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FL Classic XL versus Peterbilt 379

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015.

Page 3 of 9
  1. Jul 18, 2015 #21
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    I like the large Condo on the classics and it would be something I could have the frame lengthened and the condo bumped out another 3 feet and have a very livable truck for many years to come.
    To rebuild a truck like this you would have an additional 40 to 50 thousand just into the mechanical s and that is with me doing the labor

    Not in a million years will you get your money back out of a Pete or a FL Classic. But it would be nice to know you invested your money in a truck that is comfortable and goes down the road properly.

    My thing I don't like with the Pete, and I know I am being a girl, is the narrow cab with the tight squeeze between the seats and the lack of headroom in the cab compared to the Classic.

    A pic of a $_57.JPG 169030_181458955218827_8070429_n.jpg little idea what I would like to do with a Classic in the future.
     
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    #21
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  3. Jul 18, 2015 #22
    Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    As long as you are happy that's all that matters. I've put time and lots of money into mine, and it's worth nothing to anyone else other than myself. If you plan on keeping it for a long time it doesn't matter anyways. You can still find some XL's with the 84" condo. That would be a good start for a big bunk project.
     
    Long FLD, Jul 18, 2015
    Long FLD, Jul 18, 2015
    #22
  4. Jul 18, 2015 #23
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Financial combustion?
     
    AModelCat, Jul 18, 2015
    AModelCat, Jul 18, 2015
    #23
    Mr.X Thanks this.
  5. Jul 18, 2015 #24
    Mr.X

    Mr.X Heavy Load Member

    737
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    Oct 31, 2013
    Spokane, WA
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    I often wondered about that! I had a 1988 Pete several years ago, The marker lights would occasionally come on at night when the truck was sitting in the driveway, a new switch solved that problem.
     
    Mr.X, Jul 18, 2015
    Mr.X, Jul 18, 2015
    #24
  7. Jul 18, 2015 #25
    KeithT1967

    KeithT1967 Road Train Member

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    Coming from a classic fan and half ownership of an 01 XL. The classic and every other fld has the worst door fit of any vehicle this side of eastern europe.

    Ive had to custom fab door hinges for a classic and a 120 the doors to work and seal properly.

    Q: What the diff between a Jehovas Witness and a Freightliner?

    A: You can close the door on a Jehovas Witness.
     
    KeithT1967, Jul 18, 2015
    KeithT1967, Jul 18, 2015
    #25
    postmandav, RedForeman, icsheeple and 4 others Thank this.
  8. Jul 18, 2015 #26
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Well that is another thing I am looking at with the Pete is how expensive their proprietary items are compared to a Freightliner.

    I guess if you buy a old Pete it would be wise to spend a few thousand on a Fireboy Suppresion system also
     
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    #26
  9. Jul 18, 2015 #27
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Yea I have heard all about the door sealing problems. Being a lifetime driver of the older body style Chevrolet vans I can relate to the non sealing doors and the aggravation it takes to get them to seal properly.
    A little manhandling on the window frame and they seem to seal a lot better.
     
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    #27
  10. Jul 18, 2015 #28
    Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    In the looks dept I think they both look great. They both have that long nose classic look.

    ....but I have driven both,.. and my experience the Peterbilt handles much better. The FL Classic leans into turns and sways in the wind much more than a Pete. The steering in the Pete gives excellent road feed back. The steering feels tighter and much more responsive. The Classic feels like it has too much power steering assist. Much less road feedback and it has that notorious "shaker" ride. Not sure how else to describe it. Dont get me wrong,.. My 3 favorites are the 379, W900 and the FL Classic. Big air breathers, tall pipes, loud jakes all on big 24" rubber. Thats the traditional classic American truck to me. If you spend any time in either,.. KW and Pete both 'feel' like they are built better. Just have a more solid feel going down the road. Even my 386 (As problematic as it was) felt worlds better to go down the road in than my Columbia.

    Hurst
     
    Hurst, Jul 18, 2015
    Hurst, Jul 18, 2015
    #28
  11. Jul 18, 2015 #29
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    To me they all look the same. Of all of them I like the looks of the 900 with the integrated sleeper but the cab is just as tight as the Pete in the width department.

    Time to Mount a old classic cab on a Pete frame i guess if the handling is really warranted.
     
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    tommymonza, Jul 18, 2015
    #29
  12. Jul 18, 2015 #30
    Mr.X

    Mr.X Heavy Load Member

    737
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    Oct 31, 2013
    Spokane, WA
    0
    The 2015 Pete Im driving now has the swivel armrest that swings outta the way, if that’s the only concern, maybe just put a new driver seat in an older style.
     
    Mr.X, Jul 18, 2015
    Mr.X, Jul 18, 2015
    #30
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