2009 freightliner m2 chip truck overhaul

TreelineNH · Jul 30, 2017

Picked up this 2009 freightliner m2 yesterday. 280hp Cummings motor that smokes like a chimney and is lacking power. Monday it's going to the mechanic so he can go through the whole truck and hopefully sort the engine problem. 16' rugby dump needs some welding but suprisgly has little rust. I'm either going to do an aluminum top to save weight or make a new smooth steel top. Trucks rated for 33k, but I will d rate till my worker gets his cdl.
Paid $6250. Hopefully I can overhaul any wear items and paint the cab for under 20k.

christreez · Jul 30, 2017

Few things what licence does he have now? If just a car license that won't get you anywhere with that truck, it's good up to like a D plate or something like that. You can drive a rental truck like a uhaul up to 26k for personal use but if used for commercial that's minimum class c. Also these are words from my dmv as of three days ago when I renewed my license, this was told to the guy next to me. " If you have a cdl truck say 33k and plate it under cdl you still need a cdl to drive it but cannot exceed the weight rating of the plate." So you might want to look into that before you and your worker end up with a stack of tickets and an impounded truck...

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TreelineNH · Jul 30, 2017

christreez said:
Few things what licence does he have now? If just a car license that won't get you anywhere with that truck, it's good up to like a D plate or something like that. You can drive a rental truck like a uhaul up to 26k for personal use but if used for commercial that's minimum class c. Also these are words from my dmv as of three days ago when I renewed my license, this was told to the guy next to me. " If you have a cdl truck say 33k and plate it under cdl you still need a cdl to drive it but cannot exceed the weight rating of the plate." So you might want to look into that before you and your worker end up with a stack of tickets and an impounded truck...

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Going to register it for 26k. Of course fully loaded I'm sure it will be over. We work local almost 100% of the time.

evo · Jul 30, 2017

It doesn't matter what you register it as. It's still a cdl truck. They are going to look at the gross weight tag on the body of the truck. Your guy and you will be in a world of hurt when you get pulled over.

The registration weight simply is stating you pledge not to drive this truck over x weight for road tax purposes.

The cdl is to make sure the driver is competent at driving a truck which was built to handle weights over 26k. This is the manufacturer tag on the door. There are ways to legally derate a cdl truck, but this involves licensed shops, replacing axles, beds, breaks etc... none of which is cost effective or something you'd want to do to this truck

LiTreeService · Jul 30, 2017

Evo is absolutely right. Registration weights are just for tax purposes. This truck will still require a cdl. And once you get pulled over with out the cdl they will weigh it then it will be x amount over weight fee which is very pricy for every lb it is over 26k.

Jasonk · Jul 31, 2017

Agree with the posts above. Not sure how DOT is there, but I'll tell you what.....we have been grabbed 3x in the last year and 2x the year before. All for very minor things. Once they pull you over it's on and the ticket amounts add up fast. Let me add that I try very very hard to stay on top of all of our equipment to keep it top knotch but they will pick apart every detail from your weight, medical card, leaks, the list goes way on. I wouldn't push the limits, just sayin......

tc262 · Jul 31, 2017

evo said:
It doesn't matter what you register it as. It's still a cdl truck. They are going to look at the gross weight tag on the body of the truck. Your guy and you will be in a world of hurt when you get pulled over.

Evo is right! Except that if you get pulled over it'll just cost you money. If you or your guy gets in a wreck (even if its not your fault) you could lose everything!

96coal449 · Aug 1, 2017

Treeline you got a nice score. Do it right with the Class B minimum and keep the reg. straight and as is. That truck will pay you back ten fold .... keep it real brother. Again GREAT score!

TreelineNH · Aug 1, 2017

Thanks for the advice boys. Guess I'll register it for 33k, and that will push my guy to get his cdl.

LiTreeService · Aug 1, 2017

Just use it locally till everything is straight. Good luck with it. Nice truck by the way

96coal449 · Aug 1, 2017

Why are you looking to change out the top? Is that the rusty part? Looks pretty fair from that pic.

