What would you do? Fix it or look for newer truck?

If your looking at a studio sleeper, i believe you can get one of those on the 680 if I’m not mistaken too.

 

I used to drive a T600 studio. Lots of room but no storage unless you used top bunk. 2006 with a cat engine and a junk 10 speed auto shift. New Century Transportation. Worst truck I ever drove, put over 500,000 miles on it. On a hook more times that I can count.

 

Funny you mention that. I had the same truck, but with the 72" regular bunk. When I was shopping trucks, I looked at one with a studio and the bunk was like a futon, barely better than sleeping on the floor IMO, so I passed on those. I also noted there was no more storage than the standard bunk, which would take a 42" wide premium mattress too.

 

It’s been raining and I’m bored sitting at home. Here’s some actual numbers for you to think about.

I’ve put 62853 on my new truck so far this year. I’ve used 8665 gallons of fuel and my actual cost was $4.55 per gallon. Total fuel cost for the year so far is $39455.16, or roughly 63 cents per mile. That’s just fuel, I’ve spent $1874.41 on DEF, or roughly 3 cents per mile. My maintenance and parts cost so far for the year is $3863.85 and other than 2 services that’s all accessories like light panels and a deck plate.

 

I’ve heard that western stars are able to build the truck with a much shorter delivery date than anyone else .

heard this from a small fleet that has about ten trucks , all W-900s , they are looking at stars because KW has a 18-24 month wait time now for W-9s

 

I wouldn’t bother changing rears, if you were to save fuel running in direct it would be offset by useless rears any way, and every auto manufacture would be doing it as well if they could bump their cafe even a tenth of an mpg. Never mind breaking even with the change. I don’t think paccar will even spec a 2.xx ratio, I would definitely either do the structure or order a new truck, and I do believe you can still order the t800 with the studio. Since you have an emissions truck I would probably order a new one, how many miles are on the 14?

you can order couch or bed with either 72 or 86” btw,

 

The only con to this idea is lead time for a new truck and how long you can limp your current truck on for. The last I spoke with the local KW salesman (8-9 months ago) it would be quicker to get a new W900 as the demand for the newer cabs (680, 990, etc) has orders pushed out further. But otherwise I agree. Go new.