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If you had to chose between these four trucks starting out...

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020.

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  1. Jun 26, 2020 #1
    God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Getting ready to dip my toe in the water. Hoping to haul flatbed, and I'd like to buy my own trailer. Right now, I'm just trying to wrap my head around a truck. I'd like a pre-emissions truck, and I am mechanically inclined. I'm asking about these four trucks just to get an idea. Are any of them a "Hell yeah" or a "Hell no" or a "Maybe", etc. Let's just say they all dyno good, and oil analysis comes back good for the sake of comparison. Three of them are Series 60, and one is a 3406.
    If any of them stand out as a yay or nay, could you provide any feedback as to why? For example, does anyone still work on the 3406, and are parts hard to find? One of them has 4.11 gears which seems pretty low geared. And so on. Thanks in advance.

    https://www.truckpaper.com/listings...4801/1999-western-star-4964?ST=texas&CTRY=usa

    https://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trucks/for-sale/192458773/1995-kenworth-w900l?ST=texas&CTRY=usa

    https://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trucks/for-sale/31884857/1994-kenworth-t600?ST=texas&CTRY=usa

    https://www.truckpaper.com/listings...freightliner-fld120-classic?ST=texas&CTRY=usa
     
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
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  3. Jun 26, 2020 #2
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Star has heavy specs and Headache rack. Classic is setup ok as well but might need a power uprate .. w900 looks nice outside but interior appears rough which might mean abuse or neglect ...
     
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
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    God prefers Diesels Thanks this.
  4. Jun 26, 2020 #3
    God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Thanks, @magoo68. Are any of them a "Hell yeah"?
     
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
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  5. Jun 26, 2020 #4
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Price is right on the star but condition in person would determine if hell yeah.. classic looks like engine has newer paint so possible reman which would make price look better both are elog exempt which helps on bad loading days.
     
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
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  7. Jun 26, 2020 #5
    ChevyCam

    ChevyCam Light Load Member

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    Have you seen the flatbeds rates right now?

    Find a better way to invest that hard earned cash, imo.

    If you still decide to purchase a truck being mechanically inclined and pre emissions would be your saving grace as shop labor can be costly at $125 / hr on a truck plauged with emission issues.

    Do you have tools and a place to park and work on the truck on weekends?

    My truck has a N14 Cummins but I would not hesitate to buy a 60 series. Both engines are on the cheaper side to rebuild. 8-12k for an inframe.

    Plently of people still work on them and there is a great Facebook group "Cat Engine Masters" where you can learn about those power plants.
     
    ChevyCam, Jun 26, 2020
    ChevyCam, Jun 26, 2020
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  8. Jun 26, 2020 #6
    God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I was looking at the paint on the Classic engine. There's paint on some of the radiator hoses. Makes me think they pressure washed it and hit it with a rattle can. Is the price right? Seems like some sentimental value, or am I just being cheap?

    The Star says the engine was rebuilt, and it's got rebuild tags on it, but it looks like it was rebuilt awhile ago...but the price is nice either way.

    Saying both trucks have an "iffy" engine, 15 thousand bucks goes a long way.
     
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
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  9. Jun 26, 2020 #7
    God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    @ChevyCam I have seen the rates, and they suck. But flat bed is interesting, and only gets more interesting as you go. Plus, since I left the oilfield, I'm starting to get a belly. I need the extra work. Thanks for the info.

    Edit: Yes, I do have tools and a place to work. I would need to tool-up some for a big truck. Tire jack, bigger jack stands, bigger impact gun, ect. But I've got a start on it. Not looking to do something on the order of an in-frame myself, but there's a good shop a few miles from me we used to use all the time in the oil patch. Good people.
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
    God prefers Diesels, Jun 26, 2020
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    Coffey, ChevyCam and TheLoadOut Thank this.
  10. Jun 26, 2020 #8
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    W900 says it rebuilt but I don’t think it only averaged 35 to 40 k a year according to ecm.. I’d say ecm isn’t original besides it needs hood repair and a drivers seat at minimum.
     
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
    magoo68, Jun 26, 2020
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  11. Jun 26, 2020 #9
    TheLoadOut

    TheLoadOut Road Train Member

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    Out of those 4 for what you are trying to achieve I'd say the Western Star. Price is great, has a headache rack, I would just have a good mechanic look it over. I'm sure it will need a few things but looks like it could be a good starter for a flatbedder.
     
    TheLoadOut, Jun 26, 2020
    TheLoadOut, Jun 26, 2020
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    Coffey, magoo68 and God prefers Diesels Thank this.
  12. Jun 26, 2020 #10
    Kshaw0960

    Kshaw0960 Road Train Member

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    I looked at all 4 trucks. Here’s my take. I’ve owned now 5 trucks. The series 60 Detroit is the engine to get. Incredibly fuel efficient, and easy to work on, as well as reliable. Those trucks you posted I immediately disqualify for one reason or another.

    I would search Craigslist and local mechanics. Word of mouth is the best way to buy a truck. Especially since the mechanic would likely know the maintenance history. The trucks you posted are way above market price right now.

    If I had to chose, the western star. Or the classic for $10k less than posted.
     
    Kshaw0960, Jun 26, 2020
    Kshaw0960, Jun 26, 2020
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