What (International) truck? 4700, 4700 LP, 4700 LPX 4900. Which frame? Standard or heavier duty. What size frame? Wheelbase, Cab to axle distance, Axle to back end of frame. Bumper? None, Painted or Chrome. Front axle weight capacity? 8000, 10,000 or more. Front springs and shocks? Type, Weight rating. Which brake system? Air, Hydraulic. What size brakes? Small 19 inch wheels limit this selection! Trailer connection (wiring)? What kind and mounted where. Parking brake type? Air operated or manual lever, air is spendy but if you can't pull the manual lever with it adjusted tight... The money is well worth it. A loose parking brake sure limits your parking places, when towing it eliminates most. On board air compressor? Which brand, how many CFM. Which steering wheel? Size, Tilt and telescoping, leather. What brand of steering gear? There are a couple and I didn't have a clue... Which exhaust system? Single or dual, High or low pipe. Exhaust brake? A related question is how to program the transmission to respond to the exhaust brake (see transmission below.) What types of horns? Air, Electric, both and what style and mounted where. Daytime running lights? Some insurance companies offer a 2% discount for them. Which turn signal system and where do you want the lights mounted? Do you want a cigar lighter? Don't smoke... Don't forget charging the cell phone! Want one of the switches that blinks the running lights? How about snow shields for your air horns? Which generator do you want? Brand and Amps. Where do you want the batteries mounted? If you don't ask it could be on a board across the frame rails... Do you want the CB wires run at the factory or will you do it later? Do you want a radio? AM or fancy, How many speakers. Which windshield wiper system do you want? Do you want the engine protection system and which one? What warning lights and gauges do you want? They may call them idiot lights but when you are thinking antelope stew while gazing at the scenery and something goes wrong they are more likely to catch your attention. Gauges provide a lot more info but you have to be looking. Get lots of both IMHO. Want the radio noise suppression package? Or do you want to hear the radio or the generator whine? Want a light on the back of the cab? Want fog lights? What type of headlights do you want? Want to replace the fuses with circuit breakers? Want to change your mind when you don't have the spare to replace the one that just stranded you? What hardware do you want for the hood opener? Do you want a lug wrench and what type? The tire repair trucks love to get calls from the middle of nowhere and have an easy time finding it too (grin) all on your bill! What paint job do you want, not just what color but what type paint, number of coats and a clear coat or not? Do you want sound-proofing? How much, which type and where. What type of fan do you want on the engine? Air, Direct, Silicone clutch. What type of antifreeze do you want? Do you want an engine heater? Propane or Electric. What displacement engine? 444, 466 or 530. What horsepower and torque? Don't forget the difference in noise levels, mileage and initial cost. What air filter do you want? Single, Dual and what type of element inside. What type of hoses do you want? Standard or Silicone. Do you want a water filter on the engine? Do you want cruise control and/or an electronic throttle? What size radiator do you want? What size charge cooler do you want? What transmission do you want? Manual, computer shifted manual or automatic? Manual: How many speeds and what ratios. Automatic: How do you want the automatic programmed, both the shift schedule (in power and economy modes) and exhaust brake pre-select gear. Which ratio option and torque converter will be best. Confused by these terms... So was I, and I got some of it wrong, these things can be changed but the cost to change it depends on your dealer. I fixed some and left some based on costs. Do you want a retarder instead of an exhaust brake? Better rethink the radiator size! What type of shifter do you want for the automatic? Pushbutton (two styles), or lever. Greased or oil filled front spindles. What brand of rear axle? What weight rating for the rear axle? What type of locking differential do you want, there are several. Don't want one... Go for the optional tow hooks and travel with a friend! What differential gears do you want? This is complicated and changes based on tire diameter (not wheel diameter!!!) and transmission type. Work with the dealers computer to get what you want, work with other owners to decide what you want. Do you want springs or air-ride? What weight rating do you want? It doesn't need to match the axle rating and there are good reasons for selecting differently rated components. What size and style fuel tanks do you want? The style affects the usable amount of fuel, our dual 65 gallon low profile tanks have sucked air with 35 gallons remaining. It isn't nice to have the engine loose power on a 6 percent grade, and that is where it will happen as the fuel runs away from the pickup tube. What interior do you want? What is the best starting point if you want to have it made nicer after you take delivery? You don't want to pay for stuff the interior shop will toss! What type and where do you want grab handles? What seats do you want? If you haven't sat in them for a while you will probably guess wrong and they are spendy to change out. Do you want arm rests? Air ride or conventional cab suspension. It can make the truck ride smoother between stops to barf if the cab motion bothers you! DO NOT guess wrong on this one! Tinted glass? What type mirrors, What size? Heated? Power windows? Want a storage pouch on the passenger door? Air conditioning? What wheels, Steel or Aluminum, and what lug pattern and style (and style doesn't mean appearance in this case)? What size 22 or 19, check brake options and ground clearance. What tires do you want? Brand, RPM (revolutions per mile), weight rating, tread pattern and compound. What warranty package do you want?
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