Well, here we go!

Just picked up this 01' with CDL for $2400 and a ton of aftermarket / extras. 123k on the clock, full service records and window sticker. No rust other than some small surface bits on the underside. Has potential HG issues and the shocks need to be rebuilt but I'll get into that more later.

This was the main reason for the low cost of this truck..

List of mods currently installed:

3"+ lift with springs and Bilstein 7100's
3" catback exhaust
16" steal wheels with big rubber
Rear steal bumper with trailer hookups
Front stock bumper that has been cut down for clearance
Ceramic brakes discs / pads (i don't think the rotors are ceramic..)
CB radio (already been removed!)
SS brake lines

Extras:

New 130amp Alternator
New uninstalled plug wires (Magnicore)
Bull bar with lights (previously installed but the mounts are apparently wonky so seller took it off)
1/2 of AB cooling hose kit (didn't get around to installed the lower hoses but did the upper ones)
Tons of extra fluids (coolant, gear and motor -- AND Bilstein shock oil)
Extra lugs and light bulbs
Fancy shmancy tire pressure gauge and plug kit
Extended ABS lines

 

ISSUES:

Seller claimed that he was driving home from work and the temp gauge shot up and went to the red. Pulled over, truck cooled down and then he drive the remaining 2 miles home going 10mph or something. He could smell Dexol from the tail pipe, nothing leaking from engine externally. Oil is free of coolant and coolant is clean. He bought a Duraseal kit which is like a liquid gasket dealio, he installed in freezing temps and isn't sure if it "took". I think i'm just going to go ahead and do the HG but need to check the plugs and verify. When i was initially check out the truck it was idling for close to an hour -- not smoke out the tail pipe or any coolant smell. Plugged in my OBD scanner and truck was sitting right at 195.

Windshield is cracked but out of view.

The shocks are dead. No rebound or anything at all, the truck is basically sitting on the springs. Not sure what i'm going to do about this, I'll probably go ahead and order a new set of TF HD shocks for the mean time and get the Bilstein 7100's rebuilt at some point later.

Codes were pulled and are below (off the top of my head, will update later)

Bank 1 Primary 1 O2 sensor
Shuttle valve

Headliner is saggy and ebrake boot is rubbish.

 

MY GOALS:

Clean the truck up really good, it just needs a lot of love! I'm debating on swapping out the whole suspension for a 2" lift kit as some thing as aggressive (height wise) is something that is new to my wife and I. Also debating doing the HG by myself which I am not afraid of doing -- Done a few VW's and Audis over the years so i get the idea. Found a local fellow who can do the job for $800 which I know is a steal.

I currently take public transportation to school so this truck will not be daily driven which is good -- Really the wife and I want to go camping a LOT more this year but either of our Volvos are really up for the task.. Hence the purchase of this truck! My family had one back on 01 as a lease vehicle and had an incredibly positive experience with it.. I have always wanted one since.

 

Looks like waiting paid off.
I'de call that one a good deal.
As for head gaskets, do it yourself.
You will be amazed at how easy these things are to work on.
Lucky8 for best part prices.
Put a radiant barrier above the headliner(4'×10' roll is $25 on ebay).
You may need smaller tires if you go to a 2" lift.
They fronts may drag when turning without the 3".
Congrats!

 

Well.. Pulled the plugs and they are all DIRTY which could mean things might be ok! Upon further inspection, looks like the TB cooling lines were rigged The line off the top of the cap is cut and just hanging out and the return line from the the TB is epoxyied to the under side of the coolant overflow tank.

Perhaps the truck did over heat but rather spewed out coolant from the cut line onto the manifold?

 

Looks like you scored a pretty nice start. Kind of wonder why the previous owner mounted the shock reservoir in the engine compartment, would think engine temps would affect them some. Not sure, but most l've seen are mounted in wheel well area. Anyhow, rig looks like a good jumping in point, plenty to work with for an off-road/camping rig.

Congrats, on the new acquistion.

Brian.

 

Why did you take the CB out?

Brian.

 

I ran the reservoirs on my 7100 under the hood for years no issue.

I would have left the Cb as well they're handy. I'm adding one to the lr3 soon.

 

I dunno, i feel like the placement wasn't the best and.. I don't use a CB for anything. I'd rather get a hand held unit or something i guess but then again i have no idea what i'm talkin about. Its a Cobra unit, those any good?

 

Cobra generally is decent. If you start doing off road events the Cb is fantastic for vehicle to vehicle communication. Frequently cell phones don't work in these areas