(mostly) Low-cost 4x4 diesel high capacity chassis examples

[herm]

Here is the information on the truck you asked about.

• 1997 Simon Duplex model 9684-96 4 x 4 chassis #3813
• Serial #1S91H3ZF1T1020106
• Detroit 6V92T- 350 horsepower; WITH JAKE BRAKES
• 9 speed transmission
• 4 x 4 with 2 speed transfercase
• 41,000# gross vehicle weight rating
• 20,000# front axle on 425/65 R 22.5 front tires
• 21,000# rear axle on 11 R 22.5 rear tires
• Power steering, air brakes, Tilt telescopic steering wheel,
• Teco V50CH-50IP-4TFS4 aerial unit, serial #69779709
• 50’platform height, Articulating design
• Insulated upper and lower inserts- Rated at 69kvac category B
• (2) single man platforms (rated at 350# each) with hyd. rotation
• Material handling jib- hydraulic operated
• Line body with trailer tow package
• Front capstan drive
• Vanner 1800W inverter
• EX Utility company truck with 26,459 miles, 5,257 hours!

Priced at $38,500

YOUR PRICE AS CAB CHASSIS $29,500 or complete as it is $26,500. (That way
you could use outriggers, body, and apparatus items for other things)

With the following services performed:

* Perform a full functional and operational inspection which means that
anything on the truck works
* Perform an Annual DOT inspection
* Perform a chassis service-engine oil & filter, fuel filters, air filter if
needed, chassis lube, etc
* Check all fluids and inspect for contamination
* Adjust brakes, & make sure tires and brakes are in excess of 50%
* Make sure there is no broken glass or tears in the interior
* Pressure test the cooling system and make sure coolant is -34 degrees f.
or below
* Perform a battery and charging system test
* Detail the interior and exterior

[dhackney]

I doubt that the sellers will sell any of those vehicles to a California resident because of tough DMV & CARB regulations.

We haven't lived in CA since 2007, so I haven't kept up with the new registration requirements.

Since these would be titled as an RV (once the camper box is installed), can you still title and register them in TX, SD or MT or other "RV Full Timer" friendly states?

[Entropy]

Here's one for under $8k.

Can't seem to get a picture URL. It's a 1985 International 1854.



This is the search I used at truckpaper.com

[dhackney]

Here's one for under $8k.

Can't seem to get a picture URL. It's a 1985 International 1854.



This is the search I used at truckpaper.com

Here's the description and some photos:

Stockton, California

31,140 mi

TC33 Transfer Case-Hi/Low,In/Out, Manual shift, 12' flatbed with expanded metal on top, 93" wide, stake pockets, Large eye hitch, drop pin, Less Service; Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs): 22200; 4x4

1985 international 1854 02.jpg

1985 international 1854 03.jpg

1985 international 1854 04.jpg

[dhackney]

2006 Fuso FG140

$29,950

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...40#post1123140

[Lynn]

Doug, you got me to searching that Commercial Truck Trader site, and I found this '90 Doka Unimog. Not sure if it qualifies as 'low cost,' though, at $75K...

[dhackney]

Lynn,

I don't know if it qualifies or not either. "Low cost" means different things to different people at different times.

I started the thread mostly because I have been known to moan and wail about the lack of interesting, accessible and suitable large capacity 4x4 diesel chassis here in the U.S.

It was fun to discover that there are actually some out there, at a range of price points, in a variety of conditions, that could be used as a starting point for an expedition vehicle project.

I guess I should have just added them to the "for sale" section, but I was coming at this from my perspective of "wow, there really are some 4x4 chassis you could build on out there" rather than a curated list of ready-to-go expedition vehicles.

I am not now, and have never been, a heavy-duty diesel truck guy, so I know next to nothing about these big chassis other than what I learned from the European overlanders I met and interviewed overseas.

Due to where I learned it and the chassis I was learning about (Mercedes, MAN, etc.) none of what little I know applies to what is available here.

Consequently, it's very interesting to read the comments of the guys here who have been around these domestic chassis for a long time and know enough to discern the winners from the losers.

Having gone down the "spend cubic volumes of money on a rig" path, I'm now enamored with how little you could spend to build a very capable, heavy-class, expedition vehicle.

(My hidden agenda is to facilitate getting more Americans into world-exploration capable vehicles and get them out there exploring. I figure if you can put together a camper box and a <2008 chassis for the same or less $ than a new F550 chassis costs, it's a decent place to start. )

Doug

[shortbus4x4]

Don't know how to add the link but there is a 01 Mitsu Fuso 4x4 box truck on the Spokane craigslist in St Maries ID. Sounds like it is optioned pretty nice for a expo offroad rig. You could make a camper out of it fairly quickly.

[dhackney]

Don't know how to add the link but there is a 01 Mitsu Fuso 4x4 box truck on the Spokane craigslist in St Maries ID. Sounds like it is optioned pretty nice for a expo offroad rig. You could make a camper out of it fairly quickly.

Here's the listing: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/3063851809.html

2001 4x4 Mitsubishi FG Fuso 152.000 miles 3.9L 147HP 5 Speed gear box P/W P/B A/C P/L set up for PTO Locking Front Hubs Locker Rear Axel. Box 14'Long 8' W 7'T with walk ramp. New Tires Cell 20-8582-0833

$17500 or Best Offer

5I75Y15R53I63F43Jdc67c136656862691109.jpg

[Entropy]

There sure are a lot of options out there. In the US there are a ton of 6-7 used F-550 4x4 chassis for less than $20k, just to give one example.