kenworth coe k100

[2deuce]

Has anyone have any info on these blue trucks that I have seen used by the airforce? What engine and trans and gearing they came with? Any history about them?

Thanks

 

[Bighurt]

I believe the 80's models had NTC-400's in them but they were replaced a few years back and I don't have any to look under.

I know the MMT guys liked the older ones cause they moved.

It would help if you could narrrow down what agency used the truck.

Edit: The Air Force used the Kenworth K-100E as a Payload transporter, product years where 1981, 1991, and 2003.

 

[RealCavDog]

B.J. and the Bear Aerodyne style K100E in CARC with a Cat Motor . . . but where to mount the winch ?

Not sure about the Air Force models, but Kenworth used all 3 of the big dogs, Cat, Cummins and Detroit. I am betting the Cat didn't make the A/F cut, but the Cummins 350 small cam or Detroit green series sure would of !

Subscribed and curious about the answer !

 

[2deuce]

Early 80's would have been it and I think they were automatic.

 

[Blind Driver]

I would love to get ahold a 2003 model

 

[Bighurt]

Pretty sure all of them including the 2003 Freightliners, and the conventional replacements had or have automatics. The 81 and 91 series, had the annoying drop down air warning bar when air pressure dropped. Yeah that goofy stop sign attached to a bar under the sun visor.

 

[2deuce]

Did they have an M number designation? Thanks for the quick reply and interesting info

 

[Bighurt]

Nope...PT tractor and then Reg number the USAF hasn't used M series designation for quite some time. It makes it hard to find a truck on the line but after a few months you can take any reg number and now exactly what truck it was. I think the PT trucks are numbered 81BXXXX, 91BXXXX, 03BXXXX, etc. However they are a special purpose truck so the alpha code maybe different, I just can't remember and I don't have TO 36-1-191 on me.

I can still tell you 88B3442 and 86B0009 were 7.5ton 6x4's the latter being a GMC Topkick and the other an International 7500. That Topkick was one pile of rolling crap by the time we turned them in.

As for the PT trucks, if you get one it has been through **** and back. The 81 were rode hard and put away wet for nearly 30 years. During the winter in Minot they run them constant, and missions lasted up to 16hrs. They went through APU's and engine rebuilds pretty darn fast.

After 2003 the USAF replaced them with conventional cab models as US manufactures no longer make COE trucks. Unfortunatly due to a specialized trailer requirement they need the same rear spacing and with a conventional cab the wheelbase grew 4 feet. Not only did this mean they don't fit in the AS&I building utilizing the standard load opt, but they can't turn around on site.

The entire conventional fleet is reserved for secondary duty status, hauling PMT, EMT and the occasional Boeing modified PT trailer. The MMT units still relay on the 91 and 03 models for PT missions, here at Minot not sure about other units. All the 81's are gone, I never even saw them go through GL...Had the option to bid on a few APU's over the years but it's kinda specialized power and not something I can use right now.

 

[2deuce]

Hope I didn't make a mistake but I ended up buying the K100 I was thinking about. It is an 81 vintage model. It hasn't run in years, so I can't drive it the 500 miles home. I'm thinking about towing it with my deuce, I've done crazier things. I do have axle clamps for a tow bar. Another option is getting it running. It might be worn out but it only shows 78K on the odometer, so I'm crossing my fingers. The only thing I know is it ran when it was parked. lol

Remove the driveline? Is that it? What else should I do besides get my head examined? My life has been very boring lately, maybe this adventure will help.

Thank for any advice you may have.

 

[Bighurt]

Hope I didn't make a mistake but I ended up buying the K100 I was thinking about. It is an 81 vintage model. It hasn't run in years, so I can't drive it the 500 miles home. I'm thinking about towing it with my deuce, I've done crazier things. I do have axle clamps for a tow bar. Another option is getting it running. It might be worn out but it only shows 78K on the odometer, so I'm crossing my fingers. The only thing I know is it ran when it was parked. lol

Remove the driveline? Is that it? What else should I do besides get my head examined? My life has been very boring lately, maybe this adventure will help.

Thank for any advice you may have.

They USAF kicked them out after so many miles don't know what that is off top of my head it's a mildly complex forumula that takes into account age, mileage and annual cost, compared to replacement. In the end a chief makes the call and most Motor Pool Chiefs are now a civilian job created and run by former mil chiefs. Not bad but they can be buttered up.

They have a bad side to I can't tell you how many times I had to visit Chief Rainey (he's a GS-15 now) stand in front of his desk and explain myself. He wasn't even in my chian of command. Needless to say he still knows my name, and I his. Honestly I think he remembered me for knowing the TO's (TM's in the AF) better than some of his NCO's this was back when I was little airmen. I rember on inspection he was out with his crew for a HHQ inspection. They signed the vehicle off and handed me the keys for axceptance. I gave the vehicle a once over and returned to the crowd. They stated "Good?", I can still remeber the look on his face when I said nope. Then pointed out the head gasket leak...

