New truck opinions

It's the same truck my friend. Pick the hood you like the best...

 

Choose the dealer you like the most, your gonna spend lotsa time there with any of these new trucks. Personaly I like the Petes, but thats what we've always run.

 

Look at gliders, I'm promoting them to all my O/Os as the cost of a new truck based on our fleet pricing is up $40K/unit in the last 5 years. Price increases are astronomical. Gliders give you better reliability, MPG (although you have heavy specs so it may not matter to you), can be depreciated like a new asset, and carry a comparable warranty to new equipment (depending on OEM). They're a great solution as long as you're not running in CA and some Eastern seaboard states.

 

W900L FTW.

 

Pros: Pete- more leg room (you can stick your right foot under the dash in
front of the shifter) when in cruise
Better HVAC system
Better wipers(they are closer to the defrost vent so they melt
ice quicker). KW is the same if you get 1 piece windshield.
KW- More air tight cab less wind noise
Better front spring hangers(if you get the old screw in
bushings instead of the new rubber pos's)
Consete Rattle trap
Less factory dress options(light panels under sleeper,air
cleaner lights, cowl extensions,extra grill bars etc.)
KW- Doesn't offer "bullet" cab lights, mitred stacks, 2 tone button

interior anymore. Daylight doors are standard no vent glass
option.
Cabin filter is aftermarket and still lets in more dust than
Pete factory one.





Don't know about a "Star Car"

 

That seems to be standard across the industry. Personally, I like having the vent window...so until they make a comeback, I won't be buying a "new" truck.

 

Ditto!! I saved over $40K ordering a glider with pre-emissions engine compared to a similarly spec'd new truck with all that emissions hassle and FET.

To OP, you are looking at a Pete 389, it is offered as a glider truck!!! Either get an engine of your choice and rebuild it to your specs or get a factory rebuilt. Get a rebuilt 18. Everything else in the truck can be brand new and to your specs if you want it.

Since California is the only stumbling block to doing this, It was an easy choice for me..... California can drop off in the ocean for all I care!!! There is absolutely no freight in or out of California that would justify me spending an extra $40K for a truck and the added cost of maintenance and downtime due to sensors and emissions junk goofing up at the most inconvenient time. There is plenty of freight in the other 47 contiguous states.

Your call on that one.