What would most closely match my equipment preferances?

Find a small company very picky with drivers...theyll put you in whatever you want as long as you take good care of it. Pay you well too. Think Kaiser from Janesville wi as one example.

 

Kenworth and Peterbilt are owned by the same company. Some models are virtually identical, for example t2000 and 387. The t680 and 579 are the same, although Peterbilt makes a set forward axle.

 

Kw T800 are what your looking for. Still produced, Lot of tanker and dump companies use them.
Solid, well built work horse

 

T-800 is similar to a Pete 387. Not in my world! I agree the T-800 is a good if not great truck but its not at all similar to a 387.

 

Yep i was thinking 386s. 387 are your basic fleet truck, kinda of the ford Taurus of the automotive industry

 

The t680s are great. I loved mine. I love my current cascadia too. And danged if I didn't love my prostar and my 587. There are things to love about all of them.

Kenworth t680 had a great spot to put a microwave (I miss this more than any other feature)
The Prostar had the best maneuverability in my opinion of any of the trucks I've driven. I felt like a virtuoso backing it up!
The Cascadia is just very well designed (Aside from the cabinets) With a lot of nice extras (like air conditioned seats!)
The 587 I had felt rock solid, everything. It didn't vibrate (My prostar rattled) Nothing in it felt cheap. I loved the caps on the fuel tanks (It had this little latch, it was super easy to use. No busted knuckles like I get with my cascadias tanks where the caps are angled inside a fairing with a tiny hole to put your hand and pump through.)

If you get a t680 (especially as a solo driver) the thing will feel like a rolling palace. Just be careful of how much junk you migrate in to it, cause it will hold a TON of stuff and you'll be crying if they move you into a smaller truck.