6.9 international dump truck

[capt_met]

i am looking at a international dump truck with the 6.9 diesel and allison automatic. most of the time it will not be loaded heavy just used for a towing around 12,000#and maybe carrying a ton or two. any opinions or experiance with these trucks would be appreciated. truck is very low mileage for its age.
thanks in advance.

 

[Builder]

i am looking at a international dump truck with the 6.9 diesel and allison automatic. most of the time it will not be loaded heavy just used for a towing around 12,000#and maybe carrying a ton or two. any opinions or experiance with these trucks would be appreciated. truck is very low mileage for its age.
thanks in advance.

International is the world's largest producer of medium duty trucks and engines. You won't have much problem with parts. (I'm assuming it's an 80's truck, get us the year so we can help more). The 6.9l was no powerhouse, but they run a long time and parts/repairs are cheap.

Sounds like you won't be putting any strain on it with the loads your intending to pull/carry, so it should live a long life under those conditions.

What is it an S-1700? I used to have one with a 392 gas V-8 in it. it was a very dependable truck.

 

[capt_met]

the truck in question is an '86 with under 70,000 miles on it. looks good and if the price is right may get it. same place also has one with the dt 466 but the miles are very high. no mention of a rebuild on it.

 

[DieselPower]

I wouldn't be scared of a 466 with high miles and a inframe overhaul. Inframe overhauls are what medium/heavy duty diesels are designed for. Instead of having to remove the entire engine to rebuild it, it can be done in the truck. If the one with the 466 is in good shape you might actually be happier with it. It will have tons more power than the 6.9 will.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the 6.9. It's a good reliable engine with a excellent history. It's just not a powerhouse in a large truck. Also it can NOT be overhauled inframe like the 466 can. The cylinder liners are not removable in the 6.9 like the 466 liners are.

 

[Builder]

I wouldn't be scared of a 466 with high miles and a inframe overhaul. Inframe overhauls are what medium/heavy duty diesels are designed for. Instead of having to remove the entire engine to rebuild it, it can be done in the truck. If the one with the 466 is in good shape you might actually be happier with it. It will have tons more power than the 6.9 will.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the 6.9. It's a good reliable engine with a excellent history. It's just not a powerhouse in a large truck. Also it can NOT be overhauled inframe like the 466 can. The cylinder liners are not removable in the 6.9 like the 466 liners are.

It's all relative. A 6.9L with 70K on it is only ~1/4 of the way through its' life if it's been decently maintained.

If a DT466 has 300,000 miles on it, it's probably ~3/4 of the way through it's life and will be closer to a rebuild.

I'd take a DT466 like the one I have any day over a 6.9L, but that's just me since I'd be requiring the truck to do quite a bit more than he would.

But if he's also basing his decision on overall condition of the truck and the fact that he's also hauling/towing small loads, the 6.9L might be a better choice.

I'd have to see both trucks and know what he's going to use them for to give better advice. The DT466 is definately a heavier built, true medium duty diesel that's used in everything from single to tri-axle trucks. Mine's been great.