Hello, I was wondering if I could get some input from everyone. I have the opportunity to trade a 2004 Miller Bobcat 225 Welding machine for a 1995 4x4 2500 Reg Cab Auto....the truck has 412,XXX miles and the front suspension was rebuilt about 10k miles ago. Now there is an issue with the trans, but I believe it to be the governor in the tail shaft of the trans, it has first gear and reverse. The truck runs and has been sitting for a little over a year, the paint is faded and there are a few dings on the body but not much. Oh, and the tail gate is missing.

The back right window on the sliding glass is broken and the front main seal is leaking on the engine. With the window being broken some rain water has gotten to the truck and messed up the carpet. Other than the usual things, dash, batteries etc...those are the only real issues with the truck.

He wants to trade with some boot money, but given the condition of the Miller, 85hrs and garage kept I think straight across would be a good deal for both of us. I was just wondering what some of you guys might do.

Would you get the truck or sell the welder and try to find something comparable??

What is the welder worth?

19 minutes ago, Royal Squire said:

What is the welder worth?

$2000-$2500

I would not do it personally. Looks to be too much of a money pit. If one had time one could do a straight across the board trade and part the dodge out and come out a bit ahead on the deal but that would be the only way I would go about it unless one was just after a beater like that to build as a play toy like crawler or mud runner ect.

Look like a money and time pit to me. You would have to tear down the cab clean it out. Check for rusting floor board metal. Replace the carpet. Seat are wore out too. Engine look like needs attention too. Transmission is going to most likely need rebuilding. Needs a paint job before the rust sets in if it hasn't already started.

Agree'd money pit.

 

 

 

If it wasn't for the transmission issues I'd say it's not a bad deal, those can get expensive real quick. Then again these trucks are  always going to be money pits. 

I'm going to check the governor pressure first. Then I will be able to tell if it is the governor or the valve body causing the issue. I have an NV4500 but not all the stuff to convert it to manual...:(

Well, went and looked truck over today. Cut out sections of the carpet and checked for rust and I did not find any. Installed new to me batteries, replaced the oil filter and cut the old one open....the oil looked really good and the guy said it had about 3k on the oil change when he parked it. I asked what kind of oil he used and he said he gets it from a company called Mantek.... 

 

 

I put put the rear tires on and covered the back windo to keep out anymore rain. Next I siphoned out some fuel and visually checked it...it smelled and looked good....so, I tried to fire it up....

did it fire?

i'd be all over it for a wood cutting truck! heck wish i had the spare cash i'd come get it for 2G.  it's not a DD, but just to have a beater you care not about would be good.

Edited March 13, 20169 yr by Killer223

Trying to upload a video.....give me a minute.

Ok, the first one would not load for some reason. But, it fired right up!! i could not believe it.

 

Sorry the video is sideways.....dang iPhone.

IMG_3528.MOV

 

 

Edited March 13, 20169 yr by Frog

It sounds better than mine right now