As the owner of a pre 2000 truck, and having bought quite a few pre 2000 trucks I can tell you a few things. First of all, I would highly recommend buying a truck that's that old only from an owner operator or possibly some kind of a small local Fleet that really maintains their equipment well. At a dealership, that's either some cheap auction truck they picked up or somebody that just traded their headache for something new, in most cases. I am not dissuading you in any way, I am someone that's all about pre 2000 trucks. But you have to look at it that you understand what goes with that territory. In my opinion, the only way you're going to find a pre 2000 truck that you are going to be able to just get in and drive and have some length of time without breakdowns is something that you bought from an owner operator that really kept up with it. And even at that you need to have a significant repair fund in case something large goes like an engine or transmission or your Rears. And remember, even when everything is supposed to be the way it's supposed to be there are always things either you won't see or just unexpectedly something can happen. So you really want to look for a truck that has a long laundry list of recent repairs that have been done to it, like within the last year or two. That is your absolute best shot at having a good truck. And like I said even then you have to be prepared that something large and expensive and time-consuming could happen. As long as you can overcome that you're okay. Those trucks are out there. But you have to look everywhere all the time constantly. For every one truck that someone took care of and you can get in and just drive, there's a hundred that are overpriced shiny junk waiting to bankrupt you. Never forget that. And if you don't know how to, learn how to do whatever repairs that you can. Taking your truck to the garage all the time can bankrupt you also, and a lot of times not only can you fix it yourself cheaper but you can do it more quickly giving you less down time. Be careful what you buy and be prepared. Good luck.
Just go down to Kenworth and get a new truck. Trade it in every 3 years before the warranty expires. Save yourself alot of headaches.
Check out govdeals for government entity surplus, sometimes there is a good deal there. I thought these were an excellent buy.
You can also check out Facebook. They were a lot of private people selling their trucks on Facebook. But ultimately I found mine on Craigslist. I was the first one to look at it and I bought it instantaneously.
I know a guy in South Dakota who I buy new KW’s from. PM me if interested. I have a dealer 20 mins from me but choose to buy 700 miles away.
I would also be careful when choosing financing also. I doubt most Banks will Loan $50 k on a 20 yr old Truck. There’s a lot of easy money out there now but at a very high cost. Read the terms and if any are not clear to you have it read by someone who understands. Check the numbers against Bank rate . Com’s Auto Loan calculator. I recently ran across at least 5 Lenders advertising 5-12% when actually they were as high as 25%. Apparently business is good they’re still out there preying on People.Running an Old Truck has its disadvantages also . Main one being a Person needs to be able to plan repairs. Some can be postponed while others can’t. It’s the surprise that gets You in trouble.I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard from a Shop what I probably need. Quick to sign you up for unnecessary major work if You don’t watch out they’ll eat You alive.If done right Your ahead of the Game.Finding a Well maintained Old Truck w/ new tires and brakes . Would be nice ideally. More than likely you’ll have to compromise and do some math . Understanding a lot of so called pieces of junk are simply Trucks that need maintenance and some repairs. Perfectly normal.
Well said, all trucks have the same components. Engine,tranny, rear ends and all components can be made as new again and any one of them can take #### as soon as you sign the papers on a 18-20 year old truck.If they run you 3-5 years all the better though. When I'm looking at one I'm looking at frame, interior, wiring. If wiring is chopped and spliced, interior with holes in dash and ripped up, air lines rubbing and hanging, frame rotted, oil covered from unfixed leaks and on and on tells me they ran it into the ground. I fix anything that breaks if I have something to work with.
