Glider Kit?

[greg334]

Anyone ever consider getting a glider kit and putting a truck together with it?

 

[Broompilot]

All right Greg what the Hello is a Glider Kit? And so far the answer would be NO. Never heard of one let alone seen one.

 

[D Team Brothers]

Isn't building an expediter truck similar to building a glider? We decide on the make, wheelbase, engine, options, etc. and then have either the factory or dealer build it for us.

 

[Moot]

I have never considered doing it because I have never owned a truck. But my first job in the trucking industry was with a 20 truck family owned company. It was an all Mack operation and they occasionally went with glider kits to replace a rotted out cab. At least back then, late 70's early 80's a glider kit consisted of a cab, front axle, and frame rails. You supplied the engine, drivetrain and rear end from the existing unit.

I am not sure what all is included with a glider kit today. But I believe one could still save money going this route. I would think that a glider kit from the manufacturer would come with some kind of warranty . Second party and junkyard stuff would probably not be guaranteed.

 

[Moot]

I should add that my experience with glider kits is limited to tractors only. I would think one could order the frame rails in various sizes though.

 

[greg334]

Thank you Moot for the explanation.

I ran across a site which I can 't find again that sells glider kits and they have the new 2007 FL Cascadia for $69K, which I thought is not a bad price for someone who has the time and forethought to put together a truck.

I know that with the kit that there is some real work coordinating it all but for someone who has the drive train in say a '98 or '99 truck that is really in good shape or recently rebuilt, maybe this is a way to keep the drive train and have a new truck around it.

I know that they have them for KW, Petes and other trucks. I also know a lot of people would not want to go this route but seeing I can get my hands on a nice Cummins or DD 60 with autoshift behind it under $15K (which in the case of the DD 60, it comes with a wrecked truck to boot), it looks better than spending $100K - maybe.

The one thing I have yet to find is information about emissions, but again the DPFs retrofitting is not as much as I would have thought it would be.

 

[Moot]

Greg I hope you are feeling better at least until you pass that stone.
As for the emissions, that would depend on what model year the engine is. I am not sure how one would go about registering and plating a glider kit. You could have a 2007 Cascadia, with a 2006 engine and 1998 rear end. Will you be using anything from your current truck or keep driving that while you build Frankentruck?

If you have the time, space, mechanical ability and knowledge then you should be able to save money and have a near new truck. If you do this please post your progress complete with photos. I would enjoy following this project from a distance.

Good lu, um may the force be with you?

 

[greg334]

Moot, Opps.... I am not getting anywhere near to build one I am throwing it out to expand the knowledge of others while drinking another gallon of water.

At this point I wish I could say I am looking for an Argosy glider kit but I won't until this time next year.

Well the emissions issue is something I think can be solved with the DPF retrofitting.

I am feeling better but now I am getting sick of drinking water. Thanks for the thought.

 

[davekc]

We have done three of them. One KW, and the other two were Petes. One was a wreck, and the other two were originally burnt. Never tried one with an expediter, but I don't see why you couldn't.









Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[Moot]

Greg, have a drink on me. I'm going to bed. I know what you will be doing all night.

 

[arkjarhead]

Moot,
He'd register it like Johnny Cash did that cadilliac he got "one piece at a time".

 

[arkjarhead]

I saw on freightliner of grand rapids and kalamazoo's website that they can put it together for you. Also you can order a remanufactured engine with it. It also said the glider kit came with a title for the year you order it.

 

[Packy]

Check out this web site for GLider kits. They are located between Knoxville and Nashville on I 40.
http://www.fitzgeraldgliderkits.com/



FedEx Custom Critical
Fleet Owner & Operator
D Units

 

[theoldprof]

I have also heard that glider kits are titled as new. However, if you had a 2007 kit with say a 2004 engine titled as a 2007, wouldn't the 2004 engine have to meet the new polution and whatever standards?

:+ :+

 

[greg334]

>I have also heard that glider kits are titled as new.
>However, if you had a 2007 kit with say a 2004 engine titled
>as a 2007, wouldn't the 2004 engine have to meet the new
>polution and whatever standards?

That's the question I am getting mixed answers over. I think that there is something to be said that the glider kit can have any post 2004 or 2002 or what ever when i or a professional assembles it but the manufacture can't do it because they are actually manufacturing the truck.

