1996 Peterbilt 357 Dumptruck
So throughout the summer I've been trying to upgrade either the loader or the dumptruck. I really pushed hard a couple months for a 544J loader but no doors opened and with winter approaching they became a hot commodity and everyone snatched them up. So during all this searching a "Online Bankruptcy Auction" popped up on craigslist with a Peterbilt dumptruck. So I was headed to that town it was in next week so I called the auction company to take a look at it, no answer. I tried the next day, all day while I was in town and still no answer. I was beginning to think it was a scam and was getting frustrated. I saw in the ad that they had a location for the truck "by appointment only" So I decided to at least go make a visual inspection.
The Truck - it was listed as having a Cat 3176 w/ 365 HP. These motors weren't Cats best and it would seem a little under powered for a fully loaded dump, but my hauls are short and I can make it work. The transmission was listed as having a 9LL, This is not the greatest tranny, especially with a somewhat under powered motor. But the LL is what I like for getting in and out of peoples backyards.
Upon inspection of the truck the tires were 100% bald, not just a little bit, but smooth! Even the steer tire was flat. The inside is disgusting, looks like someone spilled coffee all over and drove through a dust storm, everyday for 5 years! But most everything was intact and it has the super fancy dash with chrome dash instrumentation, leather seats. Also it has plumbed dump, pup and tarp controls with a high lift gate which I've always really wanted. The odd thing was on the visor there was a 18 speed shift pattern, this made me wonder as to how much work they had done on the truck. The motor looked decent, no oil all over the ground. Couldnt find an inspection plate but it looked good.
Day of Auction- I called the company all morning to try to find out about this transmission but no one answered, I was somewhat leery at this point. Especially not being able to hear it run. I figured maybe if I can pick it up cheap enough.. The online auction started and I had the winning bid at 12k but I saw there was a reserve, so I bid it up to 15k and the reserve was met and there seemed to be no other interest, until the very last 10 seconds somebody decided to try and snipe bid me, this extended the auction by 5 minutes, it went back and forth a few times and at this point I was really asking myself how bad do I really want this thing. The one other bidder finally stopped at 18.5 and the truck was mine. I didn't feel overly excited as I wasn't really sure what I just did... Guess who called though, the auction company! At this point the transmission issue was a moot point as I now owned it, I doubted the secretary knew anything anyway.
Paying for it - We drove back into town to pay for the truck and we drove to the auction house address but we couldn't find it?? I called the place and said we were at the address but dont see it? They told me to look for a place called "Ron's used furniture" and they had an office in the back. I was super sketched out at this point, I went into this furniture store that smelled like it all came out of an heavy smoking elderly's home. A nice native guy pointed me into the back room, where amonst old end tables and gold plated furniture was the "office". Directly overhead has another apartment building with what sounding like 5 kids playing trampoline on the floor. I this point I figured I would probably be robbed and stuffed in a freezer never to be seen again. But, the lady behind the desk took my money and gave me a title and I high tailed it out of there.
Picking it up- We put a space heater on it, aired up the tires, added some oil and coolant. In the process I found the spec plat on the motor, as I rubbed the crud off I could barely believe my eyes as the words - 3406, 450 HP - appeared, I was beyond ecstatic. The motor fired right off and sounded great, after letting it warm up awhile we took off down the road, on the oped road I thought, lets see what this high range does... and just like that it went from a 9LL to an 18 speed!!! I am still excited about that! I went strait to the tire shop and put all new rubbers on, with super singles on the front.
Yesterday I polished up the rear aluminum wheels and am going to work on the chrome today. It has been heavily neglected as someone going bankrupt would do I guess. But I really feel like its a diamond in the rough. The power of that 3406 is AMAZING, its like driving a car!
Anyway I finally got it in the shop last night, once I get the maintence done and get her polished up a bit more I post some more pictures
This is how it sat when looking at it.
As of yesterday with a little bit of pressure washing
