What is the best newer semi truck to work on yourself?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by JohnAyala999, Jan 8, 2024.

  1. JohnAyala999

    JohnAyala999 Bobtail Member

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    One more question is do you think an older truck would have more down time than an emissions truck?
     
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  3. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    Old trucks are worth scrap price. You can’t trust any previous work claimed to been done to them. Certainly wouldn’t pay extra because a bunch of work had just been done.

    My opinion is only pay for the condition of the cab and frame and just plan on replacing everything else.

    or

    Buy a brand new truck.

    IMO there is no in between!!!!!

    I’ve been driving my $13k truck for 7 or 8 years now. And just bought its eventual replacement for $8k

    I did 145k miles this year with 0 breakdowns. Well I did have a couple of flats but nothing mechanical to speak of. 1.5m miles

    New to me truck is a 94 truck with less than 200k original miles on it.

    Current truck
    IMG_3008.jpeg Future truck IMG_6898.jpeg
     
  4. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    what you know how to work on should determine what you look at if your plan is to diy repairs.
    Theres no one size fits all.
     
  5. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    That’s a trick question I like to say No but remember if that motor shoots craps and you have to OH it you could be down for a mouth and out 25 or 35k
    There’s benefits to a new truck or a couple year old truck .. but I not one of the guys in that market
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2024
  6. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    are you wanting to be able to rebuild the engine yourself or just everything else?
    A cat is pretty easy to do. a cummins a little harder, Detroit I dunno. and this is with Information available to a shade tree mechanic. I rebuilt my cat with information from YouTube or the internet. I'm not having as much luck finding the same for my 2015 cummins.

    if worried about emissions just find a good truck and put it on a healthy diet
     
  7. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Your truck and it’s journey is still one of my favorites. I go back every now and again and read the entire thread.
     
  8. JohnAyala999

    JohnAyala999 Bobtail Member

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    Ok yeah well this truck I’m looking at says it’s been overhauled 100k miles ago but I’ll do a relative compression test to make sure the pistons are firing properly
     
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  9. JohnAyala999

    JohnAyala999 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah that’s some good info that’s basically what I plan on is getting an older and fix her up I’m in no rush
     
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  10. JohnAyala999

    JohnAyala999 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah I’m just worried that I will be forced to use the dealer with newer trucks and yes older trucks I’m
    Confident i can fix most including an in frame but I’m definitely doing a relative compression test to see if cylinders are firing correctly
     
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  11. JohnAyala999

    JohnAyala999 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah that’s why I’m leaning towards Cat I’m more familiar with them
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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