This might be the truck I buy

That Snowy sure is a sharp cookie

 

bfr38, i mean unless the rebuilt enginde was built right then yea go for it

 

I have one word to say about this truck and that is EMISSIONS. You said that you would be hauling containers locally with it. Check with the port to see if they will let you into the port with a truck with no emissions on it. I know if you go into a port in California you cannot have a truck older then 2007 because of emissions and I have heard thats about to change again to the newer emission laws. Idk about the port you'll be going into but its worth a look to see if the are going to start getting tougher on older trucks going into and out of the port.

 

that IS one of the trucks that made pete famous. you will always get better mpg than snowys 05 acert junk.

3406/13/3.55 best combo truck made right there. if it had a 12.7 Detroit it would be in my fleet. that truck at 65 to 70 will see 6.5 mpg.

 

TRUE mileage is the first thing i consider whne looking at a truck. Just because engine was changed, it still has original trans, difs, (maybe turbos), alternators, a/c, compressors, steering system and components, electrical systems (and they get corroded with age) etc.

If the truck has 1.5 mil actual miles this would be a bad deal. If it has 1mil, not so bad.

 

My great uncle has one of these older trucks. His has over 2 million miles on it, gets around 4.5 mpg, and he wonders why he never makes much money.

I get that guys liek the "look" of an old pete. But financially, an aero truck that get 7+ mpg is a much better move. I just bought an 06 Columbia and it gets 7.5 mpg. the fuel savings are huge and leed to thousands of dollars in my pocket every year compared to an old pete.
120,000 miles per year, 4/ gallon for fuel (if fuel isn't quite there yet it certainly will be in the life of the truck)

6 mpg, 20,000 gallons, $80,000
7 mpg, 17,142 gallons, $68,571

Just on fuel you save $11,428. On a columbia you'd get a better condition truck for the same money since the resale value isn't as high. The columbia handles better, rides smoother, turns sharper, and has a better setup on the dash. (ive driven both) So, a newer truck for the same money (maybe an 06 or so with 600,000, or 700,000 miles) means less maintenance cost. The columbia also has more space in the back and is more livable. It has windows in sleeper as well.

So, if you really care about the look, the pete is the truck for you, but, if you care about everything else, a columbia will save you at least 15k a year in fuel and maintenance and will be a more comfy truck to drive. Its an ugly truck, but, are we here to win beauty pageants or make as much money as we can?

 

On your volvo, look around...i've heard of small shops doing in frames for as low as 7000 on a Detroit. That s60 engine is a thing of beauty and there are tons of shops that work on them. IF you like the truck and there are no other major problems, an investment may be worth it. If you buy a 06ish Columbia with 600,000 on it for 25k, you might need an in frame in 0-400,000 miles anyway. Assuming the rest of your volvo is in good shape, a 10,000 dollar investment for an in frame could give you another 500,000 miles of life. (unless of course you mean the engine is beyond needing an inframe) I'm not suggesting don't by old trucks/keep old trucks running. Im suggesting, dont buy old petes, because you will get better bang for your buck with a Freghtliner.

In my opinion heres how it goes:

OLD KW/Pete: The prettiest trucks on the road. Average maintenance cost, Horrible drive ability, comfort, handling, visibility etc. Horrible driver ergonomics. Very over priced to buy, because your buying a "classic with a name". If your goal is a pretty truck, by one, but if your goal is money, your better off passing on the Petes especially.

NEW KW: Some of the nicest interiors you will ever see. Prettiest areo trucks. Still pretty bad ride and handling. Still way over priced for what you get. Expensive to maintain.

New Pete: Where do i start lol. They took a think of beauty and made it ugly. The insides are nicer, but they still maneuver like your towing an elephant. They are way over priced, but the inside are average, not as bad as the old petes. They are the ugly ducking of trucking though. Petes brand is known for awesome looking classic trucks, and there new ones are not. They are IMO at best, average. If your going for average go with a FL.

Freghtliners: Even the old ones were more areodynamic then the petes. FL's are work trucks. They handle decent, they menuver great. The insides are decent. Switches all make sense with their placement. They don't have style, but looks don't get you paid. They are the cheapest to maintain, and with the best fuel economy they are the cheapest to fuel. If you want money, FL is your truck. New and old, they top the charts on MPG, lowest maintenance and Decent comfort.

Volvo:These are the trucks designed with just the driver in mind. These ride the smoothest, maneuver the best, have the fanciest interior. They look like, well, horrible, worse then a FL or new pete. But volvo drives care about the inside. They care that they are comfortable after a days drive. They didn't have to manhandle the truck, because driving it is easy. The computer took care of many driver responsibilities and assisted with everything. If you want a truck that is the most comfortable, Volvo os wear its at. The problem is, they are very expensive to maintain. They are very expensive to buy. There fuel economy is decent though, so if your willing to pay high maintenance cost, a volvo is like driving a really nice fl.

The long and the short of it: Petes/KW are if you want to look good. FL is of you want a fairly decent truck that makes you the most money. Volvo is if you want a really nice FL that cost you more in maintenance.


So, if you like your volvo, and its in good shape aside from the engine, no reason to get rid of it. If you do get rid of it, my recommendation is to by a aero FL like the columbia. If you do decide not to do an inframe, sell it sooner then later. its worthless after the engine goes Boom. It might be worth something before that. you may want to trade it to a dealer, because they may or may not find the engine problem.