As a non-aerospace engineer, but a dude that trucks a lot with a tiny fleet of used Cascadias, of which we've missed a combined 5 loads in the last 4 years, I would never touch a DEF truck that has not had an APU from birth. Idling is the number one kiss of death for these trucks. Adapt. Overcome. Improvise.
The SCR overhaul on the ISX was free at Cummins in Tolleson Arizona. You want to go to Cummins because they have to calibrate and dyno the new set up. The Cummins ballcap was $8700 though.
I have many times. I used to be responsible for maintenance on 1000’s of trucks. All males and models. 2013-2014 is when Detroit introduced the one box set up. Unfortunately the part alone is 7-10k depending on market demand and supply. You will have to continue pulling over and doing the manual regens. These were bad years for ftl after-treatment system. Here is a site that will help you find repair places nationwide www.truckingse.com . The name of the game is keep the repairs s cheap as possible. Always get estimates in writing via email. And only approve them via email with exact amounts. Ie “I approve this repair for $x,xxx, anything over this amount must be re approved. That line alone will save thousands a year.”
