Max miles/age for a Welding Truck?

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Hey guys So Ive been wondering, what would you look for in a potential welding truck?Im thinking of general welding and repair, where having an image thats professional and atleast somewhat "well equipped" looking is important, in a major metropolitan area...How old is too old?How many miles is too many miles?Would you ever consider a state surplus/retired truck? Used Uhaul?What do you think and why? This should be pretty interesting since im sure there's folks here who trade off a truck after 100k and others who probably think nothing of making a living with a 30 year old pickup...Im just looking for different opinions here...[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:as long as its clean and doesn't leak oil on your customer I say go for it.some guys have to have the latest and greatest, but to me they look like a lot of hassle compared to older vehicles.if I was working a job and was able to SAVE 100k$ over the year, I would buy a new truck. but until then, old but good will get me by.how are you with vehicle mechanics?bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:I'd say looks have more to do with things than anything else. I've seen guys running old trucks from the 50's and 60's that look like show cars. It's a billboard for their business and almost everyone who knows cars and trucks at least takes a 2nd look. It also shows a perceived level of attention for detail. The guy who look like Sanford and son when they drive onto a job makes a specific type of 1st impression. Someone who shows up with a vehicle that looks like it gets washed an polished at the end of every day also makes an impression...Used vehicles like state trucks can vary wildly depending on how well they were used/maintained. Our township has an old FWD that is just about immaculate. The reason is it's almost never used except when we get really heavy snow storms. I've seen the same thing with used military vehicles. Ones that are well used by the monkeys get beat to death. Others that are often from reserve units may have almost no use, or get cared for meticulously. I remember years ago reading a story about one of the state police units in the mid west. They allowed troopers to have individual cars, and take them home when off shift and use them as personal vehicles ( as long as the officer was driving).  At the end of the vehicles service life, the troopers could opt to buy the car if they wanted. They found that the cars needed less service and upkeep because troopers took better care of them if they were the only ones using the vehicle vs just one from the "pool".Many times "specialty" trucks, like crane and service vehicles may see limited service use before they get "timed out" and replaced by newer ones thru depreciation. Also many times there's a limited number of drivers on these compared to others. That may not be the case in bigger companies that do heavy service work like railroads or many utility companies vs say the local municipality....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If I were putting one together now (in USA).Late sixties-early seventies Ford with an FE series engine-C6 combo.Welding trucks need low rpm torque and that they got. They're also super easy to work on and have a great front suspension.Nothing wrong with old utility trucks. They've followed a maintenance routine to the minute, were kept clean, parts were always replaced with dealer items and driven sanely.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Find a 10-15 year old 1 ton dually in decent shape. Build a nice flat bed and set it up nicely. Put some decent decals on it... Not the kind you get from lowes that go on your mailbox! 2wd dually can be had cheap- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Ive had the same thought lately. My daily driver gets me from a to b. But its light for a welding rig and I am realizing that finding a 1 ton gas burner is hard to do.
Reply:My old '89 GMC wouldn't pass the emmissions test in 2010 so I started looking to buy a new truck to replace it. I have to have 4x4 so the only one I would consider was the Dodge as it still has the straight axle in the front and is much tougher than any others in my opinion. After looking at $27,000 for a cab and chassis and then building another bed, I decided to put a new engine in my 25 year old rig. I'm glad I did as I really like my old rig. I'm glad I did. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by BobMy old '89 GMC wouldn't pass the emmissions test in 2010 so I started looking to buy a new truck to replace it. I have to have 4x4 so the only one I would consider was the Dodge as it still has the straight axle in the front and is much tougher than any others in my opinion. After looking at $27,000 for a cab and chassis and then building another bed, I decided to put a new engine in my 25 year old rig. I'm glad I did as I really like my old rig. I'm glad I did.
Reply:I wouldn't want a brand new truck as a work truck, what happens if you give it a dingYou will feel so guilty and you are paying bug bucks for the shiny  factor.Three years old used.I know how I have driven a uhaul or rental and would never want to own it.
