Help me buy a 12 valve cummins!

[Darwin]

I appreciate the input and advice. I am not really stuck on looking for a low mileage cummins for the reasons you state. That 98 I wanted to buy had 245k.

This truck is definitely not set up the way I would have it if I owned it. I would get rid of the 5 inch lift more than likely and go to a 3 inch. The HID lights I do not care much about. As far as the gearing goes I think I would probably prefer taller gears for cruising highway speeds. Right now I have 4:10's on my f 250 but the thing is so underpowered that I couldn't imagine going lower. I much prefer a stock height or less than 3 inch lift than a lot of those lifted beasts you see around. I guess you can't have it all.

 

[billy bee]

Two words for you: Tex As. Really. Fly to San Antonio with a stack of cash and hang out for a few days. One will pop up.

I found my 24V in Denver. I was lucky that the seller was busy and could not return calls. I hounded him for days. Got a good truck and a good deal. But as you are discovering, they go quickly.

bb

 

[jeepdreamer]

Two words for you: Tex As. Really. Fly to San Antonio with a stack of cash and hang out for a few days. One will pop up.

I found my 24V in Denver. I was lucky that the seller was busy and could not return calls. I hounded him for days. Got a good truck and a good deal. But as you are discovering, they go quickly.

bb

I agree...I went home on leave and the night I spent in the hotel waiting for my am flight to Atlanta I hopped on CL. Found one right off the bat, went that night and bought it! 99 QC 4X4 Manual 3/4 ton. 166k miles and even the leather interior is near perfect! 6500 bucks. Needs paint to be pretty on the outside (like I care!?!) and some normal Dodge steering issues need to be addressed. But it came with rear air bags and a big @$$ exhaust...
I'd look in TX and southern NM.

 

[Darwin]

I have been checking Texas. I will keep looking. My old man just moved to San Antonio so buying one there would be very easy. I also have flight benefits so I can expand my search to include pretty much everywhere east of the mississippi. The problem I have run into though is many I have seen down there are two wheel drive or dually. Anyways I will keep looking, thanks for the heads up!

 

[Terrainist]

Sounds like you were/are willing to do some work on that Inland Empire truck. If you're willing to work a little bit on a truck, might not rule the duallies out. They can be converted to single rear wheel fairly 'easy'. Can take the bed off and sell it, put a flat bed on. And sometimes they can be had cheaper than the 3/4 ton counter part. There are a couple dually conversions on the boards here, they're nice.

Some other trucks. Good luck in your search!
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1969937539.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1916737054.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1902491895.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/1941897740.html
http://sierravista.craigslist.org/cto/1910329269.html

 

[DT75FLH]

as far as gearing.....what size tire do you want to run?

with 3.55 gears and a 285/75/16 tire (32.83" tall)and auto. I am turning around 1800-1900 @ 75 mph...

if you plan on running a 35" tire or 315/75/16 (34.6" tall) and an auto I would want the 4.10 gears. good compromise on highway/off road...with a 3" lift and 35" tires you wont sacrifice any mileage and would have more clearance off road

 

[redthies]

I had 3.54s and 35" tires with my 12 valve and auto. Seemed ok to me. Maybe a bit slow on the highway...