1987 379 Restoration

I still work an '88 379 longhood , not real hard but it still earns it keep ,The very last thing that I would do is mess up a perfectly good truck with an electronic abortion engine . some of the middle aged elecronics got better milage but every thing to do with a mechanical is cheaper. Phone a pete dealer with your vin number and they will be able to tell you about what the truck had from the factory

Depending on your suspension the car hauler axle is 2'' more drop than a "normal " but it is meant to run with LO -lo airleaf

The aluminum channels that run parrelel to the frame sometimes rot
If the windshield isn't sealed right the fuse box gets wet and corodes still a issue in 2007

Check the diesel garage HD forum , builds and rides section some stuff there and a links thread for thing you might need

 

I run a 1987 379exhd every day and it's reliability still amazes me. I do a little over 400 miles a day on my route and IMOP Peterbilt did a great job right from the start with the 379. As you probably know, 87 was the first year. What engine did yours come with originally? What rear suspension?

 

Here's a picture of "tighty whitey". She's set up to pull all kinds of construction trailers, but 3 months ago I switched over to hauling scrap metal. Steady work, rain or shine. Enjoying the stability.

 

Back in '87 most everyone was running 15 speed tranny my favorite.I think 18 speeds are over rated.

 

Its worth 2500 for parts if the sheetmetal is ok, The car hauler axle is only 1.5" btw, As for electronics, I don't necessarily agree with the diehard mechanical folks...I think both can be great engines. In my experience the 3406E/c15/c16's are some of the best engines made and Mawk Industires makes a harness for retrofit so easy a caveman could do it.