What would you do? Fix it or look for newer truck?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TruckerPete1990, Jul 5, 2022.

  1. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Been an O/O For like 8-9 years now.
    My very first truck was a Old 2007 9400i with 600k Blew the motor at 900k.
    Went and bought a 2014 T680 in 2019 Had the motor rebuilt so its got about 300k on the Rebuild...
    Rear structure is leaking oil pretty good now. Front pumpkin is leaking a little. So its time for some Work on her. Total parts and labor for everything is around $10,000 so not to bad(Just rear structure and some engine mounts and install kit, Clutch.) I've been pondering around the idea of just ordering a brand new truck either a new T680 for MPG or a w900... The T680 if spec right would for sure get better MPG then a W900. With todays fuel prices it makes sense to order a T680 but i do love the looks of the w900 and the bigger sleeper...

    I'm honestly scared to pull the trigger on anything with the economy the way it is. First question would be if i do the maintenance on the truck with my miles on the truck being almost 1 million by the end of year would you just Replace the transmission while its already down(Due to millage)? With my pumpkins they are 3.25s and i wanna go to 2.64 to run in direct and drop my RPM's a little. This total job is $7,000 i kinda figured since its gonna be pulled anyway to fix the leak why not just replace with new ones...

    Here comes the pickle though. Do i just do all this and say Lets keep the baby or sell it AS IS and buy a newer truck with the specs i want and hope to get better MPG. If i had to put a dollar figure on everything i wanted done i would be around $25,000 with all the maintenance i said plus a little more smaller things..

    I'm honestly lost and the wife isn't much help on picking :D As of right now i do have a call in with Kenworth and should hear in the morning on a price of a brand new truck. I Do power only so honestly not worried about freight as i was making a $2,000 plus apu payments... So payments on a brand new truck wouldn't matter as i know i could do it.

    If i do decide to keep my truck i really wanna find a company that can redo my whole inside while its not beat up i did break some of my sleeper panels when i spray foamed it as its a cheap cardboard lol... Wasn't impressed with my spray foam as its got a lot of gaps.. May strip it down and hire a company or find a different route to go for getting a better insulation. Summer time gets pretty warm with these temps.

    Would honestly like some feedback.
     
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  3. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    Run the numbers and see what one really makes since for you. If you see that it is close to the same price pull the trigger on the new one. You will be much happier and won't worry about break downs near as much. The comforts of the new truck will make you think you should had done this a long time ago unless you are tied to the old trucks.

    To me fuel is gonna get higher not cheaper in the next two years. So I would really consider that but make sure you can afford that payment regardless.
     
  4. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    How long can you drag your truck out for?


    Can you get a new truck? How long is the lead time?


    How much could you sell the truck for? Prices are going down.


    The old truck 25k in is a bit of money. New tranny, pumpkins, new seal is still 17k? New truck payments and insurance your looking 4k a month. But better fuel mileage, I would assume.


    Can you get a big sleeper with the t680?
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2022
  5. tiddlytanker

    tiddlytanker Light Load Member

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    I recently "fixed" my differential leak by putting silicon sealant around the seam. I'm on day 4 and no signs of leakage so far. My T680 is at 800k miles and I also think I want to go brand new when this one is no longer economical. We got quoted $205k for a T680 with a long wait and big deposit about 6 months ago. Too much for me especially with the current economic uncertainty.
     
  6. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    The cost of a new truck vs a used truck isn’t all that much different all things considered. Go new.
    175k for a t680. Don’t let them overcharge you.
     
  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I ran mine till it needed a clutch. Rear structure and rear main were both leaking pretty bad. I didn’t replace the trans, even though it’s a reman w/ 1 mil. It may last another mil. If not, and within 5-600k it goes out, I’ll swap a reman in, without doing the clutch. Labor cost will be $1000 at a Shop. I’ll take my chances. I’ve had my Truck for 13 yrs. and it will be my last. If I had a pumpkin seal leaking, I’d have it taken apart, inspected and resealed. I can’t say what you should do. I would only fix what’s needed, leaving the rears alone. Saving for my next Truck. Better than spending more than it’s worth. Unless you want to keep it forever, keep repair costs to a minimum. No telling what else will come up, while you work towards your next Truck. The less you spend, the more you’ll have towards the next one. No need to spend any more than needed. You won’t get it back. The other option would be plan on keeping it another 5-7 yrs. In that case, get whatever done, to your liking.
     
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  8. merv85

    merv85 Light Load Member

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    Go new, might also want to look at glider kits if you are not running cali,
     
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  9. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    I haven't regretted going with new, spec'd with exactly what I wanted and no compromises. My last one took 8 months from the order to putting it on the road (Mack Anthem). I hear orders are getting canceled, so there could be an opportunity for you with shorter build times or possibly a match to something someone else changed their mind on. Talk to your dealer and find out, get a quote, then decide what's next. Sounds like you're going to have to spend some on the old one to keep running in the mean time. Once you have an ETA on it's replacement, you can set better priorities on the repair decisions.
     
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  10. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    They don't make gliders anymore the ones im finding are $170k with 500k miles. To me thats Nuts...
     
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  11. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Bentonville Arkansas
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    So i called MO and they said by Q3 but then he told me he cant sell to me as im not Local and use my local dealer. If i was to sell my truck the way it is now with everything thats been done and prices i could prob get 40-50k


    Yeah i cleaned up the area and put silicon on it.. hardly leaks with it like that.
     
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