WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — Western Star Trucks has announced a variety of enhancements to its line of premium heavy-duty vehicles for truck owner-operators.

Many of these upgrades offer benefits in ride and cab comfort, and the new equipment includes improved suspension offerings and the Eaton Fuller UltraShift 10-speed transmission.

“Truck owner-operators will appreciate the enhancements we’ve made to these trucks,” said John Merrifield, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Western Star Trucks. “These new features enhance operation, safety and comfort for our customers.”

Drivers will appreciate full automation with the new Eaton Fuller UltraShift 10-Speed Transmission. Providing drivers with two-pedal operation, the new transmission can be operated in fully automatic mode, manual mode that allows driver selected shifts, or “Low” mode that maximizes engine braking via earlier downshifts. This driver-friendly alternative will be offered on Western Star’s 4900 series of highway vehicles starting in mid-August.

Available for the past year on the set-back axle 4900 SA, Western Star is now expanding its front suspension offerings by introducing front AirLiner on all set-forward axle long BBC (bumper-to-back-of cab) highway conventionals. The AirLiner’s quick response height control valve provides optimum pressure at all times on front air springs, which makes highway operation more comfortable by cushioning the front of the vehicle from road bumps. This suspension improves stability by 64 percent versus standard suspensions and provides a weight savings when compared to traditional designs. It is a perfect complement to the rear AirLiner suspension.

The 123″ 4900 FA LowMax includes a specially designed AirLiner front suspension to achieve a lower profile chassis package. This newly designed lower profile AirLiner is available on both the 4900 EX and the 4900 FA LowMax packages.

Western Star is also pleased to announce the availability of the popular Hendrickson HAULMAAX vocational suspension on 4900 series vehicles. This suspension’s unique spring system automatically adjusts to loads, delivering the perfect combination of empty-ride and loaded stability necessary for vocational applications. Wheel hop is reduced by the elimination of the fixed pivot point found in the center bushings of other walking beam suspensions. The HAULMAAX will be available for production in August 2004.

Featured on the 4900 FA LowMax, as well as the 4900 SA lightweight vehicle, is a new 1,300-square-inch cross-flow aluminum radiator. Designed for applications that require a lighter vehicle weight, this new option offers both a weight savings and an increased durability over comparable copper/brass radiators with the same cooling capacity and efficiency. This new lighter weight radiator is available on all vehicles and applications that currently feature the 1,300 square inch copper/brass radiators.

New ConMet Fifth Wheel models are now available on the 4900 EX and 4900 FA LowMax. Now available on Western Star highway models, ConMet’s CastLite brake drum achieves a weight savings of up to 15 percent, improves reliability, and delivers top performance that translates to lower operating costs.

New Options Offer Comfort, Convenience and Enhanced Appearance Western Star now offers a new keyless entry system. This new system allows drivers the convenience to lock or unlock their vehicles within a short distance of the truck, similar to the keyless entry available on passenger cars. This new option secures an owner-operator’s vehicle while offering ease of entry using a key fob. Keyless entry will be available on the entire 4900 and 6900 series of Western Star trucks this summer.

Western Star has increased comfort by offering a wider 48-inch liftable lower bunk on the 82-inch Stratosphere sleeper. The new innerspring mattress and associated bunk features a wider sleeping area, adding extra comfort to the spacious interior of the 82-inch Stratosphere.

Featured on the 4900 EX and 4900 SA is a new Burl Elm Shift Knob. This is a great complement to Western Star’s popular Burl Elm dash and interior accents, and is now available due to many requests from Western Star owners. Western Star now exclusively offers these knobs, made from real wood, for both production and after market use.

For more information, visit www.WesternStarTrucks.com