Reasonable Diesels: Commercial Edition

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
09/02/2019 at 13:03 • Filed to: diesel

My latest craze is finding cheap (under $2k) diesel trucks for a Gambler 500 teammate. The F-250 from our previous entry sold after sitting on the market for a while. I take it moving a big truck like that isn’t easy when it doesn’t run.

All of today’s entries do run!

1983 International

If my Ranger dies on the Gambler, I want my next truck to be something like this. A short and stubby commercial truck with a flatbed. This one is exceptionally short! Has a 5 speed manual to boot! Runs and drives for $1,700 and it has a hidden gooseneck. I take it this truck was a fifth wheel hauler in a previous life.

And for our next entry, another F-250! This one has much more rust, but it runs, drives, and has the bigger 7.3 IDI. $1000

Now for some other oddballs that aren't diesel.

This 1970 International Loadstar with a 345 for $900. Apparently just needs a battery (doubt).

A 1967 Chevy C... something or other semi. For $500 you get a truck that apparently just needs a battery (doubt) and it comes with a trailer!

And to round out the list, a $900 Yugo that doesn’t run, but has the cleanest old car underbody I’ve seen in the rust belt!

DISCUSSION (29)

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 13:08

Reasonable Diesel = Dieson able

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 13:20

The Y ugo never ran long enough to get blasted with salt.

I could very well be wrong, but I believe the International 345 is a ga s burner.

Fuckkinja > shop-teacher
09/02/2019 at 13:23

It is a gas engine. I am rebuilding a carburetor for a 345 today. School bus converted to camper.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 13:35

Does this mean there is a CDL in your future? When I see old class 4-8 trucks for sale at those prices, I always assume they need some multiple of their purchase price to pass a DOT annual.

Mercedes Streeter > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
09/02/2019 at 13:56

You don't need a CDL in my state if you register your commercial truck as an RV. lol

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
09/02/2019 at 14:00

Sure is a gas burner! The only diesels I can find for $2k or less are basically going to be rusty F-250s, old commercial trucks, or old Mercs. The gasser International and the Chevy (also g as) came up when I was searching for diesels and found them interesting. lol

The Yugo? Well...I may have searched for that for myself.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 14:30

Unless you load any of those trucks down with a ton of weight in the back, you don't want an old medium duty truck.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 14:34

That’s usually the way around it, but old tractors and stake bed trucks can be a lot harder to register as an RV. Depending on the state, the requirements are usually along the lines of an enclosed sleeping space, water, bathroom facilities and cooking capabilities. Old school buses and box trucks can usually be made to meet the requirements fairly easily (although some states will still have issues with air brakes without a CDL or class E license ) . I’ve heard of far fewer tractors and flatbed trucks being successfully converted without a whole lot of money spent on them.

Mercedes Streeter > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
09/02/2019 at 14:59

Hmmm...my state requires living quarters to get a title converted to RV. However, if a vehicle already has an RV title from another state, no problem.

Mercedes Streeter > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
09/02/2019 at 15:51

After some research, RV registration isn’t even necessary. I can just get a Class C non-CDL and drive almost any bigass medium duty truck I want lol.

I could also get a Class B or A non-CDL, however getting access to a Class A truck would be a bit difficult. You can rent a Class C (U-Haul).

Texasboi > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 16:28

I’ ll sell you my chevy 6.5 turbo diesel for cheap. $151500. It's my daily driver but it's time to move on....

M.T. Blake > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 16:40

Nothing is reasonable when it comes to an oil burner.

IT IS ALL RIDICULOUS.

wafflesnfalafel > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 16:41

that stubby 83' International is cool

Mercedes Streeter > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/02/2019 at 16:42

That’s what you think. :D Some of my favourite vehicles were unloaded medium duty trucks. Just sit there and bounce around the cab on every quarter you hit!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 16:54

Just think of the irreversible damage to your spine.

Mercedes Streeter > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/02/2019 at 17:09

Install one of those spring chair doohickeys? lol

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 18:25

I’ll have to double check, but I recall class C being passenger (bus and shuttle) vehicles, hazmat in small trucks and towing combinations not otherwise covered (like towing with a pickup, for hire). Class B is single vehicle over 26K GVWR, or towing more than 10K and over 26K combined but with less than 26 GVWR on the towing vehicle, and class A is towing with a vehicle over 26K GVWR. Air brakes are a standalone endorsement on any class.

atfsgeoff > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 18:26

The ‘83 International looks the most promising and probably is the most livable due to its short bed. The F-250 is gonna be a nightmare due to undercarriage and body rot.

Mercedes Streeter > atfsgeoff
09/02/2019 at 18:43

The friend is currently eyeballing a diesel Econoline he found outside my search radius. Funny enough, he owns a Powerstroke F-250 from the 90s , but it’s so so far gone that the red one would be an upgrade.

The International would be my first pick as well. lol

Mercedes Streeter > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
09/02/2019 at 18:52

According to the IL Rules of the Road Handbook, Class C in this state means GVWR over 16,000, but under 26,001. It also includes the aforementioned hazmat vehicles and high count passenger vehicles.

Under 26,001 gets you into some cool trucks!

Kinja'd!!!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 18:59

Interesting. For NM a standard class D license is good for up to 26,000 GVWR. Here you only get a class C if you’re hauling commercially with a pickup, or driving a bus/shuttle.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 19:54

Why diesel?

M.T. Blake > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 21:34

Except for the part that most states have a vehicle code pertaining to ‘changes made to the body type’, if you don’t report the change, you can be cited or... worse? California has a section that is most typically violated those registered ‘permanent mount (PM) ’ that is anyone with a camper shell that isn’t supposed to be removed. PM allows you to get passenger vehicle registration and circumvent around 200-800 a year depending on age and weight. You take off your camper shell and it is no longer PM, it must be registered commercial . I imagine the fine is large. I had a PM truck that I re-registered as commercial to take it off when I wanted!

Fuckkinja > Mercedes Streeter
09/02/2019 at 22:47

The 345 IH fired right up after a new carb kit. Just think of the motorcycles you park on an old medium sized truck..

Mercedes Streeter > Fuckkinja
09/02/2019 at 22:53

Shhhh!

Ready for an adventure! > Mercedes Streeter
09/03/2019 at 06:58

lol you have a disease. It ain’t trea ta ble unless Yugo get dat car!

Ready for an adventure! > Mercedes Streeter
09/03/2019 at 07:00

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/d/morley-ford-350-box-truck-very-classic/6966025732.html

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Mercedes Streeter
09/03/2019 at 14:19

Old commercial trucks are stupidly cheap and it always makes me want to buy one of those to replace my pickup. Not sure how my wife would react if I pulled up in one though lol

Truckin Crazy > shop-teacher
09/03/2019 at 19:10

100% right 345 is a gasser