Peterbilt 379

Peterbilt 379

2003 Peterbilt 379 American Class interior 550 hp CAT C15 18 speed

Drivers' compartment panorama (2000–2007 example)
Overview
Type Truck
Manufacturer Peterbilt
Model years 1987–2007
Assembly Denton, Texas
Body and chassis
Class Class 8 truck
Body style 2-door truck
2-door sleepercab truck
Related Peterbilt 377
Kenworth W900
Powertrain
Engine Diesel (Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, Paccar)
Chronology
Predecessor Peterbilt 359 (1967–1986)
Successor Peterbilt 389

The Peterbilt 379 is a Class 8 truck that was produced by the Peterbilt division of PACCAR from 1987 to 2007. Alongside the similarly-styled Kenworth W900, the 379 was an extended-hood conventional-cab truck marketed primarily to owner-operator drivers. Replacing the 359, the 379 would become the flagship of the Peterbilt model line. During its production, it would be joined by the more aerodynamic 377, 386, and 387.

In 2007, the Peterbilt 379 was replaced by the Peterbilt 389, which is distinguished with newer-style headlights and an even longer hood. To commemorate the end of production in 2007, the last 1000 examples were designated as Legacy Class 379.

Design overview

The largest highway truck sold by Peterbilt at its launch, the 379 was produced in two configurations. The standard hood created a BBC (bumper to back of cab length) of 119 inches. To allow for larger engines and radiators, an extended hood configuration was available, which made for a 127-inch BBC. Although sharing the bare cab structure with the 359, the 379 was produced with a slightly larger windshield and horizontally-mounted windshield wipers.

Powertrain

Throughout its production, the 379 was equipped with the most powerful versions of the engines offered in Class 8 on-highway vehicles. The turbodiesel engines included the Caterpillar C-11, C-12, C-13, C-15, C-16 and the 3406-(B,C,E,P and EWS), Cummins the "big cam" NTC, N-14, ISM, ISX, Signature 600, and Detroit Diesel 60 series and 90 series.

A Peterbilt 379 used to portray the movie character Optimus Prime in Transformers

A Peterbilt 379 was used in a 1998 film, Black Dog, and the 2007 film Transformers made the truck model more popular.

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