Buying a used truck

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by RERM, Aug 27, 2014.

  1. RERM

    RERM Road Train Member

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    Dec 13, 2012
    Chicago, IL
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    Hi, I'm in the process of buying a truck, the one I'm looking at is:

    1996 Kenworth W900L 72" Mid Rise
    3406E Cat - 100 miles on Cat Rebuild - Dynoed 500HP
    18 speed
    3.55 rears
    Outside cosmetic condition - 4 out of 5
    Inside cosmetic condition - 3 out of 5
    Transmission and rears have been checked and OK
    Price 32K

    What do you all think?...I'll be pulling a 48" flat, running the midwest, 300 mile radius around Chicago, occasional runs further south (Texas, Alabama, Tennesse, Arkansas)
    Any updates I should look for?
    Any known problem areas?
    AVG MPG???? running at 65mph....

    Pictures look good, this Saturday will be seeing it and having my mechanic check it out....
     
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  3. Mooose

    Mooose Light Load Member

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    Apr 13, 2014
    Sherwood Park,AB
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    What's not to like!! and it's pre-emission!! Gets my vote any day of the week.
     
  4. I blew a fuse

    I blew a fuse Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2011
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    the mpg on that w900 with the bigger cat is going to be 5.8 mpg at best. for the most part it will work out to be 5.0 mpg average. divide that by 4.099 a gallon. I would keep looking for another truck that get better fuel mileage. another rule is. why is the guy selling it after putting a ton of money in it? probably because he wants a truck that get's 6.5 to 7.5 mpg loaded at 70 mph.
     
  5. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
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    Probably the last concern on most flatbedder's checklist is tractor aerodynamics. Why do people always come out of the woodwork to criticize someone for buying a hood? Drive your bubble truck and don't worry about whether your competition can pay for their fuel or not.
     
    123456, RunFlat, cowboy_tech and 3 others Thank this.
  6. Battle Born

    Battle Born Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2014
    Scandia, Mn
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    You can get good mileage with a hood, it just takes good habits, and patience. As long as I'm around 6mpg I think I'll be perfectly happy with whatever I get. I'd see if you can talk him down on the price a little. For being a 7/10 and a 96, $32k just seems expensive, but that's just me. At least it's a good engine.
     
  7. Derailed

    Derailed Road Train Member

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    Dec 10, 2008
    Upstate NY
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    I know it seems Cats always get a bad reputation for fuel mileage but I have talked to some guys that seem to do alright with them. I have a 6nz in a Fl Classic. 18 speed with 3.58 rears. The motor has a cam, turbo and a PDI tune and I have been averaging right about 6 flat. I run a lot of hilly terrain also. Cruise is usually set around 71 and 1550 RPMs. 11R22.5 rubber. I do put a half jug of Power Service in each tank almost every fill up, not sure if that helps.
     
  8. RERM

    RERM Road Train Member

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    Chicago, IL
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    71 is too fast for me, 63 is about right, 65 if in a hurry, more if needed...the cosmetic condition probably accounts for the price....(though there's one right now in Truck Paper for 45K that seems worse off)....I'll know more after I check it out, I've only talked on the phone to the seller......

    I was just wondering if there were any known issues I should be aware of (mpg's are not one of them, I know it won't beat a FL Cascadia with all the doodads, but it should not break as much either!)...
     
  9. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    Aug 19, 2010
    lancaster pa
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    paid $3.3 a gallon in new jersey today.
     
  10. RERM

    RERM Road Train Member

    1,683
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    Dec 13, 2012
    Chicago, IL
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    OK....better than 3.83 in Chicago....although, for the FSC, I wish it was $6 a gallon!!!
     
  11. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

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