on the fence about buying new truck or overhauling old one

N14 were always a good engine. I would overhaul it. Just remember, in the not too distance future the laws will kick in for older trucks like this and you may have to install a DPF system.

 

The other option is a getting a rolling glider kit with a pre-emissions engine. You could get, say, a 2010 Coronado or Columbia, spec'd the way you want it, and with a rebuilt pre-emissions Detroit, Cummins, or Cat engine and rebuilt tranny of your choice. All for around $30,000 less than an equivalent new built truck. The chassis and cab would have the same warranty as a new showroom truck and you could get 300,000 mile warranties on the engine and tranny. Rears could be new and have their new warranty issued by the manufacturer. Spec'd right, it would get well into the 7's on mpg, be lighter to enable carrying more payload, and, more likely, easier to maintain. This type of truck would also qualify for no Federal Exise Tax on the purchase, whereas a new truck would require FET. Now we're really talking savings!

Just a thought. But if California in your plans, disregard. In my case, there is no reason to go to California. Gave up on California in '99 and no plans to ever return there with a truck. Rates aren't worth the hassle.

 

I might have agreed with that statement a while back. But with the current mess that has shown up with the climate change data, I have my doubts. Also, the issues with existing trucks nationwide, especially in the agricultural community, to require all road trucks be equipped with DPF's may prove to be a real hard sell in congress. Though the states in "flyover" country of the U.S. are small in population than the East or West Coast, combined they have a lot of clout in congressional legislation. Even California may have to lighten up a bit now that it has been found out that the head of CARB had an illegitimate Doctorate degree from the internet and that all of their data is faulty. And with a net loss of 1.5 million people from the state in the last decade, for the first time in the state's history, they will likely not gain any congressional seats which are based on population. On a national level, there is current legislation moving in congress to remove the EPA's authority to declare CO2 a detrimental pollutant and to also further reign in their desire to spread their control over all of us.

You may be correct. But I am not going to base business decisions on questionable political trends. Even if such a thing was to come true, an individual could buy a truck I mentioned and, most likely, get full use of it before any mandate would take effect.

 

What kind of truck/motors are you looking at?

 

cheaper to keep her, you know the truck and have already spent plenty of good money on maint. good luck trying to outguess the state and feds. free advice and worth every penny

 

I agree with the last poster. I am in the same process. with over 1.3 mil miles, I have decided to have a inframe done for $6800 instead of buying a newer truck. I know all the quirks about my truck, & in the last 2 years put on all new air bag's, new fan clutch, reworked rear, other misc stuff. I know & trust my truck. with a newer one, I would just be going down the road wondering what may go out on it. for me.. more peace of mind with my ole one with new parts. & getting 6.0-6.5 m.p.g now. every one I talk to does not have a lot of great things to say about newer truck engine reliability. downtime is usually more costly to me than the actual repairs. good luck on your choice.

 

I too am in a similar spot I guess. Do I sink serious money in the truck I have now or upgrade for $15-20k, though not newer than '03. It's awfully tempting to stick with what you know.

The problem I have with it is if I do spend the money on the current truck, it won't be worth much more, certainly not what I put into it, when it comes time to sell.

 

The economy has not bottomed out yet so I would overhaul if you can get three years out of. It might be longer than that before the economy settles and by then the rates may be so bad you might be ready to park it anyway.