peterbilt project

[thejudges69]

thats a sharp looking extended hood A, I have 2 double eagles at my house now, neither belongs to me, but that will be another thread for my buddies KW. I have to stretch the frame and install and rebuild this 66" double eagle. Personally I'm not a fan of them bunks at all, but they did have a look of there own.

 

[kesslerbmw]

He bought the truck new in 82, and had the double eagle sleeper installed in late 84. That's also when he build the side pipes, and rear deck. It pretty much hasn't changed since 85 or so other than some small details. My favorite sleepers are the old school flat top sleepers. They're just not nearly as nice when you're OTR. btw.. this truck hadn't missed a week of service until about 2 years ago when he picked up an 01 w900 with a studio sleeper to run in the winter... he ran it for winter, but never switched back to the old truck. The fuel savings each week and the over all room and comfort of the newer truck won him over. The A model has over 3.5 million miles on it with 3 over hauls on the Cat power plant.

 

[J_G]

What a long couple days this was...

 

[thejudges69]

but we got it done!!!

 

[HOTFR8]

but we got it done!!!

Any updates on this now it is done ?

 

[thejudges69]

Nothing new, the trucks running daily. I've since had to install new front frame horns, new radiator, and painted all the bracketry for it. Trying to clean the engine compartment up some. I'm finally getting to a point where I can start replacing things I want to instead of things I need to.

 

[HOTFR8]

Now that sounds good.

 

[MrBeast]

Man cool build. I just bought a 94 KW I will be going through a lot of the same stuff on, although I am not stretching it.

Bet that she is going to look sharp when you get her all painted up.

Here is a pic of mine.

https://scontent-b-atl.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q75/s720x720/1468770_10151819606187817_423642283_n.jpg

Haven't bought a trailer yet, but when I do it will be a step deck. I should probably get a build thread going over here.

 

[thejudges69]

Man cool build. I just bought a 94 KW I will be going through a lot of the same stuff on, although I am not stretching it.

Bet that she is going to look sharp when you get her all painted up.

Here is a pic of mine.

https://scontent-b-atl.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q75/s720x720/1468770_10151819606187817_423642283_n.jpg

Haven't bought a trailer yet, but when I do it will be a step deck. I should probably get a build thread going over here.

That's a cool flat glass I can't tell if that's an aero1 or aero2 bunk. Those trucks are becoming very popular and bringing a good dollar in the right setting. Start a thread man I like truck builds more then visiting fab shop websites and seeing there builds.

 

[e30bradley]

this truck is awesome! I would love to see it in person someday. Can you post of a photo of the truck pulling the 79 1/2' trailer you spoke of on page 2?

 

[thejudges69]

this truck is awesome! I would love to see it in person someday. Can you post of a photo of the truck pulling the 79 1/2' trailer you spoke of on page 2?

The tractor and trailer combination is 79.5 feet long, not the trailer itself.

 

[willymakeit]

Here you are adding metal to your Peterbilt and I am down here cutting metal off my Peterbilt 340. I got weighed on the road and was over. Knew I probably was so I guess I had it coming to me. It was good to see my front axel was at 12K lbs just the back was pushing too much. I removed all the side boxes and spare fuel tank and dropped the weight down 1600lbs. That and a over weight tag and I can go to 34K now. Looking at a tag axle but have never seen one on a single rear axle. Don't see why I can't. There is plenty of room and I have the air for it (spare tanks). Your build is making me look at a 379 to convert to a tanker. I haul water and want to go to a 5000 gallon truck. (my garage build has a couple of pictures of my truck)

We used to run a air tag with single axle. Worked well on the grain beds. Only issue was with the new guys airing them up without a load and wondering why their truck wouldn't go. Sorta fun to watch.

 

[thejudges69]

Tag axles were very popular back in the day. They are starting to be seen more today then usual.

 

[DarkMonohue]

When you guys say "tag axle", are you thinking ahead of or behind the existing drive axles? Lots of stuff here (OR) uses airlift axles ahead of the drive axles...

 

[willymakeit]

When you guys say "tag axle", are you thinking ahead of or behind the existing drive axles? Lots of stuff here (OR) uses airlift axles ahead of the drive axles...

Ours were behind. Complete axle tied together across truck with air bags.

 

[thejudges69]

Tag axles are behind, pushers are ahead. Make it a lift and you can lift it when not needed. Saves fuel and tire wear.

 

[DarkMonohue]

10-4, thanks. I understand the benefits but wasn't sure about the terminology.

