Help deciding on a straight truck

Discussion in 'International Forum' started by The Rook, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. The Rook

    The Rook Bobtail Member

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    Dec 7, 2013
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    Looking to add a delivery route to the fleet. Have 0 experience with straight trucks and medium duty motor and transmission set ups. Looking for a used unit. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

    Use: 4 hours of highway run each day with 10-15 stops for deliveries all with in 10 miles of each other. 26ft high box with lift gate. 33k gross

    From what i have read so far and speaking with other straight truck owner operators locally. Seems the CAT has a 300k lifespan. DT466 can last upwards of 500k depending on maintenance.
     
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  3. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    3126 Cat & 5.9 Cummins are throw away motors. DT466 has liners just like the big trucks and can be rebuilt without breaking the bank. After replacing numerous clutches back in the 90's, I started buying trucks with the Allison automatics in them. Less wear on the trucks and easier on the drivers.

    I have had nothing but good luck with the DT466 engine, lost a 3126 about 2 years ago with just under 300,000 with a cracked block.
     
  4. The Rook

    The Rook Bobtail Member

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    The company i run for has an 02 KW with a cat 3126 has a cracked block. 291k:biggrin_25510: I originally was looking into buying that unit off of them because it is really cheap, and just replacing the 3126
     
  5. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    I've heard the Cat C7 also should be avoided.
     
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  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Before we talk about engines, let's look at what you are hauling and thee mileage you will be driving daily.

    How much weight do you expect to be on the truck - the most weight that is?

    Do you need a lift gate/33k gross?
     
  7. The Rook

    The Rook Bobtail Member

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    Dec 7, 2013
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    clothing and dry grocery. usually ranging from 18k to 25k total weight. But during a few months it gets up to 30k total.
    Jacksonville, fl to Savannah,Ga, 10-15 stops then back to Jacksonville 245 miles of highway and 20 miles of city each day.
    requirements: 26ft long by102 high box, and most lift gates will work since everything is unloaded 1 hand cart at a time
     
  8. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    DT's are good. Stay away from Maxxforce DTs 9 or 10s. DTs can be good when coupled with the right trans. With any large amount of highway use, you need a truck with a 10 spd Eaton. This keeps the rpms a little lower which significantly increases engine lifespan. DTs in straight trucks are normally coupled to Spicer 6 speeds. The engine has to scream at highway speeds, so you will be overhauling them at around 400K. DTs with 6spds are city only trucks, no highway use. Find one with an Eaton 10 spd and you'll be happy.
     
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  9. 04SSHD

    04SSHD Light Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2011
    Henderson, NV
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    We've owned two international box trucks, Can't really go wrong with a DT466, they're not terribly fast, but they will get you there.

    This was our first company owned International 4700 Crew Cab DT466E Allison Auto, ex-Disney Studio truck, 120k miles on it when we sold it and was still running strong
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Here's our current 4300 DT466, Eaton Autoshift 5 speed, air brakes, air ride, ex Penske (photos were before we repainted it) 178k miles on it and still running strong.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  10. The Rook

    The Rook Bobtail Member

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    The most available units down here seem to be internationals. Heavyd can you steer me towards a model and year? I'm leaning towards pre emissions. And I've heard some of the medium duty trucks have had some electrical issues depending on the year
     
  11. 04SSHD

    04SSHD Light Load Member

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    Henderson, NV
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    Our 4300 is a 2008, pre DPF truck. We haven't had anything major as far as issues. If you're looking at the older 4700 body, try to find one with higher HP. I'd look at 2005 and up with the VGT Turbo. 2004 and up they were updated to meet 2004 emissions standards, and 2007 and up they were updated again to include a cold crank case vent, 2010 and up were updated again to receive twin turbos, updated EGR, and I believe DPF.

    If you want to steer clear of the pain in the but emissions, find a pre DPF truck
     
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