LDB

P51bombay · Apr 7, 2008

If things work out I'm hoping to put together a T8 or W9, I know you prefer the 660 for a number of reasons but I really like the traditional look. It will be used mostly for local cross border P&D and maybe some regional runs. If the dimensions work out I'm looking at a W900S (short, sloped hood, 120BBC) with a 38" FT, about a 27'6" box, ISM425 and either a 10 or 13 speed. Now common sense says the T800 and its set back axle is the better choice but I like the W9's look a whole lot better. So some questions

1. B or L model?
2. Wheelbase?
3. Turning circle?
4. Wheel cut?
5. Tire Size front and rear?
6. Axle Ratings front and rear?
7. Legal GVW? (not manufacturers rating)
8. Tare weight?
9. Frame size?
10. Gap between sleeper and box?
11. Fuel tank capacity?
12. Cost of ISX over ISM?
13. Cost of 18 speed over 13 or 10?
14. Weight difference of above transmissions?
15. Is the smart wheel worthwhile and what controls are included other than lights and cruise? Are they duplicated elsewhere?
16. Cost of those pretty dual breathers and stacks?
17. Apart from the 660 you prefer, would you do anything differently?

LDB · Apr 7, 2008

It's been a while since I put it together and I don't recall all of the details but here's what I can tell you. Mine was a w900b model. That's the shorter hood version. I don't recall the WB and it might be different anyway with a different box length. The turning circle is HUGE and the main reason for going with the T6 or T8. I ran the 24.5 low profiles but would probably go with 22.5 low profile if I was doing it over. The 18 was very little more than the 13. The smart wheel is very nice and also has the engine brake on it. I'd definitely get it again. I had dual 150's for 300 gal total. I had the ISX but in the T6 the ISM should be adequate. The Cummins Road Relay computer is also a must have for me. You will save probably $12-14k by going T6 instead of chromed up W9. If you get truly serious about putting one together and are going to do it you should work with my guy in Houston. He is THE BEST Kenworth guy there is. Let me know and I can put you in touch with him.

P51bombay · Apr 8, 2008

Looking at the photos and plugging in some known figures it looks like around 300"WB.......does that sound about right? When you say the TC is HUGE...........does the 24" difference in axle placement make that much of a difference - all else being equal? Say you have two identical trucks, one with a 275WB and the other 300. The truck I drive now is a 24' day cab with a 254" WB - the other day I parked next to a UPS SWB day cab tractor hooked to one of thier 28' pups and was kind or surprised to find mine was nearly the same length. Of that $10-14K you mentioned...........where's that all going? dual breathers/stacks, visor, lighted cab skirts - what am I missing? Do you recall the empty weight?

Here's an S model, similar to a T800 hood.

jaminjim · Apr 8, 2008

Leo has posted some of the specs in the past. if you do a search you might be able to find them. f I remember it right it was a 320 inch wheel base. Might have been a little on the long side because it was a little heavy in the nose. But by using his numbers (weight on both axles) you could calculate how much to shorten the wheel base. Shortening the wheel base would also help the turning Radius.

Moot · Apr 8, 2008

Bombay, have you considered a tractor with a 28' pup? A tractor with a short trailer is more maneuverable, more versatile and easier to sell when the time comes.

LDB · Apr 8, 2008

The wb was 306" and if done over I'd probably go 300". The bulk of the extra money, as far as I know, is in dual chrome everythings. The HUGE turning circle difference is due to a less sharp wheel cut combined with longer wb. As I recall it's about 20' less for a T6. That's enough to seal the deal for me between T6 and W9.

P51bombay · Apr 9, 2008

Moot said:
Bombay, have you considered a tractor with a 28' pup? A tractor with a short trailer is more maneuverable, more versatile and easier to sell when the time comes.

Ya, that was actually my first idea but for some reason the company wants to stay with a straight truck. And going with a T/T will definitely bump the weight high enough for heavy vehicle tax..............although I admit I have no idea what that would cost.

As far as wheelbase goes I guess the thing to do is configure both and see where the numbers fall - then decide. That said, from information I have come up with, the vocational W900S apparently has had some changes in 2006 or 2007 that relocated the steering gear. This is supposed to give an additional 4 degrees of wheel cut......just a question of 4 more than what? I know that its supposed to be 40 degrees with 425 floats so I'm wondering how bad could it be with 11.00's?

Just for giggles, I ran across this on ebay...........the quoted WB seems way off, yes?

eBay Motors: 1997 Kenworth W900L 10 Wheeler With 24ft Van Body (item 290219960519 end time Apr-24-08 12:59:07 PDT)

LDB · Apr 9, 2008

The W9 is definitely going to win the looks contest but it's the wrong way to go. Besides the huge penalty in maneuverability you'll also pay at least a 1mpg penalty compared to a T6. That's at least a 10% increase in annual fuel costs and probably more like 15%. I went against my better judgement and built the W9 because I wanted to build the best looking truck on the road. I did and it is but that doesn't make it any smarter. Oh yeah, I don't remember the weights but it's also over 1/2 ton heavier than the T6 as well so that's less revenue opportunity and another mpg hit every mile it rolls.