Old But GOLD! I Changed My 2014 VOLVO for an Old 1996 Kenworth W900 

“ Why I bought an old 1996 kenworth “ Uh because it’s badass..

The first thing you notice about a pre emission truck...it starts.

I am the manager of roadside assistance at a trucking company with 130+ units on the road. We have at least 5-10 breakdowns per week regarding the aftertreatment emissions. Sensors, valves, electrical issues non stop. The worst thing is most of these parts are on national backorder. The qls/def tank sensor is sometimes impossible to locate and the truck sits for a couple of weeks. You sir are 100% right and have made a smart choice.

My last brand new truck was a 1988 Freightliner conventional, FLC. I retired it in 1997. Did not sell it. Ended up building a 40X60 foot shop in 2004 so I could slowly rebuild the truck from the ground up. 400 horse Cummins with a Fuller 13 spd. 3:90 gears in the diffs. Everything on this truck is now new and rebuilt. It will be towing the trailer for my drag car. The day I turn 90 I will sell the truck. So I guess I will have it 16 more years!!

My favorite part of this video is his answer about going to California.

I am watching this vid just for the info , I am 80 yrs old , I have never driven a big rig , but I am fascinated with it all , and I still drive and operate my back hoe tractor 👍

I've been trucking for 21 years myself. I tried the brand new truck theory twice and both times almost went bankrupt! I went back to pre emission trucks in 2014. Older trucks are much more fun to drive, much less overhead, and if I choose I can do most repairs myself. God bless and enjoy the journey!!

My father drove trucks for 30 years till he passed in 2012. He said emissions is going to kill the truck industry and he was right. CAT used to be awesome. They got destroyed by emissions.

They actually did figure it out with the new trucks, now they found the way to charge you more money , old trucks aren’t good for the markets because they don’t make any money at the shops

Older fella once told me "the newer things become, the shittier they become" he wasn't wrong.

I am looking to be a trucker and the older trucks fascinate me.. to me they represent what America truly embodies

This guy is absolutely correct!

98% of our breakdowns are def related

Excellent philosophy and ride. I’d never buy a new truck. Still running my old 92 W900L all mechanical 3406c and I do heavy haul up to 250,000lbs. Never lets me down.

In Germany we say: "What lasts forever, dosen't bring any money"

He guarantees you'll have a check engine light within 90 days of buying a new truck. I bought my new T-680 with the X-15 just over a year ago and no check engine light so far with 130,000 miles. I also gave $134,000 for it. Not $200,000

1990 kenworth w900 flat glass with a Detroit series 60. Bought it cheap and got the engine rebuild. I stand behind old school trucks. I think people who buy or lease new trucks are not smart due to the high payments and repairs and emissions. I've seen a lot of them go out of business

I hear ya man.. truck mechanic from Australia and 95% of my breakdowns are emissions and electrical related... If I was to start a fleet of trucks I'd buy anything pre 2006, for Australia anyway.. re-man the complete driveline and go again for another 1.5 million kms

Once I did the inframe on my 05 International 9900i it ran great for 6 years before I had to do any other engine related work so if I was to buy another truck I'd definitely look for something 06 and under. Mine had egr, which had to be changed a couple times and the egr cooler too, but other than that it was pretty good for those years. Always got it back to the shop and never towed. The new truck guys would always say I was paying too much to the tax man because I had no payment, but that's OK. It's a better feeling owning the truck than it owning you!

The sound of a Jake break coupled with strait pipes is music to your ears and I'm not even a trucker. I respect what you guys do for real for real.

I started off with a 2000 freightliner classic, so I thought a new truck would be good, I bought a brand new 2010 387 peterbilt with a C-15 Cat engine, hahahahahahahaha 3.38 mpg my friend to the gallon. It caught on fire 9 months later, next I bought me a 2011 international, that got stuck 3 times the first month, 4 the second month, all the the times the dealer had to pay for it because of the warranty, they took it back and tried to get me into something else, I walked away, I bought 1998 volvo vnl64t with a Detroit and never looked back.

That’s the smartest thing anyone can do who is looking to buy a truck,

Thank you for making this video Brother!!! After 22 years of driving, I knew my instincts were spot on pertaining to the older trucks!!!