I know in Michigan they have an assembled vehicle law which most likely will never be changed and it applies to commercial vehicles. I can take parts (front rear axle, transmission, engine have to be from different trucks and assemble it as a street legal, titled 2007 vehicle and I am exempt from all emissions. The parts can be all the same make and model but all have to be from different serial numbered trucks and I have to prove it.

 

[arkjarhead]

so you couldn't use the motor and tranny off of the same truck?

 

[greg334]

Ark,
I think I would not have an issue if I used a glider kit but if I would build a truck from same three wrecks, I would have some convincing to ensure that I didn't get the stuff from a stolen truck or circumvent federal safety laws.

 

[gojack]

I looked into Glider Kits a couple years ago,
I talked to Fitzgerald glider kits, they told me that they order them in large lots (50+ at a fleet discount) and that those were the best value, I could custom order one, but the savings would be much smaller.

The main advantage to me, was to have a "new" truck as required by my carrier, but to have a pre-emissions engine - for fuel economy.

I decided the savings did not offset the loss of resale value (salvage title) If I needed to sell it soon after I got it.


Titling Glider Kits:
titling varies state to state, check your State's BMV website.
examples: http://dmv.utah.gov/rebuiltgliderkit.html
http://www.ohioinsurance.org/factbook/2003-04/chapter6/chapter6_i.shtml

see:

http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E1B57E64-AD7E-4B4A-A985-3B0A5AEA6548}


http://www.fitzgeraldgliderkits.com/gliderkit.htm

http://dktruck.com/Glider Kit Page.htm

http://www.lafreightliner.com/glidersite/index.htm

http://www.ftldlr-grandrapids-mi.com/glider-kits

http://mvfreightliner.com/gliderkits.html

 

[Fitzgirl]

All right Greg what the Hello is a Glider Kit? And so far the answer would be NO. Never heard of one let alone seen one.

Chances are, you have seen one and you just didn't know it was a glider. The company I work for built and sold about 400 gliders last year. They just order the truck from the factory and it comes completed from the factory with everything but the motor and transmission. Then they install a rebuilt motor and transmission and you can buy the complete truck for 98,500 (for a Freightliner Coronado Condo Raised Roof). You can check out our facebook profile at ..........

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Fitzgerald-Truck-Sales/1202874218" title="Fitzgerald Truck Sales's Facebook profile" target=_TOP><img src="http://badge.facebook.com/badge/1202874218.217.497383919.png" border=0 alt="Fitzgerald Truck Sales's Facebook profile"></a>

Join our friends list and I'll add you on! Thanks!!!
or just give me a call at the shop my number is 931-277-3836 and ask for Tiffani and I'll answer any questions you may have about gliders...

 

[Fitzgirl]

I looked into Glider Kits a couple years ago,
I talked to Fitzgerald glider kits, they told me that they order them in large lots (50+ at a fleet discount) and that those were the best value, I could custom order one, but the savings would be much smaller.

The main advantage to me, was to have a "new" truck as required by my carrier, but to have a pre-emissions engine - for fuel economy.

I decided the savings did not offset the loss of resale value (salvage title) If I needed to sell it soon after I got it.


Titling Glider Kits:
titling varies state to state, check your State's BMV website.
examples: Utah DMV – Glider Kits
Ohio’s Inspection Law for Salvage and Self-Assembled Vehicles

see:

http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E1B57E64-AD7E-4B4A-A985-3B0A5AEA6548}


Fitzgerald Truck Parts & Sales

DK Truck Company Glider Kits

http://www.lafreightliner.com/glidersite/index.htm

http://www.ftldlr-grandrapids-mi.com/glider-kits

http://mvfreightliner.com/gliderkits.html

HI Jack! I'm not sure whom you may have spoke with at Fitzgerald's but I work at Fitzgerald's and the title's we issue for our gliders are not rebuilt or salvage titles. We issue regular MSO or Certificate of Origin which is the same as a title for a new truck you buy at a dealership. We buy from Freightliner the same as the dealerships and they are titled the same. Different states have a different opinion about titles for the gliders depending on whom you speak with where you title the trucks, but we have not had any trouble gettitng our trucks titled like a regular truck. Right now is a great time to buy a Glider because you do get the new truck without the new motor and the fuel savings alone is a good enough reason. Plus you dont have to pay FET taxes and the initial savings of about 30k is good too. Give me a call at the shop at 931-277-3836 if your still interested in looking into gliders for savings! Ask for Tiffani