Peter Schimunek, Western Star Trucks’ marketing segment manager, and John Tomlinson, heavy duty and vocational sales manager for Daimler Trucks North America, Western Star’s parent company, highlighted key updates, changes and product offerings during the NTEA’s Truck Product Conference.
Western Star updated its HVAC systems on all models, including 4700, 5700, 4800, 4900 and 6900 on-highway tuck models. Key benefits include faster defrost, a 30-percent increase in air flow, quieter operation with an injection-molded air distribution unit and LED lights in the control head.
The company also changed the auxiliary panel in the 4700 and 5700XE, moving the 12-volt receptacles out of the panel and into the dash. They’ll now be paired as two 12-volt only receptacles and take up the ash tray location in the dash.
The change includes narrowing the panel offerings from three to one, and several corresponding data code updates.
The 4800 and 6900 are available with LED headlights that improve forward lighting and reduce maintenance costs, and the 4700, 4800 and 4900 models feature a PTO mode for Detroit DD13 engines.
Plow and service configuration options include a “tough wrap” harness system, which Western Star says minimizes chafing and damage that lead to electrical failures, long-life sealed double channel rails for corrosion protection, RollTek rollover protection, and a high-mount toolbox for the 4700.
Western Star said the tool box provides much-needed cab access in certain snow plow applications, allowing for combination “backpack” style fuel and hydraulic tanks, and increased ground clearance.
Perpendicular air tanks made of weight-saving aluminum increase inside chassis rail space for tight frame applications on 4700, 4800, 4900 and 6900 models. Tank locations are specifiable with a line note.
The company is targeting January, 2019, for production of new lightweight extra-duty Airliner suspensions in 4700 and 5700XE models. The new suspensions provide up to 191 pounds in weight savings over current offerings without affecting application, functionality, reliability or driver comfort.
The new extra-duty Airliner features 40K capacity, bi-directional springs and improved alignment, but require 11 millimeter or greater wall thickness.
Mixer options include a transition plate at the back of the cab (4700, 4800, 4900), a rear-engine PTO mixer pump bracket (14700)—both Western Star OEM-approved and factory installed to save time and money—and a twin-steer conversion kit for the 4700, which was expected to commence production in March (SB) and May (SF).
Dump options include a pre-notched drop section EOF (end of frame) with pintle hitch, and a pre-notched EOF.
Western Star’s modification center offers options for cutaway cab prep, and various Northside Industries expansions, and its updated Body Builder Book Version 3.2—which it said is coming soon—is expected to provide improved PTO selection guidelines and compatibility charts.
For more body builder information, visit westernstartrucks.com/BodyBuilderBook or dtnaconnect.com.