Would you buy a 30 year old truck with 51 miles on it?

[priberc]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

Okay here is my .25c worth IMO the air system is most likely to be your source of grief/heart burn/ulcers. If you are insuring it any rubber brake lines that look rough ,cracked weathered even rub marks if the DOT rules demand it will need to be changed out. Expect some trouble with brake pots....they are new but the rubber is still +/-25 years old now and will not last like "new new" now. The same could be said of all valves and "o" rings in the air system. If you do buy it get some lubrication into the air system before you move it anywhere. There are some products that will soften up/restore them. "safe-T-brake" is one used here in the winter to prevent icing. But it has some kind of lubricant added that ,for lack of a better word, "evaporates" with the methyl-hydrate. Ask around at a few different truck shops. If you get the name of a product from 2 or 3 different shops. That is the stuff to get. IMO 5 or 10$ in your air system can save a lot of headaches and scuffed knuckles
Not sure I would worry about valve seals if you have confirmation the truck was started and warmed up anywhere near regularly. Transmission pinion and axel seals are likely okay. These seals were not made in the 50s so they will be made from newer rubber they will likely last for some long time IMO
The fuel has been in it for +/-25 yers too.....algae.....water .....wax. If you don't drain the old fuel out [I wouldn't if there is lots of fuel in the tanks] Expect to put a set or two of fuel filters in it until the old fuel is used up
Parts are "cheap" labour is the killer in most cases. How much are you willing/able to do yourself? Do you need to use this right away? Or can you "make do" if something fails on it? do you need a 100% reliable unit from the start?
If it were me and I
1, needed/had genuine use for something like this
2, I could get it for anywhere near a reasonable price
I would jump on it. Then again from time to time I have been known to be both an impulse buyer/sucker for punishment
Good luck

 

[Alabastershame]

I would buy it if the price was good. Change the oil check belts and run it. Service and repair as needed.

 

[funnyfarmdh]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

 

[gilraine]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could

I’d fe

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)….

I’d feel more comfortable bidding on a 25 year old truck with 300k than one with 50. Everything rubber is trash, the diesel in the tank is probably full of algae and the interior is gonna be super brittle.

 

[T J]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

I have purchased several vehicles with low milage. The comments here should be taken seriously. Change all fluids. Change all fluids. Have the brakes checked thourally.

 

[PILOON]

Not trucks, but I twice bought older low mileage cars.
That back in the 60's
Both MG's.
One a TD was 5 YO with burst frost plugs and very low mileage.
Replaced the engine and had me a long life good runner and later sold for twice my investment.

The other an MG B had slept under a back porch for 10 years (30,000 miles) and mother did not want her son to drive it.
That one cost me a battery and later some paint. I paid $3 K and drove it a lot and reluctantly had to sell later but for $6 K.

All to say, it can work out for the best.

 

[ultrarunner]

Newer equipment often doesn't age well but at the right price it could be a great buy.

I picked up a lot of cars siting in sheds and barns 20-30 years with very little problems but they all had mechanical brakes, gravity fuel system, etc... the seals all leather... mostly Model T and A

 

[HighTwelve]

It’s not likely I’d actually buy it because someone would probably pay more than I would but wouldn’t have any problem with buying it.

On

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

Believe it or not, there are truck collectors. Check out Mecum Auctions online. They are announcing an upcoming auction of heavy over the road trucks. Your truck with 51 miles on it may draw higher bids than you expect.

These deals turn up. A couple of years ago a ‘52 Chevy turned up in a barn in California. It had 42 miles on it as I recall - exactly the mileage to drive it home from the showroom. Locally here near Philly a Chevy dealer sold a Corvair after the owner of the dealership had kept it never driven and never titled for 30 years.

 

[ultrarunner]

There was a VW bug convert the Dealer had in showroom for decades.

It was offered for sale with full factory warranty and 3.2 miles...

I just though it amazing a 30 year old car came with new car warranty...

I guess the buyer would have little worry regarding dried out seals, etc...

 

[Mtsoxfan]

An old trick, roll the odometer... One way to help tell is look at clutch/brake/gas pads. They should look brand new...

 

[EONE]

I manage our fleet of fire trucks/equipment in our local Volunteer dept. We have a 1993 International 4900 with a DT-466 and Allison 5 speed. The truck has 17,000 miles on it. It has had regular services and pump test etc.... Those DT-466's are bullet proof if all mechanical, same with the Allison. The 4900 is a rugged truck. I also collect antique tractors and heavy equipment. If a truck has 50 miles on it and sat indoors for 25 years, I doudt anything major is wrong. Check the air lines, hoses, wiring, and change the fluids & filters, check the gear lube and see how it looks...if dark brown and thick leave it in...it's ok. The suspension should be like new....Those bushings will likely be fine, the engine and tranny are new nothing to hurt. Radiator and heater core should be good. Remember the truck has 50 miles on it. No salt, no packed mud, etc. It's a new truck except for possible bad rubber and hose. There have been trucks that sat outside for 20 years and fired up and run right down the road with no real issues. Seen it many times.The truck will likey bring good money.

