new member who needs your help finding a truck - Diesel Forum

blt93932 · 11-12-2009, 10:53 PM

Hey guys, I thought I'd ask a diesel forum to help e find my first truck, since other forums have helped me a bunch with everything from computers to Harley's.

I am young, married, an just moved into my first house, therefore I do not have a lot of cash. I have about 3000 to spend. I am looking for a crew cab 4x4. Anyone have tips on where I might find one? I'm thinking something around 1994-1998 powerstroke. Anyone out there selling or know someone selling? I'm in south Jersey.

Thanks guys!

blt93932 · 11-15-2009, 08:39 PM

Well, I looked at a 1993 idi crew cab over the weekend, with 200000 miles and a manual transmission. It seemed strange though. When I wen to start it around 1pm, it was 73 degrees out and it didn't want to start until 3 cycles of the glow plugs. The Guy said he got it from a cousin who got it form a landscaper, the body was rough. A lot of grease around the front axel and on the shocks. I don't know how to drive a standard, so I had my dad test drive it, the transmission needed to be reved pretty high before shifting, when he tried taking off in 2nd it had a weird grinding sound and the clutch went to the floor with slight resistance.

The Guy said he was a truck driver, and when he left it over the week, without plugging it in, it wouldn't start.

The weird thing was when we started asking questions the Guy started fidgiting, and I had a bad feeling about the whole thing, very apprehensive so I left it. He was asking 4500, but said he'd take 3200.

I'm hoping I passed up something crooked and not a good deal, what do you guys think?

blt93932 · 11-15-2009, 08:41 PM

Well, I looked at a 1993 idi crew cab over the weekend, with 200000 miles and a manual transmission. It seemed strange though. When I wen to start it around 1pm, it was 73 degrees out and it didn't want to start until 3 cycles of the glow plugs. The Guy said he got it from a cousin who got it form a landscaper, the body was rough. A lot of grease around the front axel and on the shocks. I don't know how to drive a standard, so I had my dad test drive it, the transmission needed to be reved pretty high before shifting, when he tried taking off in 2nd it had a weird grinding sound and the clutch went to the floor with slight resistance.

The Guy said he was a truck driver, and when he left it over the week, without plugging it in, it wouldn't start.

The weird thing was when we started asking questions the Guy started fidgiting, and I had a bad feeling about the whole thing, very apprehensive so I left it. He was asking 4500, but said he'd take 3200.

I'm hoping I passed up something crooked and not a good deal, what do you guys think?

1997fordman · 11-15-2009, 09:27 PM

Well, the clutch thing may not be bad. When I changed out to the Luk setup, it was like shifting a car, it was so easy. But it could be any number of things, from weak firewall to bad clutch master or slave cylinder. As far as gears grinding, sounds like synchros are going and he doesn't want to mess with it. The landscaper probably left the old clutch in too long and screwed up 2nd gear cause he didn't use granny to take off. The cold start/ hard start sounds like GP's and/or GP relay. I wouldn't pay that much for it unless the body, interior, and rest of drivetrain were in good shape.

speeddemon31176 · 11-15-2009, 09:29 PM

I think I wouldn't have given him 300 let alone 3000. it sounds like it was beat to hell and left for dead. You made a smart choice in passing it up. It may take you some time which will give you more time to save up some more cash but it will work out in the long run. I would suggest checking the forum classifieds and craigslist and ebay. You will find a good one.