Help a virgin oo with truck buying Q&A

A lot of dislike for emissions standard engines, pre carb engines are typically tough. N14, d series 60, all the 3406's and e7's are great. Good ol fashioned engine know-how went into building those. Easy to work on typically and parts aren't scarce...

But strict emission laws stand a good chance of migrating to other states in the next 5 years. Mostly western states BUT IL is mauling over the idea of emissions standards similar to CA. I can live without running to CA, all of us can, but if a state right in the middle of the nation decides to flip the switch on carb-like-laws- you're screwed with that hard to kill pre emissions engine.


food for thought.

 

Will cross that BRIDGE,when we get there,for now SMOOTH SAILING!!!

why worry bout something you cant change or what mite be?

Live your life

Happy New Years!

 

Not really disagreeing but these third gen emission standard engines are getting pretty good. Kudos to Detroit for making it work, dat mack power and d series though...

overall I just meant that OP might think of eating that higher truck payment, end field it with an extended warranty and not worry about emissions standard engine.

That bridge is coming up pretty quick brother.

 

I would pay most atttention to getting a truck that gets high MPG.
No point in having a bulletproof engine is it drinking all your profit.

Also there is a reason why owners sell their older trucks.
Unless it is a truck from a O/O that is retireing or a CA one that's being sold because off CARB ,most will be moneypits.

And most important,forget that idea off getting a 379 Pete.
Looks earn you nothing.

 

If your hauling tanks .... Make sure of the trucks tare wieght , 5th wheel height and frame rail space... For your product pump /compressor.


T-800s make a great tank tractor......

 

All right I'll try a few answers here since I have become too old to drink and party and all that BS on New Years Eve.

1. ECM report will tell hours on the engine, miles,etc if it has the original one. 2WS were the last 3406E b4 the C15. Heavier by a little than a C15 but nothing wrong with one especially with that few miles. Less pins in the ECM but that's really no reason to disqualify one. I would take it for a dyno and have the cam inspected as well. I had one that Cat replaced under warranty for a worn out front lobe (bad run of cams according to them).

2. 3.55 rears are little draggy on hills with a tank. But it depends on your tire size. If you are 24.5 tall rubber they will be sluggish on a hill but with lp 24.5 or any thing smaller they will be fine. With a 13 won't matter with any of them just split gear and go on.

3. If you are intent on a 379 03 or older get your oxygen mask ready when you go to price them. If whoever has this for sale knows what the market is I bet he is going to want 55 or 60 grand for it or maybe more than that even. Be careful about getting too much money tied up in equipment that old no matter how nice a shape its in.

4. 379 is somewhat conducive to pulling tanks because the air tanks aren't inside the frame rails like they are on most trucks, leaving you lots of space to mount shafts for pumps, compressors, ITH lines, etc. That can be worked around but that costs money to relocate that stuff so something to consider.

5. I personally wouldn't give over maybe 30k for something that old and it would have to be real nice for me to even offer that.

Hope this was some help for you. Good luck truck hunting.

 

if pulling takers why not buy a COE? lotta space for PTO/llines and such