History of Western Star Trucks | Truck History Episode 6

We have had lots of requests to do this video, so ask and you shall receive y'all!! Today on episode 6 of Truck History, we are taking you back through time with the History of Western Star Trucks. We hope you like this star-studded history lesson guys... Enjoy!
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[@robertlloyd7167]

I hauled logs for seven years with my '79 Western Star in southern Oregon. She was a little heavier than the Petes and KW's but tougher than anything else in the woods. God, I loved that truck! I sold her in '92 and miss her every day. What a machine!

[@jackschromeshop8296]

Those trucks are tougher than nails!

[@nemanjamiricki6306]

Robert try too find again and bring the back your truck 😃😃😃

[@dirtmover6190]

I own a 93 model run it every day people always talk about how tuff Mack truck are, personally I do t think they hold a candle to a western star in the dump truck catagory

[@glenackerman214]

Western Star were NOT bought by Volvo! Freightliner bought them. Freightliner were bought by Mercedes and are still in the Mercedes Company.

[@Carbonfoot]

Western Star 4900 is a nice driving truck.

[@downhillchris2809]

I don't even drive trucks, yet I cannot get enough of this series of videos!

[@2Pi100]

things with engines are objectively cool

[@stuartrussell8529]

Western Star!! What a name.

[@thecausalgamer7916]

“Ricky, is that the sleeper to my 1972 white western star?”

[@BlaqKobra_]

I love my road bosses!

[@danielaguirre2516]

Dang this video showed off some western star trucks I didn’t know exist

[@traingp7]

The greatest Western Star will always be 'The Green Goblin" from Maximum Overdrive. I wish someone would take one of the two faces still around and make a modern day version of the truck.

[@7viewerlogic670]

Glad that you mentioned that. That confuses a lot of people. When I was a kid I thought it was an old Kenworth lol.

[@that_camo_bronco_guy]

forgot that was a western star, one of my favorite movies growing up, possibly why I love western star trucks so much (my absolute favorite, with only scania behind it)

[@GhostlyMeows]

I live in Kelowna. Was always cool seeing the big W on the side of the old factory. Sadly they took it down recently. Just a big warehouse now.

[@markuscalhoun1769]

For your next video can you please do Marmon trucks

[@7viewerlogic670]

Yes, Marmon please.

[@walterfoster5682]

Yes marmon PLEASE, by far the finest truck I ever drove. I drove 3 differt marmons.always way a head of the time.got more looks than any truck I drove, so sad they quit building them.

[@rogeralsop3479]

I'd like to see that too.

[@shawnhampshirehick101]

Absolutely my Favorite truck brand. As tough as a mack but better looking & nicer cab. That Grill👍👍 like a Truck "caddy" 😁 like the Old Detroit 2 STROKES👍☺

[@fffanman]

Kelowna Plant, still remember it as a kid visiting my cousins in the summer. It backed onto Knox Mountain. Between the two was a stream about 6 feet wide that we use to explore and swim in. Those shiny big trucks made in Canada instilled pride into me. Driving home to Edmonton, Alberta, I use to look out for them on the highways through the Rocky mountains and Rogers Pass! Sad to hear in this video that they closed that plant down. Must have been a big hit for Kelowna.

[@sethworden6468]

The Western Star cabover was based on the White Road Commander, not the White Freightliner COE. Otherwise enjoyed the video, thanks for making this series.

[@jasonbuck489]

My Pap's Buddy had a White Road Commander... It had I believe a Big Cam Cummins with a 13 Speed behind it... I remember that my Pap used to say everybody called it "THE ROAD COMMODE !! .... Hahaha! I also remember my Grandfather having a White Mustang, Tandem Axle Dump Truck.... If only I could turn back the clock and talk him into keeping some of the Trucks and stuff he had... At one time, up until the Union Struck in the 1980's, my Pap had a Fleet of Trucks, we're talking 10-15 Trucks... He hauled Equipment for Daily Express and Over Size/Over Length for Bethlahem Steel.... He had mostly R Models and B-61 Macks.... He had an F Model Mack for Longer Trips... I remember he had a couple H Model Macks, Quite a Few L's and LJ Macks, and a handfull of International Harvesters that were Tandem and Triaxle Dump Trucks.... He also used to have a Little Single Axle Mack Tractor... Not sure what for Model it was, but I know it was a "Gasser"... I remember it was painted yellow... Like School Bus Yellow... Anyhow, he kept that down in Steelton PA at Bethlahem Steel to bring heavy loads out of the plant... They had Rules, even back then, No Overweights Allowed to Cross The Scales and Leave... So if he had a load that was a little heavy, he would bring it accross the Scale with that truck... Then he would switch Tractors back out once the load was Scaled and he had the Paperwork.... He would do this 4 or 5 times a day, mainly at night.... He liked having all the loads for his guys ready to go for in the morning... He would even Tarp a lot of the loads for them as well... He was a Great Boss and a good man in general.... Apparently he either knew the Scale Master, or some how "persuaded" the guy ($) to over look the fact that it was only a Single Axle Tractor... Haha! Ahh.... The Good Ole' Days!... I really miss all the old Truckin' Stories my Pap and my Uncle used to tell... Some of the stuff they had happen, and some of the situations they got into, my goodness... Most of that stuff they got into back then, would now a days wind ya up in Prison for sure!... Haha!