Reply:It can also depend on your customer base. Sometimes customers see a nice new rig and wonder about your hourly rate. This can especially be true if you are doing a lot of work for small customers. No matter the age it is much better if the truck is well maintained and well equipped.Mike
Reply:stay away from used rental trucks for sure lol. I bought this truck for $2700. Yes it is a 6.5 but I loved that truck. rode like a caddy had 4x4. even had power windows and bucket seats. Really a nice truck, wish I kept it. but it would of made a great welding truck, it just needed a nicer bed and a macco paint job. Cheap, reliable, useable. I agree with what other said, a brand new truck makes them wonder if they are getting ripped off... a truck held together with duct tape, well what does your work look like? Not sure what your local market is for trucks, but being in Texas Im sure there are lots of 1tons running around.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:My truck's an ex-utility truck and has been working out well.  As someone mentioned above, at least you know it's been serviced.  School bus orange takes a while to grow on you, though.  My first truck was an '89 R3500 GMC dually, 2WD, 8' utility body, 350, 4-spd.  Put a new crate motor in it myself soon after I got it, and it made a reliable, simple truck.  Got around 10 mpg.  Nothing wrong with something like that, and even with a new paint job on it I didn't have $6,000 in it.  Gas engines can still be excellent choices for powerplants, despite the fact that it seems like every lawn mowing company is using a $50,000 diesel pickup to pull 1,500 lbs of lawn mower around town.A first welding truck should be simple.  In general, stick with something that has good parts availability, and a good reputation for reliability.  Then leave the engine stock.  You want to spend your time learning the ropes of business and putting those checks into the bank account, not having to constantly fuss over some new gee-whiz hot-rodded diesel with fourteen turbos and eleventy-million things to go wrong with it.
Reply:I would say, no matter what, your in it to wrench it. like others have said, pick something well known so you can get parts. only heavy duty-ish engines im familiar with are. . . . .chevy 6.0 gas. . . . . .. nice 230k miles and countingchevy 5.3 gas. . . . . .didn't work for me as a 2wd ddcummins 5.9 diesel. . . .in either 12v or 24v format, they run great at normal power levels, but the killer-dowel-pin and "53" block issues should be looked at, though they imo aren't huge issues. my bro's is at 180k miles and counting with regular boosts to 35 psi on stock internals, he added an air dog pump to supply the "grenades if starved" injector pump.cummins 6.7 diesel. ..  . .newer and in my area hard to obtain for less than $30k. nice motor, lots of power, but egr system and possible dpf on newer models in regulated areas are deal-breakers imo. my bro has one pre-dpf with egr removed and is a real monster in programmed but otherwise stock format. real powerhousepowerstroke 7.3 diesel.. . . .cummins guys will curse it, but it is just fine. big difference between it and cummins is it is a v8 and uses a very different injection system. cummins' die from injector pump failures, powerstrokes die from hi pressure oil-pump failures. they use high-pressure oil to hydraulically force fuel in an otherwise low pressure system through the injectors if I understand correctly. both engines can be revived with replacement of similarily priced pump, but neither seem to fail in stock running format. the 7.3 came in in 94 and lasted to 97, then went through some changes to up the power for 99-03? the later versions are more powerful without any apparent side affects.im not so familiar with but know a touch about:ford 6.0 diesel. . . .good if you can delete the egr. same oil-driven injector system as proven in 7.3 as well as any other international, and I wanna say cat originally developedlater fords. . . . .lots of doo-dads to go wrong. .. . .not sure if they doold chevy (was 6.4 or 6.5?) diesel. . . .works, but if it breaks your more or less screwed.Toyota's legendary 22re also powered a 1-ton truck, similar to working on a lawnmower I wouldn't own ANY of the above engines with an auto behind it. im a big believer in manual transmissions, and my lack of trips to any sort of trans shop proves itbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:I would say simpler is better. Something reliable, not terribly ugly and big enough to carry everything you have in mind. My self if I was to do it over I would look for a 93-97 F250-F350 I what ever can and drive terrain configuration that fits your needs. My current truck is a 97 F350 crew cab dually, two things I would change if I could would be a five speed instead of auto and make it a 4x4 instead of a 2 by. I guess it's ready up to whatever that can afford that will do the job.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Start watching the U.T. Austin auctions. I have seen people get some nice vehicles there. They don't run much mileage on their two ton stake bed trucks before auctioning them off. Most of their two tons come with a lift gate. My second choice would be Tex D.O.T. auctions or city of Austin auctions. Another place to keep an eye on is the State Surplus Property facility on 183 at Bolm Road.Millermatic 185, Lincoln AC/DC 225, Victor torch set, Hypertherm Powermax30 XP, Chicago Electric 90 amp flux core welder, Milwaukee Chopsaw, Wilton Drillpress, lots of hand tools and a nice small shop with a 4' X 8' welding table.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Gas engines can still be excellent choices for powerplants, despite the fact that it seems like every lawn mowing company is using a $50,000 diesel pickup to pull 1,500 lbs of lawn mower around town.
