What to look for before buying a truck

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Hype6477, Jul 14, 2015.

  1. Hype6477

    Hype6477 Light Load Member

    230
    99
    Jun 19, 2015
    Socal
    0
    So I am going to buy a 2008 Kenworth T660 with a c-13 and a 13 speed. I am wondering as this is an expensive purchase. What should I look for before I can buy it?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Fajo

    Fajo The Dark Knight

    2,214
    2,352
    Jan 26, 2013
    Boise, ID
    0
    Maintenance history!!!!!!
     
  4. Hype6477

    Hype6477 Light Load Member

    230
    99
    Jun 19, 2015
    Socal
    0
    the dealer does not have that available to him unfortunately.
     
  5. taxihacker66

    taxihacker66 Road Train Member

    1,354
    1,287
    Feb 26, 2012
    Concrete jungle.
    0
    To do a oil sample and dyno. I've heard mixed reviews about the c13 go online and read as much as you can about the engine
     
    Hype6477 Thanks this.
  6. tony97905

    tony97905 Road Train Member

    1,023
    12,241
    Feb 28, 2015
    Land of Ahhhhhs
    0
    2008 model year will have the '07 EPA engine and caused lots of downtime due to aftertreatment issues. If the engine serial number begins with LEE prefix I would be very cautious.
     
    magoo68 and Hype6477 Thank this.
  7. georgeandson

    georgeandson Heavy Load Member

    890
    647
    Feb 18, 2011
    1 mile down the road.
    0
    U can get the truck vin and have a service department pull the history....if u ask nicely! then pay another shop to inspect it head to toe...
    No offensive but if you do not know what to look for when buying a truck then pay someone to look at it for you.
     
    Hype6477 Thanks this.
  8. Hype6477

    Hype6477 Light Load Member

    230
    99
    Jun 19, 2015
    Socal
    0
    Thank you!

    None taken, and that is easy to do but, I want to learn what I need to look for. Which is why I posted on this forum.
     
  9. marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

    600
    796
    Jan 26, 2008
    Neenah, WI
    0
    Dyno, oil sample unless the dealer changed the oil then it's not worth much. Do a full level 1 DOT inspection on it. Be the cop that's trying to find something wrong. Even if things check out make note of parts that are nearing the end of their useful service life then add the cost of replacement into your purchase price and see if you're still getting a good deal.
     
  10. georgeandson

    georgeandson Heavy Load Member

    890
    647
    Feb 18, 2011
    1 mile down the road.
    0

    Lots of things to look for....
    Broken or damaged parts, truck showing no signs of being greased before, lose yolks on drive line, leaky shocks, uneven were on tires, no pad left on brake pads, cracked drums, lose slackadjusters on brakes, leaky air bags, cracked damaged or freyed air bags on suspension and back of cab, lose or oddly worn steering shaft, lose or damaged control arms under front of truck....
    Engine oil leaks, trans oil leaks, radiator water leaks, dates on filters or sings if they been changed latley, water in the oil, oil in the water, leaky head gasket, leaks in back of the head on top, signs if the turbo is leaking any water or air in or out, how much rust is on the truck itself, is the radiator and all the hard water lines rusted out, does every button work inside and every gage and what do the gauges tell you? Would they let you hook up to a trailer to check the fifth wheel and if it has any slack? Will they let you drive around with a trailr to see how the engine does under any load? If you can find a loaded traielr and a big hill, GO UP it and stress the motor out and see what it does....All problems will show at that point....

    I could write a small book, but thats a start.
    Post some pics and maybe someone us can take a peak and tell you what we see.
    Make sure they are large pictures so we can clearly see whats up.
     
    Hype6477 and CoolCraniums Thank this.
  11. Hype6477

    Hype6477 Light Load Member

    230
    99
    Jun 19, 2015
    Socal
    0
    Thank you for your reply..... I seeing this after I signed on the doted line and it is mine now. I didn't do bad for my first truck inspection .
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2015
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.