Is This 1998 FL70 worth 20K?
- Thread starter MXTECH
- Start date
I wouldn´t. The cat 3126 seems to start having problems about the 300k mileage mark. They are expensive to rebuild. Allison automatic in a road truck carrying weight, is also dicey. I had a 3126 engine in a D unit, and I´ll never own another. There´s alot of comment and info on that engine if you do a search, and you should also read TRUCK TALK and do a search. If you´re going to hit the road you can find a better combination, not to mention several companies will not lease you on with that unit...too old. $20,000 is high.
From all of the posts regarding the Cat 3126 it looks like the max mileage you can probaly plan on before a rebuilt is about 400K.There are exceptions to this but that seems to be the norm. If you could get it for 12 K and bank the rest for maintenace down the road it might not be a bad deal,also check and make sure the proper maintenace was follwed on the Allison and Cat. Louie made a very good point about checking with potential carriers as too the age of the truck. Sometimes I think the carriers want you to always have steep payments so you will run hard for them and as a result they limit the age of a unit. }>
silverdollar
Expert Expediter
That truck wasn`t worth 20 grand when it was new.:'(
I wouldn't. Not only is that Cat motor major headaches (I had two of them) but it being over 5 years old you will have a problem finding one of the leading companies that will sign it on. I am sure there has to be a newer truck with a better engine you can get for 20K. Check the classifieds here on EO.
Too high. Should be around 12 to 14,000. While I have had good luck with these engines some have not. I can also same the same for the older cummins ( had two that were junk) and 2 with detroit 50s. Nothing to brag about there either. Expect to pay 6,000 for a rebuild or 11,000 for a remanufactured cat. I would want that transmission checked pretty close as well. Repairs on a Allison are not cheap by any means.
The newer cummins are suppose to be pretty reliable since they got all the fuel issues resolved. Reasonable price to rebuild as well.
If you do buy, have a dyno test and valve adjustment done on the cat. Get your buyer down on the price. 20,000 is way too high. And as mentioned,make sure your carrier of choice will take a 98. I think Panther where I am at will go down to a 96?
Davekc
The newer cummins are suppose to be pretty reliable since they got all the fuel issues resolved. Reasonable price to rebuild as well.
If you do buy, have a dyno test and valve adjustment done on the cat. Get your buyer down on the price. 20,000 is way too high. And as mentioned,make sure your carrier of choice will take a 98. I think Panther where I am at will go down to a 96?
Davekc
raceman
Veteran Expediter
I have FL70s and FL80s and I would not recommend paying that price. That engine is going to bite you. You can do much better. I would think about spending just a little more money up front and getting yourself into a 2000 maybe a 1999 you will have many more options as to who you can run for. The Cats seem to be either real good or real bad in my experience. No in between. That will be true even in a little newer truck but if you buy that one for 20K I think you soon be kicking yourself in your rear end. Good Luck.
raceman
raceman
Thanks to all for the input!
I always say, when in doubt "ask the Pros"!!
I am looking for the truck to be used to operate our custom suspension shop out of the back at major motocross and harescramble races. I will only drive it about 15K a year.
Regardsless of what I'm using it for, it's obviuosly overpriced.
I say thanks again to all that replied, and my search for an price worthy expediter will continue.
John
I always say, when in doubt "ask the Pros"!!
I am looking for the truck to be used to operate our custom suspension shop out of the back at major motocross and harescramble races. I will only drive it about 15K a year.
Regardsless of what I'm using it for, it's obviuosly overpriced.
I say thanks again to all that replied, and my search for an price worthy expediter will continue.
John
they have given you good advice
also if you find a good used truck before you say anything about
how much it cost do they have maintance folder that you may look at and see what been done to the truck no maintance folder stay way
from that truck
also if you are only going to drive it 15k a year have you
though about a dually p/u truck with a 5th wheel trailer and
be able to use it for other things to
also if you find a good used truck before you say anything about
how much it cost do they have maintance folder that you may look at and see what been done to the truck no maintance folder stay way
from that truck
also if you are only going to drive it 15k a year have you
though about a dually p/u truck with a 5th wheel trailer and
be able to use it for other things to
geo,
Good advise, I will adhere to it.
I used to pull a 38' fifth wheel with a 460 gas ford dually. I hit the scales at 21000# (I had to know) The truck was only a gas motor, and it was way under powered and way under braked. I figured from here on in I would not deal with the under powered issue. My partner in Il. has an FL70 w/ a cummins 8.3 and I was real impressed with the size and power. That sold me on an Expediter style truck.
I have learned a pricless amount of info here of EO. I had no idea of the issues with a 3126. This site has probably made a huge difference in buying a good truck at a good price and buying years of regret!!
Regards, John Curea
MX-TECH East Coast Suspension
Good advise, I will adhere to it.
I used to pull a 38' fifth wheel with a 460 gas ford dually. I hit the scales at 21000# (I had to know) The truck was only a gas motor, and it was way under powered and way under braked. I figured from here on in I would not deal with the under powered issue. My partner in Il. has an FL70 w/ a cummins 8.3 and I was real impressed with the size and power. That sold me on an Expediter style truck.
I have learned a pricless amount of info here of EO. I had no idea of the issues with a 3126. This site has probably made a huge difference in buying a good truck at a good price and buying years of regret!!
Regards, John Curea
MX-TECH East Coast Suspension
gandrew
Expert Expediter
I faced a similar question about a 2000 FL70 with over 400K on the CAT 3126. Dealer wanted 33,900 and the truck seemed okay. Hired a D.O.T. certified mechanic to check it out first. He found issues that were serious enough that we declined the truck. Was $150 well spent, since we saved much more in repairs by not purchasing. We are still searching for a good truck.