Reply:Originally Posted by 92dlxmanI would say, no matter what, your in it to wrench it. like others have said, pick something well known so you can get parts. only heavy duty-ish engines im familiar with are. . . . .chevy 6.0 gas. . . . . .. nice 230k miles and countingchevy 5.3 gas. . . . . .didn't work for me as a 2wd ddcummins 5.9 diesel. . . .in either 12v or 24v format, they run great at normal power levels, but the killer-dowel-pin and "53" block issues should be looked at, though they imo aren't huge issues. my bro's is at 180k miles and counting with regular boosts to 35 psi on stock internals, he added an air dog pump to supply the "grenades if starved" injector pump.cummins 6.7 diesel. ..  . .newer and in my area hard to obtain for less than $30k. nice motor, lots of power, but egr system and possible dpf on newer models in regulated areas are deal-breakers imo. my bro has one pre-dpf with egr removed and is a real monster in programmed but otherwise stock format. real powerhousepowerstroke 7.3 diesel.. . . .cummins guys will curse it, but it is just fine. big difference between it and cummins is it is a v8 and uses a very different injection system. cummins' die from injector pump failures, powerstrokes die from hi pressure oil-pump failures. they use high-pressure oil to hydraulically force fuel in an otherwise low pressure system through the injectors if I understand correctly. both engines can be revived with replacement of similarily priced pump, but neither seem to fail in stock running format. the 7.3 came in in 94 and lasted to 97, then went through some changes to up the power for 99-03? the later versions are more powerful without any apparent side affects.im not so familiar with but know a touch about:ford 6.0 diesel. . . .good if you can delete the egr. same oil-driven injector system as proven in 7.3 as well as any other international, and I wanna say cat originally developedlater fords. . . . .lots of doo-dads to go wrong. .. . .not sure if they doold chevy (was 6.4 or 6.5?) diesel. . . .works, but if it breaks your more or less screwed.Toyota's legendary 22re also powered a 1-ton truck, similar to working on a lawnmower I wouldn't own ANY of the above engines with an auto behind it. im a big believer in manual transmissions, and my lack of trips to any sort of trans shop proves it
Reply:I've see welding trucks running down the road that are from the late 70's up to 2014 and there either Chevy,Ford,GMC, or Dodge so i'd just find a 1 ton your comfortable driving and that's in good condition. I would rather have an old truck that's well maintained than a new one that's been ill maintained and ran threw the ringer just my opinion.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Originally Posted by BobYou know I used to believe just like you about manual transmissions and always had them but this Chevy has an automatic in it and I have had no problems. It's nice to eat while you drive between jobs and not be shifting all the time.
Reply:It all depends on what you're gonna be doing, the load you plan on carrying on it constantly, and what YOU expect out of the truck.  Of course your budget you are allowing yourself will have a large part to play also.When I was still pipelining before, I bought my '96 Dodge brand new.  '96 Ram 3500, long wheelbase C&C, 12 valve Cummins, 5 speed 4x4. Put a 11' flatbed with underbed boxes in front of the axle on both sides.  Torch bottle rack with acytelene standing up, twin oxygen bottles laying down.  Reels for the leads.  From there I have added a large box that is mainly a rod box, and boxes on both sides on top of the bed.  Originally had one of my SA200's on it, needed auxilary AC power a lot so took it off and put a Bobcat 225 on it.  In '99 I bought a new quad cab dually, 24 valve Cummins, 5 speed 4x4.  Kept the '96 as my welding rig, but mainly since the '99 was so much more comfortable and convenient to drive and such, set up a welding skid to haul around in the dually bed.  The dually bed isn't nearly as easy to work out of, but the extra room in the quad cab made life so much easier.  About 2 years ago, my '99 got swung into with the trackhoe counterweight, wiping out  the front of the bed on passenger side, cab corner, and front and rear door.  I had the cab fixed, and doors replaced, but  didn't have bed repaired, since I was already planning on getting going pipelining again, and was going to build a welding bed for it.  The fact that this was the 3rd dually bed that had been wiped out on it kinda made me think it was time for a change...About the time I got the truck out of the body shop, a job came up out of town, so I didn't have time to get my bed built...  Ended up driving the '96 out of town for over 8 months on that job.  The '96 doesn't have an outrageous amount of miles on it, but  they are hard miles.  For one thing, it is pretty far from stock.  I turned the pump up on it quite a bit.  To the point I blew the head gasket in some mud one day.  So I replaced the head gasket, installed ARP head studs, then we blew a turbo.  