Large Truck Glider Kits and Emissions

Boxvan446
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Boxvan446
Anyone have any experience with large truck glider kits? I'm looking at buying a new quad axle dump and debating between doing a glider kit setup or just buying a new one from the factory.

On the flip side, anyone running any big trucks that are newer then 2014? Thoughts? Opinions? I'm mainly concerned regarding emissions and maintenance. My current fleet is all pre-emissions and we are able to do most repairs in house. I'm worried that any newer equipment will force us to do most repairs at a shop.

Lastly, we run mostly cat engines now. Have had great luck. I see a lot of people switching to Detroit engines both pre-emissions for gliders and for new engines on factory built trucks. Any opinions on those?
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mikec265
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mikec265 1/18/2017 11:43pm
1/18/2017 11:43pm
I have one of the Fitzgerald Gliders.
Bought in 2012, but the 2017s are the same.
350,000 on the 12.7 Detroit. It's been pretty good.
I've had wiring issues with the freightliner Cab.
I'm the only one that drives it. Pulling tanks in the Pennsylvania hills I average 7 mpg. If running in the Midwest where it's flat I average about 8 mpg.
I have a light foot. Heard company drivers get about 6.5 to 7.5 mpg.

I would say build a glider unless you buy new every 2 years. Those new trucks are junk as reflected by the resale prices. Every year the sales men say they fixed the problem. That's b.s. and they just need to sucker you in for a pay check.

If your trucks run in CA then you are screwed.
There are ways to shutdown the emissions crap, but still it's a pay more now, or pay more later deal.

Build a truck to keep and take care of it. If you don't haul heavy the Detroit will be fine.

Beware of the new proposed electronic log mandate. Not sure if it will affect your business.

Trucking is pretty screwed up. If trump doesn't relax the regulations we are screwed. I'm crossing my fingers
Boxvan446
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Boxvan446 1/19/2017 7:36am
1/19/2017 7:36am
Thanks for the info. We just do local stuff in SE WI. I'm probably going to go ahead with the glider next week.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 1/19/2017 8:53am
1/19/2017 8:53am
I have a 2014 Pete, with a Paccar engine, has about 220,000 miles on it now. Up until 2 months ago, it has been trouble free. When the cold weather hit, as in -15C, it started going into a derated mode, as in 27 psi boost instead of 40. I'm guessing my 500 hp has dropped to 300, and other issues with that. Worse, I've dropped a couple thousand into chasing the issue, and gotten nowhere. Two shops are stumped, no clue as to what the problem is. To add to all the entertainment in this, I run British Columbia, pulling 70 ton over 6-8% grades. If I had the chance to do this all over again, there'd be a glider in my driveway. Hindsight is 20/20.
mikec265
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mikec265 1/19/2017 1:56pm
1/19/2017 1:56pm
Do your research on the elog mandate.
I would rebuild a truck that's a 1999 or older to avoid the elog b.s.
It would cost less and then you know what you have.
Personally I'd use a Detroit or an N14 Cummins from a reputable engine shop. It's about $10000 more for a motor straight from Detroit or whomever.
Cat charges too much for parts and the name.

The Shop

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scooter5002
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scooter5002 1/19/2017 4:34pm
1/19/2017 4:34pm
The e-log still applies to older trucks, it just doesn't have to interface with the ECM. Cel based technology, with a Bluetooth connection. Paper logs will not be legal, like some guys seem to think.
mikec265
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mikec265 1/19/2017 9:50pm
1/19/2017 9:50pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2017 9:52pm
scooter5002 wrote:
The e-log still applies to older trucks, it just doesn't have to interface with the ECM. Cel based technology, with a Bluetooth connection. Paper logs will...
The e-log still applies to older trucks, it just doesn't have to interface with the ECM. Cel based technology, with a Bluetooth connection. Paper logs will not be legal, like some guys seem to think.
Where have you seen proof of this? I subscribe to multiple paper and online publications.
OOIDA is still fighting. They lost but filed an appeal.

Last I heard the exemptions were for 1999 or older trucks.
Also exempt if the truck is used 8 days or less per month.

I run under my own authority with nonhaz chemical
Tanks. I'm way old school in my ways. I watch this regulation crap like a hawk.

Of course it wouldn't surprise me if they say to plug a cigarette lighter powered device in.

I will fight for my freedom until there's no choice.

If I'm 3 hours from home and I feel good, I going to see my family.

If I'm half way thru the day and feel like a nap I'm taking one, then getting the job done safer.

If I'm awake after 7 hours , how the hell is it safer to be awake 3 additional hours before starting my clock?

