Looking at a 2014 Ram 3500 Need Opinions

[rowekmr]

A buddy of mines bought a 2014 Ram 3500 Tradesman dually new back then to haul a 3 car trailer and DD in between. Now he's getting out of the business and having a "fire" sell. I normally won't consider something that was used commercially but I know he maintained it decently and didn't beat on it. Truck has about 168K and has auto tran what should I be concerned about or look for? I don't know much about the Cummins but are there any weak point in this drive train?

Thanks

[patriotgrunt]

Any pics of the body damage?

[transferred]

That is some deep rust on the inside of the engine compartment for something that is three years old.. My 2005 looks nothing like that. Possible flood car?

[rowekmr]

Here's the engine compartment:

[rowekmr]

Here's the radiator (busted):

[rowekmr]

Here's the bracket where the pulley broke out of:

[rowekmr]

Update:

Got call today truck is back on the market. I went out to look at it with the driver and owner who showed me a pulley bracket that let loose I presume to be an idler pulley that went into the radiator cause it to leak. Truck was towed back to storage. It has some body damage and was told truck runs but didn't start it up at this point because the front of the engine accessories was off. He was going to get a new pulley pressed on but I figured I would get the whole thing replaced with new assembly and new radiator. I'll try to post pics.

[rowekmr]

Thanks everyone for their input. I got really excited about this opportunity but my friend for now has decided to keep it. Who knows maybe I can later catch him changing his mind.

[rowekmr]

Truck won't be able to seen soon because driver is out of town. I wonder if the driver is hiding or underreporting the issues to owner. Worst case scenario if engine (or trans) is bad which other years could I get as a drop in replacement? I have access to insurance auctions and can get wrecks for useable parts. I hope the problems are minor but would undertake it as a project if the numbers are right.

[rjstractor]

Like others have said the Aisin makes it a more desirable truck as long as the transmission has been serviced as prescribed by Ram. Service intervals are considerably shorter for the Aisin, but it's a better trans for the heavy hauling like what was done with the truck.

[spoon059]

rowekmr wrote:
Found out the truck has the Aisin transmission. He said he was sure that he got that when he bought it.

Have another question. What makes this transmission more desirable?
Also which years was this engine used? Do they interchange through out the years it was used or were there big differences?

That makes this deal even MORE desirable, in my opinion.

The Aisin transmission is rated to higher HP and torque than the 68RFE transmission, which allows Ram to increase the power on your Cummins engine. Furthermore, I believe that the Aisin has a PTO, helpful for tow trucks or other equipment out in the field. The Aisin also delivers more torgue and HP down low in first and second gear to really help get your load moving down the highway.

The 6.7 Cummins came into these trucks in the middle of the 2007 model year. The earlier models had much more reliance upon the EGR system, making them pretty dirty engines. Starting in 2013, the Cummins incorporated the SCR system and DEF to help with EPA numbers, making the engines run cleaner and get better mileage.

The addition of the SCR and DEF system allowed them to cut back on the use of the EGR system and allows the engine to run a LOT cleaner, extending the maintenance cycle of the oil and EGR system by double. It also allows the Cummins to get better fuel mileage than the pre-2013 6.7 engines.

Its a great truck, I LOVE mine. I have the 3.42 rear end and I was towing my 10K lbs bumper pull and getting almost 13 mpg before we hit some headwinds and our mileage dropped to 12 mpg (at 64-67 mph). Without the trailer, but with a lot of weight in the bed and some bikes hanging off a rack behind us, we averaged 18 mpg at 84 mph the rest of the way to Florida. Those are astounding numbers to me. I have been able to consistently maintain 21 mph with an empty truck at 70 mph on the highway as well.

Great truck, durable engine. $12K is STEALING that truck in my opinion. I would imagine that it is easily worth 2 times that price with those miles... maybe even higher.

[Cummins12V98]

AISIN is a TRUE Medium duty trans. The AISIN has lower starting gears that help get the load rolling with ease. Higher HP and TQ are only available with the AISIN. The 6.7 Cummins was introduced 1/1/2007 for the 2007.5 model year. It is also a TRUE Medium Duty.

[Camper_G]

I can't answer the aisin question. I'd assume more robust/durable internal components? But seriously, even with the 68rfe, that's a great deal, even with the miles on a 3yr old truck.


You could buy that, fix the issues, clean it up and sell it for a profit if you had to. I wouldn't fart around too much if I was you and your serious about the truck.

When i was looking at used trucks a year and a half ago, i couldn't find half tons 10 yrs old with less than 100k miles for under 20k. That should give you some perspective. Go for it!

[rowekmr]

Found out the truck has the Aisin transmission. He said he was sure that he got that when he bought it.

Have another question. What makes this transmission more desirable?
Also which years was this engine used? Do they interchange through out the years it was used or were there big differences?

[Grit_dog]

Let me know if you don't buy it. I got lots of friends in Chicago. I'll have one go pick it up for me. Seriously....

[Grit_dog]

I'd give $12k for it With a blown transmission.
Unless it's a heap, that's a deal.