♤Follow Semi Casual, Links In Description♡ For information about financing your first semi truck or trailer? I have videos that will help you get the information you need! Click⬇️ www.thefundingbooth.com/muthatrucker
It's really wrong and should be illegal to give the government the right to regulate the trucking business because they always abuse there power and the only thing they are good at is pure corruption.
Good news now I just found out they relaxed the glider regs and Kustom Trucks, and Fitzgerald are pumping out thousands of pre-emissions gliders in 2022.
When I was trucking, a couple of other O/O's used to give me crap about my 2 old Kenworth K-100's cabovers compared to their newer trucks. Mine might have been old but they were paid for and in great shape! Back when diesel went up past $4.20 per gallon. They found out the hard way that chrome, and fancy lights don't pay the bills, and those big "Rooster cruiser" engines excessively eat the most costly thing! FUEL!! When some of them were sitting home after their trucks got repo'd. My "old truck" was still going & making money.
I mean I’ve got a big fancy rooster cruiser flattop 1994 Kenworth W900L paid for looks and kept like a new truck and looks better than any 2022 pete or Kenworth rolling off sales lot! And makes money!
I built two used gliders for a customer back in 1982 (I just started working and was still in high school). Both trucks were 1977-78 Mack RS700L from the west coast of Canada. The first one we installed a 300 Maxidyne with a 5spd transmission and 4.17 Mack differentials on 10.00x20 rubber. The second one we built a couple of years later this one came with a V8 mack that we removed and installed a Mack 300+ Maxidyne with a RTO 9513 transmission and 3.88 (I think) Mack differentials on 11.5x22 rubber . Both trucks were used for gravel and stone and had wet lines installed and no sleepers. The first one had spoked wheels on all axles, the second one had bud wheel hubs on the front axle only. Both trucks had no brakes on the front axle (you could do that back in the 70s as long as the complete brake assembly was removed). They were two of the best looking trucks around. Up by me back then in the mountains people used to make their own trucks all the time. People were poor and if you had an IH or Kenworth truck and you blew up the differentials and you had an old B model Mack sitting behind the barn with a good set of differentials, guess what happens, you now have a IH with Mack rears! We used to swap different engines or transmissions all the time, we had a lathe and extra driveshaft tubing in stock for various length problems. I once replaced a gas Waukesha engine for a 671 Detroit for a fire truck that was being refurbished. The stuff that was still running on the road up by me in the early 80s was crazy, B models, Autocar, Brockway. One customer had two old Brockways from the 50s with gas Continental engines and wooden cabs. I worked on such a wide range of equipment. It was a great learning experience as we only did repairs only (we only owned two trucks our 1956 hardnosed LJ Mack wrecker that we repowered from a 707 gas to a 237hp 675ENDT diesel and a 5x4 quad box tranny, the other truck was our loaner, another LJ softnosed tractor with a 673 non turbo diesel and a dualplex tranny). I learned everything I know working in that shop, we would make and set up any truck you wanted.
@@mikeskidmore6754 The government doesn’t have the balls to go against ship corporations and the oil industry to fix this. They can push around law abiding citizens all they want and get more taxes and penalties.
I met Bryan, tommy and alex @ the wildwood truckshow.. amizing and down to earth type of people.. we talked for a while and i enjoyed taking to the 3 of them!! When im ready to get a new pete, ill be going to Alabama! Stay safe guys!
In 2018 my boss bought two Pete 579 daycab gliders. Today, I'm buying one of them from the company. I plan to add a sleeper if I ever need to quit local and go OTR. 😁
@@DrtyDiesel I recommend a 40” mid roof sleeper so you have just enough space for what you need. I personally don’t use half the space in my big double bunk. I wish my truck was 4 feet shorter for backing and getting around tight cities. I would book much shorter loads that pay twice as much.
@@markm0000 I don't blame you, I need to find out about stretching the frame. I was going to go with a 36" bunk but the 48" with at least a closet would be much preferred.
Fitzgerald gliders are one of the most poorly made gliders on the market. Overhauled with used or Chinese parts. Never heard of one that made it over 500k without a rebuild.
They have high engine failure rates I’ll give you that. Anymore you are taking a chance on any crate motor. Buy a cat there warranty is second to none. It is expensive though. 4 year unlimited miles is great though
I have had a few buddies with Fitzgerald gliders fail under a 100, but to be fair a buddie had 3 Cummins n14’s fail under 40k and one got it again after and those were Cummins reconditioned engines
Chinese parts is a bad thing, just the Chinese will manufacture at any price point. IE: cheap to better then OEM, up to the distributor or company selling them. So just because it's Chinese doesn't automatically mean low quality. Most companies sell a product or a part of a product that is made in China: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Cat, Cummings, Detroit etc.
I love that circle of without this guy I couldn't have done it no sir without that guy we couldn't have done it no sir without those guys this couldn't have done it. The circle of humble this and try to do something good is amazing. Love all you.
And if they do too many of them is the Government going to say to them “you are a manufacturer and you aren’t complying with emissions standards” and then they fine them.
@@MustangsTrainsMowers The government needs to be told to screw off. If it takes lead to do so then fine by me the government has no right to tell me I can't have a pre emmisions engine or deleted truck. Its all bullcrap.
