1999 KW W900 - few repair questions

Hello JD: Nothing sounds to major on your list. Im not an A/C man so i wont touch that, but everything else sounds straight forward and simple. The sleeper air valve and bag is a basic swap. May need to support sleeper while changing out airbag?
I am a believer in buying the best batteries you can afford.
I also believe in doing everything i can without taking to a dealership for repairs. Why pay them when i can do it myself? There will be plenty of times when you will have to go to shops, so why make the unnecessary trips and expense?
I applaud you on paying as you go. That is good business. Paying interest is not the way to make money, imo?
The stuff you have listed is minor and i hope the truck is a good truck for you.... best wishes...

 

The a/c is easy fix change compressor out have it recharged and check for leaks ..The air bags you will need to air them up all the way and brace the sleeper with something stout enough to hold it up and the valve is easy to change too ....The batteries should be at least 850 cca no less ...Windshield just about any shop can do that if its a 2 piece a 1 piece is harder to do by yourself

 

nice truck how many miles on it

 

Thats good means someone done the swap right just take care of it and will last a life time should be good for awhile before having another rebuild ....I wish you the best with it .....

 

Unless you know for sure AC compressor is toast, you might want to test it. Wal-Mart carries the R-134a in a small can ($4.99) and separate quick release adapters - I use to attach it to the low side to recharge or add dye to test for leaks. I once bought a box of R-134a because my tk at the time had an AC leak but had a rush rush load w/ no time - I would recharge every other day till I had time to get the AC fixed and returned the left over back to WM. (beats going w/o AC in middle of July coming out of CA because I been and done that too)

For cab air bag or cab mount replacements - I used to use those folding jacks that comes w/ the Japanese / foreign cars to raise the sleeper/cab. I used to place a thin piece of wood or thick rubber mat to contact areas if they were a solid beam / cross member. The jacks I'm talking about are those low profile / foot print unit where you turn the loop on one side and it scaffolds up.


I believe Safelite does windshield at a decent price and I believe the one on yours is bonded on and not the ones with (bushings?) and held on with pressure. You destroy that rubber strip around the windshield, you'll be making another trip to the dealer.

You could get the batteries from any automotive stores - I got some at Auto Zone (their warranty / replacements are less hassle than at truck only shops) in the past. My personal thoughts are higher the CCA the better (as long as price difference isn't all that substantial) but normally any above 700 CCA should do. Depending on how you'll operate your truck on non running time - deep cycle batteries are a thought but as long as price difference isn't that great. Sometimes replacing them every few years is cheaper than their (deep cycle/marine) use in its life time duration.

For non essentials, stop by truck salvage yards when need / available time rises but be sure to carry tools for dismantling yourself.

 

How many horses that Detroit have? nice looking rig. Don't know about other Frgt shaker houses but in FTW they always have batteries as loss leader to get you in door for $ 68 each. AC sounds like you need compressor. Might go ahead and change accumulator and dryer while you are at it. Would purge all lines while it is apart with nitrogen if you have it or air if not to make sure no crap is in there. Then evacuate w/ vacuum pump to get all moisture out before charging. Good luck. sounds like you have a plan.