thomastractorsvc Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I am still looking for a newer truck to work part time and restore. I found a 87 R688ST, E6 with 9 speed, unknown over all miles but supposedly engine was rebuilt and clutch done about 750000 miles ago, transmission and rears never done. Some frame cracks. Fifth wheel needs replaced. Drivers seat is worn out. Most of the tire it is being sold with will need replaced.Cab and hood is in good shape a little surface rust, brakes and front end are good and brakes were done about a year ago. Interior is worn but complete. Runs and drives and passed DOT inspection this year. Am I looking at money pit? I dont want to put more into it than it would be worth as it wont be considered a hobby truck but needs to earn its keep. All opinions appreciated. ThanksRob Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 to pull dump trailer or low boy local. Its single framed and the frame is cracked on the top right behind the fifth wheel rail mount on the drivers side, not sure if it was a heavy trailer or that the fith wheel frame is damaged and jamed. The cracl appears to to go to about where it starts to roll down.I thought it was alot of miles on the drive train and due to be redone, just cant afford to due all at once. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144660 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 ya,,,it will be a money pit,,,and thiers really nothing wrong with that,,,but personally if i were gonna work it,,,iwould find one with a few less miles,,,and good rubber to start,,,that one sounds like a project hobby truck for someone,,for just a few G,s.......allotta times you can can find something ready to work,,for 10-12,,,g,s..bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144662 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 how much are they asking?that will determine alot. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144667 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 $4500 Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 that' s not too bad without seeing pics,my opinion is that you could put about 10k in it pretty easy,but you'd have a pretty solid workhorse in the end.look at truck paper to see what R models are priced at,lots priced 12k or better. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144672 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 to pull dump trailer or low boy local. Its single framed and the frame is cracked on the top right behind the fifth wheel rail mount on the drivers side, not sure if it was a heavy trailer or that the fith wheel frame is damaged and jamed. The cracl appears to to go to about where it starts to roll down.I thought it was alot of miles on the drive train and due to be redone, just cant afford to due all at once.I have done both dump triailer and lowboy and a single frame truck with a cracked frame rail is a no no in my book, if its camelback suspension and the crack is behind the trunnion its not as bad but it if the suspension mounts behind the crack I think I would pass. Im with my other brother Superdog on the truck you could put 10 in it and have a nice one from the sounds of it, really just depends on you, I am not really that worried about miles on a truck I have had high mileage trucks that were in a lot better shape than 10 year newer trucks it all depends on how they were maintained, I bought my last one with a broken speedo cable and no idea how many miles were on it but it looked awfully good for an 85 to me. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Thanks for the replys here are some pictures of the truck and frame Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearheadGrrrl Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 That's a parts truck for sure! R models are pretty common, so there's no point in buying one that needs major repairs. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144799 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 That is what I have been thinking, the more questions I ask the more I am unselling myself on the truck, at this point I think I would rather put more money out up front then try and rebuild something that is worn out. I was looking at an 86 GMC General with a 3406B and 9 speed but the interior was missing or broke, it was less money but after calling around for some basic door and dash board stuff it would have been pretty expenisive just to get the doors to latch and windows to role up. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144803 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackniac Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 hello !stay with Mack !! it is what we call blue-chip !! my 02 cents Quote Makniac , collector and customizer of die-cast model in 1/50th scale Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144804 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 That crack seems to me it was welded before and cracked again.There is a reason to worry about. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144805 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 What is wrong with overlaping the frame rail with a piece bolted to his frame? Maybe take off the 5th wheel if he is not going to work the truck.mike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144813 Share on other sites More sharing options...
slpwlker Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I would say as much as I'd like you to stay with the Mack, Get what fits/fills your needs at the price you need. Even minor repairs are doable. Vs rebuilding a hole truck. This being said any make that is in the price and in good shape would be good Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 that crack is a no no crack its right where an overloaded truck with a songle frame breaks in two that one has been hurt. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144882 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 It is ALWAYS cheaper to find one in good condition than it is to try to turn chicken shit into chicken salad. Keep looking; that truck is as far from rare as you can get. One absolute I have learned over the years is that there is always another one out there to find if you look. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144953 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 that crack is a no no crack its right where an overloaded truck with a songle frame breaks in two that one has been hurt.I think the term here is "rode HARD and put away wet" Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I've seen lots worse cracks welded and sleeved and never give problems.If you could get it for about $2500 would be alot better. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144974 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 I agree with you freighttrain "rode HARD and put away wet" Mike, I dont think I can get it for that money but who knows, I am with you the less money spent on it the better incase it becomes a part truck. I am still looking do you know of any around your area? Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I agree with you freighttrain "rode HARD and put away wet" Mike, I dont think I can get it for that money but who knows, I am with you the less money spent on it the better incase it becomes a part truck. I am still looking do you know of any around your area?sure don't,looking for something myself but I'm hunting a Superliner. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 I came across this one, I thought it was too much for the shape but what I know, http://stlouis.craig...3370361770.html I spoke with the guy and he sent these pictures. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/28169-1987-r688st-is-it-a-money-pit/#findComment-144989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.