Building A New to Me Pete

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TwinStickPeterbilt, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. TwinStickPeterbilt

    TwinStickPeterbilt Heavy Load Member

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    Alright I've been searching high and low for another truck. I'm really getting disappointed with certain aspects of this truck. I love a 379 but I got better milage with a mechanical and I'm tired of electronics. I'm looking to "build" a 1994 or older Peterbilt 379EXHD. My question about the physical truck is should I rebuild a wreck or find a "cheap" base truck? The reason I want a older truck because I want a mechanical motor. I used to have a pretty built 425 Cat. I was wondering what the "new" way to build a nice 425 Cat. I don't need a jillion horsepower but I want it to run up a hill loaded pretty good. I also am questioning transmissions, I grew up in a TwinStick. I have a 6 speed main box, but I wondered about a 15 speed double over drive on which one would be better. So if you guys have any suggestions let me know just trying to get some suggestions on what I want to do. Oh I gotta have a 63" stand up with a window in the back haha.
     
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  3. 7-UP

    7-UP Light Load Member

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    Feb 5, 2012
    Las Vegas, NV.
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    Hey Twin Stick hope you are doing ok.

    I loved those 15 speed DOD. Had one behind my V-8 cat and the rest of my Petes had the
    3406 with that trans.

    Never had a problem plus they would handle all the torque you could throw at it.


    Now I never drove a twin stick so I can't really compare the difference, but I loved the way the 15 DOD shifted.
    The only negative I had with the shifting was when you put it in the big hole your knuckles would hit the dash so you learned to shift with your palm.:biggrin_25525:

    What every you choose it sure sounds like a great project and hope you find a good truck.

    Have a great evening.
     
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  4. maggard359

    maggard359 Medium Load Member

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    Probably find one somewhat complete and try and trade out rears and transmissions for what you want. I like the 15 they are fairly easy to find around home and bullet proof. They work good in the 425 also. I have a friend bought last acert turbos setup from a conversion I did to try on his 7fb 400. That will be interesting when he gets that done. Sleepers are a dime a dozen, basically just find the suspension you want and build off it. I have plans to build another 359 exhd project truck with a 6nz 18spd 3.36 rears project in the new future. I am dreading the wiring! If you have your heart set on a 425 I would put flex air suspension, 3.55 eatons, 15spd, and ride.
     
  5. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    I'm considering buying and building a secondary fun/backup truck. I will go with a good base. What I want doesn't exist in an affordable format prebuilt. The wrecks seem to be owned by folks thinking they bring full retail.

    Good base and and build from there in my opinion.

    Why not an 18? I love mine, only ran a 15 once so I can't Really compare. It was decent. Rather have more options than less my opinion.
     
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  6. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
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    I would build a truck with a good base. I'm sure you will hear that you will never get what you have in it out of it. That is a true statement, but when what you want doesn't exist what else do you do. The cost of the truck really only matters to one person that is the owner.

    The double over 15 really is just an expression, the only double over trans was the 13. I can tell you from experience they are a little fragile for a pumped up B model. The only way to get double over aside from the RTOO is two boxes. Be it a 6x4 combination or overdrive of choice with an aux box which is overkill as about all you will ever use is direct and over in the aux. The 15 over is plenty of transmission but an RTLO 18 or 13 will have just as much big hole in them. I prefer them for the half gear split behind a CAT. Pete didn't call the white CATS with a 13 behind them the hill climber package for nothing.

    As far as the motor I'm partial to an E model crank for strength in a in a mechanical block, with a 7fb pump with the fast cam in it. A good set of compound turbos and a custom cam from Hillcrest camshaft with matched nozzles from PDI or fuel shop of your choice should make you a stump puller that does well on fuel after you get to where you can keep your foot out of it. Lol naturally that's the short version there is a lot of little things you do to really bring that combo together but that's enough of an idea to get you started. I know a guy that may would build and engine out of frame for such a project.
     
  7. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    Go 6x4 with 3:55 like real truck should be !!
    Man I miss my old 84 359 EXHD 425 cat 6:4 3:55 !
    My favorite truck of all of them that I have ever driven .
     
    TwinStickPeterbilt and wore out Thank this.
  8. TwinStickPeterbilt

    TwinStickPeterbilt Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2013
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    Well here I was talkin about gettin a different truck and this one laid down on me this morning. I got every light on the dash lighting up and all the buzzers going off in the cab and the key won't shut it off. This is what I'm tired of happening is computer ####. That's why I'm wanting to go back to the older motors. I always liked a double over 15 because you had some pretty low gears on the bottom end but a pretty tall gears on the top. Of course a 6 x 4 will do the same but I'm almost to the point of being tired of shifting that many gears to get the best of both worlds. I love then still and would take a truck with them but I always saw the 15 as the next best thig and can still get parts for. Cooter what kinda fuel milage where you getting out of your 359 when you drug a pot around?

    7-UP yeah yoh do learn quickly to #### the big hole with your palm. I've busted my knuckles a few times. My old 15 was a deep reduction and didn't quite have enough top end to always suit me but the ol DOD Had just enough.
     
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  9. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
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    She got 5.2 the last quarter by my IFTA that I drug a pott full time. She is getting 5.9 so far with the grain wagon, but I play with it a lot makes me smile and its hard not too.
     
  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Last hole up against the dash is cool. The first truck I ever rode in before i was old enough to drive one was like that. Flat top Pete with a mechanical CAT. My cousin had a load of Jack Daniel's whiskey in a 48' reefer with 5 drops in the Miami area. That truck would fly. At the time I didn't even know there was anything different about the gears. I couldn't even shift but we'd switcheroo once he got it up thru the gears and I'd guide that swan on the right line haha.. It was only a 9 speed but it was cool. I'd probably pick the twin but I'd have to learn how to drive it. The more gears the better I love rowing thru gears.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2014
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  11. davenjeip

    davenjeip Medium Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2009
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    Do you have concerns about running a mechanical motor in the years to come?

    What I'm thinking about is mostly elogs. Seems that more and more companies are starting to switch over, and would require any truck signed onto them to be able to use them. Rumor mill has been saying for a few years now that the feds are thinking about making them mandatory, and I could believe that it will happen some time in our future, even if it's not for several more years.

    Am I correct in thinking that you need something with an ECM to be able to hook an elog to the truck?
     
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