Memories for us old truckers

[crane operator]

1977 kenworth. 3406 cat and 13 speed. A little switch on the dash says brakesaver too.

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/190530/item/FH9392/1977-Kenworth-Trucks-Truck_Tractor-Oklahoma

What kind of suspension is under it? Some kind of rubber bushed torque tube - that you "clock" at the rear there setting the alignment? I haven't seen that suspension before. Of course you can add it to the huge list of things I haven't seen before, but I'm always up for learning something.

 

[RZucker]

Oh, boy. Kenworth torsion bar suspension. Haven't seen that in a long time.

 

[crane operator]

So is the end piece for alignment? and how does it work?

And guessing from the thick looking frame, probably aluminum frame?

 

[crane operator]

Thanks for the identifier Rzucker, I just spent a while reading on them. I found a better picture without frame rails in the way. Looks like they would be a joy to keep greased and replace bushings on when they got bad.

 

[RZucker]

So is the end piece for alignment? and how does it work?

And guessing from the thick looking frame, probably aluminum frame?

View attachment 197367

That end piece is for ride height adjustment. Those were not a lot of fun to drive with tall loads or tankers on the chassis.

 

[crane operator]

I could see that, with the way that works, side to side sway would really be something on road. Bet it would be tippy also on a dump on a sidehill, compared with walking beam, or spring over beam or camelback.

 

[Mother Deuce]

I had a new one. There was a “heavy duty” version apparently. The company I was working for bought it as lowboy tractor. It never broke in the time I had it, but you had to be very judicious about entering a corner. The torsion bars didn’t have enough “hair” to return level while exiting a turn or highway sweeper. This was done, with like a 22 ton Grove on board by counter steering into which ever way it was leaning as much as you had to, to get back to a level ride condition after exiting the corner. This was most pronounced with the lowboy. With the flatbed this issue was not as evident.

 

[RZucker]

I could see that, with the way that works, side to side sway would really be something on road. Bet it would be tippy also on a dump on a sidehill, compared with walking beam, or spring over beam or camelback.

Back in the days when I was dumb enough to hand load hay trucks, I drove an old K100 with torsion bars for a few loads, had a 24' deck on the truck with a 32' pull. We did the old "7 tiers on edge with a double Ellensburg tie" (you had to be a hay hauler) that truck was almost scary, if the curve said "50 mph" you took it at 40 and the top of the load was still in the other lane. It was also good for inducing seasickness.

 

[RZucker]

I had a new one. There was a “heavy duty” version apparently. The company I was working for bought it as lowboy tractor. It never broke in the time I had it, but you had to be very judicious about entering a corner. The torsion bars didn’t have enough “hair” to return level while exiting a turn or highway sweeper. This was done, with like a 22 ton Grove on board by counter steering into which ever way it was leaning as much as you had to, to get back to a level ride condition after exiting the corner. This was most pronounced with the lowboy. With the flatbed this issue was not as evident.

Did it have centerpoint steer too?

 

[Mother Deuce]

Did it have centerpoint steer too?

It had a like a 18000 pound front and duplex’s so I was blessed with power steering.

 

[RZucker]

It had a like a 18000 pound front and duplex’s so I was blessed with power steering.

The old K100 had center point, boy that added to the wiggle and wobble.

 

[petepilot]

nice lookin old a model but its got 4 strikes against it, alum frame, rat nest susp, a model cat & likely no power steering

 

[Mother Deuce]

Did it have centerpoint steer too?

The old K100 had center point, boy that added to the wiggle and wobble.

They would sure keep your attention I came into Yakima one morning with a 35 ton P&H and thought we were all going in the freakin’ river. It is no wonder my hair is white. I can not even imagine trying to run a tub or demo trailer with it!

 

[Mother Deuce]

nice lookin old a model but its got 4 strikes against it, alum frame, rat nest susp, a model cat & likely no power steering

However it is cool looking and would make a great light duty ride like driving down to watch a football game and throw a few darts.

 

[petepilot]

in my younger days i had a k100 with torsion susp & and a 318 detroit ,all but broke me

 

[RZucker]

in my younger days i had a k100 with torsion susp & and a 318 detroit ,all but broke me

The one I mentioned had the 318 plus a 4x4 trans with some goofy cable shift for the aux. You had to be verrwy careful shifting that one.

 

[petepilot]

of all the kws i`ve either owned or driven this was my favorite

 

[petepilot]

pictured one had the 85j16 spicer with the cables to but never had any problem with them

 

[Truck Shop]

Actually KW torsion was every where but mainly fleets bought it because KW was selling it cheap verses other aftermarket at the time. They would low ball it on a fleet
specification sale. But it was crap, agreed Petepilot that kw has four strikes against it. Same problem with this kw plus it had a detroit.

 

[DMiller]

The 80 K100c I was dumb enough to buy was 8v92t fifteen speed deep reduction switch on the dash so an 8 speed
Torsion ride
Center point with those goofy but handy for steps stick out hubs and a wheel base way too tight.
Was steel frame was about the only saving grace
Reciprocity was ‘Red River Trucking, Portland’ was where my partner in crime was based
Was so much fun when those knuckle bushings wore out and they back flipped and locked