That's why I bought my 1992 FLD120 it's far from the perfect truck, but no automatic brake adjusters, no ABS brakes, and simple, I can inframe the N14 on the side of the road, stay strong, keep it simple

I was talking to a buddy who's a diesel mechanic and his take was that unless a modern diesel truck is actively making you money, it isn't worth it.

What happened to the trucking industry is "we're here from the government and we're here to help you" They don't even know what a BUD WRENCH is

Great vid, bought a brand new 96’ with a Detroit 500 took it straight to Stewart Stevenson, in Commerce City Colorado. Mike the service manager put his golden screwdriver to it. The next day as I was heading west over the pass on I70, thought my clutch was slipping so grabbed the mike and talked to the driver behind me, that’s what we did back then actually talked to each other on CB. He came up along side and back a little said hammer it again, no he said it’s not the clutch your tires are spinning. Wow was I impressed with the DD500. 1.5 miles per gal or 8mpg. This is why most company trucks are cut back could you imagine 2000 fleet truck at 1.5 mpg. Any seemed to have gotten carried away, really enjoyed the vid and yes I subscribed.

I got out a year ago and never looked back. I see trucks now and call it a suckers game. I learned coding, a lot less stress. In the trucking game everyone is after you, DOT, regular cops, the government, people looking for a payout, dealerships, repair shops. With everyone looking for their pound of flesh from you you will be burnt out in 10 years or less. 😭🤬

This guy is correct, I've owned a lot of truck's and he is absolutely correct...

I am very environment-friendly. I do care. And I want to say, nothing is more environment-friendly than keeping old resources alive. Because nothing costs more resources than building an brand new truck with all that materials in it. I find, that only few people think that far. So imho scrapping old cars and building new ones is worse for the environment than keeping the olds alive and in good shap. And I also do love old trucks. Cool video, stay safe! :)

I can't say enough good about ya brother... to me you are a great leader & mentor. You have good perspective, awesome character and damn solid life experience which you openly share with those of us not in the know coming up behind ya. Thank you.

All the old hands told me that the requirements for DOT officers to work the Banning scales was" their wives had to run off with at least 3 truckers before they were qualified to work the Banning scales!

I drive a 2000 w900 with a 60 series Detroit as well. It is a farm truck pulling a set of super b grain trailers. It has a few dings and scratches but it runs good and has the power to pull my trailers. I can't imagine spending money on a new truck for the amount of miles that I put on In a year. The sound of a Jake is music to my ears!!

You sure have a real love for CA🤣🤣🤣 I totally agree with you and I am sick of technology taking over our lives.

I love these old semi's.

I am a guy from Norway, and kinda guy who is rooting for " all electric /environment" stuff. BUT....I like what this man is saying. Make a lot of sense.

In the Philippines, most of the truck operator also prefers old Japanese trucks (surplus) like Isuzu, Fuso, Hino, which their engine is purely mechanical but overall durable and reliable, and of course, they're also cheaper to buy than brand new Chinese trucks

I did the same exact thing. Just got a 93 kw t600, 30k miles on the Inframe, and papers to go with it. Paid Cash, no problems. Best decision I could have made!

I subbed a few days ago and l Love the channel. I’m with Brian, I went backwards and bought a 1996 Peterbuilt 379 that was fully rebuilt and shinned up. I love to hear those 8” pipes talk all day or night long. Mine has a 12.7 too. Main reason I bought the truck.

Driving trucks in my opinion is an art form. Man, seeing your 900 brings back good memories for me personally.. especially hearing that Detroit. My uncle owned a 1978 W900A when I was a kid, and I would spend my entire summer vacation on the road with him in his rig. His 900 had a series 71 V12 2stroke Detroit, too. I can still hear it now when my uncle would pull into my neighborhood to come pick me up. Those engines had a very distinct, mean sounding, fast revving, whining sound... compared to how the engines sound in today's semi trucks. Even hearing your Detroit I feel like that's the way a semi truck should sound lol. That's cool to see that you got your custom sticks one for your splitter and the other to change gears I'm guessing.. my uncle had a custom shifter in his 900. He had a cowboy style 6 shooter revolver. He had it rigged up to where the splitter was the trigger.. and if you wanted to split the gears you would pull the trigger.

As a mech engineer that used to work for mid-size engines (Cummins X15), the sensor regulations are becoming insane....