I ordered a '16 389 Pete from Fitzgerald in which I asked for a New Detroit, after waiting months I was told that the truck had a Fitzgerald Detroit, I was informed that I had to either order a new truck or take this one, they admitted the mistake and offered me a major warranty. Fortunately it was a great motor without any issues. I put 850K on the truck and had light issues so I opted to rebuild it. I didn't have any other issues with the truck as a whole.
My question is why do these dudes think their glider kits are worth 150 to 180 to $200,000 bucks Just because they got a old style engine in it that's about it , Back in the day we bought them kits for $35,000 bucks brand new and we put the engine and transmission and rear ends in them , nothing new and hes right the federal put a crack on everything and there is more coming yet
After what they did in the glider business I would think they change their last name. Fitzgerald gliders bankrupt many owner operators that put their faith into a company that was supposed to be building quality and instead they got mismatch parts many of which came from China and engines that had no longevity to them. When they had problems Fitzgerald left them to fend for themselves. Truly disgraceful.
Those big warning decals on their Detroit engines... CALL FITZGERALD IN THE EVENT OF REPAIR WORK. Never seen those bullshit decals on Triad Freightliners gliders, or Harrison built gliders, oh that's because Triad and Harrison used genuine Detroit remanufactured engines and all came with actual Detroit warranty not CALL FITZGERALD, 😂
@@TheRoadhammer379yessssssss.....I've heard plenty of guys said those engines don't Las long from Fitzgerald some say theirs blew after 200,000 miles.
My reason why I didn't look at gliders when I was looking for a truck is that I don't like the Series 60 12.7 engine. I'd welcome a 3406E, C15, N14 or Series 60 14 liter over the smaller engine Fitzgerald preferred to put in their trucks.
@@nattydreadlocks1973, you're absolutely right. Mines built with turbo, cam, manifold, injectors by PP with a 3 program ECM by Diesel Control Service, it's well past 600.
It's a damn shame that glider kits are gone away. I always wanted a new Freightliner Argosy like they get in Australia and a glider used to be the easiest way to get one.
In Australia we call the freightliner Argosy . Agonys as they're shit truck's full of rattles and made of plastic. I know what I'm talking about I've driven a few in my day here in oz . Absolute heaps of shit
@@Corleone_Napoleone FLDs are an extremely good truck, no doubt. Specifically talking argosys here, theyre a shit box, not all freightliners. If i could, id import and RH convert a classic XL into Australia. One of my all time favourite truck s
I actually drove one of the Coronado trucks from them it was a big step up from what I was driving it was a very nice truck it got a lot of comments going down the road and made me very proud, if I was going to buy a truck I would definitely buy one from them.
Last I heard about Fitzgerald was they owed like 30 million in back taxes. Figured that is what actually shut them down. I know the EPA is cracking down on companies, due to regulation increases. Just a shame.
I’ve been watching Semi Casual on UA-cam. Just by watching Tommy Fitzgerald his down to Earth personality shows it on UA-cam videos, he really seems like a good guy! Awesome story about the start of his family’s business. 👍
Fitzgerald quality isn't a whole lot better than Chinese, I know a number of guys that had a ton of problems with their gliders, especially with fitzgerald "in-house reman" motors. I always laughed seeing the signs outside their crossville location about volvo & mack being owned by China yet their own quality is no better than volvo or mack
Man I tell you what you getting an education of a lifetime all the trucker's that I see you talkin to but you can't learn if you don't ask it questions keep up the good work🇺🇸🇺🇲👍👌
Im glad we got my T-800 glider in 2019. And WE put my (fresh out of frame) 2003 C-16 in it. It I'll last us the rest of the time will be in business. In 15-20 years 75% of trucks won't have 2 things. Diesel engines and humans driving them.
We'll see on the driverless trucks becoming the majority. The first time one of them gets hacked and is directed into a school full of kids at 75mph pulling 40k+ they'll get grounded.
I didn’t realize gliders aren’t available anymore. I believe some dealers still make gliders. They order new trucks without drivetrains. Then order rebuilt engines, transmission, rearends.
I know 6 guys that bought Fitzgerald glider kits with 12.7 series60 every single one went to shit between 300~400k miles all needed engine rebuilds poor motor quality.
Mine and a shit ton of other owners have all aired our grievances regarding the "rebuilt" Detroits and terrible electrical issues that Fitzgerald trucks have.
Wasn’t real transparent when all of those junk fitz built series 60’s failed at low mileage and had to be overhauled using genuine parts on the customers dime.
My first assigned truck was a 1975 359 Pete Glider. Its current iteration was a series 60 detroit that was turned way up. It could turn 2800 rpm if you didnt mind a bright red light blasting you in the face for over revving. Good ole Junkyard Dog junior. By the way it was a California Hood too.
Love my truck, biggest thing I don't like is I misses being able to get a glider, always wanted a 389 with a c-16 under the hood. Normally when loaded I'm between 90,000 and 120,000 lbs, and the trailer is stretched out to 140 to 170 feet long. When the weight and tires are that far from the drives I wanted the power to drag that trailer up a hill.
Go buy one, glider conversions are becoming the next big thing. Not a glider kit, a glider conversion. New factory emissions equipped trucks, swapped to pre 2000 engine. Go on truck paper and search 2021 Peterbilt 389 glider, you'll see.
Profit is not a dirty word!…I’m definitely stealing that line from you Tommy So true and fantastic to hear a real businessman say it out loud… I would absolutely buy a truck from this man based on his honesty alone lol😂
They turn them up to 550hp+++ with stock parts and super truckers with $250k+ debt don’t want to back off. Got to make that team load appointment. I would never run a truck with more than 450hp under 80,000 lbs.
