Hi guys, I am going to look at a truck on Sunday, and I would like to know the major things to check out on the engine, transmission, frame... What suggestions can you give me to make sure everything is in good working order? Thanks in advance!

 

Check for leaks on front and rear windshield. If possible, spray a water hose on the upper left windshield, and check along the A-Pillar to see if its leaking at all, if it is, it can cause an electrical nightmare. Spray the top of the back window, and see if it leaks in as well.

Those are the only major complaints I have with mine.


Good luck man


- Matt

 

When I look at used vehicles I do the following ...

• crawl underneath and look for leaks (pinion/axle seals, transmission/transfer case, engine/radiator) and look for signs of abuse (scrapes/dents on undercarriage)
• pop hood and pull all dipsticks ... clean/full fluids are a sign someone maintains their vehicle
• while underhood, look for anything that appears worn/broken/poorly repaired/poorly modified
• look at the interior ... a clean interior is another sign someone cared for their vehicle
• look at the tires ... are they worn evenly/show signs of alignment problems, are they the same size/brand (esp. on 4X4)
• start the vehicle ... listen for odd engine noises/exhaust leaks, does it start easily/run smoothly
• drive the vehicle ... cruise, accelerate hard, brake hard ... does the vehicle track true under all these conditions; listen for anything loose when you hit bumps; if 4X4 check both high and low range
• test everything to see if it works ... windows, locks, wipers, heater, AC, radio, etc.
• look at the body not only for dents, but also for misaligned body panel/mismatched paint which might indicate poorly repaired accident damage

Keep a mental list of any problems you find, and if you're still interested in the vehicle, use the problems as leverage to barter down the price (when I bought my truck, I talked the guy down $800 for a chipped windshield and worn tires). I avoid any vehicle that appears to have been abused, wrecked, or neglected, regardless of how well it may have been cleaned up for the sale. I've bought several used vehicles, and had real good luck with all but one of them (bought prior to the internet, when researching vehicles was quite a bit harder).

Good luck, and keep us posted

 

Hey thanks alot guys! That really helps! The one I'm going to look at has a 3" suspension lift and dual flowmasters. There's another one that is pretty much stock, but cheaper, so I have a few options lined up. One more thing, the one I'm looking at Sunday has 188000 miles on it...does that mean that it will need anything major soon? The stock one has 164000, how about that?

 

I bought mine with 192,000 miles on it. I'm at 211k now and no probs.
The biggest thing is to make sure it's been cared for, a trashed truck at 100k will give you more problems than a garaged truck with 200k.