Guys with pre-emission trucks what are your typical breakdowns?

Op
This has been the only time I got sidelined a busted fuel steel line pulled over saw what the problem was used some brake cleaner and JB-it parked for 10 ..started the engine in the morning and the repair was good enough to get me to the parts house...
Where they replaced it with a improved version..
1997 Freightliner Classic with a N-14 Celect Plus. Original owner ..

 

You would think some of these older trucks out there are made of gold with the prices now days and of course, motor rebuild by previous owner no paperwork along with a bunch of other cobology. Almost makes you want to buy a low mileage 2015 and do a few "modifications" to it

 

Where would you look for a 6 year old truck with low mileage that needs "modifications "

 

Sometimes you can pick up a clean 4 or 5 year old truck with under 300k miles for a reasonable price. See them go through auctions from time to time and sometimes for sale outright. Just saying its slim pickins out there for decent old trucks with so much overpriced junk on the market. I think if I was in the market I would be tempted to go with a newer low mileage truck and omit the garbage off it since I don't run to CA. Just my opinion

 

I hear you nothing wrong with that..

 

Yea, I did and still don't have that deep of pockets. Gave 13k for mine. Hate to imagine total cost almost 10 years in now. I just can not justify the cost of a new truck, for what I do.

If you could guarantee the reliability of my series 60, and a solid 12-14 mpg. I would take a serious look at a new one. Till then we are fixing trucks with rocks and sticks.

 

In my opinion, the way to be successful with an old truck is to buy it cheap ($10-15k) and they be prepared to spend $40k on it before it hits the road. Replace the entire brake system, all be air lines, go through the rears and put me bearings and seals in them, etc... Then keep a close eye on anything you don't replace and stay on top of the maintenance. An old truck costs a lot right off the bat but will probably be less money in the long run. I spent $1845 and 9 days down all because of 3 emissions sensors. Truck would've been on the road working if it didn't have emissions. If I decide to stay trucking (been doing it 25 years and I'm ready for something different) I will buy an older truck and get it shape then get rid of my emissions truck.

 

Kinda the way I feel. I have 2.1 mil on mine now. It had its issues and problems, that's for sure. However, it's hard for me to justify $200k on something that I question the reliability on. Plus, the wear/maint items on the treatment system that are high dollar. I just don't see where you come out ahead there. If they didn't get rid of gliders, I would have went that route, hands down. Imo, best of both worlds. Now look at how many of those new trucks are down for weeks/months because of parts availability!