Our company bought around 150 Freightliner’s Coronado from Fitzgerald...Half of them didn’t make it to 250k miles..also we got 10 of these which broke down even didn’t make it till 20k miles. I’m really shocked, they using aftermarket parts, so don’t be surprised to find a tooth of a timing gear after first oil change. Stay away from these guys
Shout out to Mitchell for giving to the children. Making us from NC proud as hell! I have also spent time in the children's unit at Baptist with my stepson when he was very young and it is a sad place for anyone who has a heart. Thank you for giving to the children who are in need of help sir. God will surly bless you!
My great uncle lives in Byrdstown. My grandma was born their, along with the rest of her mom and dads family. I live in Cookeville, where they did have an office at for a while. Cookeville is too far away from Byrdstown (Pickett County, TN)
You pay 140k for a used truck with new skin and tires along with a rebuilt engine/transmission. Warranty is 1 years when I inquired into getting one? No resale on glider only for O/O that’s want nostalgia. My fear on these rebuilt is the wear on the engine. From sleeves to rods, bearing & transmission. These inner components can be inspected during rebuild by tech. / mechanic. The buyer isn’t there to understand the tolerance of these parts being reused.I’ve spoken to a few gliders owners that weren’t happy with their truck. Like most trucks things break it’s ones own choice I’ll continue to purchase new it’s been 25 years of owning new trucks I sell them after 1 million miles of wear and tear I will admit that the new trucks are comfortable but the reliability isn’t what it once were. Miss the Cat.
Stay away from them subpar engine rebuilds I know 6 guys that got them and all went to shit between 300~400k miles all engine problems. One came out with “0” miles it had such bad blow by it was crazy
Most newer motors won't make it a million miles. Cummins has a rep of 500k to 700k miles needing complete rebuild with cams. As to the items you take about. You can easily fix them during a rebuild. My newest truck is a 1999 build date, 2000 title. My oldest is my person which is a 93 with a mechanical motor. Have Detroits Cummins cats. All still running strong. I just can't see buying a 200k dollar truck that doesn't last when I can spend less than 10k and rebuild the motor 5k for trans 3k for a rear and keep a ton in my pocket and have a truck I can work everyday with out constant issues
I'm guessing you didn't check these guys out before they changed their business model. When they built gliders ,they would rebuild engines to the buyers specs, install a completely rebuilt DD 60 or install whatever the buyer brought to them to install in the glider. As far resale value I'm guessing again you haven't seen how expensive gliders are selling for now. Drivers / companies who are sick of their trucks sitting on the side of the road with DEF engines are snatching up gliders as fast they hit the market even with the crazy high prices .The fact that Fitzgerald's built as many gliders as they did over the years speaks immensely at how good they were at it.The glider I had in 2006 was trouble free and reliable as hell. If I was ever to go back OTR again, I would most definitely start my truck search looking for a glider.
On the website it says they offer 3 year/ 300k mile for 5k dollars or 5 year/ 500k mile warranty for 8,900 dollars on the Detroit 60 series. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
Bravo! A man in the trucking industry that ain't trying to pee on your leg & convince you it's raining. I almost wish I was not retired now. Good job Son, I wish you well.
@@bluebird5100 Because the engines were so clean that they didn't even come with a catalytic converter. Zero emissions junk. I have had pretty good luck with VP-44s. Just give them plenty of cooling fuel and they last about 100-150k miles and they aren't too bad to replace. I also like the ease of adjusting the fueling to them. I have mine running just over 500hp and it is easily adjustable in the cab.
I calld Fitzgerald about 20 times in February trying to get a glider but didnt know they were affected heavily by the ice storm. I got a 2022 pete else were bt I wanted a glider bt its all good
Obviously, the corporations that own the big manufacturers see that the gliders were taking money out of their pocket. They want these older trucks or older drivetrains off the road so they can sell new ones, period.
This videos answers why the first building in your videos was so big and hardy nothing for trucks in it. I always wondered what would been going on in it and why so large now I know this had to have been where the gliders were being put together. I'd like to know where in the world you found all those 60 series Detroit's. I'm guessing salvage yards. Freightliner sold 1000's of trucks with 60 series in the 1990 thru 2000 in their FLD model. the truck was worth nothing but the engine was.
You guys are very, very, VERYYYYYYY CONFUSED. Detroit was a separate motor company and Freightliner only made them more popular. Pete’s, Kw’s, Internationals, Whites, Western Stars all cane with Detroit’s too. You guys think Detroit and automatically think Freightliner. That’s not the case. These were times when Detroit still sold engines to all the big truck brands.
firzgerald motors sucks they never lasted over 300k lbs my 389 did 300k lbs then front cover leak. headgasket and dropped liner got new 12.7l reman from detroit directly few years ago and its perfect
Jokes on Tommy. A new glider market is ramping up and is beginning to make small shops very wealthy. "Reconstructed" gliders are popping up for sale all over Truck paper. Factory built trucks with emissions engines, swapped with pre 2000 engines, retitled for the current year, going for 175k and up. There's a dealer out of the Midwest, I won't say their company name but they are taking 2017 and newer rigs, and converting them.
The Big End of Town don't want to let their massive cover ups on this so called pollution causing engines that are better Fuel Efficient Engines. Total BS.
