Tips for Buying a Used Truck

With the prices of new vehicles continuing to skyrocket, there’s a resurgence in buying older diesel trucks. Plus, people are wanting simpler designs without DEF, DPF and EGR systems. There is always a degree of risk when buying a used diesel truck. One of the main reasons is they can be 15+ years old and there’s no way to know how they were maintained. Is it a money pit? A near barn find? We talked with Kyle Crupper from Crupper Auto Sales in Kentucky. He specializes in buying and selling used diesel trucks and we wanted to learn how to avoid a lemon.

What is one of the more popular platforms people are wanting? We were surprised to learn the 1999-2003 7.3L Powerstroke. Kyle told us its popular because of the Ford chassis stoutness and the legendary longevity of the 7.3L Powerstroke. Challenges he faces are finding them in good condition with no rust, zero oil leaks and interiors in good condition. These issues can be tough to avoid depending on how the truck was used since 2003. The Rust Belt is notorious for eating away body panels and cabs, and Kyle confirmed a lot of them (depending on where they originated) can be tough to find without issues.

What are some tips for buying a used truck? Kyle gave us some tips to help avoid a nightmare or unexpected repairs. The first was taking a magnet and making sure any questionable panels don’t have Bondo. Check gaps between fenders, the hood and door panels. This can be a sign the vehicle was in an accident. For the interior, check for smells, soiled carpets and any signs interior panels have been removed/damaged. Typically, on older trucks, seating material can be torn. While this doesn’t indicate a money pit, it may be something you want to fix down the road.

When it comes to mechanical issues, there are things you can check without driving the truck. Smell the engine oil and transmission fluid. Note any burnt odor coming from the transmission fluid. Is it nice and red or a brown or black color? If it is, a transmission rebuild will be needed. Is the engine oil nice and black or an amber color? Does it smell like coolant? Check for oil leaks in the valley of the engine. While not a catastrophic failure, oil leaks will need to be addressed. If you do get to test drive the vehicle, pay attention to any slip during transmission shifts, make sure the turbo sounds normal under acceleration. Does the steering wheel pull to one side or the other?

If you’re in the market for an older diesel truck, there are diamonds in the rough. And, with a good inspection prior to going through with the deal, you can be prepared for any major repairs or cosmetic issues to fix.