Change my mind

Yep on the one owner with the service records. The truck I ended up buying was not the truck i was looking for originally, but it was speced out right and after crawling around , under and over it with a good flashlight for 2 hours I started to get interested in it.

Just the fact that it didn't look like a Bear and a Mongoose got in a fight inside of it and smelled like the loser was still in there was a good start of peaking my interest.

The old timer that met me at the truck out on the road was forthright and honest. And when he ran back to his pickup and grabbed a thick folder with all records including the build sheet I was sold before the test drive.

I paid 15000 which I think i paid too much in todays market considering it needs brakes and tires. But 2 years ago everything I looked at under 40000 was bombed out junk for premission trucks.

 

The big stuff motor,trans,diffs are the easy replacements I think .

Its all the little stuff that a million mile truck needs replacing that is the never-ending job if you don't address them before hitting the road.

 

If you have money in the bank leave it there. Buying a truck is the 2nd fastest way in the world to go broke. Going to the casinos is number 1.

 

Start a boat building business is #3

 

Generally speaking to have the truck be "ready"...

Change antifreeze engine oil all filters power steering filter hoses belts thermostat and water pump. Service oil cooler. Check Turbo. Check motor mounts and radiator mounts. Pressure check radiator. New radiator cap. Replace starter and alternator. New batteries.

Check cab mounts put new airbags for cab and shocks. Check or replace exhaust. Check all heater lines. It is probably a good idea to replace the wiper motor.

New shocks all the way around and new airbags. New Air Dryer. New governor for air compressor. And carry a spare. Replace any bad Airlines and tie up all the lines that are loose that are going to rub and blow through.

New transmission rear seal change transmission oil all new wheel seals all new pinion seals check out driveshaft carrier bearing and U joints. Change oil in both differentials and check the plugs. New vents for differentials.

Check wheel bearings and adjust accordingly.

New air can slack adjusters Airlines if needed check cams and drums replace everything if in doubt.

Check front end and repair accordingly.

The rest you replace as needed.

Now if you buy a truck that you have all the service records you may be able to avoid a great deal of that.

 

OP, you sound pretty skilled mechanically. Have you considered going through a diesel tech school?

Perhaps you're good at handyman stuff. There's a huge demand for people who are willing to go out and do the little jobs around the house repairs none of the bigger guys will do.

It's low overhead, most ppl pay in cash and you're home every night