Sam Memmolo
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TDR - Get The Emotion Out of the Decision !! Let's buy a Used Truck ! So, You have the urge to buy a used or "previously owned" truck. Well. That's exactly what I did. Now I don't have money to burn, but I am very particular when it comes to "MY" vehicle. I have always subscribed to the notion that no one else could or would care for, and treat "MY" vehicle like I would. After all, who would give it such tender loving care, or treat it like the investment that consumed my hard earned cash. I have only been in a position to purchase new vehicles since the "empty Nest' syndrome occurred. You know, the kids finally off to college or on their own. I figure if you get it right out of the oven, it would be less likely to have suffered any abuse. I don't even let valet parking stiffs drive "MY" vehicles. If someone besides myself needs to drive "MY" vehicle, they have to pass a test that far surpasses a biennial flight review for an ATP rated pilot. That's just the way I am. Well, all that changed when I discovered "Midnite". I was in need of a truck that would be fun to drive, look good, (more importantly make me look good in it), and also haul a trailer with cargo weighing in excess of 10,000 pounds. It had to be a diesel. I was driving a Chevrolet Silverado extended cab 1/2 ton that I purchased new in 1994. It was fully equipped and nicely outfitted with accessories. This was one good looking and nice driving truck. Unfortunately, it was not up to the task of hauling such a big load. I looked at the big three. The Dodge with the Cummins Turbo Diesel seemed to be the logical choice. The GM 6.2 Diesel seems to lack power and has a reputation for problems with injection pumps and nozzles. (probably due to low sulfur fuels). Prior to the new body style, Fords just didn't do much for me. It's awfully busy under the hood of the Power Strokes, making maintenance a little costly. Based on the price of a new 3500 dually, I decided I could live with a used truck if I could find one in good shape. That's when I found "Midnite". He was just traded in a the local Dodge dealer. Some detective work revealed that the previous owner like to buy a new truck every year. (He is financially able to through his business.) So, I decided to check it out and make the plunge to purchase a used diesel work truck. First I looked at the truck's appearance. It's black, extended cab, 4X4, and manual gearbox dually with 49,000 showing on the odometer. Next, I looked at the date of purchase. The truck was only eleven months old. Deduction: It had to be all highway miles. I loved the truck at first sight, even though Black is not my color for a vehicle exterior in the sunny Deep South. I also was not really interested in the 4X4 aspect. Manual or Automatic was not an issue. So, I needed a second opinion without emotion before I dug deeper. I called my lovely wife Diana and asked her to meet me at the Dodge store. We drove "Midnite" down the road for a few miles. She was impressed with the leather interior, power driver's seat, and the Infinity sound system. She commented that the truck had all the earmarks of a vehicle that had been cared for by the previous owner. Then she gave me some really practical observations. First, she mentioned how high the truck stood, and being just five feet tall, it offered some resistance to her ease of entry and exit. I countered that it had running boards to make life easier for her. Then she mentioned that it was a "Big" truck with rear fenders that really stuck out. I responded that the dually fenders had lights on them to improve visibility. She finished with, " This is you, and if it's a good solid truck, you should buy it". All that just reinforced my love for her! Now to get to the serious work. I made an unemotional list on a legal pad with two columns. Left side would be the pluses, right side the negatives. If you are not technically challenged, here are some guidelines to follow. If you need a professional opinion, find a technician who is familiar with the vehicle in question, and pay him or her a hundred bucks or so to do some serious checking. First, consult the service records. Douglas County Dodge was very helpful. They were proud of this truck. It had been meticulously maintained by the owner at their shop. A quick review showed that the oil and filter had been changed at regular intervals, even to the point of overkill. The factory had replaced the NV4500 for a fifth gear problem just two months prior. (a whole new gearbox). The service records can tell you a lot. Next, I contacted the previous owner. He was very gracious, and told me exactly what he used the truck for. He hauled thoroughbred horses all over the country. Hence the high miles. Next, I inspected the tires closely. This revealed some interesting facts. The front-end ball joints and alignment were in great shape. The tires had proper inflation, another good sign. They were worn, and needed replacement, but they told a story. Next I removed the front wheels and got a good look at the pads, rotors, and calipers. A quick inspection revealed that these expensive items were all in good shape. I then checked all the fluid levels