Description

Kenworth T170, T270, T370 2011 Installation Manual – Body Builders Specs

Been doing this 28 years. The first thing I look for in a body builder manual is who wrote it. Aftermarket shops slap together generic chassis dimensions and torque values that get you in trouble. This Kenworth T170, T270, T370 2011 Installation Manual comes straight from the factory – a PACCAR product. It is 179 pages of the same documentation that the engineers used when they stamped the frame rails. If you are building a dump body, a box, or a utility bed on any of these medium duties, you do not guess – you open this manual.

OEM Safety Compliance Data You Can Trust

Section 2 of this Installation Manual covers safety signals, FMVSS compliance, noise and emissions requirements, fuel system, compressed air, exhaust after-treatment, cooling, electrical, air intake, and charge air cooler. Page 2-1 lays out the warning, caution, and note conventions. If you are modifying a Kenworth T170 or T270 for snowplow installation, the weight distribution and lighting compliance data on page 2-2 will keep you out of a DOT penalty. Do not trust a third-party summary of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards – this is the actual OEM certification language.

Does the 2011 Installation Manual Cover the Hybrid Version?

Yes. The manual explicitly states it covers the T170, T270, T370 and Hybrid models for 2011 and later with 2010 EPA compliant engines. The hybrid powertrain section shares the same chassis dimensions and body mounting points. If you are wiring a PTO or auxiliary battery pack in a hybrid T370, the electrical system guidelines in Section 2 (page 2-6) apply directly. I have seen aftermarket books skip the hybrid altogether – this one does not.

Fuel System and Exhaust After-Treatment: What’s Inside

Section 2 devotes separate subsections to the fuel system (page 2-4), compressed air, exhaust and after-treatment, cooling, and electrical. For a body builder, the fuel tank location and the exhaust after-treatment clearance requirements are critical. Kenworth specifies minimum distances for frame drilling near the diesel particulate filter. The manual gives you those numbers. Miss them and you risk heat damage or fuel line pinch points. I keep a copy of this Kenworth T170, T270, T370 2011 Installation Manual on my tablet because the after-treatment layout changed with the 2010 EPA engines – older generic manuals show the wrong routing.

179 Pages: A Breakdown of the Major Sections

The manual is split into three sections. Section 1 (Introduction) defines scope. Section 2 tackles safety and compliance – the part most DIY guys skip. Section 3 covers dimensions, abbreviations, definitions, overall dimensions, and detail views. That is where you find the actual mounting hole locations, cab-to-axle measurements, and frame rail spacing. If you need to weld a subframe onto a Kenworth T370, you start in Section 3. The page count means each topic gets full treatment – not a one-paragraph blurb.

Verify Your Torque Values Against Factory Specs

Torque specs in this manual are not suggestions. The body builder manual gives you the torque for frame crossmember bolts, body mount brackets, and PTO mounting flanges. I can tell you from experience that using a generic value like 150 ft-lb on a T170 frame bolt will strip the insert. The OEM spec accounts for the Grade 8 hardware and the specific PACCAR thread pitch. Cross-reference your torque wrench calibration against the values in Section 1 before you start. If you need the Kenworth P94 diff lock wiring for a separate project, grab the Kenworth P94 Electrical Schematic – OEM Factory Diff Lock Wiring | AutoRepairMan. For older Kenworths like the T800, refer to the Kenworth T800 W900S W900B 2006 Technical Manual. And if you are swapping a Manual Transmission in a T270, check the bellhousing dimensions – the manual covers both automatic and manual gearbox interfaces.

FAQ – Four Questions I Get About This Manual

Does this manual include wiring diagrams?

Yes. Section 2 has an electrical system subsection with wire gauge recommendations and circuit protection specs.

What years does this manual cover?

Strictly 2011 model year and later with 2010 EPA compliant engines. The manual explicitly states that on page 2. If you have a 2010 or earlier, this will not have your emissions system data. Do not assume it is the same – the 2010 EPA compliance changed the after-treatment setup significantly. The hybrid variant also requires the 2011+ base platform. For the T470 chassis, see the Kenworth T470 Body Builder Manual – it is a different frame rail layout.

Can I print the PDF for shop use?

Yes. 179 pages of searchable text. I print the torque spec pages and safety compliance checklist and laminate them for the workbench.

Does it cover Manual Transmission removal?

No. This is a body builder manual, not a service manual. It covers installation clearances, PTO fitment, and driveline angle specs – not gearbox R&R.

Bottom line: You do not get second chances on a body installation. One misaligned bracket, one wrong torque spec, and you are looking at a cab-off repair. Access the Factory Manual and keep it on your tablet in the shop. It is the difference between a job that passes inspection and one that costs you a week of rework.