Fuso thoughts

evo

evo

Been here much more than a while
Location
My Island, WA
I have to make this quick as I need to run out the door. I am looking at up grading my work truck, and or buying a mini. I think both at the same time may be a little much.
I am currently running a f250 with a dump insert, so basically anything is a upgrade. The dump insert has me thinking that I could just slap it on a flat bed to get me by until I install a dump.
What is everyone's thoughts on a Fuso fe 140? There is one for sale local for $18k under 70k miles with a flatbed. How how hard and how much can I expect to spend to put a hoist under the flatbed?
 
Drove two different fusos for many a mile on a different gig a few years ago. Don't remember the exact designations but one was 5 lug and one was 6. I absolutely loved the 6 lug ; ultra reliable, start on the coldest of mornings, fairly simple to work on, turn around like a sedan, great visibility forward and backward, etc. The 5 lug couldn't handle the weight nearly as well, suspension brakes and powertrain were not up to snuff. That said, I cannot imagine pulling anything with one. I live in a very mountainous area but even on flatter ground I cannot see it as a liveable chip truck. I guess it all depends on where you are, what you tow, and what you expect of it.
 
Ours haul beds full of moist mulch and compost all the time. Great turning radius and dump beds but don't know about pulling anything on the hitch with a full load in one.
 
Currently I'm way over weight. The dump insert I have in the f-250 is about 600-800lbs a full load is 4 yards at ~550 per yard, and the chipper is 2700. I guess the tongue weight is about 500-600 as it's more than I can lift, but can still move it a little.
That puts the truck fully loaded at 3500lbs + towing the remainder of the chipper weight. I do avoid this, most of the time and will come back for the chipper empty. So I think anything is better. The Fuso is GVW is 14000 (I think) and empty weight is loaded with tools only is about 8K... Highest speeds are 55 highway (posted, but 45-50 is common traffic pace), no freeway, no huge hills but rolling. So this nearly doubles the weight I currently run, however it doesn't have a dump, or chipbox. All I know is that the truck is a 06' , FE140 with a 4.9 l engine, and 6 speed AISIN tranny.
 
JontreeHI said:
No help from me, but what you want for the 250 jesse? I am in the market, so to speak
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I'm not 100% sure I would sell the truck. I use this truck as my daily and work truck at the moment. If I go bigger than a 350 (one ton pickup) I would need a extra set of wheels. I do like the idea of a cheap putt-putt with good mileage, but on the other side of that coin it would be nice to have a backup that can tow a chipper at the minimum.
Before I think about it too hard, let me know how serious you are. The truck is a 00' (made late 99') Standard bed f-250 super duty, 2x4, 5.4 v8, extended cab (halfdoors) with rear seat factory deleted (great for gear), added leafsprings, aftermarket intake, and about 120K miles. Has great tires, and even a extra set that's like new. Body is very presentable, but no where near perfect, couple minor dings and scratched paint.
I didn't pay too much for the truck, and not looking to make money off of it. Would you want the dump insert too? The bonus is that I could leave the ISA stickers on it!
 
I spent roughly 5500 to have a used 14' flatbed dump on my cab & chassis. That was sourcing used parts myself. The bed was also chopped from 20'. Everything was done at my friend's shop on spare time. I didn't get charged for heavy mechanic shop rate.



Edit: Part of that 5500 included the cost of the bed and related parts to make it dump.
 
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evo said:
I'm not 100% sure I would sell the truck. I use this truck as my daily and work truck at the moment. If I go bigger than a 350 (one ton pickup) I would need a extra set of wheels. I do like the idea of a cheap putt-putt with good mileage, but on the other side of that coin it would be nice to have a backup that can tow a chipper at the minimum.
Before I think about it too hard, let me know how serious you are. The truck is a 00' (made late 99') Standard bed f-250 super duty, 2x4, 5.4 v8, extended cab (halfdoors) with rear seat factory deleted (great for gear), added leafsprings, aftermarket intake, and about 120K miles. Has great tires, and even a extra set that's like new. Body is very presentable, but no where near perfect, couple minor dings and scratched paint.
I didn't pay too much for the truck, and not looking to make money off of it. Would you want the dump insert too? The bonus is that I could leave the ISA stickers on it!
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Quite serious, looking to up-truck by the end of August. Thats just about The truck im after. dump insert an added bonus. If you decide to sell it, maybe lets chat. Good luck on The hunt
 
Evo, I could be talking out of my a$$ because I have not owned a fuso. But I did look at one when I was looking at chip trucks. My first impression was wow good deal. But then I started looking at it and it was not what it seemed. I spoke with one of the employees that drove the truck for years and he expressed the same concerns from above, power when towing. Between the power, the weird PTO set up and parts being difficult to source locally we walked away from the truck. The truck we wound up with was a f550. It weighs just north of 9k, and is rated to 19k giving plenty for chips and our 15" chipper. Now don't get me wrong it's a dog loaded and 7700 pounds of chipper but it pulls great. And my mechanic will work on it and parts are easy to source even from salvage yards. Some guys have great luck with the fuss, but I wasn't ready to role the dice. Good thing too, because the chipper upgrade in the fall could not have happened if I had bought the 13,500 pound truck.
Ps keep the old truck for towing your future dump trailer and mini, and as a back up to the new truck. My 350 with insert saved my bacon when the dif bearings let go on the chip truck. PIA it was, but I was able to keep working while the truck was down for a week.
 
I love little cab overs but the ones I've had were severely under powered for their stated capacity. You'll have to look at the Hp rating as I don't know what the 4.9's make. The six sped should make it way better than the older ones with 4 speeds.
 
Your right, there isn't the Fuso is a 4.9 that I am looking at. The f-250 that I am running is a 5.4 L. I am looking for a comparison.
 
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