[@tsimmons1974ts]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Love these Trucking documentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pilot_xoan]

Twin steer ones are amazing!!!

[@driver8703]

My favorite truck of all time was Outlaw from the movie Steel Cowboy, it was beautiful. “Black and shiny with a red stripe!”

[@caboverbenny]

Mine too Somebody should build it

[@7viewerlogic670]

Gotta love a Star Car!

[@lynn0335]

I didn't hear GMC in any of this. I know at one time it must have been a joint venture, White-Volvo-GMC as I recall. Thanks for the good work!

[@montewiederhold3508]

In 2000 the truck went down the tubes when freightliner bought it.

[@andrewhatton1606]

I love a western star

[@CoastalAutoReactionCAR]

Love western stars!

[@Sentient6ix]

That 5700 has got to be my favourite aero truck design by far. As a kid, i grew up in the passenger seat of a C15 powered 4900 in the logging cutbacks of north western Alberta. Always loved Western Stars.

[@vanlifethetravelinfranksho5611]

Love love these trucks. Drove one of the first yr trucks as well as 4900's Great trucks!

[@douglasarrington8461]

I always love a Western Star truck they are really tough and can pull a lot more than most . Some states you cant get them tag for the weight they can haul or pull

[@barontaylor7139]

The plant in Kelowna closed down. The plant was near the old Greyhound station and Kelowna transit yard

[@fukkyoutube]

look at the older 60's and 70's trucks were ahead of their time

[@user-li6is2hf2j]

I had no idea western star was a Canadian company

[@user-nn8tq1ns7h]

I will own my own western star 4900ex one day. First one I ever drove was a 2006 4900ex with the 82 inch sleeper, hardwood floors. Been hooked ever since

[@gord2358]

Good video. I learned to drive on a Hayes with a 5&4 (two-stick) transmission.

[@solomongrundy1618]

Geez you can drive anything after that lol

[@azmike1956]

Cool stuff guys! Who doesn't love semi's!

[@sharonfieber6458]

Western Canada style WesternStar truck is tanden steer, tri-drive rear axles. Saskatchewan for highway snow plow/sander. Oil and gas 45ton boom trucks. Cement trucks five different brands: Stars,KW, pete's, navistar and Mack.

[@golfer963]

Awesome video

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Nice

[@waynenorbreyjr9371]

If I'm not mistaken the 3 models of the Western Star line in 2015 was added to the Freightliner Cleveland; NC plant instead of a new plant being built. Great video!

[@7viewerlogic670]

Great video!

[@stephendekoschak9555]

You guys should do one about ford and sterling Trucks even tho the don’t make them anymore 😔

[@thatGMguy]

And gmc

[@jessupblackmoore1600]

sure wrecked the area moving out of Kelowna

[@SternDrive]

I've been driving long haul for 48 years and have driven just about every truck. A couple of years ago I started with a new company pulling Super B flat decks. They gave me a Western Star my first one. I had some concerns from the start. The boss said just drive it for a week and see what you think. After the second week I told the boss to give me a different truck, or I was out of there. He asked what the problem was. I have always believed that blind spots on trucks were not necessary on modern trucks. I showed him the unfortunately designed non adjustable convex mirrors. They were fancy, but not adjustable. I was given a Columbia double bunk Freightliner, and all blind spots were a thing of the past. I have for along time offered $1,000 to anybody who could hide their smallest car in the so called blind spot. I would have lost my money on the Western Star, but NOT the Freightliner, thank goodness.

[@pokeosinisor]

Rays 1972 White Western Star sleeper cab/mobile home from Trailer Park Boys brought me here

[@RyanDutchak]

5:25 that’s a goodlo truck! From my small town! How neat!

