Should I buy it?

[Septicguy]

Looking at a 1986 dk64 with a relatively dry 300 cummins. The truck has new paint and a very clean double frame. It has an 8ll and 50k rears. The dealer is asking $39k which I think is high, but it's clean and I'm thinking of making an offer. I'm also concerned that the 300 cummins is underpowered. They recently had the jake rebuilt and turned the motor up a little bit.
Thoughts?

 

[Truck Shop]

How many miles on it? Even though the truck has heavy specifications 39 is high for a thirty year old truck. Do you need one with 50k suspension?

Truck Shop

 

[JasonG]

How many miles on it? Even though the truck has heavy specifications 39 is high for a thirty year old truck. Do you need one with 50k suspension?

Truck Shop

Pretty close to my exact questions.
That does seem high. You should be able to get around a 2000 model for 40k,especially if you don't need the 50k capacity.

 

[Septicguy]

Not sure on actual mileage...recent paint job, but not a great paint job. Super clean double frame. I think it would be decent at $25-$30k.
The problem is that trucks are in high demand right now. I've been searching the northeast for two months and everything I've found is either $100k or junk, there aren't many that are in between right now.

Here's the link on the autocar http://m.202truck.com/List/Truck/ForSale/7255469

 

[Truck Shop]

Well if the floor of the box and hydraulics are in good shape, that is a big cost to buy new. Plus the added strength of the suspension, frame and steering. New trucks
with those specs and dump set-up are damn expensive. One thing I tell anyone buying a used truck is ask for a dyno and percentage blow-by test on the engine.
Paint is so deceiving. How much tread depth is there and are those tires virgin or caps? The other thing about buying an old one is the cooling system. And another
thing is find out what model of rear drives are in it some of the older heavy drop-ins are getting real expensive. Things to think about or ask.
In the photo it doesn't look to shabby but I'm not there to pick it apart in front of the salesman. And I'm real good at that. LOL I would offer no more than 30,
best I can tell you. Dyno test cost is $220.00

By the way Welcome to HTF.

Truck Shop

 

[Steve Frazier]

I was driving dumps in the early 80s and 300hp was typical for a 10 wheeler back then. I drove Macks with 237hp, IH with 300hp and and Autocar with 350hp. I guess they wouldn't keep up with the mega powered trucks of today, but in my opinion there's some desirability to an old mechanical diesel vs. the electronic and DEF diesels of today.

 

[JasonG]

It does look straight and well cared for.
Originally I thought out was just the cab and chassis.
Get a dump run and offer them 30K. Settling in the middle wouldn't be bad.