Author Topic: T660, this happened without ceremony.........  (Read 2524 times)

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« on: March 15, 2017, 08:41:21 PM »

http://www.kenworth.com/news/news-releases/2016/august/t660/


Found this some time ago. Kinda sad, really. To most it won't even rate a sarcastic ho-hum, to me however, it marks the end of an era. Kenworth has ceased production of its iconic T6.


I guess you could say I was first turned on to Kenworth trucks as a kid watching the tv show "Movin On". Then there was "Smokey and the Bandit", and that sealed it. When I took the plunge and started driving OTR myself I found the ladies just didn't have any attraction for my Freightliner FLD like they did for the big Kenworth Aerodyne cab over that B.J. McKay drove........well, the ladies with any vestiges of integrity left. Oh well.


When I was in high school, around 1985, Kenworth came out with the very first aerodynamic conventional road tractor that they called the "T-600A". The rest of the world called it the "Anteater". Poor truck, what an indignity. While not a "hood" in the traditional sense at least it wasn't a detestable cabbinover nor was it as ugly as it's mammalian namesake.


I guess the T600A/T600B/T602/T660 never really caught on. Owner-Operators ignored it. Fleets chose cheaper options, hence the Freightliner FLD120 I had. Finally Kenworth added the 86" Studio Sleeper option that did give some appeal to O/Os.


It is undeniable that the T6 left an indelible mark on the truck realm. Almost every truck from compact pickups up to the class 8s now have technology carried over from this first pioneer. Some of it good, some not so good. Increased MPGs among all trucks, good. The Freightliner Cascadia 113, or as I like to call it "extended hood cabover".......yuk, not so good. Sorry Kenworth your T680 is a flyball bunt back to the pitcher. I can love the T800 though.


I'm sure guys reluctantly recognized the final Model T, just like members of this board had to wake up and realize at some point it was 1992, and we weren't going back.


Well anyway, farewell T6. You will be missed.


http://www.kenworth.com/media/9828/kenworth_t660_brochure.pdf
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline ehjorten

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1198
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2017, 09:00:15 AM »
The T660 model has stopped production, but the T680 model replaces it!

We are slowly phasing out the B-Cab models to replace them with our new cab, which is 0.2 m, or about 8" wider.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2017, 09:18:47 AM »
Does that affect the W900 and T800?
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline ehjorten

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1198
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2017, 07:39:28 AM »
T800 is already on the way out.  We still make some of the lower volume models like T800 Wide Hood and the C500 and C550 models that are bigger cousin's to the T8.  The replacement is the T880.  Again, on the 2.1 m platform.  W9 isn't touched yet, but it will be.  The old B-Cab or now called 1.9 m platform is just getting too dated.  It is the smallest cab in the industry and some "bigger" drivers are demanding larger cabs.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2017, 05:48:29 PM »
Thanks Erik.

I guess for a few more years at least, good used trucks will be around. The T-600s and any truck built prior to 2007 for that matter, are disappearing rapidly because of the gold mine under their hoods.


Can you put a sun visor on the T680/T880? I'm sure I could learn to love the T880 if it had a sun visor and dual stacks.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2017, 05:50:34 PM »
And while I'm asking, is there a "large car" model in the works to replace the W9?
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline ehjorten

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1198
Re: T660, this happened without ceremony.........
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2017, 09:16:39 AM »
There is an exterior stainless steel sunvisor option on both the T680 and T880.  It is only available on the daycab and 40" flattop sleeper.

Dual side of cab stacks are also available.

I can't comment on any projects in the works.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6