Kenworth has published a comprehensive, 152-page online body builder manual focused on Kenworth’s medium-duty conventional lineup ranging from Class 5 to light Class 8 models.

The 2022 Kenworth Medium Duty Body Builder Manual features a clean, easy to read format with new click-to-go links to speed spec’ing choices. The manual offers 10 detailed sections featuring an Introduction, Safety and Compliance, Dimensions, Body Mounting, Frame Modifications, CAN Communications, Electrical, Power Take-Off (PTO), Aftertreatment, and Routing. It contains information and guidelines useful in the truck body planning and installation processes.

Also offered are listings with name and page number for both the manual’s 30 tables and 127 figures for quick, easy reference.

The Kenworth manual is especially useful when specifying a new medium-duty truck, particularly when the body builder is involved in the vehicle definition and ordering process. Early in that process, body builders can often contribute valuable information that may help reduce the total body installation cost. This key information helps to ensure that the truck is specified correctly and set up appropriately for the body builder.

Features of the Online Manual

Kenworth’s medium-duty conventional line features the Kenworth T180 (Class 5), T280 (Class 6), T380 (Class 7), and T480 (light Class 8). In addition, the Kenworth T380V and T480V models are for vocational applications. The Kenworth models are offered with the 6.7L PACCAR PX-7 and 8.9L PACCAR PX-9 engines. The near-zero emission Cummins 8.9L L9N and 6.7L B6.7N natural gas engines also are available.

The Kenworth medium-duty vehicles are designed to serve an expansive variety of applications, including cargo and reefer van, beverage, tow and recovery, utility, mechanic service, fuel oil and propane, landscaping, fire, dump, and mixer. The trucks may be specified with either a standard low roof or a raised roof option. The low roof is 63 inches tall, 4 -inches shorter than the raised roof, making it ideal for height-restricted applications, according to the manufacturer.

The Kenworth trucks offer three hood types to support the lineup’s application versatility – short aero hood (107.5-inch BBC) that accommodates front axles from 8K to 20K lbs., medium aero hood (109.5-inch BBC) for higher horsepower and AWD applications, and Kenworth’s vocational ‘sloped’ hood for the T380V and T480V.

The PACCAR TX-8 automatic 8-speed transmission is standard for the Kenworth medium-duty trucks. The transmission has a maximum torque rating of up 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque and 57,000-lb. GCWR.

“The new 2022 Kenworth Medium Duty Body Builder Manual incorporates extensive enhancements that streamlines the truck spec’ing process. The manual is designed to help customers get the most of their Kenworth medium-duty trucks by providing easy access to frame layouts, component placement and other critical information,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing.

The 2022 Kenworth Medium Duty Body Builder Manual is available for download from the Truck Resources section of Kenworth’s website.

Kenworth has been working hard to educate drivers on its medium-duty truck lineup. We chatted with them at Work Truck Week 2022 - check out the video below for even more on the truckmakers lineup: