Are 53 blocks most common in 99's?

Got Smoke?

Got Smoke?

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A buddy of mine offered me a killer deal on a 99 2500 with a 6 month old built trans because he has no use for the truck anymore and wants to get back into a sportscar.

I had all but forgotten about "53" blocks because I've never owned a 24V before, but I'm looking at several now for a tow rig/DD.

I've talked with a few people who said if its a 99 its almost definately got a 53 block in it. Any truth to this? I really hope its a 55 this deal is too good to pass up....unless the block reads 53.:bang:kick:
 
Watch out for 55s they crack too. Mine did and a few others have around 185
 
CL2000 said:
Watch out for 55s they crack too. Mine did and a few others have around 185
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This truck in question has 191,000 miles as of today he has always kept a good factory lift pump on it, and added a Bully dog lift pump when he installed a Edge Juice with Attitude last year. He never lets the FP get below 10psi at the absolute least.

He hasn't really worked the truck, he bought it two years ago and pulled a few trailers every now and then. Right now he's only driving it to and from work, and he made a trip from Tenn to South Carolina and Georgia this weekend unloaded.

I want this for a daily driver and tow rig on the weekends for my puller, but after a quick search I'm wondering if I shouldn't go with maybe a '00 or '01.

But he just dropped near $4K on his transmission about/less than 6 months ago, and he honestly just wants to get back in a mustang so he's offering it to me for his loan payoff $8600. Only thing the truck needs is tires.
 
Forrest Nearing said:
doesn't really seem like that great of a deal... have you been looking at prices lately?
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Most 2nd Gen 98 & up in my area have 250K miles or better on them Forrest, and they are still asking $10,000-11,000.

Everybody who is trying to sell a CR thinks they are worth $15,000-20,000 even for 03's and 04's.

With him having just spent almost $4k on the the trans, and wanting a total of $8600 for the truck I think that is a pretty good deal as long as the front end it all tight. ;)
 
don't be scared of 53! All you need is to carry a gallon of water with you at all times! Mine cracked at like 150k. I sold it with 300k on it for 9grand here in Texas 3 years ago. I still see it from time to time. It used about a gallon of water a month. But it was bone stock tho
 
'99 is no guarantee that it's a 53 block. Best way to tell is to crawl in there and look for it. I'm with Forrest though, with or without the 53 block it seems out of range. Not saying it isn't worth it, but it's no steal.
 
I wish I lived where some of you live if that is too much for that truck. Around here that's how much a beat up work truck with 200K + would go for. You want a 99' in good shape, low miles, and some performace stuff done you better be ready pay 12-18k.
 
Whippit96 said:
I wish I lived where some of you live if that is too much for that truck. Around here that's how much a beat up work truck with 200K + would go for. You want a 99' in good shape, low miles, and some performace stuff done you better be ready pay 12-18k.
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I agree, its the same here. I think thats a good price Got Smoke.
 
Dont be scared of the 53. Majority of the 53 are just as strong as the rest. Hell my puller has a 53 in it and its solid as hell.
 
One test you can do, according to a buddy at Cummins, pull the middle freeze plug on the passengers side of the engine, if the block thickness is under 250"...it's gonna be a cracker, if it's over 250 thou wall thickness, probably never have a problem.
 
Forrest Nearing said:
wanna get together and start moving trucks from TX to TN? :)
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No offense, I've never been to texas but I'd love to visit sometime. My '03 I just had to get rid of was originally a Texas truck. I purchased it from a guy in Ohio who bought it off a Dodge Dealership. It was rode hard a put up wet....I'll never own a truck that's been in texas again!

zstroken said:
I thought you had a 3rd gen? Did you sell it?
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Yes, it was a lemon that the P/O passed off because they knew the major problem with it I'm pretty sure, but I cannot prove it. Only had 113K miles when I bought it in Dec 08. In 6 months I put all new rear brakes, a power steering pump, a full set of injectors in it, and it had excessive blow by and was going to need a new set of rings within a year most likely. That's why you didn't see it for sale on Comp D or CF. ;)

Snedge said:
'99 is no guarantee that it's a 53 block. Best way to tell is to crawl in there and look for it. I'm with Forrest though, with or without the 53 block it seems out of range. Not saying it isn't worth it, but it's no steal.
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Well it wasn't a 53 block after all, and the front end checked out good and tight so I'm buying it anyways. No offense Jeff, I'm glad trucks are cheaper up there around you but I tried to explain to Forrest that's just not the case here in Mid Tenn currently. This is the cheapest I can purchase a GOOD CTD truck right now, and the fact that it has a fresh non stock trans is the iceing on the cake.

Limited said:
I agree, its the same here. I think thats a good price Got Smoke.
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Yep got it all checked out, it will be mine by the end of the week/monday at the latest. He's a local EMS and former Vol. FF, he's got to start pulling lights out tomorrow!:hehe: Two led light bars in the fog light slots, two in the windshield, two in each QC window, 3 across the back solid glass. Oh and strobes in the heads & tails that are staying.LOL
 
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