Older cabovers OTR?

Old thread, but it has a been a great read. I just bought a 1984 International 9670 with The Big Cam 3 Cummings motor, 13sp trans and air ride suspension. I bought the truck sight unseen, viewed the pictures only and talked to the guy selling it. It is in fantastic shape, in and out. Has 237,000 miles. I know these are good motors but I may have to do some upgrades on the cooling system, front suspension and anything else I can do to make it better than factory. I plan to have it picked up and brought to a shop I choose to be inspected 100%. Than go from there.

 

I drove several of them,had no choice if you pulled a new style 53' trailer, cause 53's were not legal behind a conventional tractor back in the day. A COE is like a flying brick in the wind and pushes it rather than cutting thru it. Figure with a mechanical motor MPG will prob be between 3.5 to maybe,maybe 6 if you slowride. Some ride better than others,but most have a backslap effect when you hit a large chuckhole,expansion joint,etc. Yeah I still like the looks of a few of them,but hide all your loose stuff when u raise the cab doing engine work or all of it will be on the windshield. Also if a flat top,(non areodyne) think about trying to change clothes,or putting them back on,then climb out in the middle of the night when you got to find a restroom. I remember hitting bumps and holding the wheel for dear life as your butt is no longer on the seat - yea ha,the good ol days. Some guys worry about if you crash head on into something,you have nothing between you and what you hit,unlike a conv with bumper,frame,motor in front of you. Just stuff to think about.

 

I drove several of them,had no choice if you pulled a new style 53' trailer, cause 53's were not legal behind a conventional tractor back in the day. A COE is like a flying brick in the wind and pushes it rather than cutting thru it. Figure with a mechanical motor MPG will prob be between 3.5 to maybe,maybe 6 if you slowride. Some ride better than others,but most have a backslap effect when you hit a large chuckhole,expansion joint,etc. Yeah I still like the looks of a few of them,but hide all your loose stuff when u raise the cab doing engine work or all of it will be on the windshield. Also if a flat top,(non areodyne) think about trying to change clothes,or putting them back on,then climb out in the middle of the night when you got to find a restroom. I remember hitting bumps and holding the wheel for dear life as your butt is no longer on the seat - yea ha,the good ol days. Some guys worry about if you crash head on into something,you have nothing between you and what you hit,unlike a conv with bumper,frame,motor in front of you. Just stuff to think about.

 

Will you be driving this cabover professionally or as a hobby?

 

Dnam,didn't notice how old this thread was when I posted. Bad internet connect made me post twice.....again

 

My Brother K100 Kenworth gets 6 to 6.5 mpg with 3406B cat . He loves his truck but he does say the ride is not the best. he will retire it someday and make it his show truck or sunny day truck....

#### .. I just seen how old post was as well.. LOL

 

Professionally.

 

My only concern for you would be how available are parts for the cabovers. Let's say you drive a k100 and break down. Is the Kenworth dealer going to have that part and if not how long are you going to have to wait? This alone would concern me. My father drives local and has a 95 year truck. Sometimes it takes a couple days for parts to come in. Can you afford to wait a couple days out on the road for parts to arrive? Compare that with let's say a Cascadia. Anywhere you look you have parts on deck ready to go not to mention they're probably a lot cheaper.

 

Ha!!!!! That's the funniest thing I have heard all week. lol. don't have to wait at a freightliner dealer because you have a newer truck??? Ha, ha, ha! Cheaper too!!!! Bahaahhhaaa!!!! Oh stop you killing me!!!!! Rotflol!!!!!

 

Seriously though, that's the point!!!!! you can buy anything you need to make an old cabover move or stop at any NAPA store in the country and have it the next morning at the latest. You can fix it in the parking lot with a 9/16, flathead screwdriver and a big f%#}}n hammer. If you can't fix most things on a cabover yourself it is not the right truck for you.

"Sorry @6rider I was just picking on ya a little"