Buying a Truck

For a Used one:
I think more importantly would be the maintenance records, make sure the truck comes with it if you are buying a used one, have knowledge of maintaining the engines, tires, lights and other misc.. parts. Bring a seasoned mechanic with you, his eyes may pick up faults lots better then your own. This way even if the dealership sells faulty equipment and doesn't tell you about it, then you will be prepared.

If you are buying new, I would just do online research, that is the best way to find a dealership either locally or nationally.

 

new s used is an age old debate. Really depends on your mechanical skills as a used truck with lots of repairs can bury you if you can't fix it yourself. I'm a diesel mechanis and maintained a fleet for years before I started driving so I say used for me. I'm actuly considering buying a 359 pete which they havn't made since 1987. But if you need to take it to the shop for every little thing then I say buy new, deprciate it over 4 years and trade t off befre the warenties run out

 

I like the look of the 359 Pete. I was looking online at trucks the other day and ran accross a couple of them. How do they ride/drive?

As far as new/used trucks. If I buy a 359 Pete and have it gone over real good by a mechanic, and have it professionally maintained, would it be as dependable as a newer truck?

My user name on here is mike4104tx. The 4104 stands for the bus conversion I used to own. A 1958 GM PD4104. It was solid as rock... a true work horse. Under powered by modern standards (DD671 w/spicer 4sp), but it would still run coast to coast. They don't make them like that any more. If maintained properly, it will be around another 50 years.

 

This one is for sale online for 40k





How much does the extra hardware add to the weight?

 

We had one and its heavier than a Frtlnr, rides like a bus and we pulled a flatbed but things are geting tough. Go to WA and look around. They pull man sized trailers with 4 axles and 4 axle tractors and 105,000 lb wt limits. do ya wanna do that for the same money w/ fuel goin for $3.00/gal. in WA and OH never mind. There are good and bad in anything and you can never tell. I would buy a new Pete long hood all the bells and whistles incl. a genset, big sleeper, 15 or 18 overdrive and heavy duty tandems. Get the biggest engine made. Resale value will stay up higher than any other, sell when the warranty is about 50,000 mi from running out, and take care of it, polish it, wax it and drive like you have eggs under your feet. Let everyone pass you because you'll pass them at the next truckstop. Eat healty, exercise at least every other day and DIE HEALTHY. Karl Ya wanna be an OO, get after it.

 

those big sleepers are heavy. I had a 96" ant it was bad. All custon solid wod cabinetts etc. That one s bigger than 96 plus it looks like that truck carries about 600 gallons of fuel (if the tanks are the same on the other side minus the under door) and that's darn near 5000 pounds of fuel. That's a nice truck but it's expensive for the age, you don't need that big of a sleeper and it appears to be a short hood but I can't really tell by that angle. Nice truck if it fits your needs and I'm always for a big sleeper but that is way big unles you are living in it. Ask them aout the weight, I'm curios as well.

They don't have air ride cabs so they are a bit stiffer than modern trucks but as long as it has an air ride suspension it's not too bad. Team driving would suck as you'd be trying to sleep as the truck is going down the road but if you solo then who cares, the seat is air ride and you will be still when you sleep.

I absolutly love the dashes in those trucks.

 

at second glance it looks like about 450 gallons

 

It's on trucktradeDotCom. Here is the info:

YEAR
1975

ENGINE MODEL
NTC 450 Cummins
MAKE
PETERBILT

HORSEPOWER
450 - 500
MODEL
359

FUEL TYPE
Diesel
PRICE
$40,000.00

TRANSMISSION
Man-18Spd
LOCATION
Sarsota, FL

TRANSMISSION MAKE
Rockwell
CONTACT NUMBER
(941) 376-5287

REAR AXLES
35,000 - 40,000 lbs.
CLASS
CLASS 8 (GVW 33001 - 150000)

SUSPENSION
Air
MILEAGE
75000

VIN
69303N
EXTERIOR COLOR
Orange

SUB-CATEGORY
Conventional w/Sleep
ENGINE MANUFACTURER
Cummins

DESCRIPTION
1975 PETERBILT 359, 1975 Peterbilt 359 custom built 75,000 miles show truck, engine: NTC450 cummins 15618 spicer transmisssion 18spd 305" wheelbase 120" custom sleeper shower corian counter tops 20"flat screen TV and dvd player+ surround sound 2000 watt stereo in cab 60"s of speakers granite floor in shower corian desk top continuious hot water heater microwave 110ac/12voltdc refrigerator with freezer 75ft neon Lightingup under the sleeper and cab 7.5KW Genset3.0 KW power inverter from DC power to AC power all Led lighting external 320 gal diesel fuel capacity 100 gal fresh water capacity all new 11.24.5 tires 15618 spicer transmisssion 18spd rockwell SQHD rears 3.99 gear ratio adjustable air ride front axle all new glass and window tint/50 state legal tinted rear window in sleeper all aluminium wheels and many other options

 

With crian counters and a granit shower I dubt you could make a living with that truck unless you have a job hauling air. The rear end it way high but other than that it has a nice spec but call and ask about the weight. Now I'm REALLY wanting to know what it weighs.