 

[dh206]

CV and/or inner/outer axle universal boots. You'll probably spend a fair chunk replacing all of those. (another rubber part for the list)

 

[citytransplant]

The OP wrote, in part...."What would it cost to fix all, THAT is the question"

I read every response and sure enough no one answered that specific question.... because sight unseen, without actually being intimately familiar with the specific truck up for bid, nobody on this forum can answer that question with any degree of certainty.
And you can bet that someone who is familiar with that particular vehicle (typically the auctioneer or someone close to them, or someone connected to the prior owner) has at least a ballpark idea of what it would cost and if your bid is significantly less, they have little to lose by outbidding you.

Don't waste your time. If you win the auction you might get what you paid for but you'll probably get less, possibly much less.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t expect this truck would be as bad as some people are making it out to be. For starters I think people are applying their passenger vehicle experience to a medium duty. 25 year old light duty vehicle are mostly junk where there’s 25 year old medium duty trucks putting in reliable daily service across the country. Second I think a lot of claims here are overly cautious. I know sitting isn’t good for equipment or vehicles but I think being stored inside would give this one a good chance of being a good truck. I’m really not sure how a coolant hose , a brake line hose, suspension bushing or wiring or any other component that never had lubricant would be any worse off than if it had been used. I wouldn’t pay a stupid price for this truck which it would likely bring but I’d easily pay the same money a 100-200k mile version of the same truck would bring.

 

[Farmer495]

No reason it won't be solid. I'd rather deal with replacing parts that "let go" or repair leaks as they happen then buying something already worn out that will still need repairs and probably the same ones....

At least around here, something with zero rust, good frame and body is a decent "shell" even if you had to replace the rest. Little harder to replace frame and body on something with a good engine versus putting a new engine in a mint frame and body.

 

[DK35vince]

CV and/or inner/outer axle universal boots. You'll probably spend a fair chunk replacing all of those. (another rubber part for the list)

This truck wouldn't have cv joints and boots.

 

[Gord Baker]

Pass. Its a money pit.

 

[LilTractrThatCould]

I used to drive mail from Spokane to the outlying rural post offices around Wa and Id. The company had a fleet(15+) of these Internationals. The "Ol Grey Mare" had well over a million on it. Just kept chugging. While I'm not searching for one, I do feel like these were well built, DEPENDABLE good handling vehicles. An in frame, some were items from time to time but they were all solid for my 5yrs in one. If priced right and needed I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[TMBRWLF]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

If for a fact it was ran then thats great. However they'd really have no reason to do so with a business closed down. So if l got it. l wouldn't worry as much right now about internal engine parts. They'll show up on their own. All heater/coolant lines is where id start. Of course that fuel tank too and l don't know if that is a internal or external on that model. Keep a list and add to it then decide if bidding is worth it. Good luck...

 

[Hermio]

Like some of you, I‘m always looking for farm equipment, machinery vehicles and trailers. Whether to buy or just learn or fun when its raining, etc.
I have various websites I peruse and stumbled across a very nice mid 90’s IH 4900 tandem axle truck. I couldnt believe how nice the paint was. No rust. Showroom conditions. Its going up for auction in March to the highest bidder, regardless of price.
I spoke to the auctioneer a bit. He bought it from a company In Arkansas. The surviving owner was closing the business and explained he bought the truck in the mid 90’s and parked it in a shed. The odometer reads 51 miles. Thats right 51 miles. No hour meter to at least help somewhat verify the odometer. He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

So it got me to thinking, if any truck was bought new, then sat for 20-25 years, it has to have some damage and it does.

I am making a list of what could be wrong with it, adding up the costs of said issues and contemplating a bid. Heres what I’ve come up with:

1. All tires have 100% tread, but are dry rotted and thats been verified.
2. Valve guide seals in engine probably brittle?
3. Gaskets dried (valve cover, oil pan, transmission main seal and……..)
4. All fluids

What else is probably trashed on a truck that sat 20-25 years? Would it be worth a chance if it could be had cheap enough? I would think so, but what would it cost to fix all? THAT is the question(s)…..

Probably the repairs would cost far less than a new truck. But, as previous posters have said, anything made of rubber will probably be dry rotted.