Tale of 2 trucks

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by midcon, May 11, 2021.

  1. midcon

    midcon Light Load Member

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    I’m looking for some advice on choosing between a couple of 98 model 379s. This will be a 2nd truck and will be primary truck with my current FLD becoming a backup. I bought the FLD last year and is first truck I’ve ever owned.

    1st one has a recently rebuilt Detroit 12.7 and a 9 speed transmission. It was a prior frac truck so miles are low on chassis although it’s taken some abuse. Has some cosmetic upgrades such as paint, new Al wheels, new exhaust. It’s a good 50’ er.

    2nd one is a prior fleet truck that pulled a fuel tanker. Has a 3406 Cat but it has a 1.2million miles on motor and a 10 speed transmission. Pretty good shape overall and was very well maintained.

    The truck with the 3406 has a bigger sleeper (48” flat top) so that’s a plus and it most likely led a much easier life.
    Price difference is small enough to not be a consideration. What kind of life expectancy could get out of the 3406 with that mileage on it?
     
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  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I’d pull oil samples from both. CAT can run lab oil samples.
     
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  4. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    The frack truck most likely has low miles and high hours. Lots of idling or running a PTO.
     
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  5. midcon

    midcon Light Load Member

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    My thoughts too, but it has a recent rebuild with 2-3k miles on it.
     
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  6. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Sorry. I don’t read too well sometimes lol.

    Is there paperwork for the rebuild?
     
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  7. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Thats a tough one at first glance. However, almost every frac truck ive seen has been beat to #### on those rough back roads and typically have worn...everything, shocks bearings, joints ect. Plus the PTO will have very VERY high hours compared to the fuel truck and seeing as i have hauled oil loads that were full of parafin and basically goo coming out its likely been used to suck up some pretty sketchy stuff that would put a lot of strain on it. Not to mention if it did a lot of H2S loads that stuff gets into the intakes and i have seen it rot the insides of the enginesm

    It may be a solid truck but i would always be leery of anything post oilfield. That said get an oil check, blowby, and dyno on both. But im leaning towards the 3406 fuel truck as likely being the healthier truck overall.
     
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  8. midcon

    midcon Light Load Member

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    You were right on the frac truck. I had a chance to crawl all over it yesterday and it’s been whipped on pretty hard. Plus the paperwork for rebuild was “unavailable”. It’s going to be a hard pass on it for sure. Going to try to look over other truck this week. If it doesn’t sell before I get there. The used truck market is insane right now.
     
  9. midcon

    midcon Light Load Member

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    paperwork is missing on rebuild.
     
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