(mostly) Low-cost 4x4 diesel high capacity chassis examples

[dhackney]

I ran across these today while helping a friend do some research.

Might make for an interesting, (mostly) low-cost, high-capability build.

In all cases, you may be able to recoup some of the build cost by selling the existing payload.

I have no personal knowledge of any of these trucks and have no association with any of the sellers.


1997 Simon Duplex
Detroit 6V92T- 350 horsepower; WITH JAKE BRAKES 9 speed transmission 4 x 4 with 2 speed transfercase 41,000# gross vehicle weight rating 20,000# front axle on 425/65 R 22.5 front tires 21,000# rear axle on 11 R 22.5 rear tires Power steering, air brakes, Tilt telescopic steering wheel, with trailer tow package Front capstan drive Vanner 1800W inverter EX Utility company truck with 26,459 miles, 5,257 hours

You'd need to remove the bucket truck payload, but you may want to retain the jacks so you can level the camper at night.

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/1997-SIMON-DUPLEX-9684-99964767





Pierce Fleet Arrow

This one is an auction that ends on 2012-06-14

Caterpillar 3208 Engine, Automatic Transmission, 4x4 w/High Low Tranfer Case, 150" Wheel Base

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.co...keyword=4x4&make=PIERCE|2313624&schemecode=AD






1986 FEDERAL $24,500

4X4 Caterpillar 3208 engine with 35,000 original miles, automatic transmission, power steering, air brakes, 33,000 GVW, 4WD, Jerr-Dan bed, 22' long w/Ramsey winch, stabilizers, wood deck w/sides, pintle hitch w/air-electric to rear,heavy-duty built for off-road, winch-front bumper, Braden, 20,000 pounds capacity, strobe lights, tool boxes, spring suspension, tires 11.22-5,

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/1986-FEDERAL-OTHER-102751856





How about a camper payload in the front of the bed and a quad, small 4x4 or bikes in the back? Find a camp spot, tilt and drop the bed to unload the scout vehicle(s), restore the bed and boom. Paradise.






2008 KENWORTH T300 $107,000

This is not so low-cost.

117000 miles, ISC 315HP, 10 speed manual,with new Marrmon Herington 4x4

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/2008-KENWORTH-T300-102344701

 

[Overland Hadley]

Interesting list.

Personally I like the looks of the Federal as a good candidate.

 

[herm]

cool finds. what did you search for? I asked about the price on that simon duplex. i wonder what the bucket is worth?

 

[bajajoaquin]

I know that the Cat 3208 gets a bad rap for not being rebuildable, but I really liked the one I had in my old motorhome. My step-father had a pair of them in a boat, and loved them in that application, too. A good diesel service center can help you understand their condition. World engine? Dunno. But not the dog you read about sometimes.

And I like the cabover on the Federal. Looks cool.

 

[shortbus4x4]

The CAT 3208 on that Federal is turbo charged, whoa power. My grandfather put 200k+ on the 3208 NA in his homebuilt motorhome driving it between AZ and AK. The only major repair he did was roll rod bearings in it as preventative maintenance.

 

[dhackney]

what did you search for?

1. start here: http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/search-results?schemecode=AD&&
2. add "4x4" (without the quotes) to the keywords
3. in the manufacturers list, click on "show more makes"
4. select the manufacturer you are interested in

 

[dhackney]

I asked about the price on that simon duplex. i wonder what the bucket is worth?

This Simon Duplex might be comparable. It was listed at $26,000 and sold at auction last December for $16,500.

Auction listing: http://www.truckpaper.com/onlineauctions/details.aspx?OHID=2401292

$26k ask listings:
http://www.californiatreeequipment.com/photos/_digger_/11109.html

http://commercialtrucks.internetrad...5493248488_20110602134204119504_________.html

 

[herm]

interesting ideas. I would love to take a look at one of these trucks, but they are all very far away. so many choices for a rig makes deciding on a direction difficult! Do you save for something cool that need some work like these? upgrade what you have? buy something someone else built? etc...

these chassis ideas are very intriguing. some of these trucks are very cheep too.

great for stealth camping! looks like a garbage truck!


edit: thanks for that joaquin. I was wondering how "industrial" these sort of trucks were, and how hard to find parts are.

