I’m going to play devils advocate here. I know nothing about the laws and weights of hot shotting as a disclaimer. But I am a advocate for running old iron instead of modern or new. I’m a heavy duty truck mechanic and also have my class A commercial driving license. I have my own tractor trailer truck. It’s a 1987 Autocar with a fully mechanical Caterpillar 3406b motor. I ran it all around New England for 3 years on the side while turning wrenches too.
The key to running old iron is having upfront cash to buy said truck, and COMPLETELY, did you read that? COMPLETELY go through it. Motor, transmission, rear ends, hoses, wiring, brakes, u-joints, axle seals, belts. The WHOLE 9 yards. With todays garbage for vehicles from cars to class 8 trucks, I would go get groceries in a new vehicle let alone rely on one to make a living.
I don’t understand the thought that back in the 70’s and 80’s no one hauled anything or worked these trucks at all. Yes, they don’t ride like a new truck, may be louder, etc, but you’ll be the one waving when you pass them because one sensor took a dump or heaven forbid you have emission issues.
I would pass broken down trucks all the time with my antique and kept on making money. The key is spending money upfront. Get the truck mint or better. You may spend 20-30 grand going through a square body to set it up right. How much is a new or newer one. Double that easily, and it’ll still need work to be reliable.
Here’s my truck. My father and I took 8 years restoring it and lost count of money, but a new daycab truck equivalent to this is pushing $175k easily. And I ain’t got that in this by a long shot.
Ben