[@golfer963]

Just Like It by even saying the next video please do on the stormin Mormon

[@deantait8326]

Western Star took over or joined the Froeghtliner plant In Cleveland, NC in the center of the State of NC. But then Dalimer owns Frightliner and Western Star, so makes sense. I'd love to have a single axle 82""Sleeper western star with a DT 13 and DT auto. Don't think I'd make enough as a single driver but maybe with the factory Sleeper? Bigger Custom sleeper not needed for a single driver. And yes, I can't sleep with someone else driving. Nervous Ned, here. I did expiditer trucking in a van for 4 yrs, so that sleeper would be like the 4-Seasons hottel.Im retired with other income, so maybe? Be safe Driver's!

[@bctw9004]

Out of all the trucks I’ve owned my favorite was a 96 4964 big hood Heritage. Loved that WS.

[@cotynietling2567]

Lol me to same year model and trim mine was a copper daycab best truck i ever drove had a 525hp n14 with a 13 speed

[@bctw9004]

Mine was a factory 280 wb. 425 cat, 15, 373s with a 60 inch stand up bunk. Beautiful red diamond tuck interior. Black cherry with gold trim. It was awesome. Sure miss it.

[@cotynietling2567]

Sounds like she was a beautiful rig

[@mattwillson8280]

Still have a '95 with n14 500 15 over 3.70's on tall rubber 66" elite suite . Only has 2.3 million on it so far .

[@antonhapiak]

A very popular truck here in Australia 👍

[@RyanDutchak]

5:25 that’s a goodlo truck! A trucking company from my small town! How neat

[@rogeralsop3479]

Beautiful vehicles.

[@donotneed2250]

I got to know the Cleveland, NC plant quite well. Been across US 70 in that area too many times to count. Nice folks work there too.

[@heaveymelt]

The 4964 f was a beautiful truck drove a 95 with a cat that was stretched and straight piped I loved it

[@sutherlandA1]

Between 1996 and 2000 Western Star owned the British truck brand ERF

[@ericlakota6512]

5700 xe is a great looking truck i can see y they used it for optomus prime.

[@bigbluetruck7555]

Great episode!

[@Ceedub3406]

The ol star car

[@deutschlander2004]

4700 looks like a mack pinnacle

[@phatcock963]

Yeah it does

[@danielmckay3458]

I own a 1977 white western star 450 kt Cummings hauled a lot of logs

[@CO2TANKERYANKER]

4964ex flattop I got one

[@jasaranacemerlang]

Awesome Truck... suggest to reinforce the front grill 4800 series..

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Good stuff 👏 👍🏻

[@dennisgt479]

I live in Kelowna BC, when they shut our plant down we took a huge hit. That building is still mostly empty.

[@tygreenwood472]

Ashame

[@jeffcrompton2767]

Its just a warehouse full of different business and u-haul occupied the office front. The warehouse at the back is another industrial stripmall of different businesses. I worked for them 1994 till 2000 I miss it alot. When they shut down and moved to the USA i cried. Kelowna has a mass exodus after wards. They took out alot of spinoffs companies out and kelowna fell flat on its ass.People moved out of the area in waves. Wester star was huge for kelowna and we are still feeling the loss today.

[@markpoland426]

My 2 friends leased these trucks with 500 Cummings under the hood we put alot of miles on together with my Pete

[@RealAnthonyJones]

Didn't realize they were still in business and i thought optimus was a custom Volvo. Learned quite a bit today.

[@nathanbeerens9735]

I drive a 05 4900 silage truck with a 600 horse cat c15 twin turbo and a 18 speed trans she's one bad ass rig

[@leeshaver7825]

The truck in the video at 0.48 that model was used in a made for TV Trucking movie made in the 70's the name of the movie was Steel Cowboy the name of the truck was the Outlaw and it starred Rip Torn and James Brolin

[@Tundralifted]

I subscribed, great content.

[@markaylott1780]

GREATINGS from down undaaaa 🤣 I first drove a western star semi a couple of days ago (6th october 2019) in my opinion it was a pretty good truck to drive, and I have driven a lot of different trucks.

[@glennso47]

I haven’t seen any Western Star trucks in a long time.

[@davidstillman4271]

Would like to know about engine development with the different years. Also aside from sleepers what other break thru improvement was Western star credited with.

[@68peterbilt68]

One of the best truck makes around, until they went plastic. Tough truck. Truck on 🤟😎👍

[@gm16v149]

Western Stars are popular in Australia but we don’t get the aero model like you guys have. I used to haul engines and transmissions to the White factory in Brisbane in the 1980s until manufacturing of White -Western Star ceased here. We used to have the White Road Commander cabover, but Western Star don’t have a cabover in Australia unlike Kenworth and Freightliner.

[@dashtyATG]

Guy's we have a western star truck here, And we want to deactivate the ECCO system any advice we'll be really appreciated.

