Question about 389's

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by T_TRUCKER., Aug 23, 2014.

  1. T_TRUCKER.

    T_TRUCKER. Road Train Member

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    I'm looking into purchasing a 389, I'm looking for something between 2010-2012 under 400,000 if possible.
    and I want to stay in the 70k-95k range. My question is, what is the best engine for dependability, I've heard good things about the cat and I've noticed on truck paper that the ones with a cat are a little cheaper than a cummins. I'd also like a 13spd I'm hauling reefer so most of the time I'm heavy but I think an 18 spd is over-kill and plus I've never driven a 18 spd only 10. I've heard 13 isn't too tricky, I want a good dependable truck that will last me years later after paying it off and I don't want a "cookie cutter" truck if I'll be paying for it, I want something that I actually like. At the same time ofcourse something that won't be going into the shop every other week, I'd greatly appreciate any knowledge thrown my way about the 389.

    Thanks.
     
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  3. Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

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    If it were me I would look for something just a bit older (and pre-emissions crapola!) My company bought 2 identical 2008 388s (daycab version of the 389s) last year with 15spd. 475hp Cat C15s in them. We run dedicated OSOW with them (up to 160k lbs.) and WHEN they are running right, they get down the road pretty good. BUT, my rig alone has been to CAT no less than 6 times (usually multiple days) in the past year JUST for DPF/emissions-related problems! I hear they supposedly worked the bugs out in the newer models, but don't believe they run CAT engines anymore.....Your milage may vary....
     
  4. poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

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    You arent going to find a cat that new cause they stopped making them.I drive a pete with the cummins 18 speed and have been pretty happy pulls better then any new motor and only was in shop for one egr valve and a leaking egr cooler and had to do one regen not too bad for a 2010 almost five year old truck.
     
  5. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Do not buy caterpillars attempt at an emission compliant engine. The serial number you want to avoid starts with SDP. It is the polar opposite to the cat motors people love, the older ones, 3406 models and the 6nz were as reliable as the day is long. The SDP motor is about as good as a boat anchor. If you do buy it, expect to be in the shop 1 week out of 4 as an average. And consider yourself lucky if you average 5.25 mpg - with no idling.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi T, that's funny, you say Cat's are a little cheaper than Cummins, that never used to be the case. I don't know, trucks nowadays have so much power, I don't think you even need a 13. 13 speed Roadranger's were designed for low hp motors or 2 cycle Detroit's where splitting a gear was necessary,but now, with the motors today, dropping 1 gear is all that's needed. I drove a Freightliner with a 500 Detroit and a 13 and that truck had so much power, I hardly ever split the gears. That 500 Detroit was a great motor, had like 830K miles and was never opened up, and still got 6.8 to 7 mpg. I've heard of million mile Detroits. Me, I'd go with a 10 speed.
     
  7. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    I'd stick with a cummins and avoid cat and paccar model engines. Just my .02.

    KH
     
  8. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    Why the 389? They are nothing like the 670 in your sig. They are harder to maneuver by far. Turning radius is roughly equivalent to Oklahoma. Backing in a crowded TS at night is so much more challenging. It takes real effort to get good mpg out of them. They are heavy. Have weird reflections inside the cab at night. Everything costs more with the peterbilt logo.
     
  9. poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4203273]Hi T, that's funny, you say Cat's are a little cheaper than Cummins, that never used to be the case. I don't know, trucks nowadays have so much power, I don't think you even need a 13. 13 speed Roadranger's were designed for low hp motors or 2 cycle Detroit's where splitting a gear was necessary,but now, with the motors today, dropping 1 gear is all that's needed. I drove a Freightliner with a 500 Detroit and a 13 and that truck had so much power, I hardly ever split the gears. That 500 Detroit was a great motor, had like 830K miles and was never opened up, and still got 6.8 to 7 mpg. I've heard of million mile Detroits. Me, I'd go with a 10 speed.[/QUOTE]
    The isx i have will outpull a stock 3406e all day long i owned a 99 pete 379 550cat speced the same as the 2010 and the cummins has 2050ft lbs of torque now the being said i hate the new motors they suck much rather have an older one like the 60series ddec 3.
     
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  10. T_TRUCKER.

    T_TRUCKER. Road Train Member

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    Thanks a lot for all the feed back guys, I've been bouncing around a lot between trucks and having a hard time deciding on a good reliable truck, the Volvo in my sig is my company's truck. Good to know about the cats thanks for the info, would any of you suggest a 660 with a cummins being a good truck? I have thought about the weight and turning space of a 389, always been a dream truck of mine.. Maybe not to practical lol
     
  11. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    If you like them that much but worried about the turning radius , you could buy a 388 a 388 ( also avail in daycab ) is a sleeper truck to . Its just a shorter hood. They may even be a bit cheaper too.
     
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