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

[Lynn]

Doug, you got me to searching that Commercial Truck Trader site, and I found this '90 Doka Unimog. Not sure if it qualifies as 'low cost,' though, at $75K...

 

[dhackney]

Lynn,

I don't know if it qualifies or not either. "Low cost" means different things to different people at different times.

I started the thread mostly because I have been known to moan and wail about the lack of interesting, accessible and suitable large capacity 4x4 diesel chassis here in the U.S.

It was fun to discover that there are actually some out there, at a range of price points, in a variety of conditions, that could be used as a starting point for an expedition vehicle project.

I guess I should have just added them to the "for sale" section, but I was coming at this from my perspective of "wow, there really are some 4x4 chassis you could build on out there" rather than a curated list of ready-to-go expedition vehicles.

I am not now, and have never been, a heavy-duty diesel truck guy, so I know next to nothing about these big chassis other than what I learned from the European overlanders I met and interviewed overseas.

Due to where I learned it and the chassis I was learning about (Mercedes, MAN, etc.) none of what little I know applies to what is available here.

Consequently, it's very interesting to read the comments of the guys here who have been around these domestic chassis for a long time and know enough to discern the winners from the losers.

Having gone down the "spend cubic volumes of money on a rig" path, I'm now enamored with how little you could spend to build a very capable, heavy-class, expedition vehicle.

(My hidden agenda is to facilitate getting more Americans into world-exploration capable vehicles and get them out there exploring. I figure if you can put together a camper box and a <2008 chassis for the same or less $ than a new F550 chassis costs, it's a decent place to start. )

Doug

 

[shortbus4x4]

Don't know how to add the link but there is a 01 Mitsu Fuso 4x4 box truck on the Spokane craigslist in St Maries ID. Sounds like it is optioned pretty nice for a expo offroad rig. You could make a camper out of it fairly quickly.

 

[dhackney]

Don't know how to add the link but there is a 01 Mitsu Fuso 4x4 box truck on the Spokane craigslist in St Maries ID. Sounds like it is optioned pretty nice for a expo offroad rig. You could make a camper out of it fairly quickly.

Here's the listing: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/3063851809.html

2001 4x4 Mitsubishi FG Fuso 152.000 miles 3.9L 147HP 5 Speed gear box P/W P/B A/C P/L set up for PTO Locking Front Hubs Locker Rear Axel. Box 14'Long 8' W 7'T with walk ramp. New Tires Cell 20-8582-0833

$17500 or Best Offer

 

[Entropy]

There sure are a lot of options out there. In the US there are a ton of 6-7 used F-550 4x4 chassis for less than $20k, just to give one example.

 

[dhackney]

There sure are a lot of options out there.

There are more than I thought there were. Knowing little to nothing about heavy trucks, I did not consider the specialty chassis builders that serve the fire truck, oil field, etc. markets.

I should also point out that the Fuso FG 140 is not really a "high-capacity" 4x4 diesel truck. It is, however, a fantastic "low-capacity" 4x4 diesel truck chassis.

The F550 has a higher GVW capacity than the Fuso, and I guess would be on the low range of "high-capacity," depending on what your perspective was. If you're starting with a 1/2 ton pickup, then the Fuso looks pretty darn high-capacity.

I guess I was thinking U.S. class 5 or 6 and up when I started this thread. That may not be fair to people who are looking at this from behind the wheel of a Jeep or a Taco.

However, if you include F550s and equivalent ~19k GVW trucks, as you point out, you'd end up with a ton of listings.

Personally, I'm intrigued by the more obscure, higher GVW 4x4 and 6x6 trucks.

Note: Intrigued often equals "money pit," "lost cause," and "they haven't made parts for that in twenty years" in my world. Danger, Will Robinson.


From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

Medium Duty
Class 4

The Class 4 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds (6,351 to 7,257 kg).[8] Examples of vehicles in this class include select Ford F-450 trucks, Dodge Ram 4500, and the GMC 4500.[5]


Class 5

The Class 5 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds (7,258 to 8,845 kg).[8] Examples of trucks in this class include the International MXT, GMC 5500.[9] Dodge Ram 5500, and the Ford F-550


Class 6

The Class 6 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds (8,846 to 11,793 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the International Durastar, GMC Topkick C6500.[10] and the Ford F-650


Heavy Duty
Class 7

Vehicles in Class 7 and above require a Class B license to operate in the United States. These include GMC C7500 [11] Their GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds (11,794 to 14,969 kg).


Class 8

The Class 8 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is anything above 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg).[12] These include all tractor trailer trucks.

 

[dhackney]

2001 FREIGHTLINER FL70

$39,500

Air conditioning

79,261 miles

Transmission: Allison automatic five speed

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3544463&dlr=1&pcid=2000710263

 

[mog]

Here's the listing: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/3063851809.html
2001 4x4 Mitsubishi FG Fuso 152.000 miles 3.9L 147HP 5 Speed gear box P/W P/B A/C P/L set up for PTO Locking Front Hubs Locker Rear Axel. Box 14'Long 8' W 7'T with walk ramp. New Tires Cell 20-8582-0833 $17500 or Best Offer

And I already have a pre-built interior for that commercial box on back.

