SuiteSuccess Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Just saw a video saying as of July 1 glider kits will no longer be manufactured by HDT manufacturers. Fitzgeralds apparently tried to fight it in court but lost. Another company down the tubes. Wonder if they’ll reinvent themselves in another way? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Howdy SS, Gliders were a neat thing for folks with money, and they were-are a nice truck no doubt. If you want a per emissions truck just buy an older truck,if you look hard enough they are out there. Dave 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDBirdman Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Whats a glider for HDT? Sliding hitch? 2022 Coachman Leprechaun, traveling around to dark sky areas and chasing the stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 11 minutes ago, NDBirdman said: Whats a glider for HDT? Sliding hitch? Truck chassis manufactured and sold without a drivetrain. Brand new truck, minus engine, transmission, and rear axles. The idea is to take the drivetrain out of your old truck, rebuild as needed, then install into glider chassis. Run a brand new truck, with lower costs. Not really a huge market, most people just pay the taxes and drive a new truck. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted July 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 26 minutes ago, NDBirdman said: Whats a glider for HDT? Sliding hitch? Lots of companies and owner/operators bought to put a remanufactured pre-emissions engine in for reliability and less service cost. Fitzgeralds was a leader in manufacturing these trucks. Many of us toured their facility and it was a first class operation. No future it seems now after they deplete their current inventory. They would take old Detroit, Cummins, and some Cats and remanufacture to better than new engines. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDBirdman Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Cool, thanks! I guess you can say I led a shelter life, I drove professionally for a while and never heard this. Guess my head was in the sand most the time... LOL 2022 Coachman Leprechaun, traveling around to dark sky areas and chasing the stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 21 minutes ago, NDBirdman said: Whats a glider for HDT? Sliding hitch? Howdy NDBirdman, Some folks wanted keep their old drive train especially those who wanted to keep a pre emissions engine but also wanted a new truck with all the nice things the new trucks have. So a few companies specialized in installing the old usually rebuilt drive train into a brand new truck cab and chassis. This completed setup was called a Glider truck. or at least that is the way I understand it. But the feds didn't like this as it kept older non current emissions compliant trucks on the road so they passed laws making this illegal and thus the practice is coming to an end. For example the engine in my truck is a Caterpillar C-15, 6NZ, a very sought after engine again especially among owner operators, folks who had trucks with such engines wanted a new truck but wanted to keep the old engine so the market for the Glider was there it just needed someone to fulfill the need and thus this niche market industry was started. Dave 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 The word on the street is, Fitzgerald's had significant quality issues. There were other builders too, only in the last few years were gliders built on production lines. Gliders were built up by owners or small shops for decades. The whole glider thing is a legacy tradition ended by its success. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Carl, I'm confused. The only things I find on the subject were dated one year ago, and they all basically say the same thing. Quote The U.S. EPA has told The New York Times that it will not enforce Obama-era emissions restrictions placed on glider kit manufacturers at least through the end of next year, giving glider kit builders like Fitzgerald Glider Kits a substantial victory in their fight against the regulations. "end of next year" means the end of THIS year....so another 6 months, and then they can only build 300 trucks. Of course I have no idea how many they are selling now. Limiting them to 300 a year might be a death warrant. You can read the article HERE. Can you post a link to this video?? Thanks MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 31 minutes ago, Big5er said: Carl, I'm confused. The only things I find on the subject were dated one year ago, and they all basically say the same thing. "end of next year" means the end of THIS year....so another 6 months, and then they can only build 300 trucks. Of course I have no idea how many they are selling now. Limiting them to 300 a year might be a death warrant. You can read the article HERE. Can you post a link to this video?? Thanks Howdy Phil, Interesting article, especially the last part where it says that the major truck builders, volvo, dimler, etc are fighting this, they have been for years. I know I am going to HELL for saying this but there is no way I would buy one of the trucks built between 2006-7 and later, the cost of the emissions equipment and its up keep are way to rich for me. I know you only hear about the bad that happens but 10-20K in repairs when one of those trucks throws a fit is insane. Give me old school technology any day of the week. Yes I know when sea level rises and it snows in July blame me for your troubles. Dave 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Fitzgerald had people sourcing the DD60 series engines everywhere in the western hemisphere. Anywhere they could pull a block and head out of the wrecking yards and backwoods they have. I thought they were building a great product... Jim's Adventures Old Spacecraft.... Who knows whats next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted July 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Phil, Don’t know how to download video here but title is “Glider Kits Are Dead-July 1 2019” by Smart Trucking