you I'd take a knee and say thanks!!
When something like this happens your guardian angle just stepped up and saved you some grief. Besides if you can't trust the seller while striking the deal I doubt you could trust him regarding the history of the truck.

[winky]

Yup I strongly believe everything happens for a reason just erks me that people do people that way

[Tx_Phil]

No question. People like that just burn my biscuits. I just have to remind myself it's better this way. Not always easy to take though.

[fitz]

I hate to be the bad guy here but I would have sold to the first person with the cash. Most banks wont give a loan on a 15 year old vehicle with 260k and a salvage/reconstructed title.