Really want my own rig

Like Autocar said, it depends on the freight. I get 6.5 at best with my prostar. When a Pete 379exhd pulls the same load you did and gets better MPG than your Aero hood. That says something.

People can argue about hoods vs Aero, fuel economy vs looking good

Personally ill take looking good in a paid for hood over looking like a football helmet in that Aero truck that gets better MPG while also carrying a truck payment behind it.

Very important point good sir.


Ethan

 

I'm averaging 6.2 in a 28 year old truck with a hood bigger then a Pete or KW with a mechanical engine and I don't run any oversize. I seldom run into anyone doing much better with a modern slope hood.

 

Exactly. My buddy who works for prime is getting 8.2 in his cascadia....from the computer read out! Lol. According to my computer I should be getting 7.5!

Anyway, I know what you mean and it all depends on the driver. That's a big misconception people see. They see Aero hood so it doesn't matter who's driving or what your pulling you should get 7+ MPG. Its just not reality.

I'm looking at a 1982 kW w900a. Fully restored with a 13 speed and Cummins big cam 3

Ethan

 

Forget the Big Cam III, that's what I have. With the EOBR mandate coming down the line, within the next few years from what I gather, they will be obsolete for interstate trucking. I'm building an N14 Celect Plus to drop in, for a replacement. It's also getting harder to get parts for the old Big Cams, these days and expensive.

 

Dang I never thought about the eobr's.

That's very true. That sucks. Id love to have a w900a powered by an n14. I kiss the n14 in our truck school classic xl.

I'd love to have a 1990 truck. Id have one that's as old as me haha

Ethan

 

Drop an N14 in that KW, not that hard to do.

 

I wasn't sure of the mechanical to electric conversion.

The kW is about $28k. Only problem i would have is financing that ol girl. I'm sure someone would buy a freshly rebuilt big cam.

Ethan

 

Great choice, that N14 was a great engine.

 

Just reading through this thread, and there is plenty of good points brought up. The only thing I would like to say is "get what you want to get." you are the one who has to drive it everyday. You have to fix it when it breaks down, and you are the one who has to fill the tanks. Like others have said mpg v.s. Looks will always be a debatable topic no matter what truck you get. Personally I went ole school 85 359 pete 3406b Cat and I stretched it to 290 wb with 2006 flex air suspension to smooth out the ride.
If you go manual motor mpg is much more driver reliant. New motors get what they get for the most part.
You gotta be happy with your ride or you won't make it. Trucking is rough right now doesn't matter the truck.

 

Largecar, that sounds like the truck I want, late 80's 359, 3406 cat, 300+ wb, 48" flat top sleeper, probably an older 48' alum step deck.

I'm hoping to get an older pete in the next two years and lease onto where I'm working right now to pull local/reigonal freight around


This thing is sweet, needs little bit bigger flat top sleeper for me but overall really nice rig.