We are in the process of glider swapping our 2015 389, it is required to be retitled and new vin issued as a 2021 truck. Out with the emissions crap and in with a pre 2000 engine.
They went to shit a couple years ago. All about fast money and poor service yep. I had one of em. Fucking Detroit blew up and had to spend 40 grand buying a new Detroit
There in house built Detroit sucks. We have 4 of them and 2 of them have had to be overhauled before 400,000. The other 2 have less than 300,000 but I suspect the same with those.
Crazy...seems like they never shoulda opened em up. I spent most if my career working on FLDs with pre-egr 60s in them. I watched that fleet age from buying used trucks at 2-300000 miles until they were creeping up on a million miles, and the only common failures were the ceramic injector rollers that broke and ate the cams. But Id replace everything that night, and the truck would be ready to roll again by 3am. Of course we were manic about oil changes and maintenance, but those engines were my favorites and seemed really dependable overall...
More proof positive that a 76 replay is all together too long overdue, restricting the good and boosting the bad proving or well correct, history rife with examples,
The federal government should be ashamed of what they did to the trucking industry if the aftertreatment was so good why are owner operators still having so many problems with there trucks from 2008 and newer owner operators can spend any amount of money on average they spend $8,000.00 to $20,000.00 just on aftertreatment system and that not touching the motor 😳 🤔 🙄 🤣
you didnt ask him about all the blown up detroits because they mismatched all the parts. but why would you you arent in this for facts just making points and talking bs.
♤Follow Semi Casual, Links In Description♡
For information about financing your first semi truck or trailer? I have videos that will help you get the information you need! Click⬇️
www.thefundingbooth.com/muthatrucker
It's really wrong and should be illegal to give the government the right to regulate the trucking business because they always abuse there power and the only thing they are good at is pure corruption.
Good news now I just found out they relaxed the glider regs and Kustom Trucks, and Fitzgerald are pumping out thousands of pre-emissions gliders in 2022.
@@bingusmctingus4395 source?
Were in the best country in the world and I'm thankful for that but fuck the government
Are you sure?
Went to Byrdstown about 7 years ago to order a Fitzgerald Glider. Best decision I ever made. Still going strong💪🏾💪🏾
Not blown a Fitzgerald "overhauled" engine yet ?
How is it going now?
When I was trucking, a couple of other
O/O's used to give me crap about my 2
old Kenworth K-100's cabovers compared to their newer trucks. Mine might have been old but they were paid for and in great shape! Back when diesel went up past $4.20 per gallon. They found out the hard way that chrome, and fancy lights don't pay the bills, and those big
"Rooster cruiser" engines excessively eat the most costly thing! FUEL!! When some of them were sitting home after their trucks got repo'd. My "old truck"
was still going & making money.
And now where 5.50 a gallon in N.J
I mean I’ve got a big fancy rooster cruiser flattop 1994 Kenworth W900L paid for looks and kept like a new truck and looks better than any 2022 pete or Kenworth rolling off sales lot! And makes money!
I built two used gliders for a customer back in 1982 (I just started working and was still in high school). Both trucks were 1977-78 Mack RS700L from the west coast of Canada. The first one we installed a 300 Maxidyne with a 5spd transmission and 4.17 Mack differentials on 10.00x20 rubber. The second one we built a couple of years later this one came with a V8 mack that we removed and installed a Mack 300+ Maxidyne with a RTO 9513 transmission and 3.88 (I think) Mack differentials on 11.5x22 rubber . Both trucks were used for gravel and stone and had wet lines installed and no sleepers. The first one had spoked wheels on all axles, the second one had bud wheel hubs on the front axle only. Both trucks had no brakes on the front axle (you could do that back in the 70s as long as the complete brake assembly was removed). They were two of the best looking trucks around. Up by me back then in the mountains people used to make their own trucks all the time. People were poor and if you had an IH or Kenworth truck and you blew up the differentials and you had an old B model Mack sitting behind the barn with a good set of differentials, guess what happens, you now have a IH with Mack rears! We used to swap different engines or transmissions all the time, we had a lathe and extra driveshaft tubing in stock for various length problems. I once replaced a gas Waukesha engine for a 671 Detroit for a fire truck that was being refurbished. The stuff that was still running on the road up by me in the early 80s was crazy, B models, Autocar, Brockway. One customer had two old Brockways from the 50s with gas Continental engines and wooden cabs. I worked on such a wide range of equipment. It was a great learning experience as we only did repairs only (we only owned two trucks our 1956 hardnosed LJ Mack wrecker that we repowered from a 707 gas to a 237hp 675ENDT diesel and a 5x4 quad box tranny, the other truck was our loaner, another LJ softnosed tractor with a 673 non turbo diesel and a dualplex tranny). I learned everything I know working in that shop, we would make and set up any truck you wanted.
Wow what a story!! You can still do that nowadays but the cost to pay someone else to mix and match parts like that is just crazy.
I live in a van down by the river. He's from a school bus in the woods and made it big. You give me hope.
Save save save
RIP Chris was great fun
The epa is our worst enemy now
@@mikeskidmore6754 The government doesn’t have the balls to go against ship corporations and the oil industry to fix this. They can push around law abiding citizens all they want and get more taxes and penalties.
@@markm0000 that would make it worse
@@andrewhatton1606 That is exactly what is happening. It’s not a “worse” reality it’s our reality.
Actually, our own government, controlled by corrupt, greedy people, has become America's worst enemy!
