Pre emission vs Emission engines

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by KullenTrucking, Apr 4, 2021.

  1. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    The problem with buying an old pre emission truck and fixing it up is you’ll be broke before you start. $60,000 will go a good ways toward fixing one up, (if you have cash in hand, no bank would loan money for that) but you’ll start out your trucking career by dishing out thousands of dollars you need for fuel and insurance. If you have it all done at a shop its weeks of downtime before you turn a wheel.

    If you just go buy a 20 year old truck and go to work with it, there’s no telling what all is wrong with it. You notice almost every one of these guys running pre emission trucks have a shop and don’t mind working on them.
     
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  3. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    Yes. You need to love to work on them, almost as a hobby. Folks who own those old trucks always love to speak about what they already did to them, what they will do and what would like to do, if they had more time and money. They would rather go to their yards, repair shops, and work on those trucks rather than go fishing or have other sorts of fun.
    That's what it takes to make these trucks work.
     
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  4. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    https://www.auctiontime.com/listing...tOrder=571&scf=False&LiftGate=All&OAuctions=1

    This is the recent auction results for pre 2000 trucks.

    seems to be some nice looking rigs there for under $20-25k
    Some under $12k

    put it on a dyno, see what happens, if the engine doesn’t overheat or blow all the oil out , then figure dropping $10k for new virgin tires

    (saw a recap blow on a truck I was beside yesterday and do quite a bit of damage to a truck and at least three hours downtime on the shoulder )

    ( i used to have an old truck that had so much blow by I had to use a bungee cord to keep the dipstick from blowing out of the tube.
    I drove it for years , and made a lot of money with it. Just had to remember to pour in a gallon of oil every 500 miles.)

    new drums and shoes and brake cans and slack adjusters all around.
    Maybe new belts and hoses if not already done.
    Consider a water pump and air compressor and maybe a new radiator, but I’d run it a few trips first and see what happens.



    keep a couple of credit cards empty in case you need major unexpected repairs
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2021
  5. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    https://www.auctiontime.com/listings/trucks/auction-results/191372607/1996-ford-lta9000
    1996 model
    Two owner , under 300k miles ,
    $12k

    1993 model
    135,000 miles
    $12k
    https://www.auctiontime.com/listings/trucks/auction-results/195057033/1993-ford-ltl9000

    this is why I always bought used Fords

    if either of these said “peterbilt” in the Blue oval on the grill instead of “Ford” they would have sold for $75-85k

    same cat or Cummins engine , same fuller transmission , same fuller Eaton axles.
    just add a zero to the price because of the name .

    You’d get that money back if and when you sold it , but if money is tight when you are just getting started, a truck is a truck, and gets paid the same to haul a load.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2021
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  6. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    What kind and how many tires cost $10,000?
     
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  7. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    You’d have to be replacing all 18 on truck and trailer to hit $10,000. At least in the tire shops I go to.
     
  8. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    I'd say, here in Chicago area, good quality tires with installment:

    1200 steers 2
    3200 drives 8
    2800 regular van trailer tires 8
    ---------
    $7200, give or take a few hundred
     
  9. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    The $10k was an estimate for 10 new virgin tires , 6 new brake drums and shoes and new cans.

    my post was a little
    Confusing when I just re read it .
     
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  10. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    10 k in new tires?

    Even with drums shoes and cans thats steep

    I can get that done at 7500 max.
    Maybe if you are going for brand new aluminum rims and replacing every air line and the slacks too itd hit 10 k
     
  11. John E.

    John E. Light Load Member

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    Good question, really hard to answer. Have been down both roads, I rebuilt a 99 cornbinder. Drove it 1.8 million. Finally spun a bearing.
    I sold the 99, the new owner put a used engine in it and it is still running strong. N-14.
    So, bought a 2019 cornbinder cummins 605, HX. So far, has been a good decision. Had a cpl. issues but nothing yet that would break the bank.
    Bottom line? Is a personal decision. Guess it is similar to dribbling a basketball. Either way can be financially rewarding, much depends on experience, application, terrain and your pocket book and other factors.
    Either way? take real good care of No.1...
     
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