Not the first one, about the 3rd or 4th... SO, instead of buying another $1,200 turbo, I happened to have a turbo laying around from a 300 Mack motor... Little fabbing, engineering, plumbing... It's not the fastest thing on the road, but we have pull started D-7 Cat sidebooms with it...  It'll pull or break something.  It has 4.10 gears.  I would never do that again... It gets about 10.5 MPG on the highway, because it's always wound out...My '99 with the 24 valve has a programmer on it.  I know a lot of people preach leave them stock, this truck has about 255,000 miles on it.  I put the first "chip" on it at about 40,000 miles.  Except for having to replace the injection pump twice because lift pump went out, and the exhaust manifold cracking, the motor has been trouble free.  It now has the Edge Juice with Attitude programmer with the HOT mode unlocked, and is a powerhouse.Got done with the out of town job last August, then in September started a job that's actually just on the other side of Tulsa from where I live.  Still driving the '96 everywhere... Only thing is, when I figured the actually miles up, I was actually driving more miles per week to the "in town" job than I was when I was traveling out of town every week.  Never got around to building the bed for my '99 yet, and the '96 got to where it was literally driving me insane keeping it going driving that many miles a week... So about January 24th, I broke down and did something I had said I wasn't going to do.  Went and bought a new 2014 Ram 3500 4 door dually.  6.7 Cummins, 6 speed, 4x4.  We just finished that job about 2 weeks ago.  When I drove my new truck off the lot, it had 15 miles on it.  It now has 13,500...  Now starting a pipeline job out of town, going to start moving equipment to it in the next few days, so I'm in the process of putting one of my SA200's in the back of the '14.  I'll also have to mount my torch bottles, and a toolbox of some kind...Now the plan is, convert the '96 over to more of a plastic pipe fusion truck, build a pipeline bed for the '14, and more of a western hauler type flatbed for the '99.  Probably use it mainly for pulling my 5th wheel trailer, and just running around...I didn't mean to hijack your thread, just wanted to kind of point out what's worked for me, and what maybe hasn't worked so much...  My welding rig isn't just a welding rig... Since I have equipment to keep running, I carry a lot of tools and such on the truck also.  To the point that my '96 rigged out like when I was working out of town last year weighs a shade over 14,000.  I wouldn't buy another cab and chassis.  I prefer the Dually.  It has a little wider, more stable stance, plus you can build your flatbed a bit wider.  Going from an 11' bed to an 8 1/2' bed, any extra space I can come up with is great.I like the 12 Valve Cummins, in the fact that I can do anything I want or need to to it myself.  The 24 valve, has a lot of computer controlled components.  I can still do about anything I need to with it with a scanner, but it is more electronic.  The 6.7, I have warranty on it, but after warranty is up, anything that needs done will have to be done by a trained technician I imagine.  But as long as it is making me enough money, I think (for me anyway) it's worth the investment.  As you can tell by me still having my older trucks and using them, I don't trade at 100,000 miles like a lot of people do.  As long as I like it, and it serves me well, I'll use it a long time.  I know a lot of people claim the diesel trucks are a waste of money, but I've been very pleased with the service and lifespan of them.  The '99 has spent a LOT of miles with a gooseneck trailer hooked to it, with either a 580 Super L or Super M backhoe, or up to a 650H John Deere Dozer with a cab behind it... And powertrain wise, I still wouldn't be afraid to get in it and drive anywhere.As I said, the '96 gets about 10 1/2 mpg.  The '99 before the programmer with the old chip got about 16 mpg.  With the programmer, if you drive it about halfway sensible, it gets about 18 1/2.  My new truck so far gets about 16 1/2.  I don't expect a loaded 1 ton truck to get 20 mpg.  I know some people do, or at least claim to, but I try to be realistic about it.Good luck with whatever you choose.-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:Ya rat bas##rd  Drove to Perkins and back to the sale barn today.  My old 94 F-350 got 6mpg dragging a lightly loaded stock trailer  But for the low miles I travel, I can buy a lot of gasoline for the difference between my $2500 gasser, and a new diesel for 30K (at least I assume they run around that much )AND I get the perverse pleasure of looking in the rearview mirrors at the traffic lined up behind me on Hwy 33 "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Like I said. Late sixties/early seventies Ford with an FE.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by 12V71I wont touch a manual anymore. I got tired of idiots burning up clutches. Now the standard instruction is"as soon as you leave gravel, shift to 4lo" not a problem since. And no auto trans problems either. Mostly 4L80 GM trans. They seem to be pretty bulletproof.