on YouTube. When I looked on line to see if true several places mentioned that each manufacturer could make 300 kits but they were really not that interested since it was a limited market. p.s. Tell me how to include videos 😊 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Howdy All, The youtube video on Gliders. Dave 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatrack Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 6 hours ago, SuiteSuccess said: Just saw a video saying as of July 1 glider kits will no longer be manufactured by HDT manufacturers. Fitzgeralds apparently tried to fight it in court but lost. Another company down the tubes. Wonder if they’ll reinvent themselves in another way? Suite. Drove by a few days ago and they have a sign out front for trailer sales, they still have several hdt trucks siting on the lot and a few mdt trucks. They have a bunch of large trailers setting out front. 2024 DRV Fullhouse JX450 2017 DRV Fullhouse JX450 2020 Volvo VNR 42-640, D13, 455hp, Ishift, 189"wb, factory single, ET Junior Hitch @ 195", Jacklopee, Directlink 2016 GMC 3500 Denali DRW, CC, LB, Curt 25k, Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 So after watching the video it sounds like the EPA hasn't moved up there deadline but the manufacturers just aren't going to build 2020 gliders? So not a loss in court but out maneuvered by the truck makers? MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 Halliburton buys more trucks than Fitzgerald. Where's the incentive to sell what amounts to a Special Vehicle Operations model to them when Halliburton's purchases fits in the regular production line? I don't see it as outmaneuverd, more likely just a business decision. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 Glider kits were originally intended that if you wrecked a late model truck, the drive train could be salvaged and the truck not totally written off. Considering today’s markets that are pretty much flooded with late model used trucks, the manufacturers have been trying to maneuver some of this used inventory off the lots. Some manufacturers have also been preventing the small fleets from placing orders for new trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted July 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 9 hours ago, Big5er said: So after watching the video it sounds like the EPA hasn't moved up there deadline but the manufacturers just aren't going to build 2020 gliders? So not a loss in court but out maneuvered by the truck makers? Phil, One article I read said Fitzgerald had been involved in the court and lost the repeal of the regs, but you are more correct saying it’s more to do with the manufacturers business decision. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 Video title page has fake news? 1989? Kenworth built gliders long before 1989 Anyways I can’t watch it in camp right now mobile phone data is too expensive so I will have to go mooch a connection somewhere.... I turned a 1981 Peterbilt 359 into a glider one time one minute the Detroit Diesel 8V92T complete with 110mm injectors was purring along at 1500rpm 10 seconds of fussing and soft pedal and it quit. Became a zero emissions vehicle. “Fuel gauge! You lie to me! I wailed. Amazing how many squeaks, clunks, chuckles, and chirps are evident in a 60 mph glider. Anyone remember how you prime and start a DD 2 cycle turbo supercharged Diesel engine? "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 10 hours ago, Moresmoke said: Glider kits were originally intended that if you wrecked a late model truck, the drive train could be salvaged and the truck not totally written off. Gliders were an end run around the FET on new trucks. Drive a new truck, without the squeaks and rattles, while saving money on taxes. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil D Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 56 minutes ago, noteven said: Video title page has fake news? 1989? Kenworth built gliders long before 1989 If 1989 is what they said, then yes, it's definitely "fake news". I first heard of glider kits during the 1974 model year, and it may well not have been an entirely new concept then, although that most likely was the first time that they were used to evade an unpopular and ultimately unworkable governmental mandate. 1974 was the year that NHTSA first imposed an anti-lock brake requirement on heavy trucks, despite the fact that the technology to make them work properly did not exist at that time. The resulting vehicles were so unstable that many customers eventually refused to buy any more new trucks, and all of the manufacturers got into the glider kit business in a big way to both provide their customers a way to replace their trucks without the new, FMVSS compliant brake systems, and to keep their own production lines going. Phil 2002 Teton Royal Aspen 2003 Kenworth T2000 - Cat C12 380/430 1450/1650, FreedomLine, 3.36 - TOTO . . . he's not in Kansas anymore. ET Air Hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geodog Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 I can remember assembling a Glider when I was a truck mechanic in 1959 in an IH Factory Branch shop.It was B-1800 chassis in which we installed a 549 cu.in. V8. The largest engine available from the factory was 345 cu.in.. ShortyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 Last time I tried to get a ride in a glider, they had a 250# weight limit...........☹️ KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 So keep the old frame and install a new cab and hood on it. Maybe replace the front end steering components while you're at it. Not a glider, just a body upgrade with a tight rattlefree cab and all of the new bells and whistles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted July 10, 2019 Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 It's not the old frame they want, Lou. They want that old, pre emissions, engine with a new truck and frame around it MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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