Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Goodbye

[ghillie]

I just wanted to say goodbye to all you guys here.



Over the last 4 years the knowledge shared here has been invaluable.



I have moved to a class 7 tractor for my tow vehicle. I got tired of having to buy a new truck whenever I got a bigger trailer. Those days are done now, I can pull a trailer that is twice the size of the biggest made.



I may drop by to visit and see what is happening here from time to time.



If there is an interest, you can see our new truck on our web page. http://johnandsandy.4t.com



Later,

 

[Bob Wagner]

enjoy the new ride and nice website

 

[CFast]

I hope you have better luck with that columbia than what we see at the FTL dealership. What engine did you get?

 

[DHoleman]

Just because you move up doesn't mean you have to go away,maybe pull aweigh,Good luck

DH

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

John, you're a class act (wouldn't expect less from a fellow HAM and NRA member!) - give us details on how the truck is equipped, engine, transmission, etc, and it's refreshing to see a fella actually get a rig big enough for his load, instead of rationalizing as to how his 2500 or 3500 SHOULD be able to handle it properly - when we all know better...



Do get back to us after a few good pulls with your impressions - and don't be a stranger!

 

[ghillie]

Cfast,



We got the Mercedes MBE4000, 450hp and 1550 ft/lbs torque. A couple reasons for this. First you couldn't get a Cummins, only Mercedes, Cat, and Detroit. And only with the Mercedes could we get a 98 spec emissions motor. Both the Cat and Detroit would have had EGR, and with all the unknowns with that system, i. e. reduced mileage, longevity, and reliability, we went with the Mercedes. This engine has been in service for about 6 years now, mostly in Europe, but has a very reliable service record. Mercedes is a bit of an unknown here in the U. S. in a OTR truck, but I figured that since they have been building diesels since the early 1900's, they probably know what they are doing.



We also spec'd a KW T-800 at the same time as the FL. KW's customer service sucked, and because of that and because we liked the lines of the Columbia better, we went with FL. We have heard that some have had trouble with FL, and there service area. I have had to deal with our 2 local service centers and haven't a problem yet.



Gary,



73's, the transmission is an Eaton Fuller 10sp manual. We kept the GVWR below 33,000 to avoid FET. It has a 23K rear axle so future pin weights are not an issue! We are working full-timers right now and at retirement we will continue as full-timers. I wanted a truck that could pull anything we get in the future and with this being a true million mile truck, it should be our last truck. We looked at MDT's like the FL-70's KW T-300's, but they are light on hp/torque, not true million mile platforms, and cost about 50% more. Currently there are 5th wheels in the 26000 lbs area, and with them growing I believe it is possible that one could see 5th wheels over 30000lbs in the next 5-10 years. This rig can pull 80,000lbs, so I think we will be good to go.



We are going to put some boxes on the truck for now, and then just prior to retirement in 7 years, we will put a nice RV bed on the truck.



The truck drives as nice as the Ram 3500. It turns sharper and parks in the same stalls as the Dodge. The ride quality over sharp edged bumps at slow speeds right now are a little harsh, but with air ride, air cab and air seats, we aren't beat up too much. Once we get the air hitch on it that will add about 700lbs, and should help some.



You won't win many drag races in the truck, but it is fun to stir that 10 sp transmission.



I will come back and fill you guys in as to how the truck pulls once we take a trip. We have a tentative trip planned for April, but that is dependant on weather. We have another trip planned for late May.



I sure loved my Ram, I truly believe they are the best pickup platform out there now. What I have learned from this forum from all of you helped with my selection of this truck.



Thanks for the compliments, and I will talk to you guys later.



John

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Nice looking rig! What do those things run for $$$? And since you're non commercial (RV use) can you legally use just a normal license, or do you need a CDL?

 

[ghillie]

Duluth,



We got ours for $68,000. 00, and that is pretty much loaded. To include heated electric mirrors, locks, windows, etc. The only thing we didn't opt for was the auto trans as that was another 12,000. 00.



No CDL required in Washington State if the tractor is being used for non-commercial/personal use.



And to top it off, my insurance went down, cut in half.

