Home » T660, T800 Split Fender and W900Ls Can Be “New” Again

T660, T800 Split Fender and W900Ls Can Be “New” Again

fleetnewsdaily | October 9, 2012

For fleets and owner operators who want to make old trucks ‘new’ again, Kenworth is now offering glider kits for the T660, T800 (split fender configuration) and W900L models.

All sleeper sizes are available. The gliders are designed to be mated with customer-supplied EPA 2004 engines and matching transmissions, and the gliders can be spec’d from Kenworth to best meet the fleet or driver application.

Kenworth is seeing renewed interest in glider kits, which prompted the company to offer kits in three popular models. “Gliders are a great alternative for fleets and owner operators with the tools and service technicians to bring a solid and existing powertrain back to life in a ‘brand new truck’,” according to Alan Fennimore, Kenworth vocational marketing manager. “We’ve talked with several fleets that plan to purchase gliders and have their service technicians work on the conversions during slow or off periods. It can be an effective use of shop hours.”

The Kenworth glider models feature the latest amenities and updates in each of the three models (T660, T800 split fender and W900L). The truck model year of the glider will be determined by the donor chassis, as long as two of the three major powertrain components (engine, transmission, and drive axle) are utilized from the donor chassis. “There are several other engine-related components – such as electrical harnesses, power steering pumps, batteries and air cleaners – that customers need to supply themselves, or purchase from PACCAR Parts through their local Kenworth dealerships, but for the truck itself, it’s a very complete package,” said Fennimore.

“We’re offering the gliders as both rolling and non-rolling models (customer supplies driveline, axles, suspensions, wheels, tires and other ‘rolling’ equipment) and no FET tax is included from Kenworth,” said Fennimore. “Depending upon the project’s final cost, and if the host parts came from a useable truck, the 12 percent Federal Excise Tax (FET) on new trucks may not be applicable, which can be a real money saver for customers.”

Generally, FET will apply when a glider kit is used to repair a de-commissioned (wrecked) vehicle, or change its intended service (for example, tractor to a full truck), or where the restoration cost exceeds 75 percent of the value.