International DT466E

[CUMAPART]

We got a new plow truck at work, its a leftover IH low profile with the DT 466E 6spd. It seems to have pretty decent power b/c I had a JD 250 and Bobcat 190 skidsteers on the trailer behind it and it seemed to pull pretty good. Doing some snow removal at our parking lots. Along with the 2 machines it had a 10ft plow on the front and a SS spreader on the back. It's pretty hard getting used to the shift pattern little different set up than our Dodges. Third seems to be a PIA to find. All in all it seems pretty good just need a little more seat time. Any one else fami9liar with a similiar truck? Things to watch out for or keep an eye on? Any info appreciated. Thanks

Mike

 

[DHawthorne]

Never drove one. I really thought this was the engine with some slight mods ford was going to put in to replace the power stroke.

Guess I was way out. But anyway here's a web page you can look at if you have not already. It details the engine. Check out the torque.



http://www.navistar.com/site_layout/engine/dt466htdetail.asp





Dave

 

[esommer2500]

Dad used to be a salesman for International, and I got to drive quite a few trucks with the DT466. They are the big brother to the 7. 3 (444 cu. in. ) Third and fifth are wayyy out there, but you'll get used to it. My main gripe with ALL the medium duty Intl's was the lack of creature comforts in the cab. They have since fixed that problem with their complete rework of the entire medium and HD line a couple of years ago. They are well-built trucks, though I never really liked the lowpros due to thier lack of ground clearance. The asphalt paving company I used to work for in high school has a straight truck similar to yours except it is not lowpro. They bought it used and have had it for seven or eight years now with no major problems. It carries fuel, and all the goodies to pave, and also pulls the paver between jobs. I don't think you will be disappointed.



Eric

 

[CUMAPART]

Thanks Dave and Eric. I'm not too fond of the low profile either especially on a dump, but that's what the boss wanted. He's a Chevy man and likes low trucks----go figure?

 

[jwoelfle]

Are there different versions of the DT466? I ask because I am looking at buying a 4300 series straight frame truck to be built into a rollback wrecker. It will have a DT466E, and from the brochure, the DT466E is a straight 6 like our 5. 9 Cummins. Being a straight 6, I don't see how it could be called "the big brother to the 7. 3". Please educate me.



Jim

 

[esommer2500]

My bad, I meant that in terms of hp and overall design. Yes, the DT is a straight 6, and it is also the next step up from the T44E (7. 3L).



jwoelfle: are you buying a NEW truck? If so, you're gonna love it. I haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet, but sat in one, and it was so much better than the previous model.



Eric

 

[jwoelfle]

Eric,



If I do it, yes it will probably be a new truck. I'm in the process of learning the towing industry and how things work, which equipment to buy, licensing, etc. I'd prefer a Peterbuilt 330 series with a Cat or a Cummins but apparently neither Pete nor Freightliner really want to be in the medium duty business as much as Intl does... they price themselves out of the market.



I'm a network/computer guy by trade for the last 15 years but I'm tired of all the corporate BS these days and want to answer only to myself and my customers. I don't need some pencil pushin, no common sense, overpaid, engineering flunky to determine my future anymore.



Jim

 

[QRTRHRS]

jwoelfle, FWIW



There seems to be an abundance of small companies in my area (mid-atlantic) in the business of selling rollbacks. I see a lot of Navistar applications.



Are you buying the chassis and contracting the body or how are you going to go about it? I ask because I would think you could find just about exactly what you want already built at a competative price.



Also, here is a source (somewhat pricey) for wrecker related items but I have had good results buying from them. Maybe you know this site already?

http://www.awdirect.com

 

[jwoelfle]

Don't know which way I'm gonna go... trying to find the time to fully investigate both avenues. I stopped by the Intl dealer near my office just to ask questions. The sales guy was real nice and helpful even though I told him up front I was just researching the costs of starting a wrecker business. He said I could buy the bare truck from him and then have the body put on by one the body suppliers, or he do a turn-key deal, or I could go the body supplier and they could do a turn-key deal. He said I might be able to find a better deal if the body dealers had something sitting on the lot that hasn't generated much interest.



Not knowing much about medium duty trucks or the associated wrecker systems, I'm leaning towards buying new with warranty until I can learn. I sure don't want to try and save a buck and end up with someone else's worn out headache of a rig. Can't make a living trying to learn how to fix my own truck.



Jim