Cabovers

Interesting--but other than the fold out steps--and the daylight windows--just how is this new KW200--any different from a 25-30 yr old K100? Even has old style round headlamps? What am I missing folks?

 

Interesting see how the steps look after a mill. Sensors to make them idiot proof, but they keep coming up with better idiots.
The round H4 lights generally give out a better light than the rectangle ones, as for he rest of the things like the day lite doors and even the door handles, kenworth Australia are usually 4-5 years behind any changes in the paccar USA products, i guess they like to make sure things will last before they change , they still have old school wiring, fuses , relays, and flasher unit , no CECU - cab electronic control unit to worry about, they also raised the cab to fit bigger radiators when the egr engines were introduced so they take even more effort to climb into now, but the floor where the engine tunnel was is more flat now, I went through the factory a couple of years ago and they are still mostly assembled by hand, and alot of the parts are made locally , like all the interior is made by a small company that does all kw Australia interiors .
in some ways but ( not all ) the Australian paccar product is better than the US big brother

 

Really I've never seen K200.... where can I find it? in Australia?

 

Yes sir. I think they called them k200 when remodeled the k108 to fit the egr dpf isx

 

Boy do I wish these were available stateside.

 

One of my mates just got his brand new one a couple of weeks ago 2.8m big cab. Yes the "new" k200 are a lot more improved over the old 108's. near flat floor you can easily stand up now, they also have a brand new dash.
They lifted the cab by 90mm for the new radiators and lowered the tunnel. Fridge and freezer is now built into the cab under the bed. They also have the smart wheel now with jake and cruise control now on the steering wheel. Yes Kenworth are very slow with change but when you have the number one selling b-double king, why change.

The steps are really good. That is not just coming from a kw fanboy either. They are easily big enough to pace your bag on and climb up at the same time. Also the 2 grab handles on the cab make for your 3 points of contact. Just like the freightliner swing out steps.

We don't have set back axels because Australia's front axel weights are so strict that with a set back axel it is very hard to get the weight down. Like the Scania v8's we can only get the highline cab because they only just scrape under the 6.5 tonne. The freightliner argosy's have set forward axel aswell.

Yes they are not as comfortable as a euro but that luxury comes at a cost and it is weight.
Also you guy don't understand how big these "big cabs" are inside. They are easily double the size inside of the euros but they don't have the packaging of the euros.

Btw seen the new volvos the other day.
What have they done. I liked the old volvos but that thing is awful.

 

Almost looks like a Peterbilt 362E in the side shot.

 

Here is a couple of pics inside from google





Also a new thing is the fold away gear leaver so it is easier to access the cab.
It still looks like it is hard the access the sleeper but with the new dash and floor it really isn't, even my old man who is 65 and of the larger build could easily get from the seat to the bunk, there is a lot more room than it looks.

Next time I see his truck I will get some better pics of inside.

 

I found a video on YouTube which shows the steps a bit better and also a walk through the cut away cab.

[video=youtube_share;0JWoW5WsyHk]http://youtu.be/0JWoW5WsyHk[/video]

 

Yes, Australia/NZ only