truck i am looking to buy

[SweetieBoyTransport]

so after 1200 miles and money not well spent and dishonest people i ended up not buying a 1999 peterbilt 5 car metropack. But i ahve had my eye on this 1996 stretched peterbilt (i have a thing for older peterbilts :0) I would be looking aT a 4-6 caqr trailer. What are the length restrictions and such. Info on the truck 1996 peterbilt 475hp detroit 18 spd. i would have the motor tuned down dont need that much horsepower. it hauls refers up and down 95 in flordia. gets about 7-8.5 mpg.


Thanks guys/gals!

[redline]

You want to run a 16 year old truck?

[Motownfire]

Why not??? We all see them on the highways every day.

[cosgo]

And an 18 speed at that?


Yes, there are 16 year old trucks on the road every day, but they run mostly local. Going over the road is gonna cost you a small mint in repairs. It can be done, just be aware of what you're getting into.

[SweetieBoyTransport]

the 18spd makes it get great gas mileage overhauled @500k.....I just wanted to hear the pros and cons,I see alot of older pete's and kens over the road all the time. that are well taken care of.

[SweetieBoyTransport]

i travel 5-900 miles from home home everyweekend

[smr500]

I run a 11 year old s/a semi all over the country and do well. I see multiple late model trucks on the side of the road every trip. It's a crap shoot really, but the later model trucks with all of the emission bullshit are a lot less reliable and have automatic shutdowns when certain minor faults are detected,i.e. coolant sensor failure. If you get one, go to the diesel doctor in Effingham, IL and he will disable those features.

[LBZ]

so after 1200 miles and money not well spent and dishonest people i ended up not buying a 1999 peterbilt 5 car metropack. But i ahve had my eye on this 1996 stretched peterbilt (i have a thing for older peterbilts :0) I would be looking aT a 4-6 caqr trailer. What are the length restrictions and such. Info on the truck 1996 peterbilt 475hp detroit 18 spd. i would have the motor tuned down dont need that much horsepower. it hauls refers up and down 95 in flordia. gets about 7-8.5 mpg.


Thanks guys/gals!

Turning that motor down would hurt fuel mileage. A 4-6 car will not stress it enough to matter regardless.
That 18 speed is more for heavy haul to be able to split what ever gear needed at any time, not that you cannot run it. But not really necessary. 13 spd would be ideal.

Your length restrictions are the same as any other class 8 truck. Over hang is where each individual state has their issue(MI-OH-MO). Only stingers get a pass in this area. However, there are some 5/6/7 car trailers that you need to know the kingpin to rear axle measurement pending where you are going to run. 39'-15/16" & under = good, 40' & over not necessarily bad unless you are going through a state that is aggressive about bridge laws(CA-FL etc.).

[SHO-TYME]

You want to run a 16 year old truck?

I run a 12 year old truck every day and it looks better than the newer ones and doesn't have all the emissions garbage and still smokes less than those do.

Don't turn down the engine, it will hurt your milage, not help it. Put some hi-flow mufflers on it and run it.

Here it is with an offshore boat behind it.

1315

[redline]

I know you see them but there will be a lot of little aging parts to take car of. There is nothing more annoying then fixing little wear items on your one day home. It will drive you mad. That and there are plenty of newer trucks with less wear and tear available that are specd much better and will most likely be more reliable. Its one thing if its 12 years old and you have owned it for 5 years its another to buy a 16 year old truck and hope to get 5 years out of it.

[short stack]

i'm sure that there are great older trucks out there. when i was on the road with my own gear, i always bought older cheaper trucks. i think the most i ever spent on a semi was $7000. the last one i spent $6000 then ran it for 300,000 miles and sold it for $5000. and maint is generally the same wether it's 15 years old or 5 years old. the trick is to find one from a reliable trust worthy person who took care of things.
good luck, mark