[@fredblair4307]

now i know why quality went downhill Volvo was involved

[@Madcracka]

It's a Mercedes Freightliner joint venture. Volvo took over the white co., pay attention.

[@jakehoadley4913]

For the next video you should do Autocar trucks

[@willfoye7365]

The Australian western stars are the nicest looking trucks on the road

[@tileman108]

cleveland nc is a freightliner plant former flexibus plant, been there forever .

[@Dunki113]

So weird this video pops up when I was thinking about western star

[@michaelwhite9837]

What happened to the 4969ex?? The trucking company my dad an I drove for had 31 heavy haul coal trucks

[@williamschirmacher6526]

Now it's a freightliner

[@DieseltheGermanShephard]

So much similarities with the peterbilt truck ( Looks)

[@tommylitz4543]

Where are the tow hooks? You got that low chrome bumper blocking front access.

[@simonhutton1]

Grewt video 👍🏼

[@MrTherealrocknrolla]

You did not talk about navy green 1989 Western Star 4964 Tow-Truck in the 2015 movie 'Wrecker'.

[@anthonymonsini5635]

I know I asked this last time, but perhaps autocar for next one?

[@nealfigary3288]

Don’t forget Brockway Diamond Reo

[@Dalejrandsr88]

I’ve also suggested this one. He stated that they have plans to do autocar

[@nealfigary3288]

Forgot Autocar probably a few more lol Diamond T ,

[@anthonymonsini5635]

Neal Figary Why?

[@montewiederhold3508]

@4:56 a truck doesn't get any better looking than this one IMO!!

[@stantaylor3350]

Where I work, the company has asked the drivers what truck would they like for the next fleet truck. Several have said Western star & I asked isn't that white? Oh no everyone said it's a Canadian truck. I said I'm sure when I was a teen that I'd see them & it said White Wstern star right on the engine hood. Nope they said your wrong! Thanks for the validation.

[@jerrysorn8521]

VOLVO'S have been walk thru sleepers since late 80's and western star used the cab design of volvo's at that time

[@phillipjames2775]

The cabover white sat really high, the passenger seat was really cramped though!

[@robertquast9684]

Those Aussie western stars are sexy trucks

[@benmurray8689]

There is just something about Aussie trucks. I prefer the style of Canadian to United States trucks.

[@edwardg544]

I will say that I had a 1974 Long Hood Star that should have been saved and I have seen a 1980 with a 3408 and a 1981 with a KTA 525 Cummins .

[@gm16v149]

I’ve seen Western Stars with KTAs and air starts here in Australia on roadtrain work.

[@bush600r2]

@@gm16v149 I drove old western star 4900 and 6964 for Gulf with KTA 19 Cummins and they all had air starts in WA just out of kalgoorlie back in about 2003 They also had kenworth C501 Brutes with the same set up I drove one of them for a bit too was some of the coolest trucks I've driven. Those KTA motors were awesome. I have a old 94 western star with a old series 60 Detroit on it now, I bought it cause of the memories of those old trucks

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

Are you going to do a video on Marmons?

[@JamesPhieffer]

How can you do a history of Western Star while not mentioning that it was bought by Canadian interests after White was bought by Volvo?

[@phillipjames2775]

The only over the road rig with a steel cab!

[@caboverbenny]

Ford ltl9000

[@jerrysorn8521]

all volvo's are steel

[@HisAssholiness]

wow , spent a whole min talkin bout the 60's to the volvo take over , nice

[@dreamingbigcustoms9860]

Do a history of autocar trucks

[@jackschromeshop8296]

Coming soon

[@dreamingbigcustoms9860]

@@jackschromeshop8296 thanks I will be looking forward to it

[@edwu8253]

The SBA 4900 is rare to see these days

[@waynenorbreyjr9371]

I'm assuming that the 5700XE must have been become a popular truck cause sales of that truck wasn't the greatest.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Best truck I ever drove was a 2000 4900ex

[@largecarken8504]

I think they had a factory in Summerville SC in the 80’s but I can’t find anything about it. I kinda remember it. But who knows?

[@dashtyATG]

Guy's we have a western star truck here, And we want to deactivate the ECCO system any advice we'll be really appreciated.

[@nomadih2252]

I think we can all agree the only REAL Optimus Prime in that movie was the Marmon COE

[@dustinbelknap9207]

I had no idea the best truck ever was built in my home state

[@chriscarter7785]

It went to shit when they quit building them in Canada that's why you see 1 WS out of 30 trucks on roads now

[@phillipjames2775]

I'm a Portland resident too and love thi town, keep Portland weird!

[@Chris-tw4jm]

You gotta go autocar soon!