truck choice
 

alright my bud is going to buy a dump truck right now hes lookin at 3 different ones which would you get there all 5+2spd and 10ft dumps

1980 GMC 7500 w/detroit 453
1984 IH S1900 w/6.9
1989 GMC 7500 w/detroit 8.2T

all in great shape and all about the same price, hes just going to haul dirt and tow a backhoe (deere 310A)

1989 GMC 7500 w/detroit 8.2T

Stay away from the 453 Detroit. Not that there's anything wrong with one, but the noise and lack of power will drive him insane in short order--plus they leak oil like a holy bucket, and get crap for fuel mileage....parts are getting harder to come by for them as well, outside of marine versions which are an entirely different animal.

The other two trucks....well, I'd go for newer if all things point to being equal, condition wise. The 8.2 isn't on my list of favorites, but neither is the 6.9 in a heavy-work application. The International probably is a better 'truck' but the older Topkick/Kodiak style GM's aren't too bad either, for a medium duty dump.

Look at the rest of the packages between the '89 and the '84--dump box, hydraulic system, PTO, etc--and make his choice from there.

Hope this helps,

Dan-

yeap thats what id go with

8.2's are notorious for blowing head gaskets.
lack of power for a v8. i believe they only stock 300hp

i like detroits my self but the 8.2 was junk!

there are alot of boats around here we change engines like most people change shoes.. the guys use to run 8.2's back in the early 90's now no one has one.

Hard decision. None of them are going to have great power, but if the price is right and his uses are not severe any will do. I'd have to suggest the 6.9 as I like the international trucks better than the GM. The difference in engines is minimal, but at least with the 6.9 if it blows a 7.3 will fit in easily enough and from what little I know about the variety listed, the IH engine is better than the other two, at least from terms of longevity.

Just my opinion though, they all vary.

George

If it were me I would go with the IH. Win the 6.9 goes out I would put a DT466 in there. I have swaped 3 6.9 and one 7.3 for the DT466. It is a fairly easy swap and the difference it makes is unbelivable. IH's from those years are pretty basic to work on also.

Another vote for the 6.9.