looking to buy a truck.. deciding between kenworth t600 and t800

[Jackrabbit379]

Thanks, GMAN. I thought so. I recognize a W9 when I see one, but I'm not too familiar with the other KW models.

Yeah, every time I watch the Bandit movies, I see things that you dont see anymore. (full service truck stops, etc)

[sidman82]

More heavy duty. Ford f150, f250. KW T600, T800. Different application

Watch Convoy again, but really look at the trucks. It's pretty cool seeing all those oldies in original shape.

[GMAN]

Thanks, GMAN. I thought so. I recognize a W9 when I see one, but I'm not too familiar with the other KW models.

The T600 has a narrow hood. It has a nickname of "anteater" for a reason. If you look at it head on it resembles an anteater. The T-800 is a little wider and has more of a flat look to the hood and it has a more squared look on the front. Both slope from the windshield somewhat. The W900 is very distinctive. Most have a flat front and long hood, although there are some that do not have the extended hood. Both have the same look other than the length of the hood. If I were to buy a W900 I would probably go for the extended hood. It won't likely make any difference in fuel mileage but looks better with the long hood.

Yeah, every time I watch the Bandit movies, I see things that you dont see anymore. (full service truck stops, etc)

There are a few of the full service truck stops around, but not many. Some of them would also park your truck for you after they fueled it. Ahhh, the good old days.

[GMAN]

Watch Convoy again, but really look at the trucks. It's pretty cool seeing all those oldies in original shape.

When that movie was made those were not oldies to us. They were the trucks we were driving.

[wildkat]

kanodogg, if you are serious about these trucks being they are 2005 model years, be VERY careful in checking over the C-15, as that as far as I was given to understand, was the first year with the 2 turbo's. They had MAJOR turbo issues & their fuel mileage just SUCKED! There was also an issue with the torque bolts that mounted the turbos... they tended to snap off. Be sure that the Cat recall on the torque bolts was completed. If it wasn't, be sure to have it done BEFORE you drive it off the lot.

My Pete has the C-15 with the 2 small turbos, but it is the 2006 model engine, it got the majority of the turbo problems sorted out...my high pressure blew to pieces cause some dim-bulb at the factory put in the wrong mounting plate...it lasted 30,000 miles before it blew. Anyway I now have over 400,000 miles on it & no further problems. If it does have the TWO turbo's you will find there are alot of things to get used to in it. For one the sound...it sounds like nothing I ever drove before, & I drove EVERY Cat out there since 1970. Also you will notice quite a change in your power bands, manifold pressure & exhaust temperature. Be VERY careful to ALWAYS give those turbos a chance to cool down properly, this will greatly extend the life of them, on hot days they can take up to 15 minutes to completely cool. Also be sure before you start the truck to leave the key on for several seconds BEFORE you start to turn it over, it has a much larger computer in it & can take up to 30 seconds to do a complete pre-start engine check, if you don't do this your gauges will not work properly. You can actually hear the "clicking" as the computer does it's "pre-flight" check. A Good rule of thumb is when the "check engine" light goes out it's ready to be started.

[kanodogg]

[QUOTE=wildkat;426145]kanodogg, if you are serious about these trucks being they are 2005 model years, be VERY careful in checking over the C-15, as that as far as I was given to understand, was the first year with the 2 turbo's. They had MAJOR turbo issues & their fuel mileage just SUCKED! There was also an issue with the torque bolts that mounted the turbos... they tended to snap off. Be sure that the Cat recall on the torque bolts was completed. If it wasn't, be sure to have it done BEFORE you drive it off the lot.
.[/QUOTE


thank you wildcat, this information combined with the low mpg is i see on the ecm report (5.3 lifetime) totally eliminates this truck for me. turbo on the t2000 that i have blew after like 700k and it was a nightmare getting that thing replaced (dealer did it wrong, and had to redo it 2 weeks later). Not only that, but it was a costly turbo replacement at about 5000 bucks. looking at a century right now with 283k and a detroit 430 engine, as much as i dislike the century/freightliners in general i can't help but think this might be a smarter buy due to mpg and cost of parts. thank you everyone for your posts

[tracer]

thanks for the tips! got the dealer to get me an ECM printout so i can see what mpg that trucks been doing and then if i like what i see after that, the dealer gonna get me a dyno done. quite a contrast from back in 2004 when i bought the t2000, they weren't willing to do that stuff unless i paid for it. that t800 was run on southwest freight, with a name like that i'm hoping those guys ran only western states.

I"d also look for difference in specs: top gear ratio, axle ratio, tires. This will tell you how much your RPM will be at 60 MPH=Top Gear Ratio Times Axle Ratio Times Tire Revs per Mile. Choose a truck that is spec'd to run at its sweet spot at the cruising speed you intend to maintain. Every truck setup is different and this can help you save money in the long run.

Example: my truck has 0.73 top gear ratio, 512 revs/mi tires, 3.73 rears. So at 60 MPH I do 1394 RPM. Divide that by 60, multiply by 58. You get RPM at 58 MPH: 1,347. That's my cruising speed, believe it or not.

So, check the drivetrain specs.

[Sparks280zt]

Keep searching and avoid a Freightshaker. The quality is horrible in those trucks.

[GMAN]

Most trucks are pretty much the same if you take away the skin. I was very brand conscious at one time. Now, I look for value and a good buy. I have never owned a Freightliner but have driven them. I have never been really enthusiastic about owning one however I do have a friend who does own one. He really likes it. In his case, it has more bells and whistles than most fleet trucks. He also has an 18 speed transmission and 500 hp N14 Cummins. It drives well.

[Pack_Rat]

The 550 cat is the only cat motor out with twin turbos. Acert does not mean it is twin turbo.

[TomB985]

Uh, Rat, my 2005 KW T600 has a Cat 435 in it, and it has two turbos...

[Jackrabbit379]

GMAN, thanks.
I've always thought all the slopenose KWs were anteaters.