thinking of buying 9900ix

I was actually impressed with how tight the dash is on mine. No rattles or squeaks when idleing. As far as leg room Im only 5,7 and its good. I do have a bunk so the seat goes back more than a day cab. Mine rides a little rough but not terrible. I also have a 13,200 front axle and 46,000 rears. I bet 12s and 40s ride better. The one thing I dont like is the mirrors. They are way to far back. Actually in the middle of the side windows but I cant move them forward because they would hit the air filters when the door opens. If you dont have the external air filters then I think they can be moved forward. Bad blind spot. I agree the climate control isnt real good either.

 

My 2003 9900 is not an ix, but all the same, it's proven to be a decent truck. Bought mine for $12K a few months ago with a 6NZ Cat, 13B trans and (I think) 3.90 rears. Gets about 6 MPG, and has already paid for itself. I don't like International's sleeper layout, and yes, it does ride kinda rough. Also, with the full height 72 inch bunk it is a bit on the heavy side.

 

For thelife of me I can't see how those ride bad with the big airbags and airride cab? Is the bad ride coming from the steering?

 

In my case, definitely. The rears track well over bumps, but the steers jump around a lot.

 

Well... it was a daycab with (I think) 195-200" wb. In it's defense, that's pretty short but it just hammered over the bumps. This is in north central Illinois where they build the bridges 8" higher than the surrounding roadway to make sure nobody falls asleep at the wheel. Maybe I had a lemon but it sure soured my opinion on IH trucks.

 

When I changed my steer tires from kellyto b.f. st 244's the ride improved so much, I would not have believed it unless I experienced it myself.

 

x2 on the bfg st244's, them are the shizzle fo sho. nice tires

 

Isn't that a sad testimony to road building! Mankind has been building serious road routes since the days of the Roman Empire, but with all the modern technology, we still can't get a road and a bridge the same height!

Regarding the 9900, I drove several of them when I lived in Alaska. They sure weren't the prettiest girl at the dance and they did lack some of the finer creature comforts, but they did do the job pretty well and were quite reliable, and were fairly easy to work on, even when a driver had to make an expedient repair in the middle of winter till he could get back to the shop. Spec'd right, I would have no problem buying one. Have a 9400 now, which is just a 9900 with a touch of aerodynamics.

 

I only wish they would offer the 9900 or the LoneStar as glider kits. I would bet they would be able to produce a lot more LoneStar's than they are able to sell now. The 9900 chassis and body would make for a real good glider kit. You would be able to put just about any engine imaginable in that style truck and have a real keeper.

I am considering a glider kit FL Coronado the next time around. I would love to see Navistar jump into that market with a 9900 or LoneStar glider kit.