Or maybe it’s cow farts? I’m sure that PETA will do anything to stop us from eating meat.
I met Bryan, tommy and alex @ the wildwood truckshow.. amizing and down to earth type of people.. we talked for a while and i enjoyed taking to the 3 of them!! When im ready to get a new pete, ill be going to Alabama! Stay safe guys!
In 2018 my boss bought two Pete 579 daycab gliders. Today, I'm buying one of them from the company. I plan to add a sleeper if I ever need to quit local and go OTR. 😁
Never sell that truck no matter what. You’ll retire with it.
@@markm0000 I won't be, I'll be keeping it as long as I can. May stretch the frame and throw a sleeper on it by next year.
@@DrtyDiesel I recommend a 40” mid roof sleeper so you have just enough space for what you need. I personally don’t use half the space in my big double bunk. I wish my truck was 4 feet shorter for backing and getting around tight cities. I would book much shorter loads that pay twice as much.
@@markm0000 I don't blame you, I need to find out about stretching the frame. I was going to go with a 36" bunk but the 48" with at least a closet would be much preferred.
@@markm0000 99999⁹99999⁹⁹0 polio llkkk
Tommy was about to explain something about the option of crashed trucks and you interrupted him.
Would like to hear that also
Keeps interrupting. Let Tommy talk!
As with every one he talks to very very very bad habit!
@@blalockmotorfreight5378 he does it all the time, dude needs a mirror so he can just talk to himself.
Fitzgerald gliders are one of the most poorly made gliders on the market. Overhauled with used or Chinese parts. Never heard of one that made it over 500k without a rebuild.
ouch
They have high engine failure rates I’ll give you that. Anymore you are taking a chance on any crate motor. Buy a cat there warranty is second to none. It is expensive though. 4 year unlimited miles is great though
That’s very true. They usually run 300-600k before needing a overhaul. I have a bunch of friends that had them and that’s exactly what happens
I have had a few buddies with Fitzgerald gliders fail under a 100, but to be fair a buddie had 3 Cummins n14’s fail under 40k and one got it again after and those were Cummins reconditioned engines
Chinese parts is a bad thing, just the Chinese will manufacture at any price point. IE: cheap to better then OEM, up to the distributor or company selling them. So just because it's Chinese doesn't automatically mean low quality. Most companies sell a product or a part of a product that is made in China: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Cat, Cummings, Detroit etc.
I love that circle of without this guy I couldn't have done it no sir without that guy we couldn't have done it no sir without those guys this couldn't have done it. The circle of humble this and try to do something good is amazing. Love all you.
Fitzgerald should get into restoring older pre emission trucks
And if they do too many of them is the Government going to say to them “you are a manufacturer and you aren’t complying with emissions standards” and then they fine them.
@@MustangsTrainsMowers they can’t be a manufacturer they aren’t creating any new model year vin numbers.
@@MustangsTrainsMowers
The government needs to be told to screw off.
If it takes lead to do so then fine by me the government has no right to tell me I can't have a pre emmisions engine or deleted truck.
Its all bullcrap.
I ordered a '16 389 Pete from Fitzgerald in which I asked for a New Detroit, after waiting months I was told that the truck had a Fitzgerald Detroit, I was informed that I had to either order a new truck or take this one, they admitted the mistake and offered me a major warranty. Fortunately it was a great motor without any issues. I put 850K on the truck and had light issues so I opted to rebuild it. I didn't have any other issues with the truck as a whole.
My question is why do these dudes think their glider kits are worth 150 to 180 to $200,000 bucks Just because they got a old style engine in it that's about it , Back in the day we bought them kits for $35,000 bucks brand new and we put the engine and transmission and rear ends in them , nothing new
and hes right the federal put a crack on everything and there is more coming yet
Because people are paying it.
His family built a great product and then threw their business in the garbage!! Proof that people need to stick with what they started!!
ran away at 16 and made it! respect!
After what they did in the glider business I would think they change their last name. Fitzgerald gliders bankrupt many owner operators that put their faith into a company that was supposed to be building quality and instead they got mismatch parts many of which came from China and engines that had no longevity to them. When they had problems Fitzgerald left them to fend for themselves. Truly disgraceful.
Those big warning decals on their Detroit engines... CALL FITZGERALD IN THE EVENT OF REPAIR WORK. Never seen those bullshit decals on Triad Freightliners gliders, or Harrison built gliders, oh that's because Triad and Harrison used genuine Detroit remanufactured engines and all came with actual Detroit warranty not CALL FITZGERALD, 😂
Good to know the hidden details
@@TheRoadhammer379yessssssss.....I've heard plenty of guys said those engines don't Las long from Fitzgerald some say theirs blew after 200,000 miles.
My reason why I didn't look at gliders when I was looking for a truck is that I don't like the Series 60 12.7 engine. I'd welcome a 3406E, C15, N14 or Series 60 14 liter over the smaller engine Fitzgerald preferred to put in their trucks.
Well they the cheapest engine and the most reliable.
600hp and well over 2000 ft/lbs of torque in the 12.7L is nothing to sneeze at.
@@nattydreadlocks1973, you're absolutely right. Mines built with turbo, cam, manifold, injectors by PP with a 3 program ECM by Diesel Control Service, it's well past 600.
Uh, you must have missed the memo... Fitz offered 3406E, n14 and 12.7 in ALL their gliders, you had to order it.
