Kenworth Adds Lightning Transmission, Security Options

Kenworth has added the Eaton Fuller Lightning 10-speed manual transmission as an option for T600, T800, W900, T2000, and C500 models. The Lightning is rated at 1,550 and 1,650 foot-pounds of torque and is approved for gross vehicle weights up to 80,000 pounds. It weighs less than Eaton Fuller’s previous Super-10 transmission and has fewer parts for easier servicing. The transmission has an aluminum clutch housing, electric splitter button control knob, and selectable Top-2 automated shifting between the top two gears.

Kenworth also plans to offer remote keyless entry as an option for its T2000 tractors, and a retrofit kit for older T2000s. Kenworth product marketing manager David Warren calls it “a straightforward system that remotely locks and unlocks your truck doors and keeps your truck secure.”

But it’s more robust than what’s used on cars: during testing, the remote was submersed in water and frozen, and survived a trip through the washing machine and drier.

The device is able to unlock driver and passenger doors separately and lock all doors concurrently. Parking lights will flash to signal the desired action has taken place. The access codes roll to prevent someone from recording the entry signal and unlocking the doors without a key fob programmed for that vehicle.

“This provides many benefits of an alarm system at a fraction of the price,” Warren says.

1-800/KW-ASSIST