How much for repairs?

[themagicoen]

I'm trying to buy a 2003 T300 kenworth that has 550,000 miles on it. I'm getting it for 44k so I figure it's a good deal. I want to have the whole thing redone and fluids changed, brakes, etc. What would be a good estimate of the cost? I planed for $5,000 but I can go upto 10k. Do I need more? What should I focus on when I have in the shop? Any problems those are knowen for? Thanks.

 

[JohnO]

I've been told by many O/O’s have dyno($250) and oil analysis ($16) done prior to sale.

I don’t understand why you would be willing to use $5,000 to $10,000 of your monies for repairs after spending $44,000 for a truck?

There are plenty of trucks in the $20,000+ range that if bought properly wouldn’t need $5,000 in repairs. It would also cut your payment by half leaving more for you.

Curious does T300 have tag axle, liftgate, generator and what size box?

 

[themagicoen]

This is right here:

http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi...esults_format=long&db_id=2473&query=retrieval

Only if bank would hurry up before someone else buys it. I figured that the tag and lift gate are about 20k new, wg equipment is another 1k - 2k, generator is 8k new so I figured it was a good deal even if I had to put in 5-10k, hey might not even need anything I just want to make sure I take care of things from the getgo so I'm not sitting in the middle of no where getting something fixed.

 

[greg334]

OK here is what I did;

Dyno - I been told the engine should have 75% of it's rated power to be acceptable but I think with 300K, it should be around 90%. Also the blowby is important.

ECM dump - this tell me the hours and other info, like the firmware version for the ecm. if the hours are off, ask why - mine were within 8 hours.

VIS Check - this is a physical check of the brakes, suspension and other items - worth the trouble and expense.

I also had the dealer pull up any records they had on repairs, recalls and anything else, ditto for the engine - even though I had to go to Ocala for that info.

Had the dealer look the truck over after I bought it because the all the info I got from the three checks told me most of what was wrong.

I got one quick oil anaylis but nothing was wrong so I have another one going to blackstone when I get home.

Also I didn't but the first truck I saw, I took my time and looked. The reason I bought this truck was to make sure it was accepted into the fleet and because the engie did 95% on the dyno. I had a chance to buy a 94" sleeper with the same equipment but the engine didn't pass the ECM dump.

oh one last thing, if the owner/dealer does not let you take the time to do these things, walk away, don't waste you time with them - there are hundreds of trucks out there.