running a 2018 Western Star 4900SF, ISX at 600, 18 speed, 46k rears on 4.10s, triple frame. mostly wind farm and oilfield work out of Bismarck, a 9 axle lowboy and a Trail King stretch deck. it's at 890k and getting tired.
the 4900 has been stout. the cab is loud and the doors have never sealed right in january. i've wanted a 389 since i was a kid, and i'm told this is my last truck, so it better be the one i want. question is whether a 389 specced for heavy haul holds up the way a factory heavy 4900 does. anybody running a 389 north of 150k gross regularly?
ran a 379 at 120k gross pulling a 50 ton Talbert for four years out of Amarillo. frame was fine, rears were 46k, it did the job. but a heavy spec 4900 was built for that work and a stock 389 was built to look good doing it. if you're over 150 regularly you want the double frame and 52k rears, and the pete dealer will want to talk about their heavy haul spec, not the one on the lot.
the pete cab is quieter. at 890k miles that counts for something.
a guy i load next to in Mandan runs a 2022 389, X15 at 605, 52k Meritor rears, pulling blades and tower sections. he says the only thing he'd change is nothing, which from him is a first. he did say the 131 hood matters for heavy haul because it fits the biggest radiator they offer, and crawling up a grade at 20 mph in july with a superload behind you is when you find out.
got a real spec sheet from the dealer in Fargo. new 389, 131 hood, X15 at 605, 18 speed, 52k rears on 4.33s, double frame, 290 inch wheelbase. 248k before the 12 percent FET. western star doesn't build the 4900 anymore, it's the 49X now, and a comparable 49X came in about 20 under that.
the 49X build pages are on westernstartrucks.com if anyone wants to compare. i sat in one at the dealer. nice truck. not the one i want.
if you go 389 with the 605, spec the cooling and the engine brake like your bank account depends on it, because it does. i've got a customer out of Hastings with a 2021 389 at 130k gross who went through a water pump and two fan hubs in two summers pulling Colorado grades. take the big radiator the long hood gives you room for. and don't let anybody talk you into a 13 speed at that weight, you'll want every split the 18 has.
ordered it. 389, 131 hood, the 605, 18 speed, 52k rears, double frame, big radiator and the Jake. build slot is april. the 4900 is going to a farmer in Glen Ullin who wants it for a grain truck. my wife says she'll believe it's my last truck when she sees it.
