98 W900 Project

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by willfly83, Aug 3, 2021.

  1. willfly83

    willfly83 Bobtail Member

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    Hi everyone first post here, hoping you all can help me with a project I'm about to start on. My question involves sleepers, I have 98 W900 that once had a big studio sleeper and was converted to a day cab by my father-in-law, I would like to put a 42" or 60" flat top sleeper back on it. Are there certain years that work together or am I only looking for a 98 model year sleepers to be able to fit? Also other models, I've seen ads for t600 or t800 "universal" sleepers will they work for my project? How big of a challenge is this going to be to add a sleeper? thanks for the advice in advance.
    w900.jpg
    Hans
     
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  3. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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  4. cgilliland

    cgilliland Medium Load Member

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    any B model modular sleeper (82 to present) would match that era. before 82 the A model sleepers had a different shape, i wouldnt prefer mixing that myself. presently you can still buy a new flat top for the B model cab so you have a very wide range of years you can use

    its a great opportunity to "big hole" it, meaning install a larger cab to sleeper opening using the Pete unibuilt ring and boot. allows your seat back further for more leg room while retaining the old school modular flat top look that many people like
     
  5. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    There is a thread about this subject.
    Search "daycab conversion".
    Good luck.
     
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  6. w9l

    w9l Medium Load Member

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    86 iirc through current sleepers for a flat glass W900B, W900L, T600 or T800 should all be physically compatible. However, I would probably say 92 or 93 through - just guessing here- 2000 or 2003? Should be compatible as far as electrical and hvac compatibility. Flat tops are out there but if you can't find one an aero 1 or aero 2 for a flat glass truck can be made into a flat top with a new or donor roof. Just hope the electrical plugs on your truck are still intact. I may have some electrical or hvac stuff off a 95?
     
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  7. willfly83

    willfly83 Bobtail Member

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    you opened up a whole new can of worms... I was just thinking about fitting on the frame rails and matching up to the cab, forgot all about HVAC and Electrical... what did I get myself into. I know I could just buy a different truck that better matches my needs but this one is kind of sentimental and its a project something to do, not trying to earn a living with it. I would like to make it a working show truck eventually. thanks for the help and your reply.

    Hans
     
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  8. w9l

    w9l Medium Load Member

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    Sure, no problem. I have a 93 that I bought in 96, sold to my cousin in 07 and bought back in 11. Any questions, u can pm me and I will try to help.
     
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  9. Slowpoke KW

    Slowpoke KW Road Train Member

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    This project is definitely doable, how bad it’s gonna be just depends on what was done when it was daycabbed. The back panel could’ve been replaced or just patched over, I’ve seen it done both ways. There’s two different heights for the sleeper holes on the studio the bottom of the hole is flush with the cab floor, on the flattops it’s about 3-4 inches above the cab floor. Like as already said any non aerocab sleeper will fit, doesn’t matter if it was on a T800,T600 or W900. All of the sleeper doors from any of the narrow cab trucks are interchangeable. The VIN will be on the back of all of the interior panels of the sleeper and written on the inside of the back wall so getting parts for it are easy.

    My 96 had the studio on it when I bought it, it now has a 42” when I changed mine I had the shop lower the bottom of the sleeper hole to match the cab. My studio had the windows in the escape doors but the 42 had the pop out vents so I swapped those.

    I don’t know where you’re located but I have a 60” sittin here in central OK I don’t need. I bought it to put on my truck but then a friend that had the 42” sold his W9 so I bought his since the paint matched my truck. If you’re interested in it PM me.
     
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  10. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    Hvac shouldn't be to bad of an issue. Heat is easy. The AC could be slightly more involved but at worst you'd maybe have to put in a different core(condenser or whatever the part in the cab is called
     
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  11. w9l

    w9l Medium Load Member

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    On the hvac my concerns is more about what became of th previous wiring and ac lines when it was day cabbed. Not a deal breaker at all, but possibly more work than plug n play.
     
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