Buying a used truck with an unkown history?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Wildcat74, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. Wildcat74

    Wildcat74 Medium Load Member

    354
    128
    Jul 15, 2008
    Omaha, NE
    0
    Was over the road as a company driver for about 2 years and have now been an O/O with a day cab pulling an end dump locally in my '83 Pete 359 but I am wanting to add a cheap(ish) sleeper truck to run the I-5 corridor with during the winters as it gets pretty slow in the construction world.

    I own my old Pete and trailer outright and am looking to get a 48' flat and 53' dry van very soon. I would like to add the OTR truck within the next 6 or so months but I've got some questions for those of you who have purchased trucks similarly to the way I am planning to do so. My 359 has its' own share of problems (it IS almost 30 years old after all) but with working it locally it's never an issue to get the problems fixed with haste. This probably won't be a luxury that I have if I am several hundred miles from home when something goes down so I wanted to ask this: what maintenance/work or inspections do you guys get on your trucks before you head out when buying them used? I am all about pre-emptive maintenance as fixing it on your own terms is always a lot more easy than doing it on the truck's term (and possibly a few hundred miles from home.).

    I appreciate any information and words of wisdom you all may be willing to share with me!
     
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  3. AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

    1,032
    173
    Feb 21, 2010
    OZ - Brisbane
    0
    you can have a; blow-by test, coolant test, turbo / charged air test, power-steering pump test, you can also test the compressor start truck when the low air light goes out the air should build to max pressure in approx 20 seconds when RPM,s are above 1200 (but this time varies from engine to engine). other stuff to check are things like king pins, tie rod ends, bushes, S cams, etc etc. basicly every thing from front to back & back to front.
     
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