What's It Worth? 1994 Pete 377

All older trucks are money pits. It just depends on how deep you dig it.

Im a believer in old iron, but go in with your eyes open.

My truck started out at $27k to purchase: Fresh inframe w/ reman head (3406e) and injectors cost him $17K and truck was worth about 10K to him.

Truck had sat for a couple of years, only being used during grain harvest. When I started taking it back on the road all was good until my rear drive got hot. $3600 for a new Eaton unit and an oil change. Now my purchase price just went up.

1 month later, Main shaft broke in the trans going up the big hill west of Needles CA. 3 Days and $7400 later I was back on the road.

My cost for the truck: $39K

Now to me it's worth it, as there is alot more that has been replaced on it and I just really like the truck. Theoretically this truck should be able to go to 2million miles (1.2 on it when I started driving it)

Just make sure to go into any deal with your eyes wide open and be prepared to cough up some cash when you least expect it.

 

Whatever you decide to do, do not listen to crap misinformed advice like this.

 

If it was in my neck of the woods (Another Continent) I would go for it.
The problem is that if you are doing it as business you have to be able to bring it to the point where it is running earning money.
Anywhere short of that and it is worth nothing and will have cost you time and money.
A huge wast in other words.
If this is the choice you have in order make something for your self then decide logically weather you have a good chance of being able to see this through.
Its not ideal like having a fat bank account to start with , but hey you can only play the hand you are dealt.
Just know what you are getting in to and be willing to make the necessary sacrifices with no guarantees.

How old you are and what responsibilities you have also factor in to a decision like this.

 

not all old trucks are money pits. I paid 9500.00 for my 1994 frieghtliner 10 years ago,and it still has the original transmission and rears in it. It was supposed? to have 200000 on an inframe over haul.I have made over a million dollars with that tractor (Gross money) as far as paying big amounts of taxes I have never paid over three grand all I do is work less. Last year (2011) I ran 74000 miles for 112600 dollars and worked seven months.Also I fix or replace things before they break or go bad this is called maintainance.The same with my trailer I paid three grand for it seven years ago it is a 1997 trranscraft eagle flatbed. I run all over the usa and canada leased to mercer and have never failed an inspection as a matter it has been tree years or so since I have been inspectred on the road and yes I run in california a lot.

 

Did I mention it is a cabover?

 

I have only ever had one new tractor and also was the only one out of eight that was not a cabover.It was a 1987 Ford LTL9000 heck of a good tractor but it had sixty things wrong with it the day I picked it up they were called payments. 2100.00 a month in 1987 was a BIG payment. I ended up having to let it go back,which was my fault but I said I would never go thru that agin.I have found out that less is more so good luck to you if it don't work out you can just walk away.

 

Seems like a fair offer!! One over looked thing on vehicles that have sat is that all the rubber parts will likely need replacing. Everything that takes grease you should go over as well, take a grease gun and push the old grease out and see what you get. Check the wheel seals, even if they are not leaking now, after sitting for a long time the may go the first trip out. $5k is a good price if it's a truck you want and are willing to put some money into it. The stuff I mentioned is all minor crap, shoot a turbo for my truck is $5k.

 

Hell $2100 a month is alot more than I want to ever pay. I like having a payment of $0. I would rather bank that 2100 or use it to deck out a older truck anyday.