Pre emission vs emission delete

If you’re looking at an old truck with a budget of $50k you better try and buy one for $35k and use the rest to replace stuff that’s been neglected on a 20+ year old truck. It might be shiny with fresh paint but the wiring and fuel lines and air lines will probably need some attention.

Lots of people run emission trucks without problems every day, but you have to keep up on the recommended maintenance intervals. I’ve owned and ran old trucks and after selling my 95 KW in 2016 I’ll never have one again unless it’s just for fun.

 

That's what I'd be looking for if I were you. An N14 should do a little better on fuel mileage than a Cat will and will pull just fine.

 

With a new truck. Insurance cost more. For a 2018 model today was quoted additional premium $2,500.00 not much. But...
Warranty might cover repair, But... Does it cover payments? I've heard trucks sitting, waiting weeks for parts. If you're on a tight budget, be ware.

I have a 1999. I have replaced most parts that I could. Before they broke.

Most down time at home. Most repairs I did at home. This was a lot cheaper than $2,500 monthly payment (+ repairs).

Best scenario, everyone has a different idea. New truck with no payments.

I buy old because I prefer no payments. When my truck needs repaired I'm not stressed about expense or income.

I would never delete any truck.

Good luck.

 

Perhaps, the best long term solution would be to buy a brand new truck with extended warranty with cash and hold it and baby it with maintenance for as long as it feels reliable.
Not too many, myself included, would feel too comfortable to part with all that cash, even if available. In this scenario, becoming a company driver again as an alternative and keeping all that cash might seem more sensible but in the long run short sighted.

 

There’s stuff like this out there. It’s not much over your budget. At 300k miles they haven’t neglected any routine maintenance yet. Spin a new filter on the def tank and have the DPF cleaned.

 

With how thunder####ed most 20 year old trucks are you're looking at a lot of nickle and dime crap. A truck is more than just an engine.

 

Or it had its own dedicated repair bay at the local dealer….

 

Says it’s a lease return so who knows. All I was pointing out was if his budget is $50k he better not spend it all on an old truck or he won’t have anything left to fix all the little stuff that pops up.

I have 568k on mine now and it’s still just plugging along. Hopefully it lasts a few more months until my new one comes in with disintegrating along the highway.

 

If you can get that truck and it’s in decent shape get it. I still regret selling my 07 century couple of years ago. Work horse and cheap fix.
If you run local dpf and regen issues will kill you since truck doesn’t have enough time to do regen.
If you get “modified “ truck make sure you have good shop you can trust with it. Dealers won’t touch it and some will report you.