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Doing some research -New guy

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by kenrv, Dec 17, 2012.

  1. Dec 17, 2012 #1
    kenrv

    kenrv Bobtail Member

    13
    0
    Dec 15, 2012
    Saratoga,Ca
    0
    Hi to everyone.
    About Me:
    My name is John [JT] most call me
    I own a motorcycle repair business I want to take on the road, for a couple of reasons.
    #1 to get out and see the US of A, I have been stuck in my garage for 5 years now...
    #2 Love big trucks and have secretly always wanted to be a trucker -don't tell any body!!
    #3 Have a plan to combine business and pleasure, that just might work..
    #4 Mid life crisis I need a change..

    I am looking to purchase a [ totter home/garage unit] for my business, have picked one that has a 1998 Kenworth T200 front end.
    Has a Detroit 60 Eaton 10speed auto, twin screw air ride [don't know the gearing as yet]. Says it has a 72MPH limiter and does 70 up hills [NY upstate].
    Have been looking into comments on the T2000 & Detroit 60 [will be getting the model#]. As far a mileage on T2000 it has 700K not sure when the engine was looked over.
    The unit I am looking at:
    http://www.racingjunk.com/Toterhomes/2827138/1998-Kenworth-T2000-Toterhome-Garage-Unit-RV.html
    I drove a bobtail Issue for 2 years local deliveries & had a few 50 miles behind the wheel of a Kenworth a friend owned in the 90's. Mine you all highway no sharp turns just a novice he trusted.

    What questions should I be asking?
    What can I expect for a repair budget, will be doing some upgrades to this unit If I purchase.
    What upgrades would I be wanting to look at for engine and trans?

    I am looking forward to being on the road and seeing new thing. This unit is to big for most RV parks so will be parking where ever I can.

    JT
     
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    #1
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  3. Dec 17, 2012 #2
    miss elvee

    miss elvee Heavy Load Member

    816
    2,640
    Dec 15, 2012
    Russellville, AR
    0
    Hi John,

    Wow, I wish buying a truck was like buying a car or a bike, it's be a lot less headache. Now, I'm not the motor head of our team, but I can tell you what I know:

    1. Get all the service records from the seller.
    2. Pull the VIN and compare work done at the dealer with service records. Find out if it's due for recall work and check to see regular preventative maintenance was done. At 700k with the newer engines you are getting close to an overhead, depending on how it was treated. Those are spendy, so buyer beware.
    3. Pull an oil sample and send it away. DON'T use a table top machine like SpeedCo has if you want those numbers to mean anything.
    4. Lastly put it on a Dyno, or have the seller do it with you present.

    Between the Dyno and the Oil sample you'll have a good idea of whether or not the truck is in good running shape, and if not, it gives you some very important clues as to what is or could go wrong. This stuff isn't free, obviously, but it definitely will keep you from making a serious mistake. Then you take all that information to a trusted diesel mechanic and ask him what's going on and what it will cost to fix.


    Just my 2 cents, good luck.
     
    miss elvee, Dec 17, 2012
    miss elvee, Dec 17, 2012
    #2
  4. Dec 17, 2012 #3
    kenrv

    kenrv Bobtail Member

    13
    0
    Dec 15, 2012
    Saratoga,Ca
    0
    Miss
    thank you for all the good info, I will do as you say and get an oil sample. I do not know the New York [WEBSTER,NY] area but will search for Kenworth dealer that can do a Dyno run.
    The unit is priced in my ball park $75k, ish figure I will be spending another $15k to get it to the point I want it.
    1st trip will be from NY to CA so that is a few mile. If you have any information on a reputable dealer or shop in the area -Please let me know...
    Will be taking a trip in 2 week to view the vehicle..
    As a NewBee I am jumping in with both feet and dam the torpedo...
    I have been looking throw this site for a few months researching T2000 & Detroit 60's lot's of good stuff. Some of the members are a little shy when it comes to engines and brands I see.. :? For GOD sake be frank or bob... Love this site so far it has been very informative and have had a few laughs.
    Thank you again MissE..

    [TABLE="width: 64"]
    [TR]
    [TD="class: xl65, width: 64"][/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]
     
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    #3
  5. Dec 17, 2012 #4
    miss elvee

    miss elvee Heavy Load Member

    816
    2,640
    Dec 15, 2012
    Russellville, AR
    0
    They might make a good truck, and I'm not going to argue over the engine, imho that's too much. See buying a truck is a lot like buying a house. You get an inspector in to check the plumbing, roof and electrical. On the outside the house looks great, but you never find out about a bad septic tank or hidden leak down the inside of the walls until its too late. Trucks are like that, and cost almost as much.

    For an 09 KW with 700k on it, I wouldn't go that much. For 50k more you can get a brand new one. Put it in context, front steer tires cost 1k, drive tires about 4k, an overhead like I talked about above is 15k give or take. Alignment up to 450, batteries 600. See where I'm going? If you pay too much out of the gate, if something - almost anything - bad pops up, you're up a tree. Especially if you can't fix your own motor, and sometimes even if you can.

    If you have cash, good deal. Take 20k and set it aside before you buy anything. It will help defray the cost of getting it up to speed. Don't set your heart on a given kind of truck, instead, set your mind on getting the healthiest, lowest mileage truck you can for the least amount of money.

    If you don't have cash... Wait until you do. No kidding. It will go so much easier for you when the truck is paid and you have the cushion to handle whatever comes up.

    As far as a mechanic, I don't know anyone in that neck of the woods. You can have KW do a check and advise for labor cost, but its a real crap shoot what you'll get. Common sense tells you not to take it to the seller's mechanic, though.

    I would keep looking, but that's me.

    Good luck!! - Miss Elvee
    One last tip: Low idle hours are better. Ask when you take it to the dealer. You should also ne able to get the avg mpg, too.
     
    miss elvee, Dec 17, 2012
    miss elvee, Dec 17, 2012
    #4
  7. Dec 17, 2012 #5
    kenrv

    kenrv Bobtail Member

    13
    0
    Dec 15, 2012
    Saratoga,Ca
    0
    :shaking2: I am new to this whole thing.. SO I do appreciate all the reviews you have given. I have $87k to spend + $10k if needed. I was looking for a new conversion and it out pried me real quick.
    I love Kenworth's & Pet's so I am leaning heavily toward this unit. I will take this into account and have the annalists you suggested to negotiate the price. Owner has some wiggle room for me -he has been selling this unit for 2 years. So I know he has a lot of down time on this rig. But I now stored is not a good thing when it comes to old vehicles, seal dry out,leaks, water accumulates etc. I am hoping I like this unit and can have it ready for under $100k, a newer conversion runs $200 - $300k. From scratch they are $$$$$ and I am a simple guy so I am hoping this will meet my needs and can secure at a little lover price... Unfortunately my time frame is short have to make a decision soon... 3 other options but this one is the best all around unit for my needs, another has 2x the garage space 52' -
    1999 Freightliner Century Class Tractor. Powered by the massive Series 60 Detroit Diesel engine. The 470HP, 12.7l engine
    Been sitting for 1 year more like 2 years, a little to big for me...
    Others are more on the small size of garage 10' -14' I need as big a garage as possible..

    thanks again for your insights -i would love to start with a 2005 - 2009 unit but I have no fundage for that..
    JT
     
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    kenrv, Dec 17, 2012
    #5
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