TreelineNH · Feb 3, 2018

Project Update:
-After Dropping off the truck at my mechanic, It turns out the motor was basically junk in the M2. Low Compression. Needed a long laundry list of items.
-I came across a nice 2004 International 4300 (18' box truck). 26kGVW box truck with low miles, and pre emission DT466. Paid $12000.
-Removed the 16' body and hoist from the M2 and sold the chassis for $3500
-The chassis on the International has been shortened 2' & new Heavy duty Leaf springs installed. New PTO to power the Dump. Truck will be painted to match my bucket truck. Ill probably be somewhere in the 30K range for the entire build, but everything will be gone through. Ill post up more pictures as we make progress.
-Major pros to new chaissis. Under CDL. Pre Emissions. Same motor and chassis as my bucket.
-Cons Juice brakes, and low power. I would think it should pull a chipper fully loaded just fine, but it will be slow.

96coal449 · Feb 4, 2018

The Dt466 is not low on power. The truck may need more gearing but the engine is a reliable monster with enough torque to pull down a tree. This is actually a phrase I've heard throughout my life. Normally the word house is used. That's an inline 6cyl with 466 cubic inches. It will pull it's load, the chipper, and flat tow your bucket truck home.
Your engine model is actually a Dt466E .... same as mine. The ''E'' designates an electronic injection pump.
The mechanical pumps are more desirable but I am unaware of any bad rep with the E version. I have access to a mechanical IP with the timing cover for a swap if I ever needed to but I don't see any issues ahead.

You still have an excellent addition to your fleet.

Jasonk · Feb 4, 2018

96coal449 said:
The Dt466 is not low on power. The truck may need more gearing but the engine is a reliable monster with enough torque to pull down a tree. This is actually a phrase I've heard throughout my life. Normally the word house is used. That's an inline 6cyl with 466 cubic inches. It will pull it's load, the chipper, and flat tow your bucket truck home.
Your engine model is actually a Dt466E .... same as mine. The ''E'' designates an electronic injection pump.
The mechanical pumps are more desirable but I am unaware of any bad rep with the E version. I have access to a mechanical IP with the timing cover for a swap if I ever needed to but I don't see any issues ahead.

You still have an excellent addition to your fleet.

Having owned 3 dt 466's I'll agree with reliable but straight up disagree with the power house. They will always start (love the cold) and go forever but they are absolutely gutless.

96coal449 · Feb 4, 2018

I wasn't saying it is a powerhouse because you are right. It's definitely not. It does produce a ton of reliable, and efficient (for it's class) torque. They were commonly outfitted in oil trucks and dumps to name a couple examples. They definitely won't get there fast, but will bring everything with them ..... and go back out for more.
I'm curious, Jason, do you know of any that may have been electronically de-tuned? For possibly say in a box truck application? My experience is based on the ONE I own and others around me that have them.
My buddy is fitting one in his GMC dump .... He's a CAT fan too ....go figure lol.

tc262 · Feb 5, 2018

96coal449 said:
The Dt466 is not low on power.

You're right but the "E's" are.

96coal449 said:
The ''E'' designates an electronic injection pump.

Actually the E's don't even have an injection pump. They are hydraulic unit injection.

My opinion on them is they are great tractor motors but just ok in truck. Reliable as hell but they really had a dis-service done to them when they got rid of the old mechanical pumps. I'd still wouldn't hesitate to pick up a truck with one in it.

Jasonk · Feb 5, 2018

96coal449 said:
I wasn't saying it is a powerhouse because you are right. It's definitely not. It does produce a ton of reliable, and efficient (for it's class) torque. They were commonly outfitted in oil trucks and dumps to name a couple examples. They definitely won't get there fast, but will bring everything with them ..... and go back out for more.
I'm curious, Jason, do you know of any that may have been electronically de-tuned? For possibly say in a box truck application? My experience is based on the ONE I own and others around me that have them.
My buddy is fitting one in his GMC dump .... He's a CAT fan too ....go figure lol.

When we bought our current bucket truck the first thing we did is ask the dealer to plug it in and see about having the HP turned up. They said there was nothing left and we were stuck with the way it is. Ive talked to a lot of guys who say it can be done but Im not huge on toying around with a $100k plus investment that my employees lives depended on daily. This truck has the 245 hp engine. Rear mount with elevator and we are lucky to work mostly in the valley. When we don't, its painful. The new bucket we have coming was special ordered with a 325hp cummings.