Check points before buying

I would have it checked by a mechanic unless you are very mechanically inclined. Do a dyno run, ecm print out and oil samples on the engine, transmission and differentials.

I'd say about $400 for the dyno and oil samples.

 

I would be real concerned if you found points to be checked on a diesel.

On a more serious note.
-Check all the rubber bushings in the suspension.
-Check for air leaks.
-Get some Arid Extra Dry. Spray it on all the places where oil typically leaks, fittings, steering parts, where the compressor mounts to engine, around compressor head and fittings, around base of water pump and hoses. It will not detract from the cleanup done on the engine. Just a slight white haze. Take it for a test drive of 10 miles. Now check those spots you sprayed. If you have even a tiny drop of oil leak the arid extra dry will react to it and give you a dark stain.
-Check the frame for welds or repairs. Basically be the worst nightmare of a level one inspection that you have ever had.
- Tire Depth If this truck is road legal you can say it is important. If it has poor tires, walk away.

A dealer should be willing to work with you to guaranty your hapiness with the sale. Remember, it is your money.

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On a side note, I am hoping for work at Schneider. I will ask them if they will put me in a older truck that is going to be up forsale soon. That way I can drive it, if I like it after enough time I will buy it.

 

You don't have to do a dyno, but it will give you a better picture of what is going on with the engine. A truck is a major investment in your future. The last thing you want is to spend all that money only to be surprised when it falls apart a couple of weeks after your purchase. Between the three checks, you should have a very good picture of the current condition of the primary components of the truck. All should be checked for a cost of between $200-400. But, these are not the only things you should check. You need to check suspension parts, bushings, kin pins, excessive or unusual wear on tires, etc., It would be worth paying a garage or mechanic to go over the truck with a fine tooth comb. You could skip all the checks and take your chances. You might get lucky. I prefer to spend the time and a few dollars to make sure that I am not going to need to start spending money the day after I buy the truck.

 

Yep, a few times.

 

I'd just add that even if you do all the checking, assume your gonna have some things break or that you missed that will need repair in the first month or two. I'd plan on having some extra cash sat aside for this. It is a used truck after all.

 

Things can happen without notice. You could drop a lifter, lose an injector or blow a turbo. I have had all three happen, but not at the same time. The last turbo I had cost me about $2,500 installed. The turbo itself was over $1,500 exchange. The rest was labor and having the oil changed. I didn't want to take a chance of any metal particles getting into the bearings of the new turbo. I had one truck with a new rebuild that dropped a couple of lifters just after it got out of warranty. It cost me almost $7,000 ($6,700). A bad injector can cost about $800+ to repair. I think just the injectors cost over $400. The point is that things will happen, often without notice. That is why that those of us who have owned trucks for a number of years recommend that anyone considering buying a truck have several thousand dollars set aside for emergencies. I blew two tires on my last trip. I always keep at least one spare, but had to purchase one tire. I got lucky and found a small truck stop with a garage that sold me a decent used tire for $175 installed. It is unusual to blow more than one tire on the same trip, but it does happen. Even a used tire can cost over $200 plus the cost of putting it on the truck. New tires can run $400-600 if you buy on the road. In any business you need to plan for the worst that can happen. If you only plan for the best then you will not be prepared for something to happen.