@@MAB-bs3zf Have to agree... I spent much of my wrenching career on 60s and just loved them!!! Almost as much as a classic Dodge big block LOL!!
It's a damn shame that glider kits are gone away. I always wanted a new Freightliner Argosy like they get in Australia and a glider used to be the easiest way to get one.
In Australia we call the freightliner Argosy . Agonys as they're shit truck's full of rattles and made of plastic. I know what I'm talking about I've driven a few in my day here in oz . Absolute heaps of shit
It's called a freight shaker for a reason .
Theyre a fucken shit box
@@krankykritter6402 That’s why we call them freighshakers up here in the states.
@@Corleone_Napoleone FLDs are an extremely good truck, no doubt. Specifically talking argosys here, theyre a shit box, not all freightliners. If i could, id import and RH convert a classic XL into Australia. One of my all time favourite truck s
I followed this guy a while back on his UA-cam page never knew he was the son of the man who created a beast !!
Alex time to trade that old International for a new Pete. Here is the man to hook you up today!
I actually drove one of the Coronado trucks from them it was a big step up from what I was driving it was a very nice truck it got a lot of comments going down the road and made me very proud, if I was going to buy a truck I would definitely buy one from them.
I had one as well, nice truck.
Last I heard about Fitzgerald was they owed like 30 million in back taxes. Figured that is what actually shut them down. I know the EPA is cracking down on companies, due to regulation increases. Just a shame.
I’ve been watching Semi Casual on UA-cam. Just by watching Tommy Fitzgerald his down to Earth personality shows it on UA-cam videos, he really seems like a good guy! Awesome story about the start of his family’s business. 👍
The story of how his dad built this legacy is amazing. I hope that I can grow my business into something substantial enough to pass on as well.
Fitzgerald quality isn't a whole lot better than Chinese, I know a number of guys that had a ton of problems with their gliders, especially with fitzgerald "in-house reman" motors. I always laughed seeing the signs outside their crossville location about volvo & mack being owned by China yet their own quality is no better than volvo or mack
It's Glade Springs Va. Exit 29 on I 81 across from the Petro
Man I tell you what you getting an education of a lifetime all the trucker's that I see you talkin to but you can't learn if you don't ask it questions keep up the good work🇺🇸🇺🇲👍👌
If you want to know about Gliders, just watch the first two minutes of this video because the rest of the video has nothing to do with Gliders 🤦🏽♂️
Im glad we got my T-800 glider in 2019. And WE put my (fresh out of frame) 2003 C-16 in it. It I'll last us the rest of the time will be in business. In 15-20 years 75% of trucks won't have 2 things. Diesel engines and humans driving them.
That's if they don't ban all non def trucks These politicians are idiot's California already did it
@@chrismanning1746 I totally agree.....but look at California now.....bad politics
@@fil1329 I know what you mean I live in CT Just as s*****
We'll see on the driverless trucks becoming the majority. The first time one of them gets hacked and is directed into a school full of kids at 75mph pulling 40k+ they'll get grounded.
@@fil1329 you are absolutely correct. Moved away from there six years ago. But the voters keep voting them back in office.
I ENCOURAGE STRONGLY for all motor and diesel enthusiasts to do research on EPA and Green act and SIGN THE RPM ACT!!✌🏻
💪⚔🇺🇸🗽⚖🗽🇺🇸⚔💪
I knew I recognized that dude from somewhere. Semi casual! These guys are making power moves that's a true inspiration.
I go to the semi Casual truck show ever since I moved to the crossville area great truck show
Had a ‘15 Columbia. Excellent rig! They treated me right. I would love to have another.
I didn’t realize gliders aren’t available anymore. I believe some dealers still make gliders. They order new trucks without drivetrains. Then order rebuilt engines, transmission, rearends.
I know 6 guys that bought Fitzgerald glider kits with 12.7 series60 every single one went to shit between 300~400k miles all needed engine rebuilds poor motor quality.
I don’t care how much you’re making. Just don’t sell me a lemon truck. And that’s what these guys have been doing for years
Selling lemon trucks ? You mean this guys have been selling junk trucks?
Mine and a shit ton of other owners have all aired our grievances regarding the "rebuilt" Detroits and terrible electrical issues that Fitzgerald trucks have.
@@TheRoadhammer379 they tossed engines together with whatever shit parts they could gather up!! F**k these guys
Wasn’t real transparent when all of those junk fitz built series 60’s failed at low mileage and had to be overhauled using genuine parts on the customers dime.
My first assigned truck was a 1975 359 Pete Glider. Its current iteration was a series 60 detroit that was turned way up. It could turn 2800 rpm if you didnt mind a bright red light blasting you in the face for over revving. Good ole Junkyard Dog junior. By the way it was a California Hood too.
Love my truck, biggest thing I don't like is I misses being able to get a glider, always wanted a 389 with a c-16 under the hood. Normally when loaded I'm between 90,000 and 120,000 lbs, and the trailer is stretched out to 140 to 170 feet long. When the weight and tires are that far from the drives I wanted the power to drag that trailer up a hill.
CLASSIC INTERVIEW,
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Thanks Fitzgerald family for serving truckers for as long as you could we appreciate it! 🛻
They didn't do it for you. Money was the reason, don't kid yourself.
@@dalelc43 it’s nice to be nice
@@dalelc43 I know they didn’t do it for me but they promoted gliders and for years they serviced truckers that needed a way to better there business!
We need more gliders!!
