What would you buy?

As far as parts availability, Freightliner will probably be your best option. If you can find a pre emissions truck in good shape I would do that. From talking to other drivers, 2008 trucks are really questionable with the reliability rate slowly increasing as years go on. If you do decide to go 2008+ make sure to get full maintenance records, and spend the money to have an ECM report pulled by a dealer and an oil sample. It won't eliminate the risk but it will move it towards the reasonable range.

 

My personal opinion, buy a solid used Freightliner Columbia or Century with a pre emissions Detroit. Not pretty and not the most comfortable truck but probably the best bang for your buck and relatively reasonable parts price and lots of parts available. Avoid anything 08+ in my opinion for what you're going to do.

 

i think they are reliable but you'll get better mpg with the Detroit.

 

Pre-emission Cat will be better then the Detroit.

 

I had one in an 07 Columbia. I liked it but I doubt I would buy one in an older truck again. There are just too many potential problems with them that could leave you stuck with no warning. If you have a clutch getting bad you generally know it with a manual as well as other trans problems you can generally tell there is an issue before your just stuck. If the X-Y shifter goes bad on the auto (and they do) your done and on the hook.

 

Pre-emission Detroit will cost less to repair than CAT and get better fuel mileage.

 

But a CAT will outrun and outlast a Detroit. Its really personal preference and what suites you better. I'm a CAT man that's that. Detroits are good motors, but a CAT is just better.

 

Sine you owned one before, why not another classic xl? Plenty of nice pre emissions ones around if you don't mind taking a road trip here or there. Saw a nice 02 on craigslist for $22k somewhere recently.