If the truck has had an overhaul, you need to check the paperwork. Not all overhauls are created equal. You need to check to see what was done.

 

The studio sleeper we are looking at has a BRAND NEW cat in it. We have them down to 32,000 we are looking at payments of about 1200 a month which is ALOT less than 2200 we are paying now. Oh and they are putting brand new virgin rubber on it.

tootie

 

That is a big payment for a $35M truck. You may want to check around on the financing. Then again, you will be able to pay it off faster with a larger payment. One other thing to keep in mind is that the W900's aren't know for their fuel economy.

 

Why would you need a "dyno", on a new engine?

I'd pay much more attention, to the other components. Cause at that kinda mileage, if it weren't already replaced, it's due any day.
Does he has any documented history, of such repairs?

 

Unless the turbo was replaced at the time of overhaul, it is subject to go out before long. Those are not cheap to replace.

 

Our interest rate is going to be high....but this is our first truck. It will be paid off in 2.5 years. We are only going to keep it for a year or so....this just gets our foot in the door so to speak.

The springs, shackles and other stuff under the truck have been replaced and shocks....I know the fuel milage will suck....not the 7.5 we get right now anyway. I am thinking more like 5 or so. Our goal is to get a newer 86" sleeper with a cummins ISX in it. Those are hard to find I think.

The dyno will not be done because of new engine.

tootie

 

changing an engine or rebuilding it is like taking a 90 year old man and replacing his heart. what do you have when your done? a 90 year old man with a new heart but bad leg, lung, arms, head, brain, liver,........should i go on? just cause the motors been done don't mean you should be all over it and think you are saving money. you need to have the whole rig checked out COMPLETELY

 

Yes, the truck will be checked out completley by a mechanic we know who is not associated with the dealership. He has been working on trucks for like 20 years or so. Also thi truck is a one owner truck and he has all the reciepts for everthing he ever did to the truck.

tootie

 

I have to agree with Gman...Turbo's are one of my biggest fears with used trucks.

 

You are less likely to have a problem with a turbo if the oil has been changed regularly. The reason most will fail is due to improper lubrication of the bearings. If the oil gets dirty the bearings may not get proper lubrication and they fail. Replacing a turbo can run between about $1,300-1,800. The reason I want to see what was replaced during an overhaul is that some components which should be replaced were not. I recently had to put my KW in the shop to have the lifters replaced. The final cost was almost $7,000. This is on an engine that was rebuilt less than 200,000 miles ago. That is a weak area of the C-12 or 3406E (same engine). The rebuild was over $15,000, but the lifters and bearings were not replaced even though CAT knew about the high failure rate of the lifters and bearings. All they normally do is look them over at the time of overhaul and unless they see a problem, put it back together. With the high failure rate, it should routinely be replaced during an overhaul. Essentially the overhaul now costs about $21,000. On a CAT, an overhaul can typically run from about $10,000 to over $18,000. Had the lifters been replaced during the overhaul it would probably have cost less than $3,000. Because of the failure the CAM needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,100 and of course new gaskets, etc., In talking to my local CAT dealer, once the lifters and bearings have been replaced there is rarely a failure. Had the guy who had the engine rebuilt bought the extended warranty for $1,100 the lifter failure would have been covered under the warranty. :evil: