Need some suggestions. 2003 379EXHD

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Hurst, Nov 22, 2014.

  1. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Here is what I am going to look at as soon as I get home. The owner's daughter works with my wife and not sure why,.. but he is offering to sell me this truck at what I think is a steal. I'm overly cynical,.. so I've got a few concerns,.. I'll explain. Read on.

    2003 Peterbilt 379EXHD
    13 spd
    6NZ @500hp
    3.55 rears
    24.5 wheels
    63" stand up sleeper

    Truck has 890k miles on it. Motor was rebuilt by CAT and has 120k miles since rebuild. He has all paperwork and warranty papers for the rebuild and also maintenance records.

    The guy is 70 yrs old. His wife got sick 4 yrs ago and died 2 years ago. He parked the truck when his wife came down with cancer. The truck has been parked for 4 yrs. Says he comes out and starts it up. But does not want to drive anymore. I talked with him on the phone and he sounds genuine. I just dont want to get blind sided if I decide to buy this truck.

    I'll be home by Monday night. Going to look at this truck after Thanksgiving. Friday or Saturday.

    My concern is the age of the truck and what kind of fuel mileage would be realistic pulling a 53' step, running all 47? Obviously I cant go into Cali with it. He says he got just over 6 mpg pulling LandStar vans.

    I know they are coveted,.. but how reliable is the 6NZ? What are some things I should pay attention to? Should I transport the truck and get it dyno'd? Or at the very least get some oil samples done? What does a dyno typically cost?

    What would you guys recommend? Tires, fluids, bearings, hoses and air lines,.. those are pretty obvious to me. I need to do more then kick the tires before I commit to buying it.

    Thanks,

    Hurst:smt111
     
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  3. Lone Ranger 13

    Lone Ranger 13 Road Train Member

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    I have a 2003 Peterbilt 379 with 6nz Cat. It has 1.1 million miles. I bought it new. At 447,000 miles the head gasket blew due to some defect. Cat paid for new head etc. Thats about the only repair on the engine I have had , other than replacing the oxygen sensor at about 900k miles. Engine will use 1 or 2 gallons of oil between changes at 20k. Very dependable engine. I was last using this truck to run between the Carolinas and California . With gross weight of 77,000 lbs in a van I was getting 6.5 mpg running about 60-63 mph with no idling. My truck has 550 hp. 18 spd. 3.55 rears. 24.5 tires. Good luck . Hope that truck is in nice shape. My truck has been parked for 2 years. I crank it up and drive in the driveway every few weeks. I tried to crank today. No go . Batteries are history. I reckon it will sit a while.
     
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  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I was going to say batteries, and possibly tires - 7 or 8 years is about the age limit.

    Old diesel ? May need filters, possibly drained and fresh fuel?
     
    Hurst Thanks this.
  5. 2CAN

    2CAN Medium Load Member

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    I would not be overly concerned that it has been sitting, if he has had it running up to temp and at least moved it around to get gear oil flowing and brakes moving.

    I personally would prefer to buy something that you can get accurate history on over something that is off of a dealers lot.

    Put some fresh fuel in it and take it for a spin.
     
    BAYOU, Hurst and exhausted379 Thank this.
  6. BigCam9670

    BigCam9670 Medium Load Member

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    You should be able to get between 6 and 7 mpg out of it without to much trouble. My 99 with a 1LW 3406e, 13 speed, 3.90 and 11r 24.5 gets 6.7 religiously running the northeast with a stepdeck and tanker @ 62-65 mph. For the first couple months you may have some things creep up as a result from sitting ( wheel seals, hoses, gaskets etc) but thats all part of owning an old truck. What kinda money is he wanting for this anyway?
     
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  7. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    So what's the asking price? That's the important detail you left out I think. I have a 2001 exhd 6nz 550 with about 650000 on the meter of which I put on 150000 since buying it in 05 or 06. Obviously I don't put a lot of miles on nor am I over the road with it but I have put that truck and motor through hell and back. Pulling belly dump to tanker overloaded with pig poop. Rough roads and big hills and a throttle happy driver. It just begs for more. Worst mileage I've got was probably 4.2 working the guts out of it. Never really tried for the best. Did get 8 with it once bobtail 300 miles and pulling an empty van back. I've done nothing to it really. Can you tell I'm a big fan of Petes and cats. With a ecm tune and turbo you can have gobs of power and be more efficient to boot.
    Pull oil and water samples check everything you can. It still might lay down the next day.
    I wouldn't be overly concerned that it's been setting. Expect a few things to be sticky. Brakes might be stuck and foot peddle might be too. Wouldn't worry much about air lines. Belts and hoses sure maybe.
     
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  8. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Sounds good guys. Might be rolling otr in a 379 after the new year.

    Gonna go look at it and see how bad or good it really is and hopefully make a good decision.

    Hurst:smt111
     
    blairandgretchen and 281ric Thank this.
  9. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Cracked head is about the only real problem I know of. Seems like they have a common place they crack,but can't remember where. Been a few years since I ran a cat. On the bright side have known a few that went over 1mil with nothing but rod & mains done.
     
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  10. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I didnt want to post the price in case I decide to sell for a profit later down the road. You guys are like elephants and never forget. I thought about it and feel thats dishonest of me.

    So anyway.. he originally wanted $30k when my wife first talked to him. Compared to other 379's I thought that was a very good price. He tells me on the phone that he'll take $20k if I have cash. That to me is a Kmart blue light special. I have to at least look at it. I have more than $20k set aside for my next truck purchase.

    Now you guy may understand my cyinicalism. Why so cheap right?

    Hurst:smt111
     
    281ric Thanks this.
  11. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

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    I've always been of the opinion that Peterbilts are overpriced and overrated in general. However for that price, I'd buy it.
     
    Cetane+ Thanks this.
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