If you had to chose between these four trucks starting out...

That was my choice too. Thanks for the feedback.

Thank you. Since the Western Star seemed to be the highlight, what caused you to disqualify it, if you don't mind me asking? I thought the price on the classic was high too.

 

The WS has the latest model Detroit, witch means it probably has the newer style pistons and cooling nozzles, that means you can turn the power up with no worries.
All those trucks are old and you will be changing some parts that normally aren’t replaced on newer trucks.
I own a 99 and am not against older trucks, they just take a little extra care.
One thing I would look for is evidence of hacked up wiring, some people do some really stupid electrical repairs and you may never be able to get them straightened out.

 

It’s sort of expensive with the mileage. You don’t know when the last rebuild was. Also just looking at the picture shows a more than likely original air compressor and starter. There also is no picture on the passenger side which is suspicious.

I would probably buy the star and spend a few bucks and it will hopefully be good. A new air compressor and starter together aren’t even that expensive ($500ish no labor) and even if it needs to be rebuilt you can come out ahead of that classic for $30k by a long shot.

 

T600 has been made since the 80s there is no shortage of parts for that truck. If i could do it over again id get a T600

 

Until you fire them up and drive them you don't really know.

 

The 4:11s are kinda high - I prefer 3:55 to 3:70.

The Star is probably my pick.

Buddy had a 120 - interior was junk.

The W900 is priced a bit high, but the CAT looks like it’s been taken care of. Yellow paint is a little higher on parts. Plenty of guys work on them.

Tough choice, I think they’ll all make money.

Here’s another consideration - going to keep the truck a long time? I poured a bunch of money into a T2000 before selling it. The Pete 379 I have now is ‘worth’ spending $$ on - and I’m not buying another truck, I’ll just keep rebuilding it.

You never get the money back when you sell - so if the above is true, then the W900 is the truck. If you’re buying strictly as a tool - Western Star.

As said - you’ll have to get hands on, oil samples , Road test etc.

Best of luck.

 

The Star and the W9 grabbed my attention first. Never looked at any of the pics besides the main one. To me, the Star has the advantage of an 18 speed over the 13 in the W9. Engine would be personal preference. I'm a CAT guy but those Series 60's were nothing to gripe about. They typically got better fuel mileage than a CAT and they are typically much cheaper to fix/rebuild.

At the end of the day, no seller is going to take bad photos of something they want to sell. I'd definitely look them over very well. Do all the due dilligence like an ECM report and oil analysis at a minimum.

On stuff of this vintage, be prepared for lots of nickle and dime ####. Air lines dry rotted, air valves starting to stick or fail, wiring issues, rust/corrosion of the diff housings, frame, cab structure etc.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

W900 has a chunk of hood missing in photo

 

what year specs on your Pete Blair?

Thanks