and fluid appearances. Okay so far. Under the hood, I looked at the condition of the batteries and the cables. (Two of these large babies and a couple of cables can set you back some change). Take a good look at the crank case vent system with the engine at hot idle. If there is a lot of blow by, or oily film all over the area around the bottom of the road draft tube, that could indicate engine wear. Midnite was clean and dry. When I road tested it, I listened for any abnormal drive train noises, unusual feed back from steering, braking maneuvers, and listened for rattles on bumps. The tighter the vehicle, the less likely it has seen abuse. Now on to the cosmetics. A dead giveaway of excess use is the driver's door. Are the hinges worn or sagging? Is the weather stripping worn or frayed where it comes into contact with a body getting in and out. Check for wear on the pedal pads and sill plates. Still inside, be sure the power windows operate smoothly and at the same rate of speed in both doors. Test all the functions before you commit. Check dome / courtesy lamps, radio and all speaker controls. Operate the tape or CD. Put the heater and A/C through its paces. Check the cigar lighter and auxiliary output socket. Be sure the power seat moves in all directions. Make sure all opening windows open and then latch securely. Take a close look at the paint. Use a magnet to verify any abnormal amounts of body filler if there appears to be any damage repair. Look for signs of paint oxidation due to lack of finish / exterior maintenance. Closely inspect the glass, especially the windshield. Operate all lights and signals. Check the fuse panels for any blown fuses. This may all sound like work, but it's a worthwhile investment when you are purchasing any used vehicle. I learned a lot of this from my friend Roy, who runs a pre purchase vehicle inspection company called Car Checkers of America here locally. He is an ASE Certified Master Technician, with years of automotive experience. How did "Midnite" do ?? She needed 6 tires, her front pads were partially worn, and the fuel filter needed replacement based on miles since last change. The clutch was showing some signs of wear, grabbing very high with some chatter at the engagement point, and some serious pitting on the windshield. Not bad for an eleven month old black truck with 49,000 miles of hauling a heavy horse trailer. I also listed all of the accessories that were installed. The previous owner had installed running boards (aluminum diamond plate type), mud flaps, extra floor mats, and a complete gooseneck trailer hitch in the bed complete with wiring connector. This truck was $38,000 drive out only eleven short months earlier. I was able to save several thousands by purchasing it used. So, if you are shopping for a used truck, and are going to spend tens of thousands of dollars, ($15,000 -$35,000) be sure to spend some time, use a legal pad, enlist some professional help if needed, and get a second person involved with a less emotional, more objective viewpoint involved. Consider all this much needed insurance against the purchase of the "Truck from Hell". You can save a bunch of money and put it to good use. Here are some ideas. The money saved can be used for some of the serious stuff. I took care of my tire problem by installing a set of 245 x 70 x 19.5 Dual Designs with Alcoa wheels and 12 ply Michelins. This is a complete kit with wheels and tires all mounted and balanced. They are shipped ready to install along with an incredible set of adapters, all the lug nuts trim and caps. All you need is a jack and a big torque wrench. I expect these babies to go over 200,000 miles before needing new shoes, and they add safety and stability. All the big trucks drool over my shiny polished Alcoa wheels. They also lowered my cruise rpm, or more correctly, allowed me to go faster at the same engine rpm. I would not be without these again. A visit to Geno's garage produced TST kit to power up the sleeping ponies under the hood. Robert Patton and I installed it in no time, but Mark from TST really made it come alive at the low end. WOW!! Then of course there is some of the real survival gear. The bright box for all beam headlight operation in the high beam mode. The cup holder that will handle even the "biggie" drinks, along with numerous other necessities. Next I installed the "Prime Loc" remote fuel filter kit. Easy to install, works great, and then filter changes are easier than making a pop tart. The brakes pad life has been really extended by two things. I keep the rear brake shoes manually adjusted properly, and I installed the Jacobs exhaust brake. (again with Robert's help). For fun we added The TDR's gauge set with Boost, EGT, and differential temp probe. If you turn your truck up, be sure to install and use a boost gauge and an EGT !! The Putco stuff was done in conjunction with my TV show "Shadetree Mechanic", and it's great stuff. This truck is more fun than most I have driven. What great looks, gobs of power on demand, smoke that would make any ship's captain proud, and lots of neat toys from Geno's. I love my truck. Sam
9am – 11am Eastern Time. 1 800 355 3597
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