Liftable rear axle.

Yeah thats what I thought you were looking for. There are a number of ways to do that. I think the easiest would be to buy a normal tandem with a liftable pusher, then when you get the truck you would take front drive axle off and move the rear axle and fifth wheel forward. You'll have to pick the right suspension though in order to do that easily though (like hendrickson primaax)

 

Because we have different weight laws. The bridge law prevents us from running trailers they way europe does (triple axle almost right under the center of gravity of the trailer). Thus virtually all trucks in North America are tandems.

 

Because all the cabovers in the USA are really old and worn out. (unless rebuilt by the owner) If you found one you would have to remove a drive axle then install a lift axle. I don't think you will find what your looking for in this country.

 

Where in the USA are you going to find a cabover that is in decent shape? Then remove a drive axle and shorten the frame then add a lift axle? Yes it can be done as long as you have plenty of cash.

 

I think the OP is looking for a conventional (given he specifically said Kenworth, which more often than not makes you think W900L), just with a european style axle setup.

I think the OP was just using the picture to illustrate the standard european axle setup, not that he wanted a cabover since they have all they could possibly want over there.

 

If the OP wants a Kenworth w/hood that is entirely possible to do. All it would require is getting the frame cut and removing one drive axle and adding a liftable. Cost????? I don't know but, I can get a ballpark price w/phone call. Here is a link to lift axles. http://www.stengelbros.com/HendricksonLiftAxles.htm

 

Or he can just buy a used truck with a liftable and move the rear axle to the front drive location (easy if you have the right suspension).

Have you tried to a plumb a liftable? Its just a pain. I could only imagine how awful it would be to try to do in europe where one wouldn't have access to english air fittings.

 

If you could get me a price that would be perfect.
We don't want to do business with the germans anymore than we have to...we already pay them enough using their roads

 

I will get you a quote monday morning and let you know.

 

You guys must be trying to help this fellow----
But why all the speculation about what style truck he needs and only available in whatever condition------
It's a little bit odd since this guy didn't specify or ask about what kind of truck he could buy in America-------
If guy can log in here... he probably gets the online truckpaper too-----

Heavydude... you may or not be a fan of running old iron....
But there is no shortage of old cabovers or hoods-----
They are still hangin around 30 years later because they are still in demand... These are true owner-operator quality trucks----- to buy them is not cheap..... but not so much because there's a shortage------ they're still valuable workers as well as collectibles... The working value of old iron is growing greater every year because by law the new junk will keep getting junkier... Now don't get this the wrong way-----
I would order a 1979 W900A or an 1987 359 with a 3406B engine right now but I can't find a "new" one anywhere-----
Other trucks I see are overall just inferior when compared to those models regardless of being newer-----
I hate it but that's how it is... and I'm not trading down!!!!!!

From what I can tell the newer electro-rigs are mainly just loaded up with too much "expensive to fix" JUNK that I don't need on a truck in the first place-----

They're built like cheap toaster-ovens and the only practical thing to do is to recycle them----- It sad.... to many drivers on this forum don''t know the difference in junk-----
It's always the same reason that old survives and becomes collectible---- it's because the newer version is less----- though I can't think of anything else snowballing the way trucks have over the last few tears...

But I believe the OP was inquiring about replacing the front axle of a twin-screw with a simple lift-axle and that is a pretty common thing in America.. I wouldn't do this to my truck for the fraction of cost savings... to many issues are created with having a single axle at the wrong place...

If you didn't know that this was being done.. then yes it is done regular in America... for fuel economy and increased profits... If you don't believe me
just listen to Kevin Rutherford on road dog radio-----
I tune in sometimes when I'm having trouble sleeping and it's better than Ambien!!!!!

Always the same thing... every caller needs to have their drivetrain gearing evaluated by Kevin in orger to know the optimum highway travel speed----- which by the way is always 62 mph----- everybody needs a tag-axle------ some kind of new air filter he sells------ a turdblower 3000devader.. and if it don't work you installed it backwards------ michelin tires and super singles are worth mentioning every third minute----- claims of 400,000 smiles are not unheard of on this show and it sounds impresssive----- never have heard him mention how the cost = about 2 cheaper brand tires dayton but don't last nearly twice longer... suckers must've never have a flat or blowout------