The I started my driving career. He’s 100% correct- if I had the money to fix a older truck up I would

One of the best trucking videos I've ever seen. Thank you.

Is not the new technology that is crap, is the recent trend to make anything disposable and make it the most "money pit" that can be ever made without being noticed too much.

These days you're not operating equipment. You're licensed to operate their software until they say you can no longer use it.

I'm running company at 54 cpm. I'm single, no rent, no mortgage, no car payment, etc etc. going to just buy a pre emissions rig just like that cash. I love those kw's. such a awesome classic look 🖤🧨

I bought a 1996 KW W900 back in 2019.. Cummins N14 under the hood. Great truck, raw power, just don't let it slip on the little things. Best decision I ever made.

That was great hearing the 60 Series Detroit. It reminds us so much of the sound of the 3406B we had in a ‘85-359 Pete. If we were ever going to buy a older truck to use it would be a Mid 80’s Pete with a 3406/13spd. But they’re getting to be few & far between these days we imagine because of age & the years on the road do take their toll on them, no doubt about it!

I dig it, guys. One quick note, in Detroits you want to avoid 2004 and after, not just after 2007. EGR and those damn code 39 factories called VGT turbos came out 04. I worked for Detroit during those dark, dark days. 2007 was also horrendous when the DPFs came out and trucks dropped like flies. I saw owner operators go out of business because they couldnt keep their truck on the road. I was ashamed of the industry. Still am.

Man I put a bunch of miles on a 2000 model w9. 500 Detroit, 13spd, 355 ring gear. Drive local now but I'd get back in that fantasy machine in a heartbeat. Happy trails, hand

Man thank you I don’t know u at all but I get a good feeling about u meaning you keeping it read about trucking we need more like u stay real buddy 💯💯💪🏿

Brother , I've gotta say your right on all points, great points on the buying criteria, and has ever been wrong about proper maintenance and upkeep!

"I love the sound of a real Jake brake..." Amen brother! Nothing else like 'em! Thanks for the vid. ~Al

I don’t know anything about trucking .. but this was very interesting.

I couldn’t agree more!!! I was driving a 2018 Peterbilt 579, WHEN it would break down I didn’t know whether to call a mechanic, a plumber or an electrician. Bought myself a 2000 Ford Sterling, with a Detroit 60 series 12.7 absolutely love it and runs great

Those old trucks are simply badass. Keep on trucking.

This is what my boy did and it worked out fine for him also.

Agree totally. I’m not a truck driver, though I would be if I could. My dad was a professional truck driver for over 40 years. Love big rigs, especially cabovers. I went the other way on pickup trucks. I drive a 2009 F250 Super Duty I bought new. Love it, it’s been extremely reliable, but it’s getting older. Instead of trading up for technology, I still drive it daily and take care of it, and I just bought a 1979 F150 4x4 manual trans truck. I love it, it’s the 3rd one I’ve owned over 37 years. Just like you say, open the hood and you see - an engine. Cheap parts, easier to work on and you are connected to the road thru these mechanical classics. I won’t go any newer than my 09. It has some tech I like; not too much but enough conveniences that are nice to have, but when I go back to crank windows, wing windows, key entry, basic heat and defrost, kick panel vents, hi beam switch on the floor etc, it’s not a huge jump from what I’m used to. Great video. Stay safe my friend. God bless.

Turbo spool and down shifting never gets old .

I've been a yard dog guy for many trucking companies, hooking up pups, pulling out loaded trailers,and getting thing ready for the drivers, and dock workers to go with ease. This makes me want to get a CDL!

Newer is not worse than older, it just requires different mentality. Having same mentality about maintenance on newer trucks as if it's older technology leads to problems. Why many people dumped old-school trucks because they were not trouble free to start with. Maintenance is the key. High quality maintenance gives high quality results.

Driver handy with tools could save a lot of money with these older trucks. My favorite was a 96 379 Pete with a 3406 cat,great little truck.

I love the travel scenery, the sound of engiene roaring, the fun part and all, good luck ! persevering truckers!

