Buying a Freightliner 07, 515 hp 3.58 ratio..Need some tips so I don't get a lemon

make them git a copy of ecm report ck 4 fuel mil total mil and over speed

 

If it's from a dealer, make a condition of the sale that they take a oil sample and do a blowby test. If it passes both, engine should be good.

 

Hope you get a good truck... There is no way to tell... a used truck is just that... a used truck.... buyer beware..

 

An ECM report will show the average MPG for the life of the motor, also any codes that are currently showing... I'm assuming the truck has a 14.0 L Series 60 Detroit... if so, you will want to disable the EGR (pretty simple, and costs about $6.00), if you don't run California... when I made the mod on mine, I was getting 4.5-5.2 mpg... now I get 7.8-8.3 mpg... pretty good return for a $6 investment! If you want to do the mod, I have a Word doc that explains it in grisly detail.

 

I just bought an 06 Columbia, with a 470/490 hp Detroit s60 in it. whats the trans on the one your looking at. Make sure on your test drive your planned cruise speed as around 1400 rpms. This is affected by tire size, rear end, and tranny. If tires and trans are right you should be able to go 65 in top gear at 1400 rpm.

As for knowing its not a lemon:

If possible get a dyno test.
Get a full ECM print out. (will include, mpg over life, idle time, etc.)
Get an oil sample
check tires
get batts tested (can cost you 600+ to replace. Dealer will tell you slow crank is because it has been siting, but batts may be bad. I just found out the hard way)
really go through every inch of it.
Get a rig dig report. (cheep investment to make sure u didn't miss anything...this doesn't say you should buy truck, but may give you a reason not to)
check that odom matches ecm report.
Check brakes
Check all fluids. (If any are low, the dealer is lazy and its a sign the truck may have been abused)
On test drive float for half, double clutch for the other half. Make sure nothing is loose and it shifts tight. make sure it sits all the way in gear when u shift in.
Check for any body damage (may be the sign of a bigger accident)
Check overall cleanliness. They may say they will detail it later for you, but a dirty truck is a sign of an abused truck.\



Good luck. Boy I wish i took my own advice. Live and learn right.

 

That's a good post and every buyer should read close.........