May 2009 - Performance Zone
YOUR NEXT NEW PETE
By Performance Specialist Bruce C. Mallinson
Those of you who read my articles each month know that we are working with Fitzgerald Truck Sales on building Freightliner glider kits using 2002 and older Detroit Diesel engines. You have also read about all of the steps we go through to build you the best diesel engines available today with the horsepower you need and/or desire and with great fuel mileage. Last month, you read about our Signature Caterpillar rebuilt engines and everything we do to make them perfect, powerful, and efficient. We do not cut any corners on these engines, so we have seen very few problems with them – simply put, they run great! You ask and we build, so that you can deliver the goods. With our engines, you get to choose what you want in your engine!
Now we are going to take this one step further. We here at Pittsburgh Power are going to offer custom-built trucks and let you pick every item that goes on it. We will be building the Peterbilt 389 to start. Hopefully, the powers-that-be at Kenworth will also follow suit and begin supplying us with new trucks minus the engines and transmissions. With the Peterbilts, you will be able to choose your frame thickness, differentials, tires, wheels, transmission, engine options, front axle, air filters, visor, stacks, mufflers, color of paint, interior, seats, gauges, air horns, fifth wheel, and the list goes on and on and on. If you’re not able to come to our shop in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, we will e-mail or fax you the list of options that are available. Then, when you’re ready to order your custom truck, you will meet with Jerry Ray Hairhoger, our resident owner-operator specialist, and then Fernando DeMoura, our in-house mechanical engineer, to discuss the specifications you have chosen.
Please keep in mind that this is a custom built truck just for you and the engine will be a 2002 model or older, which means that if you plan to run into California, we may have to retrofit your truck with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and a Urea Injection System by the year 2014. The reason we are using only 2002 and older engines is because they run trouble-free, make great power, and yield great fuel mileage. You’ll never have to call me and tell me your truck is gutless. After 31 years of building high-performance diesel engines, we at Pittsburgh Power can guarantee our customers that they will get adequate amounts of horsepower and torque!
When the Peterbilt arrives at our shop, the differentials and rear tires will already have been installed at the Peterbilt factory. We build the Pittsburgh Power Signature Engine and my good friend Alan Gobel of Western Truck Parts in Colorado will build you the transmission of your choice. Alan has the same attitude I have: if you’re not happy with one of our products, we want it back. Our philosophy is, “When you look at your truck, we want it to put a smile on your face!” The better your truck runs, the better care you’ll give it and the easier you will drive it.
All of the Peterbilt glider kits that we build will have Peterbilt’s warranty on the tractor and all of the Peterbilt items, as well as Eaton’s or Meritor’s warranty on the differentials (depending on the model you choose), and three years or 300,000 miles on the engine and transmission. Now, I hope you didn’t think we could build you a custom truck of this magnitude cheaply. Great parts are expensive – we put about $30,000 into each engine. That’s why we know it will run strong for you for a very long time.
Depending on the options you choose from Peterbilt, you’re going to spend between $120,000 and $130,000 on your custom truck. Yes, it’s a lot of money. However, the fuel mileage that you will gain from this truck alone (over a factory-built stock truck) will make about half of the truck payment for you, depending on how you drive. Over 150,000 miles of driving, our custom-built truck should save you at least 5,000 gallons of fuel, and with no EGR problems! Now, if you have kept up-to-date on the number of EGR failures that the 2003 and newer trucks are having, you will see that you could save another $2,200 per year or more! And that is not even counting in your down time.
So, if you’re in the market for a new truck, think about ours. Never before in history have better choices (or more choices) been offered to the buyers of new trucks. For more details about these awesome, new, special edition trucks, call Pittsburgh Power at (724) 360-4080 or send an e-mail to bruce@pittsburghpower.com today. Do not miss this opportunity to get a new Peterbilt truck just the way that you have always wanted it.