Whic engine has the best life span

good advice right there...

I also believe the guy behind the wheel has much to do with high mileage trucks. A local O/O has had Cats and is presently running a Detroit. He gets very good life out of his trucks. But he is an exceptional driver.
That isnt much help when your in the used truck lot, but if you can find a truck that hasnt been hammered to death, hopefully you will get alot more life out of it............

 

I would have to agree 100 percent with MedicineMan.Preventive maintanance by changeing the oil and all parts need to be greased and not to forget the fifth wheel too.

 

That engine will be due for overhaul. But other wise ok. $12.5 seems a bit expensive to me.

 

Whoever told you this was just trying to sell you a Cat, which wasn't a bad thing, but still absolute bull! You can rebuild a Detroit of Cummins as many times as needed as long as you don't mess the block up.

 

its the same

 

First and foremost, check for service records, meet/talk with the previous driver(s) or owner(s) if possible, that is a huge part.

After all that is said and done, I would go with a CAT. I ran a 2000 Freightliner FLD120 for 2 years with a 3406E 550 CAT, and that truck pulled like you would not believe. Grossed out at 80,000, she would walk up just about every hill in top gear (10 speed) she fell down to about 90 KM/H, but she would walk right up like that load was not even back there.

MPG avg for the entire year of 2008, including idling, winter time and winter fuel, was 7.9 MPG Canadian. I hated the truck, as I hate freightliners, but I sure do miss that engine, nothing could touch it.

 

There is a couple of things to consider do you have a local mechanic or shop what does he work on ,you dont want to drive 500 miles to get work done or parts. We work on cats and detroits both are good cats make more power and with the right tune get great fuel milage we can get 6.00 mpg to 7.00 mpg good maintenance will take any motor to a million its easier to get out of a cat than any of the others

 

Did they elaborate as to why?

Did you ask them to? I sure would have, It's a bold claim to make without supporting evidence.

I am very curious, and without a logical, mechanical explanation, I have to agree with Les2. - Bovine excrement.