Some may say otherwise but towing it with your duece while tricky can be done. I can't remember the weight on the K100 but without the APU, the truck isn't very heavy, all the weight is over the steer axle. Personally this time of the year I would have it towed or hauled professionally, 500 miles isn't that far. How much is your life worth if involved in an accident?

What are your plans for the truck?

 

[2deuce]

It would be a slow trip and without too much elevation change. I wouldn't do it in bad conditions. I was also thinking I could possibly tow it somewhere that I could have it serviced, then drive it. Not certain what to do yet. Having it moved professionally is a possibility.

As far as plans for it....I'll need a trailer. We are using my deuce and a equipment trailer to move our stuff and the deuce, while it gets it done, it is straining, the k100 will be a big improvement, if it isn't worn out or doesn't have anything seriously wrong with it. If I don't use it I'll probably sell it. I don't have much $ into it ...yet.

I don't see many of these trucks on the road anymore, it's kind of unique. I sure hope it's a runner.

 

[73m819]

Now that you have it, can you tell where you got it, and a few more details on the truck, thanks

 

[2deuce]

Sorry I don't have any real details. It is at a fire dept 500 miles from me. when I do get it home, I'll know what I have gotten into and can post some details. I have learned more from Bighurt right here than anywhere

I'm thinking about possibly flat towing it. Some vehicles follow much better than others. If anybody has any experience or thoughts on how it would tow please let me know.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[av8or]

I would add a ton or two of extra weight in the back of the deuce (all the way to the back) it will help. go for it.

 

[tcody]

When I saw that one up for sale it looked to be in pretty good shape to me. I wouldn't rule out driving it home. Take the VIN to your KW dealer and find out how it was outfitted - looked like an allison but not sure about the engine. Get filters and fluids and new batteries and see if you can't get it going. It would be tough to tow with axle clamps and towbar and dangerous (plus you would need to take off the bumper to get the bar to keep from banging against the bumper). My K100 aerodyne was about 16000 LBS. Your isn't that heavy, but that is still a lot of weight to try to stop with your truck. Bring an extra tire or two. If you can't drive it i think it would fit on a 10 ton pintle hitch equipment trailer and still be within legal height. Good luck!

 

[11Echo]

Similar ex-Air Force KW's I have seen were equipped with 400 Cummins and Allison automatics.

 

[2deuce]

I was thinking about using my equipment trailer behind the deuce. Height is one thing and getting it on the trailer is another if it's not running. The deuce has a high pintle that makes the front of the trailer even higher. Need some measurements. Thanks for the info and ideas.

 

[tcody]

I was thinking about using my equipment trailer behind the deuce. Height is one thing and getting it on the trailer is another if it's not running. The deuce has a high pintle that makes the front of the trailer even higher. Need some measurements. Thanks for the info and ideas.

Get yourself a couple of 3 or 5 ton power pullers. I have seen some cheap 5 tonners for about $60. Wyeth-Scott makes a very high quality 3 ton puller, but you need to be prepared for the sticker shock! It is a 2 man to three man job. Make sure you have a safety chain to keep the truck from rolling back if the pullers fail. Also chock it as you are pulling her up on the trailer. If you have a air line to pressurize the lines to release the spring brakes on the KW that would be ideal, but if not bring some tools to turn down the brakes. Make sure to chain her down (no straps) good and reset the brakes. It would be a shame to dump her on the highway en route. With the equipment trailer your load will never be centered. You will have to figure out if you want a lot of weight up front or in back. Easier to load the rear end first but then you are light on the hitch. Also best to load with a little incline - don't want the truck to get to the top of the trailer and start rolling forward over the front of the trailer and into your M35! Most important - take a bunch of pics!

 

[2deuce]

I do have a winch I can mount on the trailer. It's an old warn 8k and with 3 or 4 snatch blocks maybe. I need to find out how tall the truck is, and the wheelbase length and width. I would really like to put some effort into starting it.
Driving my deuce and trailer 500 miles empty is going to be a long trip let alone being loaded another 500 miles.

Anybody on Steel Soldiers own one of these airforce k-100's

Thanks,
Greg

 

[tcody]

I do have a winch I can mount on the trailer. It's an old warn 8k and with 3 or 4 snatch blocks maybe. I need to find out how tall the truck is, and the wheelbase length and width. I would really like to put some effort into starting it.
Driving my deuce and trailer 500 miles empty is going to be a long trip let alone being loaded another 500 miles.

Anybody on Steel Soldiers own one of these airforce k-100's

Thanks,
Greg

I think you will be able to get it started - I agree it is the best option.