Help specing a truck

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by gabrielluces2, Jan 10, 2020.

  1. gabrielluces2

    gabrielluces2 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 27, 2017
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    hello guy/girls with all the new eld stuff I’m finding it harder to make delivery’s. I’m in the market for a older truck pre 2000 either Pete 379 or Kent w900l.
    I run long haul WA to NY reefer trailer. I’d like to go 70 on the freeway but not a big deal.
    What set ups do you recommend? I’d like a cat but Detroit or n14 will do fine. If you think one dose better on fuel compared to the other then let me know. Appreciate the help in advance.

    Currently running and 06 Volvo ISX 13sp not sure on the gear ratio 3:55 I think barley likes to go 70 Rpms at 1450
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,098
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    Big horse Detriot.

    13 speed double something your taste.

    3.6x something

    345 gallons total capacity if not a little more. Fuel tank heated return lines to them from the engine.

    Ability to cruise somwhere at 72 mph, 1675 ish redlines at 2150, jacobs braking system. Minimum 1850 totque.

    No radar, no adaptive, no fancy auto, one manual button to stay n gear all day and a paddle shift on column as well as a trolley valve on the left side under the wheel. 5000 watt inverter. Someway to cool that thing. 3 in one battery protection combined with a APU that can feed all four, provide you with hotel support

    Do not use plastic airlines red and green. Use Rubber or nearly so.

    A deliberately comprehensive dails system. If you don't know something creeping past 265 F persistantly and stubbornly for a few hours on your forward drive you might otherwise not know of it in time to see someone about it.

    Even though you have a formal APU, have a old time wabco bunk heater on the back of that sleeper. Kept in good condition ready to go. You never know that you life depend on it.

    Do not allow yourself a coolant container that will leak with a middle towards bottom side cap. STICK to old time truisms so your rig is in it's world of relatively happiness.

    Carry a half milk crate of labeled spares. Oil pan bolts, maxi bolts, bolt bolts, cables, jumpers etc. Tow bars in particular, wheel nuts and seals and fluids and so on. and on and on. Consider that your magic sleigh ride. Might be something in there in form of a doodad that might get you moving again and avoid a tow that time.
     
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    The hood will cost you .75 mpg.

    I ran an N-14 in a T2000 at 7.2 mpg lifetime,

    My 95 379 with a Detroit 12.7 gets 6.2.

    I changed rears from 3:70 to 3:55 - it sits at -

    1500 in 12th - 60 mph
    1500 in 13th - 70 mph

    Personally, running the lane you mentioned, I’d look for 3:70’s.

    I liked the N-14 for pulling power over the 12.7. After a 550 tune and bigger turbo and manifold it performs well - But it’s smaller displacement at the end of the day.

    That’s my 2c
     
  5. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Orion's Belt
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    Get a E model cat..........
     
  6. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    Apr 29, 2012
    NE illinois
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    E model cat , 2nd choice would be 1999 14l detroit - with right turbo , manifold and tune it will do great !
     
  7. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Sep 17, 2012
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    Maybe you just need more time to do the run.

    Get one of the older Cat 6NZ and have Pittsburgh power turn it up to 1,000 HP
     
  8. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Flint, MI
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    If the method of recording HOS is making you late, you need to either trip plan better or negotiate better to be able to deliver loads in legal times.
     
    Mattmanstroked and Roberts450 Thank this.
  9. gabrielluces2

    gabrielluces2 Bobtail Member

    9
    2
    Dec 27, 2017
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    What are you guys seeing on mpg with the cats?

    As far as eld goes different seasons have caused different problems. I have plenty of time between drops but with the weather I’m finding it difficult. I make it to my delivery’s, but every once and a while I’m finding myself 9 hours into my 10 hour and have to deliver 20 minutes befor my clock is up. I don’t push or pull my logs, even when I had paper logs. Only time I would play with them is when I would make delivery’s (The Bronx isn’t a fun place to try and go to during the day or park in the winter when there’s a no idle law) Other issue is I’ve switched to two different logging device company’s in the last year because there's constant errors with communication from the eld to my iPad or eld to server. I’ve been a OTR Owner operator for 5 years I’ve never had a violation on paper logs. 2019 I’ve had three and been put out of service because of a connection issue. Even when I was able to provide a trip sheet, dot didn’t care. Wrote me up anyways. I just didn’t realize how good I had it for so many years. I have allot of money invested in my volvo when it was handed down to me I rebuilt the motor, trans, and first diff. Never had a problem with the truck. I love what I do but to treated like garbage by dot for a issue I had not control over is where I drew the line, so I’m willing to do what I can to remove the stress and have fun at my job again.

    I’ve only owned the one truck with 3.58 gearing, 13sp idle at 1450 at 65 and a Cummins ISX getting roughly 6.4 seemed od to me so I just want to make sure I get a good set up for the next truck. I’m sure most of you have been in allot more tucks then the 2 I’ve driven in my 7 year career. Thank you to those that have helped and given information.

    Everyone drives differently eld talk won’t change anyone’s mind on the situation one day when they find a way to get rid of gliders and pre 2000 will also be the day I throw in the towel. This is a great career but it’s undergone allot of bureaucracy.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2020
  10. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

    19,805
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    Orion's Belt
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    6.2-6 is the best I’ve ever gotten. But my specs are heavy .
     
  11. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

    3,015
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    Apr 29, 2012
    NE illinois
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    I get 7-7.1 when i was driving with stepdeck ( different loads and terrain ) at 61-62mph , 6mpg when i drive 70-72 .
    My truck is aerodynamic t660 , it compensates bit having c16
     
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