Industrial-Strength Toy Hauler

Tony Randall of Scottsdale, AZ has been working on this 1957 Kenworth butterfly hood antique for more than two years, and now is very near completion of the job. It was originally truly bad. His aim all along has been to make a reliable truck with everything restored, but without ruining the rig’s antique flavor. Recently, it proved itself with an exciting 800 miles of local driving in just two weeks. The KW is powered by a Cummins NTC 230 with Model 25B Jake Brakes and Spicer twin countershaft main and auxiliary transmissions (6×4) double overdrive. The truck is fast – it can reach 65 mph at 1600 rpm in 5th direct! If the engine had the power, it would be able to top 140 mph!! Tony’s friend Mack Sheesley says, “Be thankful it doesn’t have that power, because this guy (Tony) is a career dump truck driver and he would be the terror of Interstate 17 in central Arizona.” With a 3.70:1 Hendrickson air-ride rear on 11R22.5 tires with hub piloted wheels, the Kenworth is intended to be an industrial-strength toy hauler. Using lots of recycled and rebuilt parts saved a lot of money, but don’t ask where. The truck has been updated with a dual air-brake system and a power steering box from a 1992 W900 Kenworth. Paint and interior are yet to be completed, but at this stage of progress, it is already really fun to drive. We can’t wait to see it when everything is complete!