How old is too old

cedar

cedar

I am looking at a 1987 S1900 to use as a log and equipment hauler. It looks to be in good shape and I had a mechanic test drive the truck since the truck is on a lot 3 hours from where I live. He said it drove fine and appears to be well-cared for. Should I save to buy something newer. Can parts be found for a truck almost 30 years old. Any thoughts on old trucks are appreciated.
 
I would imagine that the only parts that would be hard to find(but not impossible ) would be body and interior parts. But international made that body style for more than 20 years so parts shouldn't be hard to find on the used market. Back then international made a good product so if it's been taken care of it should be good.
 
I had a s1600 and used it for hauling logs. It was a good truck for it's age and parts were readily available from the international dealership. What motor does the truck your looking at have?
 
I had a '86 S-1900 which I bought in '99 and sold in 2007.
Truck still runs like a top.
DT466 engine is bulletproof.
 
Thanks for all the replies. It has the DT466 with a manual 5 speed and 2 speed rear axle, 33000 GVW. I am going to try to make a trip to check it out within the next week or two.
 
Pelorus and Jed are right - the DT466 is one of the most common and longest lived mid-range truck engines for good reasons. Aside from the required emissions updates, they have been built continuously from 1984 to the present. Just retrieved ours today from the mechanic after getting an in-frame engine overhaul. (Yes, it needed some work, but it's a great engine that's worth putting some money into, because we'll get it all back. Can't say that for many other engines)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navistar_DT_engine

http://www.maxxforce.com/Application/agriculture/Engine/MaxxForce_DT
 
Age doesn't stop me from buying anything as long as you can still look professional in it. How it was used/abused and how it was cared for are much bigger factors than the age of a truck to me.
 
We've got an 88 s1900. By FAR the oldest but still the most reliable truck in the shop. pulls our 18" chipper all the time. Not as much power as the newer trucks but it runs good and reliably.
 

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1988, heck that's almost new by rackensack standards. Jeremy, good to know you are still around. Stop by more often.
 
Well, I bought a 1987 S1900 flatbed dump truck this past week. Needs new tires and there is rust in the cab floor but otherwise it fires right up and seems like a solid truck.
 
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