Where to buy glider kits, engine, etc.

It does take a while to get a glider after ordering. I ordered mine in February, and it was due in on the 9th, but still is not here yet. Hope this week. I got a FL Columbia glider. Most everything done at the factory, and when it gets here, the dealer can have it ready to go in just over 24 hrs. Just drop in engine and tranny and hook everything up. They are putting together 6-7 a week now.

I would side with the Star as easier to get all together. Daimler has been heavily into gliders for quite a while, and they have everything pretty much ready to go when the truck leaves the factory. Wiring and everything spec'd for exactly what engine you are putting in. Just a plug and play deal. That is why with the FL I ordered, the dealer averages 23.5 hrs from the time the glider comes in, to the time it is ready to go to work. Mine will be a little longer because of having the air dam on top painted (had to order that separately for my mid roof) and I am having the fuel tanks painted at the same time. So that will take an extra week.

 

Sorry, my bad, go to kenworth page on this forum scroll to 18th thread (from KW partsguy) he has all the info

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...s/181376-kenworth-glider-package-is-here.html

 

Yeah I really think you should look into the Western Star before you do anything. Cant hurt to look...

 

Just had a chat with my dealer. My glider was set out to ship on Monday. Hasn't left the factory as of Wed evening. Should be at dealer first of the week and then in my hand a week later (having fuel tanks and an air dam painted when it arrives).

Side note I found out. FL has tacked a 3 point mark up on ALL new glider orders. My $110K truck would have now been $113K if I ordered it now. They are only waiving the 3 point markup on orders of 10 gliders or more. Also, my dealer is now doing so many gliders, that they are considering not taking orders from individuals, only bulk orders from companies. Wow, the glider business is big time taking off and running. You just have to know that the government is going to wake up to this before long. Sure glad I did mine when I did. Anyone even thinking of doing a glider better get off the fence soon. Regardless of brand.

 

We are to buzy to put 1 glider together , but if you want 10 we can handle it. Your dealer should hire some more people, and ramp up production. We want a full report after delivery !

 

Yeah, I can't understand their reasoning either. I am not sure it is the dealer, or they are being pressured by FL. The dealer said they were doing 6-7 per week now. I might have misunderstood what they were actually saying. In retrospect, it might have had something to do with special ordering instead of the number of units. They gave me a call yesterday about my glider and I was in the process of dropping/hooking trailers, talking on a headset when they mentioned most of what I posted. I know the dynamics of doing gliders has Freightliner changing the game. I ordered mine in late February and it will be almost 3 weeks late when it arrives at the dealer, and I won't have it till about the 30th of July. That lead time is stretching out more and more as things go along. I have no clue how long someone would have to wait for delivery on a new order now.

With gliders doing gangbusters, is it any wonder that regular production new Class 8 sales are down?

 

Well you can make new trucks forever, but you can only make new trucks with old engines for so long. Please make sure to put up some pictures there Cowpie! Exited for you.