Pete 379:Like it/ Hate it?

Do they make the 359's anymore? I have yet to drive one but I do like the looks of the pete.

Hunter

 

Peterbilt stopped building the 359's in mid 1987.

 

i've actually only driven the 378, but that's virtually identically to the 379 except the the 8 has a fiberglass hood vs. the aluminum hood on the 9, so i guess i'm still qualified to answer.

Yes, i do like it; Very high quality---no squeaks, rattles etc. That's typical of PACCAR's attention to detail. Things are easy to fix.

However, if i were going to buy one, i would try to get one with a shorter hood if possible; i don't know if they offer shorter BBC's on this model? i would also probably not get the large "pro-series" sleeper, instead probably opting for a flattop 48" or even 36". i would then also try to keep the WB to under 200". i know that peterbilt can make it any WB you want.

Part of the turn radius problem is due to having a longer WB. For example, R model macks are not known for having a particularly tight turn radius, but ones i drove at overnite had relatively shorter wheelbases and thus they turned ok. Conversely, i drove a K-100(that's a cabover in case you don't know) at a specialized carrier. You would think that a cabover would have a very tight turn radius, but this one had 280" WB so you really had to crank the steering wheel all the time.

As far as the leaning out the door while backing; i don't remember if i did that when i drove the 378, but in any case i do that alot even with the aero trucks that i drive now and even with my cars.

 

I have plenty of room and I can see everything going on around my truck.I don`t like narrow cabs like on a Peterbilt.I drove a Pete dump truck for about a year once,most limber thing I was ever in.A well speced Ford will drive as good with 120,000 pound as it will empty.The doors on a Ford always work better than anything I have driven.