What should I expect.

Oxbow covered the key points but to answer your question anyway old iron is a lot simpler to work on in many cases and can also be limped much further with an issue in a lot of other cases. As towards being mechanically inclined. You really dont NEED to be. As long as your willing to track down minor issues such as a rubbed wire, doing your own hub seals and so on all of which are pretty simple you will be good.

 

Yeah, my fuel will suck as I am looking at heavy haul. i may change my mind after I do it as a company driver. That means looking at more torque and HP. I have drove Paccar back in 2014 and an ISX was not impressed with them or the emissions systems. I know I am early but looking ahead and planning is never bad. the newer model trucks are not taking the Detroit's or cats. I was also thinking perhaps a 379 midroof glider kit so I could get the engine I like. The issue there is the interference with the government about the glider kits. It may be hard to come by. The new truck manufacturers and thier lobbyists just do not realize that many of us do not want all the expensive electronic upgrades with a new truck and an unreliable engine. Pricing current or future O/Os out in favor of government kickbacks and mega fleet accounts. And yes I love the design and looks of the old iron as well.

 

That is what i was thinking. Repair simple minor stuff but have a maintenance account just for things that are way over my head.

 

If you get into heavy haul the fuel mileage isn't as much of an issue. It's going to suck regardless!

 

you didn’t hear a word we said.

read what I posted again, and really understand you’re the owner scrapers look for when you are hitting bottom because of truck repairs and need quick cash, this is how they get the trucks they part out.

 

One-box that is giving you fault codes is 25k with sensors and labor. And is very hard to find. Just to let you know

 

New And Used Semi Trucks And Trailers For Sale, Lease And At Auction : SleeperTrader

If I had the funds plus a healthy maintenance account this is what I would look at. Now see what you made me do..... I have started looking at used trucks and I am not even back on the road yet!

 

Lots of gauges missing. Probably came of a fleet.

 

I would take it to Peterbilt or a Detroit/Cat mechanic and pay for the in-depth inspection before I bought anything. That would also be the point of the healthy maintenance account. I assume I am going to have to do the rebuild or inframe etc. Oil samples and any other checks I could get from an outside mechanic. And I would wait for the price to come down a great deal too, prices are still too high for used right now. The way things seem to be going getting back to it as a company driver for a while is a good bet until the market really cools off. I am in no way ready for a purchase. I have tons of time.

 

It is also a super 10 vs a 13 speed. I would have to make a few adjustments for it to work for me, but I believe it is still miles ahead of the ones OP was looking at.