 

[kbs2244]

"Tag axles are behind, pushers are ahead. Make it a lift and you can lift it when not needed. Saves fuel and tire wear. "

I toll road country, don't the charge by the axel on th ground?
So if you have it up you are not charged?

 

[thejudges69]

Can't be charged if the axle is not on the ground. Unless they charge by weight like Pennsylvania.

 

[thejudges69]

Little tinkering this weekend. Pulled my half fenders to finally paint them. Got the bottoms undercoated and got the tops sanded ready to lay down some etch primer and urethane primer. Then I'm just single staging the paint since its temporary.

 

[sunsation288]

Thanks judges for sharing picture , i always like the look of a 379 , we own a small compagny of 17 truck , and 4 of them is 379 flat top long hood ..... and i like the way the pedal clutch work

 

[e30bradley]

I'm still reading this. Your truck is sweet.

 

[thejudges69]

Thanks. The 379 is a comfortable truck for a small cab. They are in demand right now since the price of new Pete's is ridiculous and the 389 don't have as sharp of lines.

There maybe big changes coming to this in the near future involving a different sleeper. Not 100% yet.

 

[thejudges69]

All painted up, should be able to install in the morning. I'm dealing with the bugs cause I don't have a paint booth haha. Oh well she's a work truck.

 

[RoosterBooster]

cool project

(makes me really miss my 379 )

need to read the complete thread as soon as i have some spare time

 

[sberry]

The silicone in the pipe is a good idea. I built some trucks for a company, they pizzed about the time and cost and had someone copy, in about a year the other guy was an *** for it falling apart. Wasn't his fault but I knew from service and forensics from change overs what happens in truck riding down ruff roads. Silicone and adhesive make a lot of difference.

 

[sberry]

I understand the reman, taking 3 months off and putting the equity in paid for is or can be way cheaper in both short and long run and may last way longer. I got stuff I could or would never aquire or afford if I simply bought outright.

 

[mdkingsley]

That is one cool truck and lots of custom fab work. Keep up the awesome work.

 

[madoc1]

thx. for sharing all the good info. what's next a paint job?

jim

 

[thejudges69]

A paint job will come eventually. Still need new fuel tanks, new storage and generator box and new boxes in front of the drives. Got a new engine purchased and a newer cab going into work soon I hope.

 

[thejudges69]

Got the fenders mounted today. My dad decided to cut the grass after I painted and well, a wet sand and buff had to happen. Its a small deal but I think made a huge difference.

 

[madoc1]

wow! those came out nice. what happened to the full fenders?

 

[thejudges69]

With my wheelbase so long they would touch the trailer sometimes if I got into an angled driveway. I sold them before I ripped them off.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Any plans to paint the sleeper?

I kinda like it the way it is.

 

[thejudges69]

Well, figured it's been a while since I've updated this thread. Some have seen where I sold my custom Sleeper. It killed me to do so but I'm home almost every weekend and sometimes throughout the week so I figured I would let it go. I decided to go ahead and put it back to a factory Sleeper setup. Since I sold mine off my truck I had to find another. 2 days ago the wife and I driver out to western Ohio for the gem we got. It's actually in nice shape. Other then the corrosion holes in the back where the grab handle was mounted its all good.





My first act was to remove the fairings off the back. You need to be cautious when doing this. There are braces in the back of the bunk that have to be reriveted in place. It's actually a very simple task just make sure you get rivets in everything your supposed to.





The opening is the hardest part. I got it all fit and cut out now I just need to drill the holes and finish fitting it. Then I will put interior back together. This is a temporary Sleeper deal while I build my frame and basically new truck on the floor.

 

[Sterff]

Nice! So are you building a second truck or rebuilding this one?

 

[thejudges69]

I really don't know how to answer that. I'm building a sleeper for the current truck. But I bought 2 new frame rails to start a new rebuilding this truck on the floor. I will use a few components from this truck for the new one. Some stuff I already have for the new truck like the new cab, Sleeper, and engine.

 

[54stude]

I really don't know how to answer that. I'm building a sleeper for the current truck. But I bought 2 new frame rails to start a new rebuilding this truck on the floor. I will use a few components from this truck for the new one. Some stuff I already have for the new truck like the new cab, Sleeper, and engine.

How many inch wheelbase you planning to run? What motor and transmission?

 

[thejudges69]

Wheelbase will stay the same at 330". It will have a Detroit 60 series back in it and more then likely the same 15 speed I'm running now and same 3.70 rears I'm running now.

 

[madoc1]

glad to see you back. keep us up to date on all your stuff. love it.

jim