I have been running a 338 since 06, I have around 900k miles on it. I have had some problems but most have been caused by poor mechanics. I attribute at least half of my maintenance issues to my own lack of knowledge and unscrupoulos mechanics.
For the first 385k I didn't have a single issue. 1 day before my warranty expired I blew a head gasket. Hino covered it no questions asked. In mt experience good luck on that with any other make.
Last month I just replaced the head, the truck runs better now than it did new. Running mostly 60 mph, I get 10 mpg now. I use about a gallon of oil every 15k miles. Which is remarable given the miles on my engine.
Te 338 is a class 7 truck, but it has class 8 componets, my axles brakes and even frame are te same you'd find on a class 8.
Parts availbility is dealer dependant, I had to wait for the head to get shipped 1 week, but most other items seem to be stocked now. THat has improved since 06 quit a bit.
Many of the old hinos available now are a bargain, and for the prices I've seen then selling for I wouldn't hesitate. Having said that, I would be hard pressed to buy a new one for 125k when you can get a class 8 for 140k. I have jokingly told my wife we should buy one of these low mileage trucks to keep as a spare.
The biggest issue I have seen with these trucks is bad drivers, and even worse mechanics. Here's and example, I just had my head replaced, I go to the dealer and the mechanic tells me the truck is still running hot, and they don't know what the problem is but they think it is OK to drive. It must be hot because of the miles. This is BS but I figure why push the guy, I take the truck home pull out the thermostat and it runs cold.
So you tell me how a guy can know enough to replace a head, but not have enough sense to replace a thermostat? I don't know, is it the trucks fault?
The 338 has been a decent truck for me, but I am not impressed really with any of the dealers. I paid 106k for my truck and have seen trucks like mine selling for 20 to 30k with half the milage, that's a steal considering the sleeper and box alone are worth that much.
If I had it to do over, I would have bought a new Class 8 and had it stretched. If I was to buy used and could get a hino like mine for. 25k I would do it. But by now I'm an ole hino hand.
If you search my posts under "truck talk" you will find my trucks whole history good and bad, remember as you read the more negativ sounding rants, today I'm still in the same truck pushing 900k
