Hello, looking at a 2006 dodge 3500 diesel dually with the 5.9 engine and manual 6 speed transmission. It only has 35,000 miles. Is this a good thing or bad thing? Anything we need to be looking for as far as possible issues? We have not seen it yet. Just doing the research, it is 6 hrs from us. The one concern we have is it has had 2 owners and the last owner did put 12,000 miles on it but only kept it a year. Seems odd to make a purchase like that and keep it for a year only.Zigpep

Zigpep wrote:Hello, looking at a 2006 dodge 3500 diesel dually with the 5.9 engine and manual 6 speed transmission. It only has 35,000 miles. Is this a good thing or bad thing? Anything we need to be looking for as far as possible issues? We have not seen it yet. Just doing the research, it is 6 hrs from us. The one concern we have is it has had 2 owners and the last owner did put 12,000 miles on it but only kept it a year. Seems odd to make a purchase like that and keep it for a year only.ZigpepLow mileage is a good thing and you are wise to be concerned. Try to find some history on the truck, perhaps it was wrecked. Do a thorough inspection, or have it done.

That would be the last of the 5.9 line. Lots of power, but lacking an exhaust brake. Very desirable item right now. It also only has EGR for emissions. Which is you,live someplace with no emission testing can easily be removed to make it better.

My daughter had an 06 2500 diesel. Loved it, great engine with lot of power. Never had any problems with the engine or transmission. She sold it this year when it had about 180K miles.

If the guy does not want a million dollars for it and if he advertised it anywhere it's probably going to be gone already.

I knew someone who bought a Dodge Diesel around 2006. He used it to commute to work, one mile each way. 2 miles a day.Maybe the truck you are considering was used for something similar?As far as I know, he didn't have any problems from the short commute.

Buying a diesel truck, low miles | Good Sam Community

36 Replies

bucky
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2017
Banks makes a EB kit for AT Ram diesel trucks, at least for mine. I have the kit sitting in the garage while I decide if I want to tackle it or have it done. More and more I am finding that I farm stuff out that I would have had to do myself when we were young and broke. It's just not as much fun anymore :).
valhalla360
Navigator
Dec 05, 2017
The mileage is a concern. Not necessarily a deal breaker but a real concern.

That's just over 3,000 miles per year when the normal average is more like 12-15,000 miles per year. That's well outside normal usage patterns.

If it checks out and the odometer works when you test drive it, have a mechanic check it out before committing.

Might be the proverbial little old lady who only drove it on sundays or it might be a total scam on a beat up truck.
blofgren
Explorer
Dec 05, 2017
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
If the guy does not want a million dollars for it and if he advertised it anywhere it's probably going to be gone already.

x2. That is a very desirable truck; if you are interested in it you had better act quick.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Dec 05, 2017
I would request to see pictures of the paint, interior, oil pan, and undercarriage/suspension before proceeding. Also request the list of work that has been done including any body work from a wreck.

We purchased a 05 Ram and the clear coat is coming off and the dash board has major pieces missing from cracking but we didn't purchase based on looks.

As with purchasing any used vehicle proceed with caution.

Good luck...
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2017
Zigpep, did you get a chance to follow up on this truck? Sometimes you just need to act.
We bought our 2001 six years ago, first day on the lot we got to the dealer after dark in the rain. I looked over the outside and engine, DW went through the interior. Took it for a test drive drove well a little wander, but not bad.
We dealt a little with our trade in, and wrote the dealer a personal check that night and drove it home.
S_Davis
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
Make sure it is not a flood victim, I would bet there are a lot of them for sale.
falconbrother
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2017
I would want to take it out for a long-ish drive and crawl over it real good before I commit.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 04, 2017
12,000 miles in one year is decent mileage. That would indicate to me that the truck is probably okay, but it is more than the owner needed or wanted to pay for.

I bought a 2002 Chevy 3500 back in 2010 with only 31,800 miles on it.

I had an older friend get rid of a brand new low-mileage truck after one year because it rode too rough and was wrecking his back. Traded it in on a minivan.

So people do get rid of things for odd reasons.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
I found a similar deal, 1999 F350 V10 5speed 75,000 miles. Talked to the owner on the phone, everything seemed good... till I drove 4 hours and looked at it myself. It had been modified in a lot of ways, and when I drove it the odometer never moved. Truck looked and drove like it had 300,000 miles on it. Maybe you found a good deal (I hope you did), just be ready to say no and walk away.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Dec 04, 2017
Sounds like a too good to be true type of thing. Yes if there’s nothing wrong, you’re getting basically a new pre emissions man trans truck! I’d want to have plausible proof why the truck was never driven.
If it’s verifiable that it was owned by a couple old guys or something who never drove it and it sat in a garage it’s whole life wishing it could get out, great, but make sure nothing stinks about the deal and check all the normal stuff even with low miles, like blowby.

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Buying a diesel truck, low miles

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