freightliner fl70
#1
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freightliner fl70
Looking for some info on a truck we are thinking about buying. Its a 1997 Freightliner fl70 or fl50 with a 12 valve cummins and a six speed manual trans. The motor doesn't worry me at all. I've had a 12 valve, know how to get the power out of it and all that good stuff. I don't know anything about the manual trans, other than the owner telling me it works fine. Our fifthwheel toy hauler is around 18k fully loaded. We pull it with our 2011 Cummins pick up, and it works ok. We want to move up to something a little more heavy duty, and the price is right on this Freightliner.
Just looking for more info on what to look for. We would crank the motor up to get the power and MPG where we want it. Can we use a Southbend clutch from a Dodge truck, or will the factory clutch be ok? What about cooling? Since most of these trucks run the bigger 8.3 Cummins or Cat engines, will the smaller 5.9 get hot pullling long grades with the motor cranked up? I know we could run water meth for EGT cooling... Any help would be good, or just what to look for?
Just looking for more info on what to look for. We would crank the motor up to get the power and MPG where we want it. Can we use a Southbend clutch from a Dodge truck, or will the factory clutch be ok? What about cooling? Since most of these trucks run the bigger 8.3 Cummins or Cat engines, will the smaller 5.9 get hot pullling long grades with the motor cranked up? I know we could run water meth for EGT cooling... Any help would be good, or just what to look for?
#2
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Not enough information in yer post to give any advice about that one.
It's all about matching up the engine, gearing, load, and driving methods/expectations.
For instance, I cut my teeth on a 1940 Mack, Cummins 220, Tri-plex (15 speed) transmission. It'd pull 80,000 at 75mph on a flat road, maybe a little tail wind, in top gear.
Most of the time, I was a gear or two below top, and on any grade at all, it was 5 or more down.
The Cummins 6BT in all it's varieties can be turned up easily to reliably pull that weight. It'd be good to have duals on the tractor just for safety, but other than that anything 1T or over would probably do a good job.
I have seen some real neat toy haulers built up on larger trucks. One was built up in a 28' van trailer. Owner dropped the pipe trailer, stabbed the toy trailer, and was off on a weekend in 3 minutes plus a shower.
It's all about matching up the engine, gearing, load, and driving methods/expectations.
For instance, I cut my teeth on a 1940 Mack, Cummins 220, Tri-plex (15 speed) transmission. It'd pull 80,000 at 75mph on a flat road, maybe a little tail wind, in top gear.
Most of the time, I was a gear or two below top, and on any grade at all, it was 5 or more down.
The Cummins 6BT in all it's varieties can be turned up easily to reliably pull that weight. It'd be good to have duals on the tractor just for safety, but other than that anything 1T or over would probably do a good job.
I have seen some real neat toy haulers built up on larger trucks. One was built up in a 28' van trailer. Owner dropped the pipe trailer, stabbed the toy trailer, and was off on a weekend in 3 minutes plus a shower.
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Freightliner
I was wrong on the FL70, its a FL60. The tractor does have duals, just a single screw. I drove it yesterday, had and 8000lbs goose neck trailer hooked to it. Seemed to pull pretty well. The engine has 75hp injectors, some other pump mods. I was going to check the timing, and do some of my own tuning on it. The truck has a small radiator, I would say the size of the one in a pick up. I am a little worried about it getting hot pulling up long grades. Already figuring we'll need water meth for sure. The Turbo looks really small. Looks like a 2.5" pipe off the back of the turbo, that someone has necked up to 4" pipe? I was thinking a set of pulling twins and some guages and that truck would be an animal
I'm trying to talk the wife into it. She is ok with it, but she wants to keep the cash in our savings and just keep running our 2011. It does ride nice. The cab is air ride, so are the seats. Air ride rear axle, just seem so more pratical to pull our toy hauler than a pick up.
I'm trying to talk the wife into it. She is ok with it, but she wants to keep the cash in our savings and just keep running our 2011. It does ride nice. The cab is air ride, so are the seats. Air ride rear axle, just seem so more pratical to pull our toy hauler than a pick up.
#4
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I was wrong on the FL70, its a FL60. The tractor does have duals, just a single screw. I drove it yesterday, had and 8000lbs goose neck trailer hooked to it. Seemed to pull pretty well. The engine has 75hp injectors, some other pump mods. I was going to check the timing, and do some of my own tuning on it. The truck has a small radiator, I would say the size of the one in a pick up. I am a little worried about it getting hot pulling up long grades. Already figuring we'll need water meth for sure. The Turbo looks really small. Looks like a 2.5" pipe off the back of the turbo, that someone has necked up to 4" pipe? I was thinking a set of pulling twins and some guages and that truck would be an animal
I'm trying to talk the wife into it. She is ok with it, but she wants to keep the cash in our savings and just keep running our 2011. It does ride nice. The cab is air ride, so are the seats. Air ride rear axle, just seem so more pratical to pull our toy hauler than a pick up.
I'm trying to talk the wife into it. She is ok with it, but she wants to keep the cash in our savings and just keep running our 2011. It does ride nice. The cab is air ride, so are the seats. Air ride rear axle, just seem so more pratical to pull our toy hauler than a pick up.
You haven't said what version of 6BT is in, especially which injection pump. Turbo outlet is probably 3".
Also, you might be surprised by the cooling. Diesels are efficient, and give off a lot less heat to the water than a gasser, especially when tuned for moderate power.
#6
FL's
There are a lot of these trucks being used in freight expedite applications with 20-30 foot cargo boxes on them , tandem and single axles, sleeper boxes, as well as car hauler applications. I am sure they are working them harder than you will be pulling your camper. As a trucker, I am on the road daily and see very few broke down. I would not hesitate to get one , just need to find one that has been taken care of. Just my 2cnts.
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