Was talking trucks with a guy @ lunch today...guy has a buddy with a car lot, and has a truck about like mine...says it's an '02, crew cab, 2wd, Dmax/ally, LS interior low miles...was nosed off into a ditch early in it's life, so another low mile engine got swapped in as did a bunch of electronics, so it will have a flood title. Anyway, he says the thing won't run at all...starts for a brief second, then dies. I asked him the usual questions about fuel filter & all of that, he knows nothing about diesels, as does his buddy with the car lot...had the truck over 2 years and it has yet to run...but, he admitted, they're ignorant regarding diesels and they've never had anyone that knew a thing about diesels look at it.

My question is, is there any value in this truck (assuming we can get it running)? And, any ideas on what to check to get it running (sounds like a priming problem to me)?? I know, it's got a lot going against it (2wd, LB7, flood title), but the guy literally told me I could get it for a song & a dance as it's worthless to him...:confuzeld

run far away....if their lips move they are lying....

run far away....if their lips move they are lying....
LOL...I'll agree with that! Got burnt early on in my car dealings, unfortunately...

Anyway, would it be worth $5k or so? The guy's buddy literally told me he was originally asking $10k for it 2 years ago, but had gone as low as $7k recently, but lacks the know how to make it run...he told me to shoot him a low price as a non-driver, then get it running and drive off...is it one of those "buy it and part the drivetrain" type deals?

I'd scan it to see what codes are being thrown.

Like you, I'd be tempted, if the price was right. At $5K I'd really check it out, but if they couldn't get it running in 2 yr's I'd be worried.

...but if they couldn't get it running in 2 yr's I'd be worried.
Well, when I talked to them, they didn't know you had to prime the fuel pump, or that there was a primer on the filter housing...they literally know *nothing* about diesels, much less a Dmax. I'm not keeping my hopes up, as it would simply be a turn & burn kinda deal...but I'm not opposed to making a couple of bucks while helping someone with some parts along the way!

If I had a truck on my car lot that hadn't run in two years, I'd probably take it to a mechanic and get it started. I think he's lying through his teeth, (or tooth if it's a redneck lot.) They more than likely know what's wrong with it, and don't want to pay what it will cost to fix it. Used car dealers are in business to make money, and they won't sell at a loss until they have to to move a turkey.

Flood damage is far worse than collision damage, IMO. If there is water in any of the electronics, nothing works. Computer, Air bag sensors, Antilock brake sensors, PW, PL, Radio, etc. About everything on the truck runs through one control module or another. If it has electrical problems, you will be chasing them for as long as you own the truck, provided it can ever by started.

So, any ballpark idea on parts value? Driveline, body, etc...

give me the number and i will buy it and make it into a puller ;)

It has been sitting, and "IF" they are speaking truth, which I doubt, everything in this world today is a SCAM, but if...it may be a prime issue, and also bad fuel, and low batteries. Flood may be a player as well, but I am assuming it was running at one point after the flood repairs.

I would offer no more than 4 grand, and that is "IF" the body is in great shape as well.

Good luck and let us know how it goes