Hi everyone!

I've identified a 2024 1500 Rebel with 6000 miles that I like. Took it for a 24 hr test drive from carmax. Listed as $56,998. Upon doing some reviewing of the underside, I've found that the sealant on the rear differential does not look factory. The paint ( looks almost like spray-on bedliner) on the rear differential does not look factory and the paint is covering the identification tag. The silicone used to seal the transfer case does not look like factory sealant. It does not have clean edges and there is overused and smeared sealant on the transfer case shift motor. Photos attached. CARFAX and CarMax both reported clean histories as well. Any discussion/input is welcome.

Did they coat the diff in wool wax? I'm not seeing what you're talking about…

The sealant looks fine since you want enough to seep out while mating the two pieces. A lack of sealant would be more concerning.

I didn't even know they still made orange permatex. I agree, looks like it's been bubba'd

Doesn't look bubba'ed. Looks like it was serviced at any given shop that services them by techs that are on a schedule. Maybe a recall service? I'm more wierded out by a 6,000 mile vehicle already on the block at carmax. Is that a date written in blue on the diff? Looks like 11/20. And why is the diff showing rust starting at 6,000 miles?

Carfax doesn't mean anything. My 400,000 mile truck that I've serviced myself its whole life plus 3-4 trips to the trans and AC shop has nothing noted on carfax about it. I don't know what it takes to get an accident or repair work notes but likely dealer work or insurance claims are required I guess.

could be a lot of things.

it could just be a DIY job where someone just wanted to swap in a bunch of amsoil stuff they like to run on their new rig

it might actually be factory, quality these days aint what it used to be. if you can find another truck and peek under it that will probably tell you better.

dunno where that truck is located or where it has been but the rust could just be from a winter in the salt belt

Yeah man. No question they done something to that truck. The wire loom and zip ties in pic 1 a dead giveaway. No way that came from the factory like that.

Thank you for all your opinions. The original post was from my son who does not have stars in order to post pictures, so he used my account.

My son asked that CarMax take it to the local Dodge service dept and get their opinion and verify that the vehicle would still be under warranty. They said they would, but never did it. We actually spoke with two different Dodge dealerships and showed them the pictures and they said that they're probably really wasn't anyway they could decline warranty coverage. Regardless, my son opted to not purchase this vehicle.

Sounds like a wise choice. For that kind of price, why aren't you looking new? Should be able to get a better deal and interest rate new I would think.