What is the oldest truck you guys would own/drive?

This is a personal preference. I would base my decision on how much I could afford and what condition the truck was in. My big question would be when was the last engine overhaul? Be sure to do a dyno run and oil samples before making a purchase.

Just realize the older they are the more rattles, leaks and little problems you will have. The miles you speak of sound too low. How many times has the odometer been around? I would expect a 90 model have 2 - 3 million miles on it.

 

I dunno, I've driven a couple 78 pete's that were a little beat up looking but they ran like champs. Ice cold a/c too. I'd own one.

 

I have a 1988 Pete 379 here is a picture of it have done bought another pup trailer though. The Pete has a Cummins Big Cam IV 400 was lo flo but converted it over to Hi Flow , 15 spd Trans and 4:11 rears pete airleaf suspension , took the 2 leaf frt springs and went back with 3 leaf

 

for local, pends on condition of truck, over ther road?, again pends on condition, Ive got an 06' pete right now, but thinking of getting rid of it and getting something else

 

the dump truck i drive is an 85 western star with 1.5 million on her, the road tractor i use with a 24` dump or step deck to haul the excavator with is an 86 western star with 2 million on her. the road tractor i would jump on the road with anytime and not be worried at all. i don`t think it`s age so much as upkeep.

 

Oldest I have now is a 1985 R Model Mack , 350 HP , 36" bunk , use it for local stuff.

 

I have no old-age limit.

As long as it runs and is reliable, I couldn't care less how many decades old it is. My current ride is an '01...and that's about as NEW as I care to go. I don't have any use for EGR, DPF, SCR, or any of that other heavy, government mandated crap on my truck. I'm paid by the ton...the less the truck weighs, the better. I don't mind adding a little weight to gain strength, durability, or usefulness....but the newer emissions crap only adds to maintenance, repair, & operating expenses, not to mention the extra tare weight (meaning less tonnage and therefore less pay per load)...all money out of my pocket....without any economic benefit to me.

 

Which one will you be able to find parts for the easiest?
Which one will you be able to find a nearby shop willing to work on it?

For local work, I'd take a day cab over a sleeper truck any day. Spring ride is more rugged and typically does better off road, but with air ride you can splice into an air line going to the bags and add a gauge to give you an idea on how you are loaded. Recent rebuilds are nice, but who did the work and what kind of warranty is attached?

Until you've driven them, you won't know too much more about them. Make sure they drive decent enough...and take them to a professional mechanic familiar with trucks that old to have the truck looked over.