5.9 Cummins or dt466 or cat 3126

[Microsoftsteve]

I've decided to buy a new truck. The two choices I'm looking at are a 2001 fl60 with 5.9 cummins 150k or a international 4700 with dt466 200k on rebuild. I know the 5.9 is a good motor and I've heard both good and bad about the dt466. Although most of it is good about the dt466 I've heard it's a dog and probably won't be geared for the highway, but it's wet sleeved and is a true diesel motor that can be rebuilt. Both were expeditor trucks so I'm hoping that they are geared for the highway but I'm not sure. My concerns are that the 5.9 is not enough motor for my setup, which is a drake 4 car 8500lbs, which can put me up to the 45k mark. I'm guessing the dt466 should be able to handle that weight just fine as it is a true medium duty engine. Lastly for every FL series truck with a cummins motor in it I can find 100 with Cat 3126's in them. I've heard a few things about Cat's a. they are expensive to repair b. they are dogs, c they are throw away motor's and lastly they break all the time. Any thought would be greatly appreciated

[short stack]

i have a 3126 in a fl60 that has 120,000. the truck made 640,000 before the replacement engine. rated at 270 hp. it has decent power and torque, but it needs rpms to get it. fuel mileage is around 9 loaded and 14/15 empty. i use it to pull campers and i usually run empty 62 mph and loaded 65/67 to get more rpm's. i have had no issues yet and i seem to like it. i have a dodge 3500 with 5.9 and i think it would work for this truck also. i think the bigger cummins would be nicer though
mark:)

[Dorsey]

I'd rather have a 3126 CAT in a fl70 than a cummins 5.9. I have a 3406 with 355 hp in my truck and get 9 mpg. I'd definitly buy another truck with a 3406(355 hp) in it. For doing this type of work. If I had a 7 or 8 car trailer I think I would like to have a 60 series Detroit. They aren't the most powerful but I've always heard they are good on fuel. I've never heard any different. My uncle has a 3406(550hp) in his 96 peterbuilt and it runs and rides like a cadillac. It has well over a million miles on it. It has Tons of power but gets crappy fuel milage.

[LBZ]

That 5.9 Cummins is going to be a bit small for that weight class, know a couple guys who thought their 8.3's were lacking in that range too.

I don't know anything about the CAT 3126. But if you are looking in the 45,000 weight range, why not find a single axle class 7 with a heavier chassis & drive train & plate for 54,999? The plate price difference is going to be nominal & everything else is the same, other than you will never be overweight regardless what you load on the trailer with better access to parts over the road.

For more CAT info check this ....
http://ohe.cat.com/cda/files/301738/7/LEDT9445-05.pdf?mode

As far as motors go in general, the best advice is to find a local diesel mechanic who you trust & see what he knows how to work on as he'll probably doing most of the work. I went through every friend & all the forums asking what the best, most reliable, most economical set up would be & they all told a different story. For instance, one guy will say a series 60 Detroit will get you the best fuel economy, while another guy will say you are throwing that small advantage away on an oil dripping part hungry pile of junk.

Also make sure you are comparing apples to apples. All the engine mfg co's have had an issue with this or that, serial numbers can be a world of difference in all performance categories.

[Microsoftsteve]

Thanks for your thoughts on this matter. I agree with you about the larger class trucks. My only fear is the cost of insurance and repairs if they come about. But I'd assume the might not be too much more than the trucks I'm talking about here. I also agree with the cost of irp plates as my start up cost for my plates at 42k were 441.00 in georgia. sounds like I might need to look for a single axle heavy duty truck too. :p

[Dorsey]

When I switched from my 450 to my semi my insurance went down. There is a lot more companies that insure semis than duallys. More competition so lower price. Safer also.

[Tosch88]

Everything these guys said is true. I owned a Fl70 with a 8.3 (275hp) , underpowered & annoying to drive because of down shifting all the time. I figure it cost me about an hour a day when I ran the hills. 60 series Detroits are hard to beat, I have one now in a FL Classic Class 8 430hp\10 speed. I have been avg. about 7.5 mpg running from Mi to NJ over the mountains grossing about 50k. Keep in mind this is a dual tandem 72" Condo truck with a flat nose that weighs almost 23k full of fuel (I also run 66mph which is nice for a change). I had a FLD120 (wish I never traded it) SA with a L10 cummins 330hp \10 speed that was awesome. Got 8.5 mpg grossing 50k all the time. I would be looking for a SA Semi with a 10 speed, full air ride (not just rear bags, big difference) flat top 42" sleeper, engine with a hp rating of 330hp to 400 hp geared for 65 mph (meaning it runs 100 rpms over pk tq on the motor at 65 mpg, this is generally were an engine will generate the most efficient power).