Next step

This very same question has been asked over and over and over and over. The search button is friend!!!!!

 

Newer isn't necessarily better. If you know what you're looking for I would stick to an older pre emissions truck that's been well cared for.

 

So you are looking for others to do your homework for you??? You will find hundreds of discussions on the pro's and con's of older vs newer truck, if you got off your lazy behind and did a search. Once you have found all of those discussions, read thru them. After you have done that and invested your time in learning about said subject, please feel free to ask questions.

 

Just because its old doesn't mean it's in bad condition. My 1996 is in better condition than a lot of newer trucks (no its not a show truck...yet) that I drove previously. The question is how big of payments do you want to make?
Hundreds per month for old trk?
Or thousands per month for newer?

 

In your shoes I would go with 1999 or older truck to avoid EOBR mandate. I would get something that looked clean for a good price then spend what it takes to get it tip top.

 

Good luck on finding one at a reasonable price now that won't take thousands to get it right.

 

You can find them cheap. The new rule didn't make them turn to gold overnight and they probably never will be. These are 16+ year old trucks pretty much worn out and used up. I said to spend what it takes. That might be $10,000 to $20,000 or more. I'm talking about getting everything right and making a dependable truck. Not zip ties and duct tape. In his shoes this is exactly what I would do. You could have a really nice, reliable tractor for $40,000+/- maybe even new paint.

 

That would still be like trying to make a new truck out of an old one