The regulations are flawed, and they don't work in the real world.

The fact that so many guys volunteer to run down the road rushing against a computerized log is not safe.

Why would anyone line up to get neutered like that?
It's disgusting to see grown men give up freedom when they know the system does not work.

Boxvan446
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Boxvan446 1/20/2017 11:09am
1/20/2017 11:09am
Right now it looks like I'm going to get a western star cab/chassis with 500 HP pre emission Detroit and Allison auto trans. We don't have to do logs because we have short runs (under 100 aerial miles from shop) and all in state.

I have heard about the E-logs and I feel bad for anyone facing that in the future.
mikec265
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mikec265 1/20/2017 8:42pm
1/20/2017 8:42pm
Boxvan446 wrote:
Right now it looks like I'm going to get a western star cab/chassis with 500 HP pre emission Detroit and Allison auto trans. We don't have...
Right now it looks like I'm going to get a western star cab/chassis with 500 HP pre emission Detroit and Allison auto trans. We don't have to do logs because we have short runs (under 100 aerial miles from shop) and all in state.

I have heard about the E-logs and I feel bad for anyone facing that in the future.
I think you will be very happy with the fuel savings of the Detroit. Don't let the 500hp fool you, it does not pull with the torque of a Cat or even an N14.
The displacement is smaller and as they say "there's no replacement for displacement ".

Boxvan446
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Boxvan446 1/21/2017 6:59am
1/21/2017 6:59am
Boxvan446 wrote:
Right now it looks like I'm going to get a western star cab/chassis with 500 HP pre emission Detroit and Allison auto trans. We don't have...
Right now it looks like I'm going to get a western star cab/chassis with 500 HP pre emission Detroit and Allison auto trans. We don't have to do logs because we have short runs (under 100 aerial miles from shop) and all in state.

I have heard about the E-logs and I feel bad for anyone facing that in the future.
mikec265 wrote:
I think you will be very happy with the fuel savings of the Detroit. Don't let the 500hp fool you, it does not pull with the...
I think you will be very happy with the fuel savings of the Detroit. Don't let the 500hp fool you, it does not pull with the torque of a Cat or even an N14.
The displacement is smaller and as they say "there's no replacement for displacement ".

We've got all cat motors in the other quads we run. I really wanted to put a cat in it, but was having trouble getting one. Like anything, I hope after the first one I'll have a better idea of what I want and how it works.
KMC440
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KMC440 1/22/2017 5:01am
1/22/2017 5:01am
Funny thing about the glider truck I was in for the last 2years(company truck). Major oil leak into the coolant system issue, when Cummins got the truck someone had ground off the serial number on the engine. Off to the races figuring out what was what. Good thing it wasn't mine.
They even asked me if I knew who might have done it and if I knew the specific engine model. Fun times.
Boxvan446
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Boxvan446 1/22/2017 11:39am
1/22/2017 11:39am Edited Date/Time 1/22/2017 11:40am
scooter5002 wrote:
What engine, N-14 or ISX?
60 series 12.7L 1998 model year

Edit: I see you we're asking KMC
KMC440
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KMC440 1/22/2017 11:49am
1/22/2017 11:49am
scooter5002 wrote:
What engine, N-14 or ISX?
Just bought a '10 pete 387 isx550 18sp ...

Need any help up there ?
mikec265
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mikec265 1/22/2017 12:24pm
1/22/2017 12:24pm
scooter5002 wrote:
What engine, N-14 or ISX?
KMC440 wrote:
Just bought a '10 pete 387 isx550 18sp ...

Need any help up there ?
I have yet to see a glider with an ISX....
Usually 12.7 Detroit's, N14 Cummins, and 6nz Cats from what I've seen
scooter5002
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scooter5002 1/22/2017 7:27pm
1/22/2017 7:27pm
scooter5002 wrote:
What engine, N-14 or ISX?
KMC440 wrote:
Just bought a '10 pete 387 isx550 18sp ...

Need any help up there ?
Unless you can fix my cold weather limp dick Paccar, I'm going with..........no. I was curious as to what engine you had the coolant in the oil issue with. I ran my N-14 for 1,100,000 miles and changed 3 heads, cam follower gaskets and front cover gaskets. Never touched the bottom end, it was a solid motor.
KMC440
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KMC440 1/22/2017 10:15pm
1/22/2017 10:15pm
The ISX had-has an issue with the cylinder sleeves. The engine in the truck I've bought had the warranty work done at 450k. The engine in the company truck wasn't an N14 and I didn't get confirmation as to what they figured it to be. Frankly I didn't care either. They did have to go through that engine extensively though.

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