is an 86 too old

[nedly05]

Hey everyone, this is my first post! I am considering picking up an 86 freightliner dump. it is just what I am looking for, but it is 20 years old, with 440,000 miles. I am not going to make my living with it, but it will work probably 20-25 hrs/ week. the price is right in line with others I have seen of the same year. Am I crazy to consider it? I have not seen the truck yet, but the seller claims it is in excellent condition (of course) thanks for any input!

[cat320]

First welcome to the site.

I don't think the age matters too much if it's in good condition and they do reg. PM's and don't let repairs go then I would not worry about a truck with high miles or it's age but if do not get the latter then i would not consider it. there are still trucks from the '50's working out there B model macks to name one.

[tylermckee]

As long as the truck has been taken care of properly i wouldnt think twice about buying it if the price is right.

[nedly05]

Thanks for the imput, I was e-mailed some pics, and I am strongly considering it. it looks to be in really good shape! thanks again.

[Jeff D.]

Yes,Welcome Nedly05

Ditto here,to what Cat320,and Tyler said.Just try and check it out carefully.Also put money aside that'll be earmarked for repairs/maintenance etc.,base on your amount of use,whether figured by hrs. or miles.It's a wild guess at first,but $3.60/hr used,or $0.12/mile driven,might be someplace to start,and adjust it if needed.

Good Luck.

[tylermckee]

I would just go over it with a fine tooth comb when looking at it in person. i belive the thread 'picking a used truck' in this forum has some good tips on checking out a used truck.

[Ford LT-9000]

Here where I live a truck needs a gov't inspection every 6 months so when you look at a used truck you can get ahold of the inspection records to see how much work the truck has needed to get it to pass. I won't buy a truck that doesn't have a current CVI if it doesn't the price has to drop if the truck hasn't been inspected in over a year better start dealing trying to get the price down.

Do you have the spec's on this truck you can tell us ?

[nedly05]

Thanks to everyone for the input and hospitality!

The truck has a 3406-350 HP/Jake
46 rr on hendrickson
12 frts (a little light)
14 foot heated box, looks pretty new
pintle hook, a/e to rear
truck is clean

Thanks again everyone!!

[Jeff D.]

To me that looks well spec'd out.I'm a big fan of the 3406.

One thing on that motor,they should have the rod and main bearings replaced between 300-400k.It's not that expensive,and they can do it by just by pulling the pan(if it hasn't been done yet).Also check where the injector lines enter the pump(if it has hardline injectors,which it most likely does)They sometimes developed leaks there with the bonnets at the connection point with the lines.Other than that I think they're excellent motors.They are expensive to do a major on though,$12K and up to $16k.If kept rolling consistantly,and if the botom end is taken care of,they can give you upwards of 1mil miles before a major.

[tylermckee]

a couple of my dads fishing boats have 3406b's in them they get run at 1600 rpms for days on end without skipping a beat. i dont know all the differences between the marine and truck motor but if if its anything like the marine engine it would be a great powerplant

[Ford LT-9000]

The front axle is a little light especially when you have a short wheelbase truck with a 14' box on it you will have a good jag on the front end.

You can't go wrong with a kitty too bad it wasn't a 425 kitty the old Cummins are good too the 400 or 444. I wonder if the truck has a brakesaver too or its just a JAKE.

I do have a feeling the truck is a converted tractor its not a light tractor it must have been a lowbed truck at one time being its on spring with 46s.

How is the cab for rust ?

[nedly05]

LT-9000
i think you are right about the truck being a tractor conversion. There is not a bit of rust anywhere on the truck that I can see. I may hold off and try to find something with an 18 or 20 front with a 46 rear. I would like a 425 but my last tandem (a mack) had an E6-350, so I would imagine the power would be pretty much in line with that. What do you think about the LT-9000, are they a good truck? I undrstand they are hard to work on the motor because they are so far back under the cab? Thanks for your input!! :drinkup

[Ford LT-9000]

The old Fords are good yes they are hard to work on but the bodies on the old Louisvilles have a rust problem too same with Mack. If I was going to go with a dump truck with would be a Kenworth or a Western Star being with Kenworth first on my list. A T-800 would be my preference but its hard to find a T-800 thats reasonably priced so a W-900 can be found for a reasonable price.

I have worked on 2 Fords for about a year I do have to say they are a little frustrating to work on both trucks with 400 Cummins. The problems the Fords had are wiring pulling the dash panels out of those trucks is a nightmare.

Anyhow look for a KW tough old trucks and easy to work on.

[nedly05]

this is her

[cat320]

looks pretty good from the pic

[Ford LT-9000]

Its like I thought a Freightliner SD (severe duty) it definatly is a short wheelbase truck a little too short for the amount of weight you would put on it. It definatly is a converted truck tractor which is what it would be okay for.

It is a good looking truck but you really do need a wheelbase in the 222" (Fords) to 230" (Kenworths).

Here on the West Coast we run 16'6" boxes on dump trucks they don't have tall sides they are good for 12 yards of material (15 ton).

[nedly05]

There is a local excavator up here who has a whole fleet of volvos and internationals with 14 foot boxes on them. we buy our salted sand from them in the winter so they are at our shop a couple times a week. They religously haul 18-18.5 tons on these trucks, and it's legal. They have 20 frts and 46 rrs, but everytime they get on the scales they are legal. They have the overweight permits and all, a tri axle with a permit you can haul 22.5 tons if the truck is built right. I might keep looking for a real dump truck. something I can put a load on and be legal. Thanks again LT-9000!

[Ford LT-9000]

Wow thats alot of weight in a tandem guys here do put 18 ton into the trucks but you really notice it with the braking power definatly need the JAKE to work.