Beautiful truck...I'm in a 2020 4axle 567 18sp Heavy Haul tractor 605 HP X15...It's a company truck...I just bought my own truck that I'm not even going to drive for a year or more because I gave the owner that put me in this truck my word I'd drive it till it was paid for...MY truck is a 2000 W900L with an N14, 13sp EF, 355 Rears. I won't pull more than 120klbs with it...and that is fine with me. I have my Harley Davidson soft tail under a cover on a lift behind the 567 I'm in now, and it will be going to the W900. I got into trucking, then trucking got into me. I'm with you brother: Old School Rules.

Lol... I have a 2001 Volvo vnl with a 60 series Detroit. Would never get rid of it. I'm lucky. That truck has been a SUPER RELIABLE TRUCK. Keep it old school... love it.

OMG everything you said 100% you said is true, Same thing happened to me 6 years with freightliner and it use to break down every 2 weeks and finally I decided to leave truck business and I'm free for last 2 years, thanks God you came out to talk my pain

Exact reason I still drive a old Dodge diesel pickup. The one sensor, crankshaft position sensor, I took off and threw away. Would love a new Diesel but we have nothing but issues with the ones at work and won't waste my money on something that is going to leave me stranded.

Smart man, best thing you could have done & that era was the absolute peak of KW too. I'm in Western Australia, our equivalent was the T904, & it was a cracker. I ran out to our remote desert mines with it, pulling triple flat tops. So to put you in the pic, Cat C16 (NZ), S22 Roadranger, Super steers on spiders, on 9 ton front axle, steel on spiders rear on 6 rod. 6 x 500 litre round tanks, walk in sleeper, icepack & all the rest of it. I did over 5 mil with it, before I retired 7 years ago, it wasn't burning oil & its still running. This is a truck pulling 120-140 tons, & this is what I did to make it do that mileage. Firstly I drove it soft, short shifting in the bottom box. A C16 makes its power low. I used ultra high temp synth oil in the gear train, the stuff used by mining machinery operating in 50-60C temps. Its expensive in comparison, but you never change it. I ditched the airscoops & put on the round MacDonalds separator type dust bowls, I cobbled up an electric pre start engine oil pressurizer. I think you can buy these now, but back then I had to make it using a rotary gear type oil pump & wiper motor. I installed marine sacrificial anodes in the engine block. I just melted some old anode & cast it into a steel pipe, then shrink fitted it to the drain plugs. I reduced the turbo boost pressure to 26psi to help keep the valves running cooler. I installed a sedimenter pre fuel filtration. What you say about the euro is true, but its with everything now. Try replacing a model specific headlight as opposed to the generic round, or ditto a broken mirror as opposed to the west coaster. Try re-racing a synchro or auto box compared to a roadranger, you can't, its cost prohibitive. & on top of it all those blasted sensors. You did well!

MY LAST TRUCK WAS A 206 PETERBILT, AND I LOVED IT, IF MY WIFE HADENT DIED ID STILL BE OUT THERE, I STARTED DRIVING SEMIS IN 1965, SO IM AN OLD FART. I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD.

This guy is so right.. i have been driving for almost 25 years i have broken down more in the last 10 years then then i did in the first 15 years an all because of these chocked out trucks

You SIR just swayed me to kenworth, was looking at peterbuilt and kenworth is growing on me

Got 210,000 miles on my valvo and no emissions issues yet, just one bad sensor 5,000 miles ago. Just gotta take care of it

Back to basics is what makes this world go round. Good video 👍 totally agree with everything.

Yr like a kid that found a lost toy. Yr one satisfied customer, great video.

Brain is a great dude and I totally agree with the emissions issues

I have been driving a 2007 GMC 6500 for six years now. It is a large straight truck. I am 61 now, but when I was 21 I drove for Wiley Sanders Truck Lines. I drove mostly a 1988 Kenworth and also a rebuilt 1980 Kenworth. Watching this video really hurts. I miss driving the big rigs. Great instructive video!

Yup,....I'll keep my 89 cabover till the day I come off the road. So many miles,....we don't even count them anymore.

Brian, if I ever have chance to be a truck driver, I'd do the same thing. It's one of them things you know but you have to hear it from a pro.