 

[bajajoaquin]

.....
I doubt that the sellers will sell any of those vehicles to a California resident because of tough DMV & CARB regulations.....

You're right. One of the ads said that it wasn't for sale to a California recipient.

 

[bajajoaquin]

The CAT 3208 on that Federal is turbo charged, whoa power. My grandfather put 200k+ on the 3208 NA in his homebuilt motorhome driving it between AZ and AK. The only major repair he did was roll rod bearings in it as preventative maintenance.

Power really depends on the application. I'd be surprised if it's much above 250. Mine was 250 with fuel turned up to produce about 285 at the rear wheels (had it dyno'd as part of the purchase inspection). But it wasn't intercooled, so you really had to watch the pyrometer. It was just fine for the motor home and towing a race car trailer up and down California, but I wouldn't want to do an expedition in something I had to watch like that.

I think that some marine applications had about 400 hp, maybe more. I've never figured out if it was because they expect less life out of one, or if its because the surfeit of cooling available made them live longer.

But when I was looking at that stuff, I saw that motor home applications sometimes went to 300 or 350 hp, but the industrial applications were usually rated pretty low.

 

[herm]

Here is the information on the truck you asked about.

• 1997 Simon Duplex model 9684-96 4 x 4 chassis #3813
• Serial #1S91H3ZF1T1020106
• Detroit 6V92T- 350 horsepower; WITH JAKE BRAKES
• 9 speed transmission
• 4 x 4 with 2 speed transfercase
• 41,000# gross vehicle weight rating
• 20,000# front axle on 425/65 R 22.5 front tires
• 21,000# rear axle on 11 R 22.5 rear tires
• Power steering, air brakes, Tilt telescopic steering wheel,
• Teco V50CH-50IP-4TFS4 aerial unit, serial #69779709
• 50'platform height, Articulating design
• Insulated upper and lower inserts- Rated at 69kvac category B
• (2) single man platforms (rated at 350# each) with hyd. rotation
• Material handling jib- hydraulic operated
• Line body with trailer tow package
• Front capstan drive
• Vanner 1800W inverter
• EX Utility company truck with 26,459 miles, 5,257 hours!

Priced at $38,500

YOUR PRICE AS CAB CHASSIS $29,500 or complete as it is $26,500. (That way
you could use outriggers, body, and apparatus items for other things)

With the following services performed:

* Perform a full functional and operational inspection which means that
anything on the truck works
* Perform an Annual DOT inspection
* Perform a chassis service-engine oil & filter, fuel filters, air filter if
needed, chassis lube, etc
* Check all fluids and inspect for contamination
* Adjust brakes, & make sure tires and brakes are in excess of 50%
* Make sure there is no broken glass or tears in the interior
* Pressure test the cooling system and make sure coolant is -34 degrees f.
or below
* Perform a battery and charging system test
* Detail the interior and exterior

 

[dhackney]

I doubt that the sellers will sell any of those vehicles to a California resident because of tough DMV & CARB regulations.

We haven't lived in CA since 2007, so I haven't kept up with the new registration requirements.

Since these would be titled as an RV (once the camper box is installed), can you still title and register them in TX, SD or MT or other "RV Full Timer" friendly states?

 

[Entropy]

Here's one for under $8k.

Can't seem to get a picture URL. It's a 1985 International 1854.



This is the search I used at truckpaper.com

 

[dhackney]

Here's one for under $8k.

Can't seem to get a picture URL. It's a 1985 International 1854.



This is the search I used at truckpaper.com

Here's the description and some photos:

Stockton, California

31,140 mi

TC33 Transfer Case-Hi/Low,In/Out, Manual shift, 12' flatbed with expanded metal on top, 93" wide, stake pockets, Large eye hitch, drop pin, Less Service; Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs): 22200; 4x4

 

[dhackney]

2006 Fuso FG140

$29,950

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/47839-FGs-for-sale?p=1123140#post1123140