Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

I’d be much better off had I not tried to be conservative and buy used trucks. Once I get rid of these two and get new ones, I won’t do it again.

 

An aero style glider isn’t a bad investment. In my opinion they’re too expensive. These gliders in the 150s are basically the same price as buying a new one. A glider is pretty reliable, but so are the new ones. These 2017 engines and beyond are so much better than a 2010 SCR engine. Not only that, but you can custom spec the transmission and rear end ratio. Those Harrison gliders are like most others, 3.36-3.42 rears, and probably a 13spd. That’s not a good setup. A factory reman is ok, but there is so much available for those engines, to make them get great fuel mileage, but it will cost you a lot to get it there from stock. It’s better than a S60 built by Fitzgerald, what they’re doing is building a Frankenstein S60 and mismatching parts from different CPLs. They aren’t going to have the reliability you’re wanting.
Basically, I see the attraction of a glider, but with the reliability of the new ones, the fuel mileage, and the ability to spec it for maximum fuel mileage, I’m not so sure it’s the best way to go. The fuel mileage on a new one, the similar purchase price, the fuel mileage difference pays for the truck payment. You can rebuild the new ones too, and probably only the piston kits and up. The improvement in materials of the block, crank, rods, bearings, those are very capable of going well beyond 1 million. I really want to like gliders, but I just can’t see how they’re really a better investment.
If you’re really wanting a pre emission truck, and you have the cash, I’d buy a used one, even really high miles, and restore it how you want it. Build the engine up how you want it, change out the rear end ratio, etc. if you got one for real cheap and put 35k into it to rebuild the whole thing, you’d have a new truck for 60k or less and it has the right setup.
I had a glider spec’d and ready to go when I was buying my new truck. I just couldn’t justify it. The fuel mileage claims are over exaggerated on those engines. They can achieve great numbers, but it requires some tuning and a lot of parts to get it there.
You can do what you want, those Harrison trucks aren’t bad, but at that price, I think it makes more sense to buy new.

 

To get the best Fuel mileage out of the new ones, you have to use what’s available and not build it like an old one. The new ones make they’re torque at low rpms and if you’re 80k or less, use a fast rear end and a direct drive. Or, 2.64 or 2.47 and an overdrive if you’re wanting a really fast truck. You can get down to a 2.16 right now and Freightliner, in 2021 is going to have ratios available in the 1.9s.

 

check out Joel Morrow, Henry Albert, and the Run On Less campaign by NACFE. These new trucks have great potential when spec’d right and driven right. This fleet one of my trucks is leased on with, PGT, they have LTs with the A26, my driver has been in one the past week, and the trainer he rode with had one, 6.8 mpg. They spec it with over drive and a 3.36 rear end. It’s all in the specs and the pedal. Limiting yourself on the boost will show a big increase in MPG. 20-22 psi in a 15L, 25-27 in a 13L and using gravity as much as possible. If it’s a pre emission motor, about 14hp per pound of boost, 15-20 max. That means not using cruise control unless you’re bobtail.