At the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas on Thursday, Aug. 23, Kenworth announced it now is offering glider kits for the T660, T800 (split fender configuration) and W900L models for fleets and owner-operators seeking to make old trucks “new” again. The gliders are designed to be mated with customer-supplied U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2004 engines and matching transmissions, and the gliders can be spec’d from Kenworth to best meet the fleet or driver application.
Kenworth said it is seeing renewed interest in glider kits, which prompted the company to offer kits in three 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’,” said 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. 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.
Kenworth is offering the gliders as both rolling and nonrolling models – the customer supplies the driveline, axles, suspensions, wheels, tires and other “rolling” equipment – and no FET tax is included, 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 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 decommissioned vehicle or change its intended service, or where the restoration cost exceeds 75 percent of the value.
Kenworth also announced that it will offer a 22.5-inch tire and wheel package and expanded wheelbase choices for the Kenworth K270 and K370 medium-duty cabovers.
