Opinions on '80s to '90s trucks

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Lenny8000, Feb 8, 2024.

  1. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

    19,846
    214,022
    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
    0
    I'm 6' or 6'1" been told both. W900 day cab, or step through bunk, is a really tight situation. 379/389 Pete daycab ok. Pete big hole great. Later W/S like after 96 is good. Frieghtliner flc, tight. Fld ok. Fld with integral bunk has miles of leg room. Flc/fld with removable bunk is tight. Volvo wia integral is kinda tight, but VN has alot of room. So many variations its hard to say. Trucks didn't used to be like cars. They would build anything you could pay for.

    KW, And Frieghtliner did make some extended cab Daycabs. Couple extra inches. Probably impossible to find now.

    @wore out Pete sold a Dana steer specifically that cut really tight. Mostly for severe service. But I can't remember the axle number. I recall it was a really tight degree angle. Ran numerous wreckers that were built with them. You probably know more about them exactly than I recall.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. exhausted379

    exhausted379 Road Train Member

    1,976
    27,301
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    I just heard about 97 or 98 W9 last weekend. Daycab and it has a wench on it which if you didn't need would probably bring a decent penny around here. I don't know any of the particulars other than he's asking 20K. If you're interested, let me know.
     
    Rideandrepair, Feedman and Oxbow Thank this.
  4. Lenny8000

    Lenny8000 Bobtail Member

    26
    48
    Jul 25, 2022
    East Central WI
    0
    @exhausted379
    I might be if it's set up decent. That age would have more electronics than I'd care for, but still not bad. It has a winch? I assume it still has a 5th wheel? Where is it located?
     
    Rideandrepair, Oxbow and exhausted379 Thank this.
  5. exhausted379

    exhausted379 Road Train Member

    1,976
    27,301
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    In the Abilene, Tx area. What I told you is all I know, I'm sorry I don't know anymore. I can try to get his number for you if you are interested.
     
    Rideandrepair, Feedman and Oxbow Thank this.
  6. Lenny8000

    Lenny8000 Bobtail Member

    26
    48
    Jul 25, 2022
    East Central WI
    0
    Oof, that's a bit of a drive for me. Be worth it though if it's what I want. Probably has next to no rust, that's always good. I might keep looking closer and keep that one in mind.
     
    Rideandrepair, Oxbow and exhausted379 Thank this.
  7. Lenny8000

    Lenny8000 Bobtail Member

    26
    48
    Jul 25, 2022
    East Central WI
    0
    W900 A+B cabs are aluminum, correct? I read somewhere that the A model 900s had a plywood floor? Is that right?
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  8. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

    15,416
    186,073
    Jun 5, 2013
    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
    0
    The A model KW as well as the 359 Pete have plywood half floors. The section in front of the drivers seat is plywood the seat itself sits on aluminum. You’ll never know it unless you do and hopefully when you find out you’re stopped. Not half stood up with the throttle cable pulled back trying to reach the cooler in the bunk cuz you want a sammich. Sad times all around
     
  9. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

    7,568
    45,898
    Mar 15, 2021
    0
    I’ve referred from posting in this thread but JMO go find yourself a IH 9400 blow star they got plenty of leg room are simple & reasonable to work on and you can buy one of the Farm yard. Ferraris for little of nothing 12 15k will get ya in decent one easy You start talking about buy a A model KW and 15k might get you a well used up carcass to spend another 30k on to make it road worthy
    BTW … KW stands for Keep Wishing .. it was a Peterbilt
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2024
  10. exhausted379

    exhausted379 Road Train Member

    1,976
    27,301
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    Excellent post!!!
     
  11. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

    7,568
    45,898
    Mar 15, 2021
    0
    Over the years I have pull off some pretty awkward moves in a 359 some I’am proud of others not so much but our friend @wore out has my Curiosity up I’am fix’n to dail him up to get the whole story this outa be good lmao
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.