New Tow Rig....2001 FL70 Crew Cab 4x4 Freightliner

[rigpig on juice]

Here's a small project I have been getting built. Since I live overseas, I just plain don't have the time to build it myself.

The truck is a 2001 FL70 Crew Cab 4x4 Freightliner. It has a 3126E Cat, 5 speed Allison 3000, 2 speed Marmon-Herrington transfer case, locking rear diff, Marmon-Herrington - MT-10 front drive axle with 6.83 gears. The truck has 83,000 miles and 2771 engine hours, so it should last me for a long while.

 

[rigpig on juice]

I needed a crew cab tow rig that could seat 6 people, haul my mud truck and tow my travel trailer. This didn't leave many options, so a MDT was the best move.

 

[rigpig on juice]

The platform didn't come with ramps, I had Kranz Truck Body in Kansas City, MO build them. I wanted the ramps to be light and strong, so aluminum was the only choice. Since I will be loading quads as well, the ramps can slide to any width.

 

[tRustyK5]

Amazing how low the hours are...I'm guessing it didn't get worked hard or often.

You'll like that Allison.

 

[rigpig on juice]

The ramps stow up under the side tool boxes and the center support on the front of the deck.

 

[rigpig on juice]

Amazing how low the hours are...I'm guessing it didn't get worked hard or often.

You'll like that Allison.

I know. I almost didn't believe the salesman until he sent me the read out for the engine hours.

I had the local CAT dealership run the engine serial number to check for any major repairs and it was clean. The service history and engine hours all checked out.

 

[tRustyK5]

Mileage and hours 'jive' too. roughly 30 miles per hour for each engine hour...

Looks in nice shape, and I like the work you had done with the ramps and stuff!

 

[rigpig on juice]

I had Kranz also fab a Class 6 receiver hitch. Recessed D-rings were also added.

 

[rigpig on juice]

Mileage and hours 'jive' too. roughly 30 miles per hour for each engine hour...

Looks in nice shape, and I like the work you had done with the ramps and stuff!

Thanks!

I bought this truck sight unseen, so I was a little leary of putting out a wack of cash just thru emails and phone calls. I hope my due diligence pays off, but so far so good.

 

[munepit]

My god! I love it!!!!!

 

[rigpig on juice]

This truck has a Chalmers rear suspension and they are not know for a nice smooth ride. They are how ever very strong and durable. These suspensions are used on Oilfield rig moving trucks (big bed trucks with gin poles) that regularly carry tons of weight.

I also bought an Air Safe hitch Class 6 hitch. It has air bags and shocks and will improve the travel trailers ride. I want to try and reduce the amount of shock sent thru the trailer.

Next on the list is the Link Mfg Cabmate system. It replaces the rear solid cab mounts with air bags. The shop should have the kit in 10 days, so I will share a few pics then.

 

[tRustyK5]

Leaf spring front will probably be the 'worse' riding end of the truck. Air seats help a ton...

 

[rigpig on juice]

Now since this truck is a 4x4, it needed some new tires.

The stock tires are 11.5 R22.5's and are roughly 41" tall. I decided to look into putting taller super singles on all 4 corners.

I did a little research on Steel Soliders and then called up John at Stazworks. I figured some Goodyear MVT 395/85R20 tires would work out sweet. They are 46" tall and it will put my cruising RPM right where I want it.

Wheels were the next hurdle. The bolt pattern is 10x11.25 and are hub centric. Normal HEMMT wheels have the same bolt pattern but are stud centric, so they won't work.

John found some aluminum Hutchinson 5 ton beadlocks rims that are hub centric. These are very hard to get ahold of since they are on newer military trucks.

John has just finished powder coating the wheels and removing the CTIS valve stems. I should get a picture or two tomorrow before Stazworks ships them out to Kansas City.

Here's a pic of the tire tread. They are a load range "G" (9600lbs/tire) so I am safe.

 

[K85 Octane]

lol, those look like some badass offroad tires

 

[dhcomp]

looking awesome!

 

[Cruz89K5]

Yep, I'm in love again.

 

[rigpig on juice]

I got some good news today.


Kranz truck body was checking everything for the air cab ride kit and the shop manager crawled under the truck to take a look and guess what he found................ the system is already installed.


The sales man didn't know the truck was equipped with it. This was a nice bonus, as it saves me a $1000.00+ dollars.

 

[dhcomp]

Nice!

So i take it you haven't picked this truck up, or seen it in person yet?

 

[rigpig on juice]

Nice!

So i take it you haven't picked this truck up, or seen it in person yet?

Nope! I bought the truck in January sight unseen. I am flying over Kansas City to pick it up in the middle of April.

I will be picking my mud truck up in Ohio, and then driving up to Montana to meet my parents. They will be driving the truck back home and I will fly back to Thailand.

I am looking forward to the trip. Fly half way around the world, drive 2800 miles, fly back to work half way around the world.....Good times!

 

[gotblazers]

Thats gotta be kinda a bummer to not have anytime to enjoy it . Cant wait to see the mud truck in action.