Good Buy?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by DL_Trucker, Jan 7, 2012.

  1. DL_Trucker

    DL_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St Joseph, MI
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    I'm new on here, I hope this is the right place to post this, but I'm looking at buying a truck and becoming an O/O. I've been looking for a while know and I belive I found a good starter truck, I'm looking for any advice or warnings from anyone that has know better. The truck is a 99 Kenworth T600 flat top sleeper, It has a Redtop N-14 with 770,000 on it (no rebuild), new OEM eaton fuller 10 speed and new clutch, all new trailing arms and bushings, aluminum rims, and eaton 404 diffs. This was used to run fruit for a local farm for most of its life (double axle trailers not trains or antything like that) The owner is retiring and is selling it for 15,000 Please let me know if I'm on the right track and if ti sounds like a good deal.
     
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  3. mgfg

    mgfg Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2010
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    404's are very slow! This would have made a good stump pulling tractor.

    If the majority of your work is 100 mile radius and you're not rushed you'll be OK. If not those 404's will suck fuel like a... well I'm on double secret probation already so I'll refrain from saying!

    The truck is worth what abuyer with a good check brings to the table. I doubt there's guys standing in line to buy a 13 year old truck so there should be some room to negotiate.

    How handy are you because I'm going to bet the farm that this old girl is going to need LOTS of regular TLC. If you have to pay for all that, then this is not a truck to buy.
     
  4. DL_Trucker

    DL_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St Joseph, MI
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    Thanks, this is the stuff I needed to hear.
     
  5. SL3406

    SL3406 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 10, 2011
    Oklahoma
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    Those are Eaton DS404's. Which is the rearend housing not the rearend ratio! :biggrin_25523:
     
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  6. DL_Trucker

    DL_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St Joseph, MI
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    yeah I know but hes not that far off they do have a 4:11 ratio
     
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  7. FREEBRD

    FREEBRD Medium Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2007
    Lafollette tn
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    Lol! Great advise driver! If you only new what you were talking a out! Good try tho!
    It's not the gears it's the Rearend ....
    Sounds like a pretty good deal if it's clean!
     
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  8. DL_Trucker

    DL_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    2
    Jan 7, 2012
    St Joseph, MI
    0
    Thanks, I know its going to need work soon, I'm looking at this and a 01 Volvo with a VED12 and 610k miles on it. I'm torn because the KW has so many miles but the VED12 Sucks from everything I've ever read on it. due to repair cost, parts avaibilty and so on. I'm checking both of them out today but I'm leaning towards the KW
     
  9. mgfg

    mgfg Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2010
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    KW hands down.
     
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  10. Cummins_444

    Cummins_444 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2008
    Northwest, IN
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    The N-14 is a good engine. Without knowing the history on the maintenance it will probably need a rebuild around 1 million miles. I have seen and had them go much longer though before an in frame. The 10speed and 4:11 will run just fine down the road between 60 and 65 mph. To run 70 plus you will being pushing 1700 plus rpms.
     
  11. DL_Trucker

    DL_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2012
    St Joseph, MI
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    Thanks guys, I feel alot more confident about the KW. I'm heading out to drive the volvo now and I'll keep you posted, but the I'm looking forward to the KW test drive.
     
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