Go buy one, glider conversions are becoming the next big thing. Not a glider kit, a glider conversion. New factory emissions equipped trucks, swapped to pre 2000 engine. Go on truck paper and search 2021 Peterbilt 389 glider, you'll see.
@@TheRoadhammer379 epa is already on it...illegal!
@@marceloevera2009 site your source
Congratulations on your success...Keep on trucking...
Profit is not a dirty word!…I’m definitely stealing that line from you Tommy
So true and fantastic to hear a real businessman say it out loud…
I would absolutely buy a truck from this man based on his honesty alone lol😂
No explanation about death of gliders. Just interviewer kissing some serious ass.
I like the saying "People like doing business with people" Problem is alot of people get into money and they forget where they came from.
I met a guy that worked in the “warranty” dept at Fitzgerald a few years ago. He Showed me a pic of a line of blown up Detroit’s.
I bet they had about 2 million miles
😂
They turn them up to 550hp+++ with stock parts and super truckers with $250k+ debt don’t want to back off. Got to make that team load appointment. I would never run a truck with more than 450hp under 80,000 lbs.
Our company bought around 150 Freightliner’s Coronado from Fitzgerald...Half of them didn’t make it to 250k miles..also we got 10 of these which broke down even didn’t make it till 20k miles. I’m really shocked, they using aftermarket parts, so don’t be surprised to find a tooth of a timing gear after first oil change. Stay away from these guys
@@ТарасМоргайло looks like someone has NO IDEA what's been going on with Fitzgerald, and didn't watch the video
Shout out to Mitchell for giving to the children. Making us from NC proud as hell! I have also spent time in the children's unit at Baptist with my stepson when he was very young and it is a sad place for anyone who has a heart. Thank you for giving to the children who are in need of help sir. God will surly bless you!
THE BEST
Great interview...good job!
My great uncle lives in Byrdstown. My grandma was born their, along with the rest of her mom and dads family. I live in Cookeville, where they did have an office at for a while. Cookeville is too far away from Byrdstown (Pickett County, TN)
I'm in Birmingham currently with my truck in one of his shops getting worked on
I love right down the road from Fitzgerald In Va. beautiful place and beautiful trucks!
This video plays TWICE!
Glad he's doing gliders anymore. They built a junk glider motor for me in 2018.
I really enjoyed the video. If I have an issue on my peterbilt and I'm near one of his shops, im stopping by
What is a glider?
A truck that never died
What a shame
You pay 140k for a used truck with new skin and tires along with a rebuilt engine/transmission. Warranty is 1 years when I inquired into getting one? No resale on glider only for O/O that’s want nostalgia. My fear on these rebuilt is the wear on the engine. From sleeves to rods, bearing & transmission. These inner components can be inspected during rebuild by tech. / mechanic. The buyer isn’t there to understand the tolerance of these parts being reused.I’ve spoken to a few gliders owners that weren’t happy with their truck. Like most trucks things break it’s ones own choice I’ll continue to purchase new it’s been 25 years of owning new trucks I sell them after 1 million miles of wear and tear I will admit that the new trucks are comfortable but the reliability isn’t what it once were. Miss the Cat.
Stay away from them subpar engine rebuilds I know 6 guys that got them and all went to shit between 300~400k miles all engine problems. One came out with “0” miles it had such bad blow by it was crazy
Most newer motors won't make it a million miles. Cummins has a rep of 500k to 700k miles needing complete rebuild with cams. As to the items you take about. You can easily fix them during a rebuild. My newest truck is a 1999 build date, 2000 title. My oldest is my person which is a 93 with a mechanical motor. Have Detroits Cummins cats. All still running strong. I just can't see buying a 200k dollar truck that doesn't last when I can spend less than 10k and rebuild the motor 5k for trans 3k for a rear and keep a ton in my pocket and have a truck I can work everyday with out constant issues
I'm guessing you didn't check these guys out before they changed their business model. When they built gliders ,they would rebuild engines to the buyers specs, install a completely rebuilt DD 60 or install whatever the buyer brought to them to install in the glider. As far resale value I'm guessing again you haven't seen how expensive gliders are selling for now. Drivers / companies who are sick of their trucks sitting on the side of the road with DEF engines are snatching up gliders as fast they hit the market even with the crazy high prices .The fact that Fitzgerald's built as many gliders as they did over the years speaks immensely at how good they were at it.The glider I had in 2006 was trouble free and reliable as hell. If I was ever to go back OTR again, I would most definitely start my truck search looking for a glider.
On the website it says they offer 3 year/ 300k mile for 5k dollars or 5 year/ 500k mile warranty for 8,900 dollars on the Detroit 60 series. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
Bravo! A man in the trucking industry that ain't trying to pee on your leg & convince you it's raining. I almost wish I was not retired now. Good job Son, I wish you well.
I have done something similar with pickups. Take '98.5 24v Cummins and put it in new F-350. Old Cummins in new Fords is pretty popular around here.
A lot of people talk bad about the vp44 cummins. Why is this your preference?
@@bluebird5100 Because the engines were so clean that they didn't even come with a catalytic converter. Zero emissions junk. I have had pretty good luck with VP-44s. Just give them plenty of cooling fuel and they last about 100-150k miles and they aren't too bad to replace. I also like the ease of adjusting the fueling to them. I have mine running just over 500hp and it is easily adjustable in the cab.
