Kenworth C540 Project Truck

Hey guys, joining from the U.K. with a project truck (actually one of two I have, but the other is an Autocar)

Thought I'd share some progress of how the truck is going, I've got a YouTube series running on the build and how I'm fixing things. The plan is to turn it back into a 5th wheel truck (possibly with a hiab) and use it for shows and the odd bit of actual work hauling with a drawbar trailer. I will have to build myself a custom 5th wheel trailer due to height and this will be used for my show vehicles.

I am also going to stretch the sleeper in and possibly the frame just for better proportions

But I've also got a few questions for the guys who've run certain combinations

One of which being the transmissions.

So it is currently a 3408 mated to an RTO 10 speed trans and an Eaton 1202 transfer case with low and direct. However, with 6.68 gears, this leaves me out of RPM around 50mph. Not a problem for when this truck used to be a heavy haul oil field mule, but for going to and from shows it's going to be a bit slow and about 10mph under the current U.K. speed limits for heavy vehicles.

Has anyone put a 1241D or similar 4 speed OD box in series with a 10 and 2?

I've worked out that this will allow me to hit around 65 at a nice cruising RPM, as well as give me a ridiculous low range and amount of potential gear combinations should I wish. But for the most part I would just keep both AUX boxes in direct, work my way up to 10th in main and then switch to OD in the 1241.

Are they any issues running a 3 stick setup or even a two stick and one air switch ?

Secondly, I am aware of the 3408 cranks not being the most rugged due to the offset pins. However, it is a 450hp unit and I would like to bump it up a little to say 500.....is this just a case of turning up the pump screw or for a 50hp jump would I need to step up a size on injectors?

I don't have any pics to upload on this laptop but when I'm on my personal one I shall try to upload some pics of the truck rather than just a YouTube link. But for those interested in seeing the actual condition of the truck this is the first in the series (I think I have 5 videos up now) and you can get a sense of just how bad it is!

 

Been a little while since I've been able to make a video due to work, but here's two!