Questions about a Deauce I looked at this weekend

[pyro1955]

I'm a newbie, looked at a truck this weekend, it was decent I think, however first it appears to have an oil leak on the drivers side, the side of the engine and the leaf springs below are soaked with oil, is this a big concern?

Also, while driving, the engine seemed to have a bit of a pop around 2k rpm's, and the whistler turbo just seemed off. I'm thinking the engine needs a rebuild, it never stopped smoking either, it is running a mix of everything except diesel, the owner claimed the smoke was due to this, however I have several diesel Tractors, typically once warmed up, they don't smoke unless there is a problem.

There was also what I thought was alot of "play" in the steering, I searched steering issues, and found what I believe is the problem, the bushing in the steering box.

I made an offer on the truck, despite my concerns, but he was not willing to negotiate, claiming the "market" etc... I agree the auction trucks are going way too high, however, most I've seen don't have the amount of rust this truck also has. Are my concerns typical of what I will find, or should I just look for a better truck?

Thanks,

Pyro

 

[DJones]

I would probably say to look at a few more trucks before deciding.

 

[RedbeardTheZombieHunter]

There's enough out there to pass on one if you have serious doubts. It's a matter of asking yourself if it's worth your time and money to deal with what you already know is wrong with the truck. Every symptom has a best-case and a worst-case scenario attatched to it. Always assume the worst but hope for the best. If the worst points of that truck aren't worth your time or money, listen to your gut and keep looking.

 

[porkysplace]

Welcome , any pictures ?

 

[3dAngus]

If you took pictures of the leaks, that would help eliminate some of the guess work.
Is the pop at 2K consistant?
You need burn off the fuel in there, change out the filters, and go with clean diesel to investigate further. The smoke could be the fuel. Is it surface rust, easily cleaned with wire brush? If so, most deuces, at one time or another, have that along with bubbling up of the paint. It's a task of love to repaint, and not that big of a deal if you enjoy what you do, and like the look afterwards. Gives you a sense of pride in ownership.

Leaks can be a lot of things and you're not descriptive enought to help most folks here, but they can be expensive to repair. Hopefully, some of these gurus on here can be more helpful, but pictures work best. The whistler turbo and the pop you mention might be my biggest concern. These issues might go away with clean filters and fuel though. This is a must for a decent evaluation through the process of elimination.

If you were willing to give a price of your offering, some people on here can help you out further on whether you are to deep in it or if you have a possible gem, or fair value. Prices are definitely on the rise, and will probably be going up slightly over the next year, especially after the GL market dries up on the M35A2/A3 series, perhaps later this year in October.

Finally, the owner probably knows more about this one then he might be letting on, if he is burning everything but diesel. He is probably making his own fuel, and that's not something a novice would do. Purge the tank, put in new fuel filters, and start over.

 

[DieselBob]

Welcome to the site and good luck on your search.

 

[pyro1955]

If you took pictures of the leaks, that would help eliminate some of the guess work.
Is the pop at 2K consistant?
You need burn off the fuel in there, change out the filters, and go with clean diesel to investigate further. The smoke could be the fuel. Is it surface rust, easily cleaned with wire brush? If so, most deuces, at one time or another, have that along with bubbling up of the paint. It's a task of love to repaint, and not that big of a deal if you enjoy what you do, and like the look afterwards. Gives you a sense of pride in ownership.

Leaks can be a lot of things and you're not descriptive enought to help most folks here, but they can be expensive to repair. Hopefully, some of these gurus on here can be more helpful, but pictures work best. The whistler turbo and the pop you mention might be my biggest concern. These issues might go away with clean filters and fuel though. This is a must for a decent evaluation through the process of elimination.

If you were willing to give a price of your offering, some people on here can help you out further on whether you are to deep in it or if you have a possible gem, or fair value. Prices are definitely on the rise, and will probably be going up slightly over the next year, especially after the GL market dries up on the M35A2/A3 series, perhaps later this year in October.

Finally, the owner probably knows more about this one then he might be letting on, if he is burning everything but diesel. He is probably making his own fuel, and that's not something a novice would do. Purge the tank, put in new fuel filters, and start over.

Well, the rust, there is some fairly bad rust on the passenger side floor/door frame, and the frame around the back window is shot for sure, there is also signs of bad rust on the drivers side lower cab, would definately require cutting and welding, which i can do. I do know that the owner had major turbo issues not long ago, and yet he's not saying that it has a rebuilt turbo in it, he also has other trucks, so I am positive he knows more than he is saying. All said, I was willing to go a little over $3k, which I still think is a risk. If he decides to accept my offer, I'll take the chance, but I am still looking. The Deauce is a great truck, and I do plan on using WMO, which i can get about 500 gallons a year for free. I've been looking at the Filtering systems too.
I appreciate everyones responses, i was kind of regretting not offering more, but I really believe at a minimum it needs a new turbo, or at least to have that one professionally rebuilt, something in it just does not seem right.

Thanks,

Pyro

 

[RodUSMC1962]

There are a lot of nice trucks for sale in the classified section on this site,give them a look.

 

[3dAngus]

You're probably going to be at a breakeven price after fixing it all up. You might do better to find one that is in much better shape, but having the quality up front, and save yourself a great deal of effort. You should be able to get a good quality deuce for $4500-5500, depending on how it is equipped. You will have to avoid the retailers though, and buy from an individual or even out of Lansing when more become available.
Most of the leaks should have already been fixed by an individual. If not, I would probably look for quality elsewhere. Not trying to burst your bubble here, just giving an honest and candid opinion. I wish you the best of luck, whatever you do.

 

[porkysplace]

There is a military vehicle show and swapmeet coming up in 2 weeks at the former Wurtsmith Air force Base . There will be many SS amd MIMVPA members there who I'm sure will give you some good advice on deuce shopping .
MIMVPA SHOW/SWAP June 8-10, 2012

 

[poppop]

I have found in antique tractors it is cheaper to pay more for a good tractor to start with than a cheap price for a tractor in bad shape. My opinion is if you are concerned enough to ask these questions walk away from it. For $3000.00 bucks you can get one in better shape. I have an excellent Duece that I got from GL for $1400.00. Those days are probably gone but there are still some out there.

 

[hilber]

First of all you are wise to come on here and ask some good questions. I would concur with most advice so far and that is to walk away. Who knows he may come around to your way of thinking but I am think 2000 based on what you are describing. maybe 2500. Just don't get bit by the fever. Take your time and ait will pay off.

 

[pyro1955]

There are a lot of nice trucks for sale in the classified section on this site,give them a look.

I've been looking here, if a few were closer I'd be visiting them already. Not so many currently available in MI, and shipping is expensive. I do see some very nice trucks here.

 

[73m819]

You find it I'll drive it

 

[turbovr6jetta]

I was looking at a deuce 8 hours away from me by regular vehicle. Not ever having delt with one I kept putting off actually going and buying it. It claimed to be a pretty solid truck, with air assist steering, newer bows and top, blah blah tons of extras and bells and whistles. I was too worried about driving it back I just kept letting it go. When one popped up 5 minutes from me I went and made sure it was a deuce, it ran, and drove then I knowingly overpaid for it. There is a price for convienience. What I would do is ask him to run out the sludge and put some clean diesel in it and show you it doesnt smoke under normal conditions. But me personaly would still have a concern about what kind of 120 weight hypoid he was running in it uncut and unfiltered