Reality Check For Buying Used Trucks
Posted on Jan 17th 2015
Commercial trucks refer to those vehicles which are primarily designed to transport cargo. Hence lies their immense utility. Buying a new truck can sometimes pinch your pocket harshly. So you’ll probably be considering a used pick up. However it's absolutely necessary to be armed with some good advice before you stride onto the used truck lot. Don't let anything rush you. Know what your exact price range is, and don't deviate from that original plan. Find out if the seller has maintenance records available. Not all will, but most conscientious owners keep good records of their maintenance. And don't ever allow yourself to be rushed. Tell the seller that you're going to need 45 minutes to an hour with the truck. If he can't spare the time, you can't spare the money.
Truck Inspection Checklist: While buying a used truck always make sure that you check the truck thoroughly in broad daylight . Check each opening and body-panel joint for fit. Run your hand along the bottom of the doors and check for hard, rusty edges. Check the panels along the body from back to front. Most importantly don’t forget to look underneath the truck. Take the truck where it can be raised in the air for complete inspection.
Look carefully at the coolant fluid. The engine will probably have a tendency to overheat if the fluid has rust in or is not greenish in colour. If you are unsure of the quality of the fluid, an inexpensive tester would be a good investment. Next, examine the air filter for excessive dirt, as well the surface of the engine itself. Large amounts of grease or oil deposited on the engine are an indication that it wasn't well cared for.
Check for recent engine work: Generally engines can run up to 70,000 to 80,000 miles before they need any sort of major engine work. But all motors should be checked thoroughly before purchasing. If the truck has an automatic transmission, check the transmission dip stick. If the car has an automatic transmission, check the transmission dip stick. If the oil on the stick has a burnt smell (like burnt cork), back away!
Prelim Engine Check: Drive the truck at least 10 miles, shut the engine off, allow it to cool for a moment and then start it again. If the engine hesitates upon starting the second time, have it checked by a mechanic. Once started, accelerate very slowly to see if the transmission up shifts smoothly.
Odometer: (mileage meter) tampering is still commonly used to deceive buyers. Although gauges in new models are more difficult to tamper with, you should still be careful. If a seller tells you that his'85 pickup has 35,000 miles on it, check for a few things, such as excessive wear on the brake pedal (if the comers are worn away, there's a lot more than 35,000 miles on the truck); wear on the armrests and upholstery; and large numbers of pits on the windshield.
Final body and components check: Check the brakes, drive shaft, U-joints and steering components. Surface rust on the frame, axles and springs is common, but if you can poke a hole through the metal at any point, or the metal has become weak and brittle, you're dealing with structural rust -- move on to another truck. Don't let the shiny stuff distract you... A truck's flashy wheels, chrome add-ons, a lift kit or a high dollar stereo might be among the first things you notice about it, but ignore those features until you know what's underneath the trim. That new paint might look great, but may be very deceptive. Find out if there were any scratches, or rust beneath the lustrous paint of the used truck.
Lots of used trucks are enlisted .Browse www.motorshifi.com to find the used truck you are looking for.