(quoted from post at 23:39:53 12/03/09) Those things.... basically a single axle truck would probably weigh in somewhere around 8-9 tonne. If you start going into heavier trucks with double frames, heavy front ends, big block Cummins engines like the 290, Big Cams, Formula's etc with the appropriate Road Ranger transmission and heavy rears.... then you could well be pushiung 11-12 tonne.
As an example, I have a 1996 International 9400 with a Cummins N14-435, 13 over and 40K rears, 16' steel stake box. This is WITH aluminum cab, aluminum wheels and air ride (so you drop a pile of walking beam weight). Full of fuel she goes somewhere around 11,300 KG.
If I added a heavy front, 46K rears, double frame and a Hendrickson beam suspension whe would have no trouble at all going well over 12,000 KG.
If you want a lighter truck, stick with something like the IH S1900 up to an S2600 with a DT466 and the lighter transmissions.
Gasoline engines will save more weight at the expense of the gas tank...
Ford's with the Brazilian 401 (6.6L) should also be decent trucks. Even a GM with a 3208 Cat probably wouldn't be too bad but it wouldn't be my first choice. I'd steer clear of anything with a Fuel Pincher (8.2L Detroit)... and I'd be none too fond of any screamin' demon really. They do serve a purpose if they're cheap enough tho.
I'd also leave ANY V-8 Cummins where it's sitting. Stick to the more modern C series (8.3), the L10 or the big blocks (N, NT, NTC.... basically the 855 cid/14L)
Rod