Looking at a 2001 CDT 6 speed

[cdstl]

Hey guys, noobie to the forum here. I am a Mopar diehard with a 1996 Dakota 4x4 that is probably going to be replaced.

I am going to look at this truck in a couple of days. It is 3.5 hours away and if it checks out, I will probably be driving it home. It is a super clean looking truck, according to the pictures, with about 160k on the mileage. The guy selling it usually sells about 70 trucks a year, according to him, and tries to stick to diesels. It has had some front end maintenance done. Tie rod ends, and maybe ball joints. My brother has the same truck except that it's a '99 and a 5 speed. He has told me about the lift pump problem and that a failed one could end up failing the injector pump. The dealer has told me that it has a new FASS lift pump. I need to find out if it failed before they replaced it or if it was preventative. The truck does have a 5th wheel ball in the bed which would explain the mileage and the good condition of the interior.

I have rebuilt the front end on my Dakota and Cuda and am wondering if the ball joints can be replaced or if the entire control arms need to be changed like on some Dakotas. I will try to post a picture.

Any advice on what to look for would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[cdstl]

Another picture

Here's another one...

 

[cdstl]

And another

Here ya go...

 

[Stangshcky12]

Where is this truck at?
There are quite a few of these diesel only sellers that are notorious for ripping people off basically

 

[cdstl]

The truck is in central Missouri and he is asking $16K. A pretty good price, maybe too good. I have seen some trucks in the Dallas area going for prices in this range though. My brother has been looking at a replacement in the New York area and I went to one of the dealer's websites that he had spoken to. That guy would probably fall into the shyster category.

I have been researching this machine and now I am familiar with the 53 block and some other details to check out. I also have a handle on what is required for a front end rebuild. I am planning on driving over on Jan 28th.

 

[RangerWeaver]

I say go for it. Or at least take a look at it

 

[Stangshcky12]

Doesn't sound like any of the dealers I know of
Sounds like he dealt with John the Diesel Man in New York, definitely on that list

Looks clean, miles aren't to bad
Trans and cab drive the price up. I will say I bought my 07 6 spd with 87k miles for $20k but it's a regular cab.
Worth taking a look at

Ball joints are replaceable. The front end is a solid axle with 4 link suspension so it's a very different set up compared to IFS but relatively simple.

 

[cdstl]

Well, I bought it. It has new ball joints and tie rod ends. It will need new sway bar bushings. It is very clean with a probable repaint within the last year. Has a few things to sort out but not too bad. It tracks straight, the clutch is good and the heat and air both seem good. Also a new straight pipe exhaust that seems to let the turbo sing. He also threw in a receiver hitch.

I was a little apprehensive at first because of the size of the tires. They are 17" 315s and there is a 2" leveling spacer. Not that I don't dig big tires, I just don't dig the extra wear on the front end components that I have to fix.

Hope she doesn't break my heart.

edit: I forgot to add that it has a pretty heavy duty looking track-bar on the front with a bracket that extends it down. If I remember it is greasable. From what little I have read that is a pretty good idea when adding the 2" leveling kit.

 

[bassslayer25]

By the pictures I think she will treat you pretty good. Thats a sharp looking truck!