If cheap is your main goal you have far better chances of getting something good if you look for tandems. There's seldom any good used single axle tractors for sale around here for that money but there's often good tandems.
Again, thinking cheap... at 5 grand that should get you into a late 90's FreightLiner.... like a Century or something. A linehaul tractor that has an M11 Cummins and Super 10 transmission. Mind you, you won't have the nicest setup on the road but a Super 10 would drive a lot like the 5 and 2 but probably work a bit smoother. If you want a larger engine like the N14 or Cat 3406 you're looking at spending more money, particularly with the Cat. The smaller Cat's like the 3176 were also prone to having head problems with the injector tubes and such things.... so they're mabey not the hottest thing to go looking for. Basically, just get something with a common drive train that's easy to get parts for because some day you WILL need parts. It is afterall, still a truck... The little Detroit's are good to (60 series) so don't be scared of one.
Best thing is just look the truck over. Check all your air lines. Check the brake shoes. Check the maxi chambers for leaks and broken springs... and slop in the S-cams. Check the lights, the windsheild, wipers, cab iteriour... the frame, etc. If you can, jack it up and check the king pins and spring bushings especially if you see abnormal tire wear. Keep in mind that the spring bushings are only allowed 1/4" of slop. That's not much... Lastly, make sure you've got some decent rubber left on it because that's a big bill if it doesn't.
If you cover all the points fo the DOT inspection when you look it over... and it starts crisp and clean, doesn't knock, holds good pressure, doesn't smoke... andit drives and shifts well, then you have as good a shot with a hard looking 5 grand truck as you do with a dealership princess with all the made up paperwork.
The only other thing I'd suggest is that you stay clear of Macks, and especially Mack powertrains. That's not to belittle Mack as they are good... but they're Mack. THe only place you get anything is Mack and they make you pay. Stick with common stuff. Also watch that the power divider is not bad, particularly in a Dana/Spicer axle often found in the binders.
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