Just how long will these trucks last?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Texas Diesel Junkie, Jan 19, 2010.

  1. Texas Diesel Junkie

    Texas Diesel Junkie <strong>Future Pilot of the Left-Lane Freight-Trai

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    The Backwoods of Texas
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    howdy yall! i cant say enough good things about this forum! i love it! anyways, my question is just how many miles can i squeeze outta a truck before it needs major work? the reason im askin is id like to buy my own truck and pull a dump truck or other local stuff till im 21 to git that magical 2 years experience! i obviously cant afford a $130,000 Peterbilt 379 extd hood with a c-16 cat 625hp and a 13speed with 6" stacks just yet! LOL! SO, im looking to buy used! so how many miles are too many? i found a nice 2002 KW t800 with a CAT 425hp, 13 speed, 46K rearends, and 425,000 miles for $20k, is this a good buy? or will it just turn into a money pit? thanks for the info yall!
     
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
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  3. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    I know a few O/O's with million mile trucks . Some had an engine rebuild around 500,000 miles . It all depends how it was maintained . Ryder is the best place to buy a used truck . They have trucks similar to what you have mentioned or check KW for a Paccar lease truck .
     
  4. Longhood379

    Longhood379 Medium Load Member

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    Cremona AB
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    There are lots of trucks with 1 million on them some with 2 mill
    you need to stay on top of maintainance etc and if you want to run older iron you should be able to do a lot of the smaller repairs your self If you are not handy with repairs you should learn the ropes on somebody elses trucks
    The KW you described sounds like a good start for gravel / local especially if the 46s are cross locked
    Is the cat a C-15 / 3406E ?? if it is it should make an lot of miles at 425hp
     
  5. Texas Diesel Junkie

    Texas Diesel Junkie <strong>Future Pilot of the Left-Lane Freight-Trai

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    Jan 6, 2010
    The Backwoods of Texas
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    it doesnt say, im thinkin its the 3406 series, so i can get 500,000 out of a engine without any major breakdowns? i can turn a wrench so regular maintenance/repair wont be a problem, if i cant git roughly 500k outta the engine, what about the trannys and rears? how long will they last? i want to buy my own truck but i just dont want to buy a money pit thatll put me in the poorhouse before i even git rollin! would it be wise to buy a cheap 500-600k+ mile truck at all or are they too costly too even mess with?
     
  6. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    I have been told by my instructors and fleet owners. With proper maintenance a truck will last some 15 million miles. BUT! As that truck gets older with more miles, the frequency of service will start to get closer and closer. At some point in time (usually around 2 million miles according to Paul M. fleet owner) the truck will require almost a complete rebuild of wiring harness, new airlines, rebuild anything that has not been rebuilt yet.

    The downside is, unless you are your own authority, most companies have a limit to how old / tired a truck can pull for them regardless of looks an maintenance.
     
  7. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Watch out for Ex-dirt trucks. Any dirt truck or asphalt/base trucks get a good beating going off road to job sites and hauling out of quarrys. They need more maintainence. And 500,000 on the odometer could mean 800,000 on the engine if he idled a lot.
     
  8. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Wow... so many factors to consider. I have seen engines fall apart at less than 500K miles and some go 1.5 millon and beyond before major repairs.

    Just from your description, the T800 looks like a decent buy. You might be able to get the price down a little, but since it is a pre emissions engine, it will be harder. Those pre emissions Cats are good engines and highly sought after. Whatever you choose, really do the research on the truck. What operation was it used in? Dump the ECM (not just the summary) and check it all out, have the engine dyno tested and have oil samples taken on engine, tranny, and rears. Maintenance records are a plus if available. Unless you are a very experienced mechanic, find one and buy his time to go over the truck you are looking at. These early costs can save you a real large chunk of change down the road.
     
    Texas Diesel Junkie Thanks this.
  9. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    AL/TN BORDER
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    Det ser 60 11.1 bought in 99' still driving it. no inframe, original turbo, most all original. 1.3 mil miles & going strong. oil change every 10,000 good maint & some luck.
     
    Working Class Patriot Thanks this.
  10. Texas Diesel Junkie

    Texas Diesel Junkie <strong>Future Pilot of the Left-Lane Freight-Trai

    66
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    Jan 6, 2010
    The Backwoods of Texas
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    Wow! good answers yall! so i guess as long as you dont beat the p*ss outta em and change the oil on a regular basis itll last ya 1,000,000! after doing some more reading, it looks like 10-15k is the norm for oil changes, so how long can you run tranny fluid a rearend fluid?
     
  11. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    How long a truck will last depends a lot on how you treat it.
    I have seen guys beat a good truck to death in 4 or 5 years and I have seen them last for years. A friend of mine in California is still running his 1977 359 Pete with almost 4,000,000 miles on it and it still looks good and runs strong.
    My truck has 1.6 million miles on it and is as good as new.


    Take care of it and it will take care of you.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2010
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