Looking to buy a new to me PSD.

[Rusticle]

Now first things first I have been a diesel fanboy for years, and years. I got the fever when my neighbor got a 96 cummins. Now I was only 12 years old, but it changed my life for ever. I currently own a VW Jetta TDi, and I love that stupid thing to death. We went on a 3300 mile road trip with bicycles, roof cargo box, and didnt go below 75 in the rockies and got 44MPG. Plus I can sorta black smoke. Now I have a ton more back stories on diesel but thats not the point of this. I found a "unicorn" and I kind of want it. 01 Ext cab, short box, auto, SRW F350. It has about 128K on it, and the only thing I dont like is it, is that dark green. Colored cars just havent been my thing they are fine for everybody else, I just have always liked silver, black or white. Color isnt a huge deal, esp. since this is clean, new tires, never had a fifth wheel or anything. Stock exhaust, and intake, and it already has steps, kind of looks like an old man owned it. I haven't gone out to drive it yet because I wanted to get the inside tips and tricks to finding the truth out about this truck. I have bought 10 cars, I know the usual suspects, I just didnt know if there were any PSD tricks to look for. I've read alot about trannies being issues at about this age, and mileage. I didnt know if there are certain spots to look for rust, drips, or anything else odd. I know diesel inside and out from cummins to dmax, I just dont know much else about the PSD. Anything you guys have would be great since I dont want to get stiffed on my first truck purchase. 4wd is nothing new to me either, just fords, and their engines.
Thanks
Russ

[nismofan240]

pardon my ignorance, why is it a "unicorn" is it the ext cab short box part? ive seen a bunch of those.

[Rusticle]

I just meant since it is a SRW f350, with out a fifth wheel or gooseneck. since I am in the middle of Iowa and all the farm trucks out there this is an odd duck, esp since it looks like its never had a plow either. Just odd to find one not all farmed out.

[nismofan240]

oh gotcha, good luck on getting it

[Rusticle]

So went to look at it tonight after every body was gone. Man that sucker is clean, very scratches and the only ones are just clear coat. It has reverse sensors, and the trailer hitch doesnt even look used. Tires are new, the entire under body was coated probably atleast 5 years ago, and it looks like it has never seen gravel or been off road. Stock exhaust, stock intake where all confirmed, no holes in dash, as far as I could tell. The truck was locked, and it was late on not an ok part of town, so I didnt spend to much time looking inside with my flashlight. The only thing is there is a minor front bumper dent in the chrome only. I found virtually no rust, except on things like the shocks and leaf springs. No holes for a 5th wheel or anything. I guess I will try to drive it on Monday. The only thing I found of some concern was an aftermarket CD player without a face, but the dealer probably took it off so it doesn't get stolen. I just wondered if people have anythings to look for when I take it for a drive Monday.
Thanks
Russ

[Zaairman]

Since it only has 128K and not much towing, I'd say you've got some life left in that tranny. Get on a long lonely straight away and lay on it. If it slams into gear, then it doesn't have much life left in it.

[vince harding]

These years body style are prone to rust on the bottom door skin, lift up the weather stripping and check where the skin folds over that is one of the first places rust will appear, check the tailgate where the skin meets as well on bottom inside. And another is the top of the wheel wells on the ouside because their are some small holes on the top inside well that holds moisture and salt so it rusts inside out. So doors,tailgate, bed wheel well.