Might be getting a CH 427

[dds92780]

So i found a guy that i used to work with got out of business to work for a ready mix place using their equipment. The truck was an old abbey paving truck and then he had it up till a year ago.

The truck is a 99 CH 427

417 gears

aluminum wheels

air ride

MACK 13 speed ( with the gold dog ) (how does this shift compared to an eaton) All i know is the eaton has two countershafts and the mack has 3.

Has 647000 miles on it

Has new steers and kingpins,

Put new front rear end in last year

put new radiator in 50000 miles ago

He wants 21000 or best offer

If i can get it for 17-18k? Is it an upgrade from my R model? My R model has 450k on it without air ride, 442 rears, 9 speed, but im making 42 pounds of boost, How hard are the electronics to turn up safely?

I am only interested in the CH because whenever i worked with the guy it was a really quick truck and never got stuck even on muddy jobs even though it has air ride was reliable and he maintained it.

Are the miles too high? I know the e7 is a damn good engine and even at 1 million miles a 427 13 speed is always worth at least 15k right? Plus i think his truck will be 800 pounds lighter than what i got.

I was also interested in a ch becuase i heard from a ton of people that they are most comfortable trucks out there. even compared to petes with air trac and air leaf suspension.

What are your thoughts??? thanks I m looking at it tomorrow at 9 am

[Bigdogtrucker]

I'd rather an R model any day over a CH, but that's me. Your current engine mechanical?

[Dieseldriver65]

Same for me,R model over a CH any day also

[dogg rescue]

Sounds like a good truck, I have one with similar specs and we love it. Comparing r models to ch's is like comparing two favors of ice cream, you can love them both, but for different reasons.

[dds92780]

Yes mine is mechanical and drives awesome. I smoke every single mack on the road out there except for the newer mp8 with automatic of course. 450k on mine. Is it worth to at least buy the truck and have my r model sit? I think the only thing i would like about the ch is that it has air ride. I always thought the cabs were kinda funky though

[j hancock]

Keep the R model. You have spent money getting it all sorted out so it is time to make and save some money.

[dds92780]

Yeah that is kinda what i was thinking. I don't think i really even need a 13 speed too. The mechanical engine is awesome because even though i make tons of boost, i can still walk 460 macks by just easing into the throttle then gently start to hammer it and i get no smoke. Only thing bad about R models is there are almost 1000 pounds heavier so right there is a half a ton lost on cartage. However i feel that if i can somehow make my freuhauff into an air ride trailer then i woulld like my truck more.

[Underdog]

Don't be sucked into the "newer must be better" mindset. If your old R is doing the job and not costing you a lot of money to keep on the road, keep running it. Sounds like you have a truck you like and you may regret switching.

I bought a brand new CX 427 in 2000 and it proved to be a solid reliable truck, but to this day I regret trading away my MH. In the end, I let too many people get into my head telling me I needed a newer, more efficient truck but in the end,my profit margin didn't change much.

.02 Gregg

[Dirtymilkman]

That CH is probably the most economical truck out there. If it was cared for it will go an easy million. The ch cab is quieter, roomier, better a/c, better heat, the doors dont fall apart like the R model doors and window hardware and if you insulate them good, theyre quieter and cooler yet. I loved my R models but I hated the door hardware and the doors.

[dds92780]

That CH is probably the most economical truck out there. If it was cared for it will go an easy million. The ch cab is quieter, roomier, better a/c, better heat, the doors dont fall apart like the R model doors and window hardware and if you insulate them good, theyre quieter and cooler yet. I loved my R models but I hated the door hardware and the doors.

But does the interior look like this???

I have no issues with my heat , The ac is ice cold since i moved the thermostat up higher to trick it. My doors are not falling apart but i have some rust that is under the door on the body of the truck. I just keep painting white over it

My truck is pretty quiet. I think the ch will get better mpg no doubt, but if i drive my truck keeping the boost under 25 pounds all day long i average 5.5 -5.7 hauling rock locally with tons of stoplights and that is with even having bigger injectors and turned up pump.

I used to ask the guy all the time what kind of mpg he was getting and he always seemed to do better than me and not really be in tune with his truck as much as me. I really do like my r model and i dont mind the camelback setup with the seat i have in it. To me the Ch sits too high and is weird around corners. I make plenty of power where i dont really need 13 speeds. I have found that even if i keep it at 1600 rpm and avoid going into overdrive on certain roads, as long as i keep the boost down and my pyro temps and my foot out of it, i do decent on fuel. I am not sure what a 427 ch would do but i do know the electronic controlled ones have an advantage with mpg.

I am still torn between which truck i would like better. To me i like being different and smoking CH's that say E7-427 or E7-460 on the door and have them wondering ONCE in a while. To me the r model just fits like a glove and the certain creature comforts you get with it like being able to stand on the battery box to get to windshield is nice, plus mine is full mechanical. I guess i have talked myself out of it. But im always going to wonder.

Is it worth it to ditch the R model just to get air ride but sit up higher?

