Why I won't buy another Freightliner

I use to drive a FLD back in the 90’s, it was a tough no nonsense truck and 900K miles later it was still going strong and holding up.

 

Look at all the old cabovers. Saw this in my home town. Every freight hauler drove one.

 

I will admit to being a former century owner and the build quality of that truck was pathetic .

 

Good thread topic!

Had a KW T2000, 2001. 1.3 million, still know the current owner.

Mechanic hated it , everything stuffed up under firewall. Dash was integrated, non serviceable. Interior held up very well. Doors reasonable, given the age.

AG 200 was trash, swapped for 400. Paint held up well. Parts available relatively cheap, but stay away from the KW rapist (dealer).

Great starter truck, if maintained.

Current truck - 1995 379 EX hood, 12.7.

Mechanic loves it. Walk into the engine bay. West coast mirrors and brackets still solid on doors that close snd seal well. Dash panels still good, plastic beginning to get brittle.

Parts are fairly generic and reasonable. Nothing too crazy on design flaws.

A lot of it comes down to maintenance and care of equipment. I re bush, re tire and re shock anything I drive, balance all positions, add Centramatics, clean polish and lube.

Bought it for the ICT sleeper, but I’m happy with the 25 year old Pete.

 

Hey Blair when did you get that truck? I remember reading your whole post sometime, I think early last year. But havent kept up or checked back since then

 

I've owned international, kw , volvo and freightliner...driven Pete and western star .
Absolutely none were perfect !
The closest to perfect was probably the 87 9670 eagle .
As said It boils down to maintenance and the driver .
Last may i had a freightliner tech in salina Kansas go for a check ride in my truck with his lap top hooked up , he commented " i dont see many 700k cascadias this clean and tight "
I said yep it's not owned by an ape and cared for .

 

What about me ? Lol