Opinions on Freightliner Classic XL’s?

@Rideandrepair owns one and is VERY knowledgeable.

 

The classic is the owner operator extended hood version of the FLD. Pretty much everything except for the hood and that type of thing is interchangeable on them. Many parts are interchangeable from the cab over also.

Freightliner has the best parts Network. My FLD I rebuilt almost everything and I didn't wait more than one day for parts.

I think these are the absolute greatest trucks any owner operator could ever have for so many reasons.

I do kid the Peterbilt Folk, but if I could buy a Freightliner belt buckle, I probably would.

@Rideandrepair will be on shortly. I think his classic is headed north at the moment.

 

This is from a current 379 owner, but the classic and fld are my favorite trucks, parts readily available, and imho
I like the cab/ sleeper a little better and like that dash layout better also. I wouldn't purchase anything new from Freightliner even though I think they
have the best def system in the detroit, I just don't like anything else about the new freightliners. When it comes to old trucks
though I like the fld and flc and wouldn't hesitate to buy one, but I would look at one to build on

 

Have you searched “FLD”? A few of us here are very fond of them. That platform is my favorite truck I’ve driven.

Not mine. Just a pic I keep on my phone.

 

I’d avoid a cold weather one unless you’re rebuilding it anyways .. check out front cab mounts and fuel tank straps for corrosion.. under hood and rear wiring are weak spots for corrosion as well .. door hinges latches and seals wear often. Otherwise it’s a nice unit I’ve found.

 

nothing beats a S60 in a older FL ime

 

Pros- Lots of room, parts availability and low prices, simple design, easy to work on, all adds up to low cpm maintenance. Good ride, no front end nose bounce. Popular Truck, easy to sell. Priced less, pay less upfront. Hold their value. No going to depreciate any more due to age. Cons- needs more Drivers leg room. Could have easily been designed better. Worst turning radius of any Truck ever made. Rickety doors, need maintenance often, if not totally rebuilt. No insulation, loud cab. No interior cab hvac air filter, always dusting. Can be easily added, though. Interior is made cheap, dash is easily broken, when taking apart, sleeper panels glued together, interior shelves/ closets are useless. Lots of rattles. Unless using the upper bunk, interior height is wasted space. Too much room, a/c struggles to keep cool. Very hot in upper part of cab. Needs insulation installed. Heavy hood, Not bad if springs are adjusted correctly.

 

But, aside from all that, pretty truck nevertheless....

 

Love my FLD. Classic is great as well. Parts are readily available. Easy to fix yourself.
I tore out the inside, spray foamed the walls n ceiling. Quiet as a grave at midnight. Put a queen sized bed that folds up on the back wall with table.
Series 60, no def, no egr, no problems. I turned it up to 550, 1751 injectors, full tilt manifold, Borg Warner 702, and a Donaldson high bypass muffler. Parts are plentiful and CHEAP! The turbo was $700 from Summit Racing to my door. Haul a step at Mercer and get consistent 6.5-7 mpg, but never haul over 34k.