2005 cummins, what to look for

[addicted]

Going to go look at a 2005 cummins short bed tomorrow with 230k miles on it. What should I be on the lookout for? I imagine if the tranny was already redone it would be a bonus?

[spoonman]

Make sure to pay close attention to the transmission and how it shift under a load. If it has a programmer/electronic gauges watch trans temp under a heavy  acceleration. When turning left or right pay attention to a clunk sound, the upper and lower ball joints go out a lot on those trucks. Hopefully it's a grandpa's truck and not too heavily moded.

[addicted]

Thanks spoon. Externally it looks like a stock laramie

[jrebel]

Look at the rear door wiring harness.  They are notorious for having broken wires that effect windows door locks speakers etc.  New wiring harnesses cost about $115 per door.  Look at the harness and ask if they have been replaced.  If they haven't they will need it soon......guaranteed. 

[addicted]

Ghkg

[spoonman]

Also ask if the injectors have been replaced. If not I'd bet they would need to be replaced sooner rather than later and that's close to a $2500- $3000 bill if you have a shop do it.

[addicted]

That one scares me

[baker5150]

IF your worried about the injectors, take it to a shop and have them tested, also have them test blow by, both good things to do with those miles, an oil test would help to but that takes time.

Trans test is to get up to about 30 - 40 mph, then floor it, if it shuttle shifts, the trans hasn't been done, or at least done properly.  You'll know it, it won't feel like its pulling and it'll hunt for which gear it wants.

[addicted]

Little washy in the steering. Steering pump might be going as it was hard to turn parked. It went through 4x4 and 4low without a hitch. It shifted alright but not as smooth as my dad's that was rebuilt in the last two years. Carfax shows transmission flush at 189,000. Looks like it lived in BC all it's life till it showed up here. Started strong no smoke. All electronics worked. I'm not in a rush so we'll see. Can my local deisel shop test the injectors?

[spoonman]

Little washy in the steering. Steering pump might be going as it was hard to turn parked. It went through 4x4 and 4low without a hitch. It shifted alright but not as smooth as my dad's that was rebuilt in the last two years. Carfax shows transmission flush at 189,000. Looks like it lived in BC all it's life till it showed up here. Started strong no smoke. All electronics worked. I'm not in a rush so we'll see. Can my local deisel shop test the injectors?

Most diesel shops can test injectors. It's actually very easy to test them. If one was bad you'd know. If one injector goes out it will shut down that bank of cylinders, there is a front bank and a back bank. So let's just say injector #2 Was bad, the front bank(1,2,3) all would not work and the truck will barely run.  Are the injectors original?

[addicted]

It's at a lot. The guy didn't know anything. Maybe I'll just wait till later in the year and get something with less miles

[JohnVH]

Look at the rear door wiring harness.  They are notorious for having broken wires that effect windows door locks speakers etc.  New wiring harnesses cost about $115 per door.  Look at the harness and ask if they have been replaced.  If they haven't they will need it soon......guaranteed.

Mine was broke, I just soldered the wires back together myself.

[JWEBB]

Going to go look at a 2005 cummins short bed tomorrow with 230k miles on it. What should I be on the lookout for? I imagine if the tranny was already redone it would be a bonus?

How much are they asking?

[jackelope]

It was 3 months ago.

[Dick in the Dirt]

A Ford with a tow strap.