1980 Kenworth W900A light rebuild thread

The door panels are in very good shape. The plastic isn't too good. I've got a broken handle on the driver side. I have piece from another door to splice in. I'll take a pic of my W9L doors and show you what I have in mind. I'd like to see some pics of what you build if you have some.

 

I had to replace all the air bags and shocks and brake cans. It only had maxis on the back axle so I added them to the front drive axle as well. I replaced most all the airlines as well. I added a new QR valve for the front axle maxis. Someone has updated the rearends to 3.55 ratio from the factory 4.33. There are a couple of leaky wheel seals so I will have to tackle that project soon. It has dust covers (surprisingly) on the brakes. so I'm not sure what I will find when I start that part of the project.

 

This is out of order but I wanted to show the battery box. When I picked up the truck, there was one battery that wouldn't take a jump. I brought a couple of new ones with me and got it loaded. At home, I built a hold down bracket and put in 4 new ones. The fiberglass bracket was long gone. I have built quite a few of these brackets, they're quick and cheap and last forever. I have bought quite a few used trucks, and one thing I always look at is the battery box. It always seems like the condition of the batteries, cables and the box is a pretty good clue on the maintenance of the truck in general. This one wasn't good. The luberfiner was also long gone so I filled the hole with a piece of aluminum.

 

Here's the passenger side box. It has a cool feature that I always thought about doing on an A model but never did. I might add a T-handle latch to make it a little handier.

 

Thanks. I should add that I put on the side step brackets. They are off of a W900L and they are are 3 or 4 inches lower. It makes a big difference getting in.

 

I decided to replace the floor. There were a bunch of holes in it and it was oil saturated as well. I used 1" plywood and varnished it on both sides. I decided to try Amazon Basics sound deadener mat. It seems to me like it's as good as the Dynamat I put in my 1997 W9L and about 1/3 the price. I just went over that with some rubber mat. Like I said, if I keep it, it will probably be a water truck. There are a couple guys that want me to finish it as a tractor and sell it. I might but I'm getting a lot more of my time into it than I thought. As usual.

 

As far as I know it is original. I think KW changed styles in 1980 because I bought a new one in 80 and I remember it being the older style. (Which I like better)
KW HVAC sucks in my opinion. I put a new Jemali in my '97 W9L and WOW! I was in Parker AZ last year at 117 degrees and my AC fan was one click BELOW high. Normally I would be on high all day and 1/2 of a degree from popping a sweat. I've never taken a cab down as far as you are and I'm wondering if it's feasible to do something similar to an A Model. As far as I can tell, Shoreline and Jemali don't offer anything for these trucks.