Question for JD Seller/jon f mn

I have been shopping for a road tractor to pull a small low boy, and a short dump trailer. I have found a 88 model Volvo. It"s a tandem axle day cab, 330hp 60 series DD, 13 speed, with 400k ish miles. The negatives are a cracked exhaust manifold, a non sliding fifth wheel, no wet line, no jake brake, and a knot on one of the drive tires. The guy is asking 5k. I understand that the tire isnt a big deal, but the manifold, adding a PTO/hyd, and putting a sliding fith wheel(necessary for a break neck low boy im told?) is going to run into some $. I"m figuring $1,500 to 2k. Am I far off on my part price"s? Would you keep looking. Keep in mind I wont be making a living with this rig, Im just gonna use it to move my combine, excavator, dozer, and haul corn/beans to the elevator. Right now Im getting by with my dually, and goose neck, and hiring all the big/heavy stuff moved. The lack of a jake brake worries me too. Should it? I appreciate your feed back, and your time.

Where do you live? I actually have a complete wet kit that I would part with. The series 60 detroit is one of the best all around engines out there, and 400k is nothing for miles. A jake is not a big deal unless you are in the mountains a lot. You will just wear out your brakes a bit faster, but I doubt you will ever get enough miles on it for that to be a concern. Manifolds are easily available either new or used. For a couple hundred in difference I would go new, you never know what you get with used. I would check with the salvage yards on the slider too, lots of those around and probly won't cost much to trade. Make sure you take it to a trusted machanic before you buy. You never know what kind of problems might be lurking underneath with a truck that old. If the suspension or steering are loose you can get into a lot of money. Brakes will need to be checked too, about 400k is where you could be looking at drums and everything, but you can do the whole tractor for not that much and then you would probly be good as long as you own it if you don't cook them or have an axle seal go out. A volvo is one of the best so I wouldn't be a bit afraid of one.

Take it to a truck mechanic BEFORE you buy it. The few hundred you spend on an inspection might be the best money you spend if you buy it or not. It is nothing to spend between $5,000 and 10,000 to get a truck DOT legal. Been there done that.

Where are you located??? Location makes a difference in value. Day cab trucks in the North-East are much cheaper than in the mid-west.

The lack of a jack brake is not that big of a deal for the job you are describing you want it for. Just check the regular brakes out. If you need new drums and shoes all the parts would be under $700-800.

I disagree on the manifold in that the cost is more than Jon states. I am assuming it is a 12.7 liter engine. A new complete manifold is right at a $1000 plus installation. Now that manifold is three piece one. So you may only need one of the three. I do agree in just going with new. Used ones may crack as soon as they are hot the first time.

A used sliding fifth wheel is going to run $300-$400 for a real good used one. About any truck salvage yard will have a bunch of them.

The wet kit is a different story. You will need the pump that has the control valve for a dump trailer. Then you are talking a tank and PTO. IF you can find the setup used you are looking at $750-1000. New is going to be in the $1500-2000 range. I just installed one two weeks ago on one of our trucks. New PTO, hydraulic pump (25 GPM),tank, and hoses/couplers. I had just over $2000 grand in it.

If the low miles are really true and the cab is in good shape then the Volvo is in the market. It is not a steal. The day cab helps the value. The age and the fact it is a Volvo hurts the value. I have driven Volvo trucks they seem fine but they are 10-20% cheaper then any other brand, especially the older ones.

By the time you get it setup with good tires you could easily have another $3000-4000 in it. Your estimate of $1500-2000 is way off. Two new steering tires can easily run $1200 and that is not the top brands.

Things to keep in mind. For the miles you are running I would not be afraid of recaps on the rear. I get a good traction recap for $175 plus casing charge. So that would be about $225-230 straight out. You can also find good used pairs at the truck salvage yards.

The total would still not be bad if the truck is in good shape and the miles are correct. In an older truck like that the condition makes a BIG difference in the value. I mean maybe 50% or more. That truck is 25 years old. Also check on insurance and license in your state. Unless you are running, farm tags the cost is going to be a lot more than you are used to for your ton pickup.

Don't mean any disrespect jd but here is a link for detroit manifolds for new ones at $300.00. This place has a bunch listed, but that doesn't mean these are the ones that will fit.
Untitled URL Link

Jon You found a cheaper one than I did. I looked right before I posted and they where in the $800-1200 range where I was looking at them.

The long and short of it is I would not go with used myself. I would go with US made new. I have had trouble with imported manifolds.
Highest priced one new 1500

used one on Ebay 699

This same place has used reconditioned ones for $250.00, take-offs for as low as $125.00. I bought on from them for my cummins in my last truck and it work great for the last 3 years I owned it. Apparently parts are a lot higher in your area. That doesn't surprised me tho. I find that a lot. It always pays to do a little internet searching before you buy on expensive items.

I had the opportunity to stop at detroit diesel today and ask about a manifold. A new one with gasket kit about $500.00.