What condition of truck to buy

I will gladly take 5! 1998-2003 are the same trucks as others from that era, the same n14 and Ser 60 engines, same transmissions, same rear ends. They run just as well as long hoods, just don't cost nearly as much

 

He sure has a nice truck. I saw pics two years ago when I was looking for a truck

 

Mid roof with big sleeper. 3406E/C15, N14 or Series 60 detriot with a 10 or 13 speed manual. The running gear is alot more important than the make and model imo.

 

I would look for something in the 20-30K range with a pre-emission motor but it's hard to say without knowing what you intend to do with it. If you have to go to CA that wont work and if you intend to lease onto a big place like Landstar that probably wont work either.

 

Just about all the ads in my hood looking for o/o's want 12 or newer.

As for the 20 to 30 range. They all need rebuilds.
Add it all up and you can buy a 3 year old truck.

READY TO WORK. lol

 

2007 or older without DPF ,DEF,
Or better 2003 or odler without EGR. Just check motor, axles, diff, the frame, make sure us not bent,twisted excessive corrosion and manual transmission.

 

Believe it or not, they are out there. I paid 10 grand for my log truck, ran through the scales every load with it and when they inspected me, they put a sticker on it and the trailer.
I ran the whole season and didn't spend a dime on it other than oil and grease, pulled the gear when log season was over and pulled a side dump for the dirt season, same thing, not so much as a flat tire. I did while working in the dirt, put all new brakes,drums, wheel bearings and seals, plus rewire the trailer.
I then ran it the next log season before I ever even had to put tires on it.

I would bet in the 5 years I have used that truck, I have been out less than 15 grand on an initial 10 grand investment, and that includes new tires, and she is sitting out there ready to work as we speak.

 

I been sitting on the side of this thread for a bit so here is another option.

Cheap trucks are out there, not hard to find.

Now already mentioned is if you are going to lease to a company, age does matter.

If you are going to California, age sort of matter but upgrade the emissions (DPF) will get you in.

So here is my thought.

I've got a guy about 10 miles away who had $45k to spend on a truck. He went out and bought a 2002 FL century for $7800 at a Richie Brothers auction, sight unseen. He had the truck hauled up here to a mechanic who agreed to give him wholesale labor on the project.

He looked for the cheapest engine to inframe, a truck that still has parts avalible and one that mets the eld requirement (he is with landstar). The truck has a 13 sp behind a DD which he said was the cheapest rebuild he could figure out.

He had all three axles rebuilt, he had a rebuilt trans put in and had the engine rebuilt with new radiator, cac and all other parts new. New starter, alternator, new wiring and new lights. He had $40k into it at that point, giving him a fresh truck. The next $5k was spent on seats, interior and "accessories".

He has had no problems with the truck, he runs it through the year and does pm and that's it.

 

There is no free lunch here. You pay one way or the other whether you buy an old fixer upper or a shiny new one with $2500 payment. There are arguments for and against both philosophies

 

It's probably not much to look at but it will get the job done. hey as long as you're in the game that's what counts and you can always buy a nicer one later when you have more money to play with. I agree you can find some bargains out there if you hunt around. I think pretty soon there will be a LOT of bargains after the economy tanks.