Advice Please On 2004 Kenworth C-15

You will get lots of advice here in both directions. Most will tell you how bad mpgs your going to get. I have a 06 W9L with a Cat 18spd 3.55 rears but has tall 24.5. It gets 6.5 mpgs and will out pull most trucks out there. BUT it did take a little bit of an investment to get it there, a tune and exhaust work. I run local with a hood if I was otr and had a T-6 7+ would be possible if driven properly. But I am guessing that 04 has a bridge or early acert you need to find that out first both can "fixed". You will end up with a great running truck.
Longevity has alot to do with the prior owners maint. Thats anyones guess.

 

CHeck out this thread for more info. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...elers/140735-2000-2010-engine-comparison.html If you really want a KW, I'd get something a year or two older with an N14 Cummins in it. You won't get any praise from me on CAT motors. Heck, you can get an older KW with a Detroit I believe 2002 was the last year. You will be much more satisfied with the Detroit.

 

You forgot to mention what the price was for the truck, here's a 2002 T-600 which will probably be less and work better for you.

http://www.50000trucks.com/search/specsheet/?ID=2735383

 

I am guesing your related to JohnP3 :smt064

 

No, I just enjoy a good running engine. :smt064

 

Then why would you suggest a Detroit?:smt017
I had one a 93 470hp 10spd what a dog. Got good mpgs 7.2 I think it was, but thats all it would pass was a fuel stop. My next truck (both T-600s) was a 95 475 Cat(factory tune) 15spd it got 7.0 mpgs pulled alot better and smoother .2 less mpgs worth the trade off been a Cat fan since. Now I have a tuned Cat. You have no idea. Best running truck I have ever driven! To each his own.

 

Do you realize that one small problem in a truck can cut power or fuel economy? A sensor? A leaky CAC? Any glitch. You will see in my thread I made, in comparison a 430 HP C15 against a 515 HP Detroit, they both feel close. Of course, one was pre-emission and one wasn't.

The reason it was a dog, you had a 10 speed in it. If you had that 13 or 15 speed you might be singing a different tune. I love 10 speeds for their smoothness and close gearing down low, but there is too big a drop up top. I don't like 9/13 speed transmissions, just not as smooth. A 9 speed shouldn't even be in an over the road truck.

Could you imagine if you took the splitter of your current truck with the CAT and had just a 9 speed? It would really turn into a dog. Detroit is number one in the Class 8 segment for a reason, same goes with motor coaches. Now the New Detroit Diesel DD13/DD15, I wouldn't recommend them. In fact, I wouldn't recommend a single engine after 2010 I'd be scared to own any of them.

 

my last post here we've highjacked this post enough BUT just how much differance is there between a 10 and a 15 at road speed? not much, the 15 is slighty better spaced. I have a 18 now most of the time dont split till I am in high gear and never have to because of a hill because the truck has power.
Detroit being number 1 for a reason true but not the reason you might think. Oh and I dont think Cat has the best thing going and is the best for everyone. If your going to count every tenth of a cent and do nothing much to modify your truck its probalbly not your best choice. There is more to trucking than counting pennies. If your only in it for the money there is easier money to be made. Make decent money and enjoy your work. Drive what you like. All of them can be profitable and they all have there lemons.

 

I worked at a truck dealership, and every "CAT" that came for a used truck inspection HAD to have a bottle test done on it. With that kind of mileage I would get a dyno run done on it at a Cat dealer. It is a very good idea, they can give you a good idea what you are getting.
Nothing on a cat is cheap or can be done quickly, that adds up to big dollars, out of your pocket.
Fuel mileage, there is a number of MM3 of fuel burnt to make HP, on a cat it is on the oil cooler, compare it to other choices.
I love CAT, Freightliner sold 3% Cat and I spent 50% of my time on them. If you want to go fast, and brag about something then buy the CAT.
If you want to make money, then buy a 460 N14 and derate it to 430, that gives you the best cam for the Jake's and decent fuel mileage. and it will last a long time.
The S60 is also a very good option, that is if you want to make money.