379 vs Classic XL

I would buy the 379. With it having the rebuilt 18 speed and diffs gone through, at least you can be relatively certain those major components won't be a big repair bill waiting. It is an equal gamble on when which one will need the engine rebuilt. I don't know about old 379s, but I have a 2000 classic xl, and it hates to drive in the rain and it has many small electrical problems ... huge annoyance to me. Also the 379 should be much nicer to drive, and will bring more resale value should you decide to sell it. You say the driver will take either one and it isn't about looks or comfort, but what do you do when you have the old FL and can't find someone good to drive an old truck easy so it will live as long as possible? You will have more options from the driver pool simply because it is a 379...

 

I just bought a midroof classic with rebuilt 525 n14 13sd decent condition ...these trucks seem to be commanding top buck and think I overpaid for it but my last 2 emissions trucks have been horror stories... Iv put 40k on it now with 0 problems ...fuel mileage Is lack luster 5.4 to 6.4 pulling a flat with sides.

 

If your going that old I would go 99 or older so you won't have to worry about EOBR 's and I would be looking for a 379.

 

^ what he said!

 

Go ride in a 16 or 17 year old Freightliner and then go get in that same age Pete. Both that have been taken care of. You will see the difference. My truck is a 99-379 and it rides smooth and quiet. I also have a 2015 Freightliner Columbia, the Pete is still the better ride. But everyone has their own opinion. There is a reason that the Pete cost more when new and also a reason why you see more of the old ones on the road. A lot has to do with how well they hold up. Mine has 2 million miles on it and it's almost like new on the inside.
You can find them cheaper, I bought mine with a trailer and a rebuilt motor in 2009 when it only had 1 million miles on it. I gave 28k for the truck and trailer. It needed paint and A few chrome goodies but it was and still is a solid truck. I know I wouldn't sell it for anything close to 28k now and have been offered 32k from a dealer. Said he would buy it cash even if I didn't buy a truck from him.
I'm sure you will find a Freightshaker person that will try and make the same argument for them. You gotta try them out yourself.

 

I like 379s as well and wouldn't be afraid of one under the right circumstances although I've had a couple that had electrical issues and and liked to leak water in the cab but let's face it any make that's 16 years old is gonna give ya some kind of problem, I probably would have walked away from my classic if it didn't have a fresh out of frame.

 

Alot is going to depend on how the truck was cared for and driven , my classic at 840k is very tight and quite and a well cared for Pete is just as good but no better ...I ran a 2000 379 in the oil field in no dakota that was rode hard and put up wet before I got it and it rattled like a bucket of bolts .