Peterbilt 379

I have driven the volvos petes kws and other makes,, the volvo rides so rough after a short while the dash falls apart and other interior parts start laying on the floor,, the w 900 L is a nice truck but sits high and more space to climb on the steps, pete 379 lower to the ground less space on steps to climb and its not in the nose bleed section like volvos w900Ls or freightshakers, the aero trucks are ok but are like sails when the wind blows, and are also top heavy, i personaly love the pete 379 for ride and comfort on the road and there isnt a dock i couldnt put it in to.

 

I'm planing on doing this to mine as well. I'd be interested in any info on the small things you don't think of before you do something. you can pm me if you have any tips

 

I was scared to death the first time I got into a 379 (out of a century class) I wanted one so bad and didn't want to look like a rookie could not believe how easy it was to get around in had a fight with pa in law ex old school trucker about the big hood but I find it easier to see even with no air in the chair all I had to do is lean forward and I could see the front no guessing. In a w9 now hard to judge the front and dosen't turn near as good, no leg room I'm 6'3 and with a plate could get the pete seat back far enough I couldn't push the clutch all the way down to put into gear. The only problem I had with 379 244wb big bunk, add headache rack left no room to slide the wheel always heavy on drives nothing on the front

 

moving the cab back really aint all that hard....... but drilling new holes in the frame is a mother! exspecialy if your rig is double framed, witch mine is.....

one thing kinda leads to another, you have to move the step boxes and fuel tanks back as well, witch leads to more holes to drill, the shifter will have to be bent some, refabricated, or move the hole in your floor, if its an old truck, you throttle linkage will have to be made longer too, clutch linkage is minor

what model do you plan on doing this to? im doin it to a 359, witch also throws a few more wrenchs in the gears, let me know ill try to be as much help as i can, maybe i can even get some pics up

 

The days of the 379 are now gone... Pete stopped making them.. It's the 389 now right? Similiar but with some suttle differences. A little more aerodynamic, but not much.

W/ fuel being so high, the old 379's are going to be going the way of the dinosaurs... extinct.. MPG is the name of the game and the 379 isn't efficient in that catagory.. I know I own a 2001 Pete 379EXH. It's my last truck, when it dies or I get sick and tired of it, I'm hanging up my spurs.. For GOOD!

But, if someone wants to buy a pretty decent Pete and a double drop..... PM me.. I might be in the mood to sell it haha!

 

Gonzo, my friend just bought a 99' 379 with a new C15 cat, 3:70 rears and 10spd tranny and only gets 5.9. With that being said, I think you're right on people not buying 379's; however, only die hard pete fanatics and mechanics/drivers will buy them as they avoid all that expensive labor.

Hunter

 

I don't know guys- 550hpW9 has a stout KW and he said he was getting some really good mileage numbers. The biggest factor is the person behind the wheel. Even small changes can make a big difference.

And Gonzo, I bet you pull a good amount of overgross freight on that Double Drop; any truck is going to have a tough time making good fuel economy in that application. And your Pete probably holds up better than the average FL/Volvo, even an HD one. And keeps more resale too. Sounds like a decent tradeoff to me.

PS- I know you weren't knocking your Pete.

 

Alright, as a mechanic/driver I do prefer the 379 and the 389 over any truck with a cab foward design, IE, Volvo, KW T2000. The long hood does give the mechanic (me) more room to work on the engine. Yes I can lay down on the vavle cover and access the transmission if I wanted to or some of the EGR hoses back there. Now I have driven a few different types of trucks including some that you all might not have even heard of before. The only trucks that I have found that ride almost as smooth as the 379, 389, W900 are the Pete 386 and the KW T660. To tell you the truth the T660 is a lot easier to work on than a Volvo. If I can't get the old school then give me the 386 or 660. Nuff said on my part.

 

I was recently truck shopping and really wanted to go the "practical" route, a 387 or maybe a well equipped 780. I studied them, looked at them, shopped them. Finally settled on an unseen 387 with the Premier interior, leather seats, CAT, 13 speed, 18 gauges, frig, the whole O/O enchilada. Got to the dealer to pick it up. Over on the front line I saw a beautiful blue 1 year newer 379 with 63 inch bunk and the same specs as the 387 for $8,000 more. Guess which one I drove off the lot in... just couldn't do "practical".

 

Well, we all do have to follow our hearts sometimes- no matter how loud your brain may be shouting at the time!

So how about some pics?