I’m 26 years old and I just got a cat powered 96 379. Freshly rebuilt no truck payment I’m sure I’ll suffer on mpg but man will I be sleeping well knowing I have something I can rely on to feed my family. I’m a 2nd generation driver my dads been in the business over 25 years he drives a pre emissions Detroit powered freightliner. And tells me the same thing. Thanks for the wise words and happy trucking 🤙

Great video. I enjoyed the info on your truck. Drive safely my friend. God bless you 🙏.

I’ve had the opposite experience so far (knock on wood). 102k miles. 2k hours. No check engine light. No emissions issues. X15 performance. Run close to 80k 90% of the time. Almost no idle time. PM/oil every 20k. Now I’ll still agree, longevity in these new trucks is dismal. The benefit of having a new truck is being able to sale it and replace it with another new truck about every three years. Different ways to skin a cat. To each their own.

The horror stories with the new emissions trucks...Good old truck will keep running and no expensive repairs among other things..😅

Thank u for posting,real love for the real American trucks 👍👍👍

I may try trucking soon, you definitely make it seem fun. Really intimidated but also interested. That rig is huge 😍.

If I was to buy a new truck it would be a glider with an old Cat motor

He is totally right,but these old Rigs are not allowed in all States.👍Detroit 60 is one of the best Truck Engines ever produced.🇺🇸

The fact your intro bagged out Volvo… that won me over lol 🤟🏻👍

My stepdad was a teamster and I went riding on a few trips with him and I knew right away that job wasn’t for me. I have lots of respect for those who drive cause I know what you do.

Congrats on the new addition! Those W900’s are my dream truck.

I hate to disagree, but my last truck was an '18 389 with a Cummins X15. I had ZERO, and I do mean ZERO issues with anything. Literally anything. I did my oil and filter changes, did my own grease jobs, and I had ZERO issues.

You're a young man. Last truck I drove commercially was a 1974 Kenworth K100 sleeper w/ Cummins 400 and 13 speed. That haul ended a few years ago. The owner had kept it as his personal truck, so it was spotless and in shape. Prior to that, I was driving a narrow nose '63 KW real twin stick with a 335. That truck won best show a few times. It's not the age of the truck, it's about who you are hauling for, or driving for, and how they treat their stuff, and you . Good luck with your "new" er truck :-)

How much emissions is put out by a fiberglass truck that catches on fire because the exhaust filter overheated? How much emissions were saved on that burned out truck because of the the DEF system?

It’s none of the companies at fault. Unfortunately, the EPA is driving everything diesel related into the grave. Companies are always scrambling to meet all the new laws that people who know nothing about the industry make up from inside an office. All the pitch it to the public and people just absorbe it like a sponge. Old-school is definitely the way to go though.

In 2000,I bought a new Classic XL Limited. I was driving a Volvo 660 before. I was horrified by the Classics driving dynamics. I couldn't make a simple turn without going over a curb or a ditch.I took it back the next week and I found the factory set the steering angle at 33°. Dealer fixed it by turning in stop bolts to make it turn more. It was a major improvement but still took more work to do my work.

I just learned something brother. I hear you and thank you.

I hear a lot of owner operators talking about doing the same thing over the years! It's very true the new trucks are beautiful but have a lot of problems! I had to bring my company vehicle into Peterbuilt the other day and the dealer was packed with new trucks waiting to be repaired! It's insane!

Words of wisdom from years of experience. Gwaan kip safe mi bredda, you and yuh family.

Great info brother. Im with you on the emissions crap brother.

True story. Unfortunately not to be repeated in the European Union, due to emission restrictions and higher tolls for old trucks. In my small fleet, I have 4 Volvos (FH) from 2007 to 2016 doing short distance heavy trucking of containers on 2 shifts. They break like crazy, I have spent more than equivalent of those older units in repairs. Usually ad-blue related and various sensors. Also, on off-the-road handling equipment (from 0 to 6 yrs old) we have new Volvo Penta engines only. Compared to "old good " Volvo 1250VE engines or Cummins QSM11, all new Volvos with ad-blue and other "emission hacks" make a lot of trouble and an unbelievable downtime of expensive equipment.

One thing that I've seen my family do for long-noses is to get one of the rear license plate cameras used on cars and placing it on the front bumper above the license plate. It provides the wiring for several feet in length and a mock rear-view mirror camera that can be placed just below the actual rear-view mirror. That allows them to see at bumper level directly in front of them at all times since its hardwired into the electrical system.