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Random Quote: The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not posess it. G.B. Shaw
Those are pretty trucks, and eat choice for someone that is looking for a WOW factor. The truck on Craigs List would be great if you are sposored and need everyone to look at your boat, etc. But if you are going to do work, it's not my first choice.
There are alot of Freightliner dealers that carry trucks that already have a conversion. I don't know if they still offer it, but Neely Coble used to fly you out to Nashville and put you up if you were looking at trucks. I know the first time I went there and test drove the FL over the other trucks I signed the paper work and never really left the parking lot. I was sold. My FL turned tighter than the 2001 F350 we drove to the lot.
Just got home from test driving an M2. As I'm driving with the saleman in the passenger seat, I'm doing my best to contain the smile on my face, its going to kill my negotiating.
This truck is light years ahead of the Int. 4300.
And I mean in all catagories, IMO.
Waiting on the price, maybe Sunday or Monday for that.
Then I was off the the truck body builder guy. Another 2 hours and 2000 choices.
I have not heard anything bad about the 6.7 ISB. From what I recall they also offer the M2 with the 8.3L ISC? It may be in a heavier model. Ours are M2106's. They are wonderful trucks, if 2wd, opt for an air locker and the exhaust brake is a must! Depending on the kind of work you are doing a factory pto is a nice option as well. Make sure you order the truck with a stereo upgrade rather then the stock, a bigger stereo will pop the power modules because it draws too much amperage. If ordered from the factory they account for that.
I did a full search on Truck Paper for a truck that would suit me, but because I'm going with an extended cab instead of crew cab, it severely narrows the choices down and I did not find a single truck that was in the price range that I was quoted last night.
I've decided not to go "full dress" conversion, I don't think they would be a great idea here in the Northeast with snow and ice for 7 months a year. I would like some interior upgrades
My Salesman included 2 Bostrom Talladega 910 seats as an upgrade. I'm going to investigate this further. I like some of their seats, so I'm going to check out even more options for this and a console..
Does anyone have anything bad to say about the Cummins ISB at 300 HP?
I've got an ISB at 300 in a Kenworth T300 w/ 40K miles. It throws a check engine every morning on startup, and the controller for the variable turbo geometry took a dump about 10K miles ago. We bought it new, replaced under warranty. Check engine is some silly stuff cleared by the computer.
I will give it this, it's back by an Allison 6 speed tranny, it's a 33K lb propane delivery truck, and it moves, and when you get on the Jake, it's stops with no brakes, just running the jake.
The only problem is cummins is damn proud of it and won't let anyone but a cummins authorized dealer work on it for the first three years, but it's a damn good motor. And it sounds just right. Good choice!
I've got an ISB at 300 in a Kenworth T300 w/ 40K miles. It throws a check engine every morning on startup, and the controller for the variable turbo geometry took a dump about 10K miles ago. We bought it new, replaced under warranty. Check engine is some silly stuff cleared by the computer.
I will give it this, it's back by an Allison 6 speed tranny, it's a 33K lb propane delivery truck, and it moves, and when you get on the Jake, it's stops with no brakes, just running the jake.
The only problem is cummins is damn proud of it and won't let anyone but a cummins authorized dealer work on it for the first three years, but it's a damn good motor. And it sounds just right. Good choice!
Hey Thanks for your input. I'm thinking of bumping up to the 3000 series Allison, standard is the 2100 series 5 spead Auto, but the 300 HP puts that at the end of its rope, so going up to the 3000 6 speed is probably money well spent. I hate the idea of putting that much stress on a transmission that is qualified to do no more than I'm doing.
$4400 upgrade for the 3000 series. This is not the total upgrade price, I've already got $1100 into the 2100 series. That's $5500 over a standard transmission. But Allison can write its own ticket here. They have no competition to speak of in this market.
I learned the hard way, always get the biggest tranny, and motor in trucks like this. Resale is better, IMO, and you don't have to worry about the "should have".
I pinned down a spec for the M2 before the holidays. I never thought doings specs on this vehicle would take so long!
I got pricing from 4 different dealers on this same exact spec. The dealer I liked the most was the most money. $7K more than the least expensive dealer.
We kinda got hung up on the seats. Each guy has their own interpretation of the best seats available, so were going to visit a dealer and sit in some model seats before we decide.
I want comfort to be #1.
We can't decide which dealer to buy from. I can't see a reasonable reason to pay more from any particular dealer. I called all dealerships and they will all do service regardless of where I buy, as well as warranty.
Basically Christmas got in the way, plus we are going to a trade show in Vegas on Feb. 1 that I know Freightliner will be at. I thought about waiting until the show to see if I can gather any more info on the truck that I don't know now?
That thing looks like it should be driven by some second generation spoiled rich kid to take his toys that he's never worked to own around the country.
The F650s that I have been looking at are offered with 4wd, you can get them with p/u beds also, all fitted out for towing with all the options; Cummins or Cat power, in the 100K range though, but definitely up for the job.
One big advatange to the ISC is it's a wet sleeve block. The ISB engine is not. Depending on how many miles you plan on putting on this truck while you own it, this may or may not be a factor to you.
I have stated it before, if you can afford it at the time of the build, go with the biggest engine/tranny combo available, you won't regret the decision. HP is that big of a difference, and that doesn't matter as much. The 200 ft. lbs. the ISC has over the ISB is what you will notice.
It's easy for people to say go with the biggest/best, but it's another when you have to sign the check. I have no monetary investment in your build, but I can tell when we have built our trucks in the past we always go with the biggest/best engine/tranny combo and never once lived with regret.
