Paying cash for an older semi tractor vs. financing a new one

That’s a 244 with 70” bunk and long hood fld132

 

Well ya a set back axle makes for a short wheel base.

 

The right side sags a bit. It’s been hit.Its actually a 2000, but titled as an 01. Motor is nov.99

 

I started to say it’s a long hood, but took another look first. I see you are absolutely right. I missed that. SobI guess it’s a Fld 120 or is it called Fld 112? You’ve got a good eye.

 

No its a classic. Just not a classic xl (the long hood version). Flds had an entirely different hood, and were set back axles. (Not 100% sure but i do think you could get a set forward axle fld that looked ridiculous with the fld hood)

 

Here is an fld120 with a set forward axle. They look the same as an fld120 with a setback rear axle except the axle is forward. I don't see anything that looks odd about that.

Google Image Result for https://d323w7klwy72q3.cloudfront.net/i/a/2015/20150715ve/B2986.JPG

And here's the set-back axle

Google Image Result for https://i.pinimg.com/originals/03/ca/ec/03caec899f5d493dadb6eb8478176c32.jpg

The FLD Hood was a great idea. Those hoods on the Peterbilt and even on the classics, they tend to have a lot more problems because the whole fenders are made right into them. There's so much more hood that they tend to move around more and crack more and they're even harder to open the hood because there's so much of it. And of course they are more expensive

Freightliner really had a great idea with the FLD models and the classic.

 

The after market hoods are thicker. About $2000, Still less than half the price of a Pete hood.If springs aren’t adjusted right, they’re harder to open. I replaced the cables on mine with chain, and made them a little shorter, easier to open hood, now. A lot of Shops will open up using 1 fender, twisting and breaking grill bolts

 

@Rideandrepair

See that's what gets me about the Peterbilt. I just absolutely cannot comprehend it at all.

I'm not a fan of the set forward Axle just because it's harder to maneuver, and unless you're really traveling long distances the set-back axle is just so much more practical. And I don't know how Freightliner did it but that fld120 with the set-back axle backs into places like a small truck. And gives such a comfortable ride like a big big truck.

But if you must have a long Hood, that classic just makes so much more sense than that lousy Peterbilt. The classic is really a beautiful truck and way more comfortable. Even the dash is perfect because everything is at your fingertips without moving an inch. And that tilt steering wheel has more range than anything I've ever seen in my life. That tilt steering wheel will accommodate someone that's 4 ft tall to 7 ft tall. The list of benefits and comfort goes on and on with the Freightliner.

So you can spend $2,000 on a hood for the classic or you can spend $4,000 on one for the Peterbilt.

Just makes no sense at all. You pay a king's Ransom to buy the truck in the first place, then some goon backs into your truck and instead of spending 2,000 you have to spend 4000... because you have to have a certain name on that hood. Completely not practical and absolutely ridiculous. I have never put $2,000 in front of me, and set it on fire and watched it burn. I guess people do that kind of thing. I'd rather enjoy the $2,000, but to each his own...

Resale value? I don't know seems like the classics hold their value pretty well.

I'm going to go buy a toilet. I can get a really nice beautiful comfortable toilet that will last me almost forever for $50. I will not do that! The only crapper that's good enough for my rump roast has to say Super Crapper on the toilet. I know it's the same, well actually it's less comfortable and I know that all the parts are going to cost me a fortune but I want my crapper to say Super Crapper! So I'm happy to spend $1,000 instead of $50 and I'm happy to spend $200 when I need a flapper for inside of it instead of $10.

Now I can stand tall and feel good about myself, my life will now change for the better, people from all parts of the Earth can be jealous and envious of me because my toilet is stamped...
Super Crapper!

That makes sense.

 

You really really dont like Peterbilts do you? You won't believe this I'm sure but my dad has 97 fld 120 and an 84 359, he claims the 359 rides just as nice as his freightliner, a simple 20 dollar valve really improves the ride.

 

I guess I don't, LOL. And maybe I have a little troll in me too, lol... but I really don't see the value or practicality.

But the truth is if it's something that someone likes and they're willing to spend the money for that, that's their business. I guess we all spend money on things that other people would shake their head at.

But to me it's kind of like that buddy that we all have. You don't want to go to his house when his wife is there because it's never a good scene. You know better than to try to call him on the weekend because his wife has instructed him that that's family time and it's her time and how dare any of your rotten friends try to take you away from me. So he's a really great guy that works hard and does all the right things, but spends the weekends with his wife screaming and hollering at him what a jockstrap he is and how lucky he is she doesn't dump him because he doesn't deserve her and how he never does enough for her. All while she does everything she feels like doing when she feels like doing it. And when you talk to him, he thinks she walks on water. Well, maybe he'd like to drown her once in awhile but you get the idea.

So it's the same as Peterbilt. If you tell me you're happy I'll be happy for you.

I just can't comprehend it even a little bit.