Maurice Desrochers’ 1997 Ford LTL9000

Updated Apr 9, 2021

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Maurice Desrochers rebuilt this 1997 Ford LTL9000 from the ground up for his Mighty King Transport, based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He uses the truck to haul grain and fertilizer locally with gross weights of 63,500 kilograms. The rig is powered by a 460-hp Cummins N14 with an 18-speed Eaton and 46,000-pound Rockwell rears with a 3:90 ratio.

Desrochers says the truck started life as a water truck and didn’t have a fifth wheel until he bought it. It used to have a 276-inch wheelbase, but he shortened it to 256 inches and added a 42-inch Able Body sleeper. During the rebuild, Desrochers removed the battery boxes and tanks and replaced them with Kenworth 35-inch step boxes and 52-inch, 105-gallon fuel tanks; added a 6-inch Dynaflex exhaust,a 4-inch cab skirt and 8.5-inch bunk skirt, and 18 4-inch round lights; and put air ride on the cab.  He also painted the truck “Plum Crazy Pearl” in his shop. The frame is painted black.

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