If you don't mind cardboard construction.....and 1/10 scale

View attachment 104366
View attachment 104367
View attachment 104368

 

[dhackney]

1998 American General 6x6

$12,850

All Wheel Drive, 5sp Automatic, "Extremely Low Miles 2K"!!, 85% Tires, Hydraulic Brakes, 12' 6 Bed w/ 2' Side Panels & Canvas Top, Pintle Hitch & Air Hook ups on rear, Under CDL.; 6x6


http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3005827&

dealer: http://www.chuckhenry.com/FRAMES/equipped.htm

Stock # 6150

Year: 1998

Make: American General

Model: M35A3

Transmission: 5sp Automatic

Engine Make: Caterpillar

Cruise: No

Engine Model: 3116

Engine Brake: No

Horse Power: 170

A/C: No

Mileage Shown: 2,835

Power Steering: Yes

Tire Size: 14.5R20

Stacks: 1

Tire % Front: 85 Back: 85

Suspension: Center Point

Wheels: Steel

Wheel Base: 154”

Cab to Axle: 82”

Type of Interior: Basic

Cab to End of Frame: 153”

Vin: 504843

# of Axles 3

Front: 8,112

Rear: 15,700

Ratio: 6.70

Description: 6x6, All Wheel Drive, 12’6” Bed w/ 2’ panel sides, Pintle Hitch & Air Hook ups on Rear, Under CDL.

 

[dhackney]

1977 International 1750 4x4

$7,500

This could make a very cool restoration with a matched, period-correct styled camper box. Something like an Airstream Bambi on the back.

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3474531&

Ex forest service truck with low miles. Excellent running vehicle with start assist. 4x4. 6 new tires, power brakes, power steering. New HD steel flatbed. 15T Pintle and 2" receiver. New wiring, lights, brakes and exhaust.

 

[dhackney]

not so low cost, but fully pimped

2008 International MXT 4x4

$74,900

Note:
Wikipedia says that this chassis has a GVW of 14k lbs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_XT
Truck Trend says the 2007 had a GVW of 14.5k, a payload of 4k and a towing capacity of 15.5k http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/ultimate/163_0712_2007_international_mxt/specs.html

Not sure how you could put this chassis to use with that small of a payload, but you could pull a heck of an Adventure Trailer with it.

Listing: http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3650257&

International MXT - LIKE NEW! Low Mileage, 4wd, Leather Seats, GPS Navigation, AM/FM with CD, DVD Entertainment with wireless headphones, 300 Hp Engine, Allison Automatic Transmission.; 4x4

 

[dhackney]

Definitely not so low cost, but fully pimped with a decent GVW.

Also a TV star, so there might be something for you in that.

2005 International CXT

$139,000

http://www.marketbook.ca/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3545645&LP=TRK

Note:
This truck is in Canada. I don't know what it would take to import it into the U.S. or if that is even possible.
Truck Trend says the CXT has a 12k payload capacity and can tow a 40k trailer. Now that kind of towing capacity can give the boys at AT a real target to shoot for! http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/ultimate/163_0506_international_rxt/specs.html



This truck was customized on Trick my Truck Season 2 as a feature on CMT.

Fully loaded including:

300hp DT466 Diesel Engine
4 door crew cab compete with customized 8" monster stacks,
8' truck bed with built in hot tub,
4 wheel drive,
drop down DVD system,
CD/navigation controls
leather interior.
Only 13,800kms.
This truck is located in Vancouver BC . Please email or call if interested 604-833-5550. Serious inquiries only please.

**will also consider trades**

 

[dhackney]

2001 Sterling M6500 4x4

$39,900


http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3523119&


2001 STERLING M6500 ACTERRA,*** 4X4 ***ALL WHEEL DRIVE, ALLISON 5.9-210HP, ALLISON AUTOMATIC, 14' FLAT BED WITH STAKE SIDES, UNDER CDL 26000 LBS GVW, AIR BRAKES, STEEL WHEELS, LOW ORIGIONAL 26000 MILES! SOUTHERN TRUCK!; Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs): 25500

 

[shortbus4x4]

1977 International 1750 4x4

$7,500

This could make a very cool restoration with a matched, period-correct styled camper box. Something like an Airstream Bambi on the back.

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3474531&

Ex forest service truck with low miles. Excellent running vehicle with start assist. 4x4. 6 new tires, power brakes, power steering. New HD steel flatbed. 15T Pintle and 2" receiver. New wiring, lights, brakes and exhaust.

View attachment 104402

View attachment 104399

View attachment 104400

View attachment 104401

I actually have owned and still own some 70's Loadstars that are 4x4. Very fun to drive but very very slow due to gearing and suck the gas. I actually blew up my bus motor on the trip home from buying it. It still runs but sounds like a rod is about ready to come out the side of the block, I was in a hurry and ran the engine at high rpms for too long. I found a place to park it for a month until my buddy towed it the rest of the way home. Love the non military commercial medium duty 4x4's you are posting here.

 

[dhackney]

1999 International 4800

$33,900

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2468880&dlr=1&pcid=2000678345

Allison Auto MD 3060P,double framed, AC, PS, city maintained.; Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs): 35000; 4x4