I calld Fitzgerald about 20 times in February trying to get a glider but didnt know they were affected heavily by the ice storm. I got a 2022 pete else were bt I wanted a glider bt its all good
Favorite interview of all the ones you have done. Tommy is so genuine.
I'll check out their dealership soon. I am looking forward to get a new truck
Obviously, the corporations that own the big manufacturers see that the gliders were taking money out of their pocket. They want these older trucks or older drivetrains off the road so they can sell new ones, period.
Love the genuineness of the people. Great video!
This videos answers why the first building in your videos was so big and hardy nothing for trucks in it. I always wondered what would been going on in it and why so large now I know this had to have been where the gliders were being put together. I'd like to know where in the world you found all those 60 series Detroit's. I'm guessing salvage yards. Freightliner sold 1000's of trucks with 60 series in the 1990 thru 2000 in their FLD model. the truck was worth nothing but the engine was.
You guys are very, very, VERYYYYYYY CONFUSED. Detroit was a separate motor company and Freightliner only made them more popular. Pete’s, Kw’s, Internationals, Whites, Western Stars all cane with Detroit’s too. You guys think Detroit and automatically think Freightliner. That’s not the case. These were times when Detroit still sold engines to all the big truck brands.
I love this interview awesome work Alex
I want to buy 12.7 but I don't know if the risk is worth it how long are we able do drive them until they are banned?
There’s a lot more differences other than motor and transmission. The only advantage these trucks have is elog. Less truck for a higher price.
The Semi Casual guys are awesome. Love their content.
Yes love that transparency
If you're as honest as you sound on sales, I think your dealership is one that a lot of guys could deal with. To many out there waiting to gouge ya!!
firzgerald motors sucks
they never lasted over 300k lbs
my 389 did 300k lbs then front cover leak. headgasket and dropped liner
got new 12.7l reman from detroit directly few years ago and its perfect
I almost bought a Glider from them but went a different route in my operation and wish I would have done it when I had a chance.
Sad to not be able to build a true power monster any more
Jokes on Tommy. A new glider market is ramping up and is beginning to make small shops very wealthy. "Reconstructed" gliders are popping up for sale all over Truck paper. Factory built trucks with emissions engines, swapped with pre 2000 engines, retitled for the current year, going for 175k and up. There's a dealer out of the Midwest, I won't say their company name but they are taking 2017 and newer rigs, and converting them.
God bless each and every one her
the person doing the interview needs to do more listening and a lot less talking and enterrupting the other person
We bought 6 gliders...... Now we're buying new trucks and well...we're fixing them with 6NZ engine's
I built a glider truck for FryWagner industrial truck repair..
Alex!!! Another great interview.
Love the video!
I met theese guys in Nacogdoches TX
A couple a weeks ago. Really great guys😎
The Big End of Town don't want to let their massive cover ups on this so called pollution causing engines that are better Fuel Efficient Engines. Total BS.
Tommy you are a special person my dream was always to owned aPeterbilt if I was able to buy a peterbilt I would have you to build it for me
thanks for making the trip to film. cool vid
Gosh! Did he actually explain the glider kit? Went on to everything else.
If you don't know where Pal Mall, Tn is you're not an American. Pal Mall is the home of Sgt. Alvin C. York, a name everyone should know.
Sell them without VIN numbers and the customer figures it out themselves....
How would the customer get a vin
@@shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... with your state registration office, you have to present your documentation same process for home made trailers or motorcycles.
@@shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... have you been to a junkyard lately?
@@markm0000 yes.
We are in the process of glider swapping our 2015 389, it is required to be retitled and new vin issued as a 2021 truck. Out with the emissions crap and in with a pre 2000 engine.
They are in Tennessee also.
They went to shit a couple years ago. All about fast money and poor service yep. I had one of em. Fucking Detroit blew up and had to spend 40 grand buying a new Detroit
There in house built Detroit sucks. We have 4 of them and 2 of them have had to be overhauled before 400,000. The other 2 have less than 300,000 but I suspect the same with those.
I have heard that from another driver with a different company.
@@bigdaddytrucker8312 what failed on them.....bearings.....pistons.....sleeves......head valves?
@@fil1329 liners , broke rods
Mine made it to 259000 when it ate a piston
Crazy...seems like they never shoulda opened em up. I spent most if my career working on FLDs with pre-egr 60s in them. I watched that fleet age from buying used trucks at 2-300000 miles until they were creeping up on a million miles, and the only common failures were the ceramic injector rollers that broke and ate the cams. But Id replace everything that night, and the truck would be ready to roll again by 3am. Of course we were manic about oil changes and maintenance, but those engines were my favorites and seemed really dependable overall...
So he has been forced by the government to go from selling quality trucks to selling JUNK !!!
More proof positive that a 76 replay is all together too long overdue, restricting the good and boosting the bad proving or well correct, history rife with examples,
The federal government should be ashamed of what they did to the trucking industry if the aftertreatment was so good why are owner operators still having so many problems with there trucks from 2008 and newer owner operators can spend any amount of money on average they spend $8,000.00 to $20,000.00 just on aftertreatment system and that not touching the motor 😳 🤔 🙄 🤣
you didnt ask him about all the blown up detroits because they mismatched all the parts. but why would you you arent in this for facts just making points and talking bs.
Gliders are the best trucks ever built
Time for a EU tour🤙🏻🤙🏻
Yesss. Hook me up!!!!
@@MuthaTrucker not a bad idea actually 👀👀
Thank You for giving us this incredible new.