2004 GMC 2500HD 4x4 137K miles a Safe Buy?

[Polaris425]

So, I have a 2009 Tahoe I've been tryin to sell so I can buy a new truck.

I came across someone with a 2004 GMC 2500HD 4x4 w/ the Duramax, with 137K miles on it.
They want about the same as I do for the Tahoe.

So I inquired about  a straight trade and They are interested. I drove it and it felt a little sloppy in the front end so I'm not sure about it. Also, there's all that diesel stuff like injectors and lifters and pumps...

I hate to trade for it and then have to start dumping money into it. My cousin has the same truck with 250K on it and he's never done anything but regular maintenance to it. But he takes pretty good care of his trucks.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[Lipripper]

Sounds like the front end might need to be checked out by someone who know about front ends and what might be needed to fix the sloppy in it. I would have someone go over the motor and trans also to see if they could tell what kind of shape it was in and if it has been taken care of. Like you said you would want to trade for it then find out it was going to fall apart. 

[Princeton_Man]

I have an 06 2500HD with the 6.0, I wish it had a Duramax. but I'm very happy with the truck in general. 137K is low milage and really not even broke in as long as they followed regular maintenance. I'f they are original owner/s, I'd be all over it.

I'd look for Bigwrench's blessing.

[Oldfart9999]

Agree with Jim, Rick's blessing would be good. Front end feeling sloppy doesn't sound good to me.
Rodney

[Bigwrench]

Sorry I missed this , spent all afternoon Thursday at the clinic and all afternoon Friday at the ER .
     Personally I have always preferred the 6.0 gasser in the 2500. The Dirty Max is one expensive beast to get fixed when you start having fuel and injector issues.
The front end work is easy peasy for sure and I'd never turn down a vehicle based on front end work needing done.

[Polaris425]

I know they've already replaced one of the fuel system components but I don't remember which one she said.

[Polaris425]

Sorry I missed this , spent all afternoon Thursday at the clinic and all afternoon Friday at the ER .
     Personally I have always preferred the 6.0 gasser in the 2500. The Dirty Max is one expensive beast to get fixed when you start having fuel and injector issues.
The front end work is easy peasy for sure and I’d never turn down a vehicle based on front end work needing done.

I was told there was an injector recall on them, but...

She isnt sure about them but said she would ask her husband. lol

"We have replaced primer pump and power steering pump and belt." << That's all they have done to it, according to her.

They are second owners, which scares me a little more.

[Princeton_Man]

That's mighty low mileage for an '04. Like any used vehicles, a lot depends on how well it was maintained by both the previous owners.

[Bigwrench]

I know they've already replaced one of the fuel system components but I don't remember which one she said.

They had a ton of fuel system issues. They had a recall on some but without having the dealership check the vin # it would be a HUGE gamble. A lot of times when they went to a dealer they would check balance rates and return rates and replace the injectors that didn't meet specs and a few months later they would be back with other injector issues.
  They were like $800 apiece depending on which ones you had and if they aren't under the recall and you have a great dealer relationship it could be a bankrupting decision. They probably are the newer/cheaper version but still think those were like $300 each or something.

[Polaris425]

holy cow...

Well that's a problem I don't want.

This is what frustrates me about deisels. you always get mixed reviews... "Yeah, they are great... 100's of 1000's of miles no problems.." And right behind that "They are horrible $1000's of dollers of replacing parts stay away!"

Who do you trust.