Got back from my trip + errands just now. Heres the report on the truck:
Body: Rustier than I was able to tell in the picks. Has a few large holes drilled in box for some sort of mounting equipment. Probably ~1inch mains with four support bolts surrounding each main. Total of 10 bolt holes on each side of the box. Dent in drivers side fender. More rust than I had anticipated but it really was sorta minor surface rust. Tommy lift didn't work. Powered on but wouldn't actuate. The salesmen told me it worked. Its minnesota and it is really cold so maybe it is[was] frozen.
Engine: It was a bear to start, but I have confidence the batteries and starter are rock solid. Generators work well I would guess. I had to turn it and turn it and turn it to get her to started. That gear reduction starter has some serious horsepower. You could just bolt it on in front of the tranny. I think it had air in the injector lines or something because once I got her started she actually ran very even. Just took some turning. Also when I started cranking it there was no, or very little smoke, coming from the exhaust. Before she actually started she really chugged some smoke and then turned on with a roar. Sounded kinda impressive honestly.... I love the 'purr' of diesels. Power was good. It had dual exhaust and it was A LOT peppier than I had expected. IT would have beat my old 7.3 off the line by a long shot. Anti-freeze was leaking from somewhere on the back of the engine, fairly steady drip. I don't think the injector pump was leaking, I didn't find any diesel anywhere. The engine was --COLLLD-- when I got there. I didn't call and tell anyone I was coming because I didn't want the dealership to hook a block heater up or idle it.
Drivetrain: Transfer case/HI LO FWD worked. Transmission modulator or something was gimped as it shifted way past redline. It didn't shift out of first when I was in 4LO.
Hubs worked.
What I did: On craigslist the truck was listed at 3950. On the lot it was listed at 4590 or something like that. I went there with the intention of offering 2500 cash but that coolant leak on top of a few other things made the decision. I'd hate to buy a truck with a questionably cracked head/block for the same price as a truck without one. So I passed on the truck but the salesmen told me of another dealership that was at the same auction as him and got 15+ trucks. Tomorrow after work I am going to check it out. I feel good about tomorrow. If nothing else I'll get to drive a bunch of trucks for an hour or two.
I am going into this knowing that I'll be spending another 1k+ off the bat in fluids, grease, and general maintenance. I am really thinking about putting a flatbed on the back of whatever truck I get. Sorry but she'll be a work truck. Plowin+beehives+moving trees and shrubs about.
I don't have picks, didn't think of it
. I'll see what I can do next time.