[hatcity]

Your R seems to be all you need. It's paid for, has made you $$$$, and you know what you have.

The CH, although a newer truck, will take $$ away just for registration, changing insurance, ...BS stuff. PLUS cost you in loan payments (if you need to)

I run a 2001 CX 427. Damn good motor, and doesn't cost much to maintain.

Keep what you have. It runs well. No need to take on additional costs to be newer

[dds92780]

Thanks hatcity. I was just thinking about that. His truck has been sitting for a year so i would still need to register and get plates. I am TERRIBLE with paperwork and phone calls lol

It is so true about knowing what you have. Even though someone has done work to a truck it still might take another 5k just to get it to your standards. Been there done that

I'll keep my rough riding R model for awhile longer i guess

Would this even be an upgrade???

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/4999247879.html

Or even this??

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/4998841889.html

Its auto!!! but will there be problems with emmisions crap and computer crap?? Would it even get better mpg than my truck and by how much?

[Bigdogtrucker]

We had two RD dumps at my previous job, both were bought new in 2000. They are 460/18spds, the power band of those engines is about as narrow as a two stroke Detroit... Nothing like the mechanical torque monsters . Just say no to those newer ugly ducklings...

[keg1]

I must have sold gave my Ch away. It was a 2000 with 900,000 miles on it but it had a new cam rod and mains. Rebuilt 13 speed and rebuilt front rear. Interior was like new. Sold it for $12,000. I had it for 9 years was a very good tractor but after driving my R model I had to sell the Ch. It doesn't ride as good but it runs a lot better.

[Nobody454]

I would buy the 2004 before I bought a 2010

[storkmack]

I would buy the 2004 before I bought a 2010

I would buy none of the trucks presented here and stick with what I have, because I know what I have there to work with it. CH might be lighter, maybe 500 lbs. ch might get better MPG's maybe .25 better? I know you are hauling tonnage but is that 500 lbs worth being a slave to a payment and spinning out all the time? As far as MPG's go, I'm guessing you do 300-350 miles a day. We are talking about 3 gallons of fuel. You will pay that in interest. If that CH has an E-tec, and the cam hasn't been done, it will need to be done. That's a big job and will go down when you are needing to work. If I was a one man band I would stick with the RD and throw down on a new trailer. The biggest thing at the end of the day is that your truck is unique and it stands out. Do you want to blend in?

[Green Dash]

Depending upon your age, there may be a time in your career when an R model will not be practical to run as a daily driver. It's hard to imagine but parts will eventually become harder to find and of course, more expensive. Might as well enjoy it while you can.

[Bigdogtrucker]

Good time to stockpile spare parts when you can

[dds92780]

Thanks for all the comments guys. So i went and drove the ch today. Thank god i have an R model!!!

[41180]

just remember you can turn up the e7 427 and 460 . i had a 460 that would run with 500 cats and never got passed by a rd

[dds92780]

Let me elaborate more. I went and drove the truck and at first i didnt really care for the transmission. I thought it was the transmission but it was really just the stupid electronics. I couldnt feather the throttle like i do in my mechanical. I know the ch would take getting used to but my r model was far superior. He had a nicer interior. He had carpet and I DO like the material they use on the doors and headliner. It does look kinda neat. We were driving bobtail and i got into overdrive and was watching the manfiold pressure and it only got up to 30 . I get 40 pounds by 1200 if i want. I have seen 43 at 1400 before. I try not to though because i don't like adding that much boost at a low rpm. The truck just didnt seem nearly as quick as mine even bob tailing.

His speedo was broke, the oil pressure gauge was broke,

I did like the air ride suspension though even when i sat in the passenger seat and let him drive , the truck did not beat me up.

I really think you can't beat a truck that is fully mechanical!!! I'll take my eaton 9 speed over his mack 13 speed too. Mine is just waaaaay smoother to drive

He had rust on the frame and by the air bags. Just looks neglected.

So will i be happy to keep my r model now? YOU BET YOUR ASS!

[41180]

I don't blame u . if your truck is cherry and u like it keep it . I was just saying you can make a lot of power with a 427 or 460 with bigger injectors and or ecm tuning . I personally like the bigger ch cabs . I used to o like the r cab better until I got used to the bigger cabs . I've been in CL and now Titan I wouldn't want to go back to the r cab but I'm sure I'd get used to it .

[Mackdaddy2030]

I sent you a private message dds92780.

Not sure if you saw it or not.

[jakebrake86]

What do you mean by you moved the thermostat up higher? I'm trying to doctor on mine to get the a/c temp down. I'm blowing 40-50 degrees at the vent. I took my thermostat apart to try and adjust on the spring, but there's no adjustment screw like my buddy's CH has. I'm glad you decided to keep your RD. I'm going to try to get another 40 years out of mine.

[Twins]

I have a question…I have a 1999 ch 427 it has an Eaton 10 speed and 4.17 rears…can I change the 10 speed to a 13 speed having 4.17 rears? Will I see improved speed without having rpm so high?? 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️