Converting a 389 Sleeper

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by Issa389, Jun 17, 2022.

  1. Issa389

    Issa389 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 17, 2022
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    Hey Guys I have a peterbilt 389 240 inch wheelbase. I can’t sell the truck since I got a bunch of money into it. I need to make space between the sleeper and trailer. So I got 2 options to either extend the frame or change the sleeper. My current sleeper is a 72inch stand up. I am thinking about changing the sleeper to a 48 inch. Has anyone done a convert to a 48 inch I am wanting to make it into a flattop while I am at. Will I need to buy a 48 inch standup sleeper and convert it to a flattop. Has anyone done this? Is it possible to use a 379 sleeper or only use a 389 sleeper?
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2022
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  3. Magoo1968

    Magoo1968 Road Train Member

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    @Ezrider_48501 and @Tug Toy have both done frame stretching themselves you can search their profiles if you want to go that way . Also I believe Ezrider documented it on you tube
     
  4. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    I have not been around a 389 enough to know if you can put a 79. Sleeper on a 89.. my experience stops with the 379s .. Everybody has their own ideas .. but since I've done both a sleeper switch and a stretch... I would much rather switch bunks .. finding a 48" sleeper for a 379 or 389 is gonna be alittle bit of a task
    I was just looking for 1 myself and
    I've got a friend that just converted a 63" bunk to a flat top.. that is alittle bit of a task too..
    Good luck to you on what ever you choose
     
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  5. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    That's a whole big project and can of worms.
    You truck with stand-up sleeper has ultra cab,or tall cab. Flat top sleeper trucks have regular height cab. So to put a flat top on your truck you would have to put a custom cap on the sleeper or change your cab to a regular height cab.

    Frame streach might be easier but still not cheap if hired done.

    Why do you need more room?
     
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  6. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    Need room for a headache rack and tool boxes ?
     
  7. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    You are pursuing something called the "sunk cost fallacy" home of many unhappy marriages, and relationships too :p

    But srriously, if your problem is that its eaten too much of your money, why are you looking at spending MORE money on it?
     
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  8. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    He's correct ^^^^
    I don't know how deep your buried on your 389.. But you gonna spend a fair amount more trying to make it what you want doing that ..
    Sometimes you gota step back and weigh out the lesser of the 2 evils.. it might be cheaper in the long run to get into a truck that is set up for what you need vs. throwing more money down a rabbit hole
     
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  9. F4T6UY

    F4T6UY Medium Load Member

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    Also, are you absolutely sure you need more room? Kingpin sits more forward on most flats than vans. Basic headache rack. Maybe one of those between-the-frame storage boxes in lieu of a catwalk?

    Maybe there’s other solutions you’re not considering yet.
     
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  10. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    as mentioned to convert to a flatop you would also need to change the roof cap on the cab also a new boot ring and new headliner overhead console peices and probably some other odds and ends. a shorter stand up sleeper would be a easyer swap. as far as mounting ideally you would be pulling the bunk you want to mount on your truck from another truck and you can compare measurements and anything that might be different before dissasebly, at a min your probably going to have to re drill the mount holes in the frame.

    as far as stretching a frame its not a terribly hard process but your want to be very confident in your welding skills before considering that or a shop could probably do it for you for somewhere between 8k-15k

    ep 18-19 on my 359 Peterbilt series shows how i went from a 244" wb to 280" there is more than one way to skin a cat



     
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  11. Dexterr

    Dexterr Medium Load Member

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    I’ve seen a 379 with a 359 sleeper on …the sort on passenger side that you can jump out off
     
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