Advice on Buying a 01 Cummins

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ed1

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I have found a 2001 Cummins with 205xxx miles on it and am unsure if i should buy it. It is a 4 door, silver in color, and listed at 6500. Any thoughts?
 
check fuel pressure does it have fass or airdog check front end tranny leaks is ir auto or manual lot of things to look at if it hasnthad a vp replacement before plan on it in the future if its a stock fuel system plan on upgrading it
 
ed1 said:
I have found a 2001 Cummins with 205xxx miles on it and am unsure if i should buy it. It is a 4 door, silver in color, and listed at 6500. Any thoughts?
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You have 2 or 3 thousand in your savings account to fix stuff on it? They are not exactly the cheapest vehicles to drive or own, by far. Parts are quite expensive. Very expensive actually. For example, an injector pump for an 01 5.9 is about $1000 bucks. Compare that to $300-700 for a complete, used 5.3 vortec engine for 99-07 chevy silverado. Then look at fuel costs that are an average of .30 higher than gasoline, you would have to really want one.
 
Listen to these guys.... You gotta really want a diesel!!haha Takes more to maintain then a gas jobby as well. Plus if you want power then kiss your savings goodbye because modding these trucks is very addicting!!! (and expensive) But that isn't a horrible deal for the year and mileage... Talk em down into the 5's though
 
Tranny and fuel pressure and the condition of the Vp44, other than that, go for it, you wont be disappointed.
 
if the condition of the truck is good (no rust), that's a good price. I bought another 01 with 220,000 miles not to long ago. It has 240k now and runs/drives great. Maintenance costs are higher than a gas obviously, but the fuel price difference is a wash. A 3/4 ton diesel will get better mileage than a 3/4 ton gas. Especially towing a load. Now if you are just looking for transportation from point A to point B then it is a different story.

Just make sure you compare apples to apples, don't write off buying a diesel because you heard a new injection pump with a warranty is $1000 and a used take out engine from a 1/2 ton truck with no warranty is only $300-700. It just wouldn't make any sense...
 
Isn't an injection pumps warrantied void if you tap the pump? j/w.. not being a smart a$$
 
Yea and if u plan on Beefing it up a bit go ahead and built it up to hold before u start adding power first or you will be in my shoes as my truck sits in the driveway with the transmission completely useless and I'm looking at doing it cheaply but right for around 3k. So build it up then buy the mods, if I could do it all over I would have built mine to hold first, and make sure you do A LOT of research! Good Luck
 
I believe one shop will still warranty with the wire tapped. Maybe the shop that builds the redline boxes? Can't remember...
 
I recently sold my 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Short Bed Intense Blue Pearl 99' with 270K miles for $7,500. It did have a few modifications and about 500 HP.
 
It's used you have to plan on some issues. If you are worried about that just remember that a new 2500 worth 43K @ 0% for 60 months is still $716/mo if you have a good credit rating, then there is ins. and how much your ins co. will stab you in the butt if you even fart in the vehichle. Go for it.
 
WOW this guy got more than he bargained for.... lol I think he was looking more along the lines of what to look for and if that was a decent price.... not the economics behind owning a diesel.... But I could be wrong... I personally wouldn't be afraid of a VP truck but make sure it has good fuel pressure and buy a gauge for it! Other than that its standard stuff... check trans, chassis, etc... Also ask if it has had a new injection or lift pump put on. New injection pump will run $1k or so plus install...

But I would like to know how some feel it costs more $$$ to maintain a diesel than a gas? Unless you aren't comparing apples to apples, and comparing 1/2 ton to 3/4 or 1 ton.... Doesn't make sense to me... other than holding more oil at an oil change most parts don't cost any more... suspension is the same.... maybe a starter or alternator might cost more... but the engine will run for more miles.... Higher cost of fuel I can see, but that's not maintenance cost....
 
For the price you cant be too terribly picky, especially if you get them in the 5,500-5,000 range. The only big thing I would check besides the injector pump is cycling the key for codes and checking the block #.
53 Block FAQ and Information
 
Aside all the fuel related things to check, drive it and see how the steering is. My nieghbors 2001 and my 2002 are getting sloppy as hell. Add that to your list. $.02
 
as far as running parts go these guys have the list down...bring a jack to check the front end, do a good shake down. check the track bar and its bushing and heim joint boot for rips and slack. Steering boxes get sloppy after plowing or high miles. check the tranny fluid for a burnt smell or a color other than blood red. rub a little fluid between your fingers. if it feels gritty step back and thank the guy for his time.

as far as the bodys go on these trucks, check the rocker from the inside of the door jamb for rot. also check the front and rear fenders for bubbling and rot. other than that enourmous list of things to look for...lol should be okay!

p.s. just picked my 99 up for 6 grand with 90k on it. needed a lift pump and some front end parts. body is a lil rough but nothing too extreme :~) congrats on the good find
 
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TwiztedMetal said:
as far as running parts go these guys have the list down...bring a jack to check the front end, do a good shake down. check the track bar and its bushing and heim joint boot for rips and slack. Steering boxes get sloppy after plowing or high miles. check the tranny fluid for a burnt smell or a color other than blood red. rub a little fluid between your fingers. if it feels gritty step back and thank the guy for his time.

as far as the bodys go on these trucks, check the rocker from the inside of the door jamb for rot. also check the front and rear fenders for bubbling and rot. other than that enourmous list of things to look for...lol should be okay!

p.s. just picked my 99 up for 6 grand with 90k on it. needed a lift pump and some front end parts. body is a lil rough but nothing too extreme :~) congrats on the good find
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bought the 01 in my sig and pic for 3 grand with 139k miles a few dents on drivers side and needed a few parts:evil whole a/c system and tires, now has about 9k in it including sell price

and it doesnt have ripped seat, cracked dash, peeling clear coat or faded paint:Cheer:
 
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that sir, was a bytchin buy! unfortunatly mine does have a ripped seat and cracked dash...but i have a dash for it and i think i may get the factory seat repaired and wrap em in Katzkins :D

Dom
 
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