 

[CFast]

Be glad you didn't go with the auto trans, they poop out easily. If you get them wet they take a dump. I work for a FTL dealership as a mechanic. It sucks you can't get a cummins anymore, but cummins did that to themselves. Cat engines do NOT have EGR, CAT said" Caterpillar does not eat it's own waste". They use twin turbo's. Detroit is EGR, not a high mileage engine anymore in my opinion. Mercedes , good luck. Be glad you have warranty. As for the Columbia, they look nice. I'm sorry I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I work on these "trucks" everyday. The older FLD 120's more sqare bodies, those were work horses. They new stuff, well. Remember the old TONKA dump trucks? Now put that up against a plastic truck and see which one holds up better. Just my opinions, sorry if i insulted you. Good luck with your new truck. I'll say one thing else, the Mercedes gets the best mileage of the 3 engine choices you had. Usually around 8mpg.

 

[ghillie]

Cfast,



Well milage so far is 11. 25 first tank, second tank 11. 87, third tank 12. 13, all city hwy combined but empty of course.



Yeah I know the Cat has ACERT, not EGR, actually more than just twin turbos, in-fact they are the only ones that use catalytic converters, yuck.



As for the Mercedes engine, your opinion is different than anyone else I have talked to, both OTR fleet guys and O/O. All have indicated very low problems, and several had over 700,000 miles on theirs and still going strong.



I suppose, just like the Dodges here, some have more problems with theirs than others. Hopefully we have a good one.



Thanks for the info anyway.



Cheers.

 

[Dkevdog]

Nice looking tractor John! As Gary pointed out, its nice to see someone who actually has regard to GVWR and GTWR. It's hard to compare the towing capability of the Dodge to that!!



When my 3500 grows up, it will likely become a class 6 tractor as well.



Kev

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I've been drooling over the new 7 ton Osh Kosh 6 wheel drive trucks. OMG I'd love to have one. Sheer overkill, just the way I like it.

ghillie, I agree with you on the Benz diesel. They are a tried and true diesel. Its just that many people in this country are not familiar with them. In europe, there are more diesel cars, trucks, vans than this country has ever seen. We're so "gasoline" oriented here its sad. I was talking to a friend about the new Sprinter (freightliner) vans. He asked if you could get a diesel in them. I said yeah, a diesel is all you CAN get. Its a MB inline 5 turbo. Shocked him with that one, too. I'm of the opinion that if I could no longer get a Cummins in a full size pickup, I'd gladly take a MB diesel over an Isuzu or IH/Navistar.

 

[CFast]

Really the biggest problem we have with them right now is the fuel lines leaking. Other than that not much. Unless you count the fact that parts are hard to get right now because it's a new engine. We've been selling A LOT of these, it's the standard FL engine right now. Being new means 99% of our guys don't know how to work on these, which means it sits in the shop for longer periods of time. Watch your oil pan, they were having problems with the castings and were leaking. Watch the oil fill tube, were doing alot of warrnaty work on the fill tubes cracking and breaking. 12mpg, that's great. I was talking 8mpg, that's towing 80,000lbs though. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[ghillie]

Cfast,



Thanks for the info on what to keep an eye on.



Even when switching to a new rig, there is good info here.



On the oil pan you say the casting was leaking, are you talking about porosity in the metal like some of the Power Joke motors, or something else?



Where abouts are the oil filler tubes cracking?



Thanks again.

 

[JPS]

FLT with Benz engine

Have a friend who had three of these ordered. First one had problem, sounds like crank shaft out. Think he's going to cancel other two. Hope you have better luck than that!!! These are for otr trucks. Also had auto. trans. Was looking forward driving one. Not sure I'll get a chance now. jps

 

[CFast]

yes posisity in the metal casting. Had 2 trucks in 2 days. Would leak like crazy took a while to figure out it was coming from the side of the oil pan, not the pan gasket. Once it was hot it really leaked. The oil fill tube is has a welded piece of iron to it to prevent it from shaking, well it stress cracks pretty quick. Watch the plastic on the drivers side of the engine, if it gets wet, its the fuel lines. Warranty will only replace the one that's leaking. They should all be changed. Takes about 1 hour and the engine should be cold. You literally have to lay on the engine to get the plastic off the back to get access to the fuel lines. If the plastic breaks with the mercedes symbol on it, don't worry about it. They've told us that POS plasic is over 200 bucks. oh yeah, did you get the ex brake? The shafts tend to wear out, the bushing's in the housing sieze after a while. you may never have any problems, but at least now you know what to look for.

 

[torquechop]

That's a nice tractor. Bet it'd sound good straight piped.

Happy travel'n.