Description

Peterbilt 359 Installation Manual

Few things grind my gears faster than a guy throwing parts at a Peterbilt 359 Installation Manual without reading the installation sheet. I’ve seen brand-new super-flex suspensions installed backwards because someone thought they knew better. That’s why you need the actual factory installation manual right on your bench. Not a photocopy from a buddy. Not a forum PDF with someone’s notes scribbled in the margin. The genuine 16-page document that Peterbilt put together for the 359 Conventional Historic Series.

Study the assembly drawings before you do anything else. The manual kicks off with a mandatory section called “Read This Before You Begin” that tells you to study the assembly drawings first. I’ve seen guys dive into the dual exhaust installation without looking at the routing drawing, then wonder why the left pipe hits the brake can. The drawings in this manual are OEM — not aftermarket redraws. They show every bracket, every clamp, every torque sequence. Page 1 gives you the overview. You need to study that page before you touch a wrench.

The super-flex suspension in the Peterbilt 359 uses a progressive rising spring rate. That means if you torque the mounting bolts out of order, you’ll bind the springs and get a ride that’ll rattle your teeth. This manual lists the torque specs and the tightening sequence. I won’t fake the numbers here — you need the manual for that. But know that the spec is different for the front hanger vs the rear equalizer. Aftermarket manuals often copy the wrong values from a generic suspension book. This one is Peterbilt’s own.

Dual exhausts and air horns require careful routing. The 359 comes with dual exhausts and dual air horns. If you’re installing a replacement system or building from a kit, the routing diagram in this manual is your only reliable source. The manual shows the exact path for the exhaust pipes, the hangers, and the clearance around the sleeper berth. I’ve had to redo jobs because someone used a universal installation guide and didn’t account for the frame rail offset. The routing is shown on page [DATA NEEDED]. Don’t skip it.

Sleeper berth installation has structural requirements you can’t ignore. The sleeper berth on the Historic Series 359 can sleep two. That’s a lot of weight on the frame behind the cab. The installation manual specifies the reinforcement plates and bolt patterns. You can’t just drill holes anywhere. The manual tells you where to mount, what grade hardware, and what torque. There’s also a note about the wiring for the cabin lights and the 10-speed custom lights. If you miss that, you’ll be chasing electrical gremlins later.

Under the hood, the 350 horsepower engine needs proper mounts. The installation manual covers the engine mounts, the radiator placement, and the accessory drive. The manual also covers the dual air horns installation and the Alloy Reynolds wheels. Yes, the wheel torque is listed — the manual specifies the lug nut torque for the high flotation tires. Don’t guess. Use the factory spec.

I’ve seen aftermarket manuals with wiring diagrams that swapped the ground and power. I’ve seen torque specs listed in metric when the bolts were SAE. This Peterbilt 359 Installation Manual is direct from the manufacturer’s archives. It’s scanned from the original print — 16 pages, three languages (English, French, Spanish), no edits, no guesses. If you want to do the job right, you start with this.

If you’re restoring a Peterbilt 359 Historic Series or installing a factory kit, you need this. It’s not a repair manual — it’s an installation manual. That’s different. It tells you how to put the truck together from the ground up. For a home garage enthusiast, this is gold because it eliminates the guesswork. For a shop owner, it saves you from comebacks. Every tech in my shop has a copy of the relevant installation manual before they start a job. Period.

Don’t skip the “Read This Before You Begin” section. It’s only one page, but it saves you from half a day of rework.

FAQ

Does this manual cover the wiring for the custom 10-speed lights?

Yes, page 16 includes the wiring diagram for the position lights and the 10-speed custom lights. However, the primary focus of this installation manual is mechanical assembly: suspension, exhaust, engine mounts, sleeper berth. The wiring diagrams are included for the specific accessories mentioned, like the cabin lights and the custom 10-speed lights. If you need a full electrical schematic, you’ll want the separate Peterbilt 359 electrical manual. This manual is for installation steps, not full diagnostics.

Can I use this manual for a non-Historic Series 359?

This manual is specific to the Historic Series.

Related Manuals

• Peterbilt 320, 379, 359, 362, 372 2006 Electrical Schematic Manual
• Peterbilt Medium Duty Owner’s Manual 2009
• Peterbilt Medium Duty 2008 Owner’s Manual

For more background on the transmission options available, see the Manual Transmission article. The torque values for the transmission are not in this installation manual, but you can find them in the Manual Transmission guide.

Access the Factory Manual now and get your Peterbilt 359 installation right the first time.