2003 W900L Daycab Purchase Advice?

[Papa Rick]

Man Daycabs are not as easy to find as they were a couple of years ago.

Anyway, here is another one I am considering?

2003 Kenworth W9000L

C-15 Cat Engine 475 HP, can be turned up to 550
13 Speed Transmission Number# 18913
390 Gear Ratio
210WB
Full Gauge Package
Has Dual Exhaust
Dual Breathers
8 Bag air suspension combined with leaf springs

Truck can be viewed at:
http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/d...BD13277D0A1B6A


Mileage is 771875: Alot more than I was looking for, but I have not been able to find lower mileage without it costing 80 to 90k.

I have got the price down to 45,000, with a 2 year 200,000 mile warranty on the engine, and 1 year 100,000 on the trans and rears.

It was used I believe to haul tankers (gas) from what I could tell in the tool box was a gas hook-up for the tankers.

I was really surprised that it was as tight as it was, and not wore out with that many miles on it.

I will put about 60 to 80k miles a year on this Truck, and have a few questions for everyone:

1. Is the W9000L the top of the line Truck for Kenworth? Reason for this was another Trucker told me it was suppose to be the best?

2. The salesman said the engine was a million mile motor? What do you think?

3. What kind of rpms would I be turning in 13th gear?

4. What type of fuel mileage should I look for if I bought the Truck?

5. Would you buy it knowing the circumstances (Hauling Logs for a Living)

Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

That is what I like about this forum, in that people will tell you honestly what they see or think about items such as this.

[Teal 95 KW]

My W900l Aerocab is a '95 and has 1.2 million on it (close to 1.3) and it's tighter/quieter than my '03 379 with 630k on the clock. The '95 has a 475 with a 13 speed and 3.55's...the motor had a MOH by Cat, under warranty at 460k miles, and hasn't been touched since, and it's a STRONG runner, out-pulled some bigger hp cummins on hills around the same weight. It, along with the 379 are Paccar's pinnacle trucks, their flagships I guess. I wouldn't let the mileage scare me from buying it at all..

Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

[ToxicWaste]

What about this one:
http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/d...1eac849c5dbb4b

-You probably could get it 10K cheaper than the W9
Dont ask mackman either he's biased

From what I understand you are going to be hauling logs??? Do you really want to br dragging that pretty W9 through the mud and beating it up. They hold their value well, the tanker outfit had the right idea, take care of it, looks brand new now they can get top dollar when when they get rid of it.

The mack on the other hand=workhorse. Beat it up and sell it to someone later without the risk of losing it's added value. Forgive me I dont know how to properly spec out a log truck...

Just my .02

[Mackman]

listen to ToxicWaste he got the right idea. But for logs i would try to look for a mack with a 460hp. he is right MACK= WORKHORSE when you talk about off road there is only one truck and that is a MACK.

[sidman82]

Hey Papa, that looks like a nice truck for a good price. Might be one of the ones I was looking at, as I was looking to spend about $48,000, or less. You should be able to get in the low 5's on mpg's. If he gives you a warranty on engine then that's a bonus. Try to get the history on it. See if they will give you Dyno results and oil samples. If they are a big dealer they should able to take care of that.

[dteam270]

I had a 78 Mack superliner, that truck was part goat.

[Mackman]

take a look at this bad boy. It seems like a good old truck. I think he is asking alot. Look at the stacks how can he hear. But this would work great i think for pullin logs. That V-8 diesel is one bad SOB.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mack-...QQcmdZViewItem

[Mackmechanic]

take a look at this bad boy. It seems like a good old truck. I think he is asking alot. Look at the stacks how can he hear. But this would work great i think for pullin logs. That V-8 diesel is one bad SOB.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mack-...QQcmdZViewItem

Damn, thats a nice truck..... only thing would be getting parts for that engine.... other than that WOW

[furbis]

have you considered buying a sleeper truck and pulling the sleeper off? you can buy the aluminum panel with a window to fill the passthrough then just cap off the air lines and electric and your good to go, its not that tough a job.

[Papa Rick]

Made the deal on the 03 W900L, after I found out about the engine, built August 02. But before I said yes, I had to go to Knoxville to get the Truck checked out at Stowers Diesel Shop. The National Truck Protection will give me a 2 year 200,000 mile warranty on engine, and 1 year 100,000 mile warranty on the Trans, and rear axles.

But not until it was checked out. Paid $515.00 to get that done today.

I really did like the Truck, but was going to leave it if was a bridge motor.

Also decided to let it go if they found anything wrong with the motor, trans, or axles, as it does have high mileage.

They put the Truck on the dyno and other stuff that I was not allowed to watch.

Clyde told me the hp was good, blow bye was excellent, all fluids checked out with no shavings or metal in them, and then he said he couldn't tell me anymore because NTP would have to give me the info.

I had them take an oil sample and should get the results by Wednesday, and close the deal on Friday.

I have several questions, but will put them on different so I don't hog a book on this one post.

MAN, I am going from a 1985 Freightliner Day Cab all spring ride, to a 2003 W900L 8 air bag ride!!

No I am not excited, man I am way past that!!!!!!!!


I really appreciate everyone giving me great advice and suggestions, and want all the advice and help you may offer.

[furbis]

good for you, I hope it turns out to be a great truck for you and makes you a ton of money. are you trading the freighliner in on it or selling it outright?

[Papa Rick]

Gonna try and sell it, but not sure what is the best avenue to pursue selling it since it is so old.

[arky]

http://www.truckpaper.com Free internet ad. I have had good luck here.


http://www.trucktraderonline.com Paid advertising, but a friend used it and got ALOT of calls. Sold the truck in just a few days.

[allan5oh]

How fast do you plan on running? That truck is geared really aggressively, especially for a big kitty cat.

It'll spin about 1400 rpms at 60 mph, 1550 at 65, and close to 1700 at 70.

What size tires? They look like lo pro 24.5s. I could figure out the exact RPMS if you want.

[allan5oh]

is it 3.70's or 3.90's?

I don't think I've heard of 3.90's in a semi. ford 8.8" diff yes.

[sidman82]

I've had 3.90's in my last truck and now the new one I have has them. But if you look at the ad for the truck it has 3.70's.
Papa, I have 3.90's with C-15 with tall rubber and I do 65mph at 1470 rpm. Those spec's on the KW will be great for you. I know how you feel as my 98 is gone and the 03 feels like a brand new truck. Really tight, and a lot of balls, OMG. Good luck, I hope everything comes out alright.

[Papa Rick]

I was surprised yesterday when I went to Knoxville to get the Truck checked out, it was not pulling as high rpm's as I thought it would. I believe it has 11R24.5 (not low profile) as I first thought.

Transmission is 13 speed, #RLTO18913
Gear Ratio is 3.90 (Not 3.70 as the ad states)
Engine is Cat C-15, 475 hp

I got them to pull the Trip Segment out of the truck computer, and it has Overall Fuel Economy of 5.50, which should get better due to I pull loaded to the mill with logs, but come back empty.

[sidman82]

I forgot to say I have a 13 speed also. That's even better with the 3.90's then 3.70's for your application.