Western Star Truck Models
A complete reference guide to every Western Star truck model — from the current X-Series 49X, 47X, and 57X through the legendary 4900, 4800, 4700, 6900, and 5700XE. Founded in 1967. Over 55 years of Western Star history. Production dates, specifications, and history for every Western Star truck we buy.
Western Star Trucks was founded in 1967 by White Motor Company in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada — built from the start for the logging and oilfield industries of the Pacific Northwest where toughness mattered more than anything else. Western Star has been owned by Daimler Trucks North America since 2000 and is a sibling brand to Freightliner. All North American production is split between Portland, Oregon and Cleveland, North Carolina. Western Star holds approximately 3–4% of the North American Class 8 market — a small share but with an intensely loyal following among vocational operators and owner-operators.
We buy every Western Star truck — X-Series, legacy 4900 and 4700, 6900, 5700XE, and all earlier Western Star models. Any year, any condition, running or not.
X-Series — 49X, 47X & 57X
In ProductionWestern Star’s current generation lineup — engineered from the ground up. The 49X and 47X are the industry benchmark for Class 8 vocational trucks. All X-Series configurations purchased.
Western Star 49X
The Western Star 49X is the flagship of the X-Series lineup, announced in late 2020 and launched for the 2021 model year after six years of development. Built on a purpose-built heavy-duty vocational frame designed for severe-duty applications, the 49X replaces the 4900 series. Features a completely new cab with significantly improved driver ergonomics, visibility, and safety systems including Detroit Assurance 5.0. Available in day cab and sleeper configurations (36″, 48″, 60″, and 72″) with a 122-inch BBC. Powered by Detroit DD13, DD15, DD16, and Cummins X15 engines. The 49X quickly became the industry benchmark for Class 8 vocational tractors and severe-duty highway work.
Western Star 47X
The Western Star 47X launched for the 2023 model year — introduced one year after the 49X as the shorter-BBC companion in the X-Series vocational lineup. The 47X uses a 112-inch BBC (also available in 111-inch for specific federal and local bridge law requirements), making it 10 inches shorter than the 49X for tighter turning in urban vocational applications. Powered by Detroit DD13 and Cummins L9 and X12 engines — smaller displacement options suited to the 47X’s lighter-duty vocational focus. Features the same updated cab, safety systems, and technology as the 49X. Replaces the 4700 in the Western Star lineup.
Western Star 57X
The Western Star 57X is the X-Series highway tractor, replacing the 5700XE starting with the 2022 model year. The 57X uses the Freightliner Cascadia chassis and cab as its foundation — sharing the aerodynamic platform that makes the Cascadia one of the most fuel-efficient trucks in the segment — but with a Western Star identity including stainless steel chrome grille, reinforced cab structure, two-stage heated headlights, and a digital cockpit standard. Powered by Detroit DD15, DD16, and Cummins X15 engines. Targets owner-operators and fleet operations wanting Western Star identity with Cascadia-level aerodynamics and fuel economy.
Legacy Models — 4900, 4800 & 4700
In ProductionWestern Star’s traditional vocational lineup — in production since 1968 in various forms. The 4900 is the most recognizable Western Star in history. All legacy models purchased.
Western Star 4900
The Western Star 4900 has been in production since 1968 — the first Western Star truck ever built and the most recognizable Western Star model in history. The 4900 is the company’s most popular and versatile model, available in five configurations: 4900SF (Set-Forward), 4900SB (Set-Back), 4900XD (Extreme Duty), 4900EXS (Extended 132″ BBC), and 4900TS (Twin Steer). Powered by the full Detroit Diesel lineup (DD13, DD15, DD16) and Cummins X15. Available in day cab and multiple sleeper configurations. The 4900 has served logging, oilfield, construction, mining, dump, and highway applications for over 55 years. Still in production alongside the new 49X. The most common Western Star in the used market.
Western Star 4800
The Western Star 4800 is a long-running vocational model positioned between the shorter 4700 and the full-size 4900 in the Western Star lineup. The 4800 uses a set-back front axle configuration which improves weight distribution and maneuverability compared to the set-forward 4900SF — making it a popular choice for mixer trucks, dump trucks, and vocational applications where tight turning radius matters. Available with Detroit Diesel and Cummins engine options. The 4800 has been part of the Western Star lineup since the early 1980s in various forms. Produced at the Portland, Oregon facility. Still in production today.
Western Star 4700
The Western Star 4700 was introduced in 2011 as a shorter BBC vocational option — bringing Western Star’s durability and toughness to applications requiring a more compact truck than the full-size 4900. Designed specifically for snowplow, mixer, municipal, and urban vocational use where a shorter overall length is required. Available in set-forward and set-back axle configurations. Powered by the Detroit DD13 and Cummins ISL engines. A lighter-weight frame than the 4900 reduces tare weight for maximum payload. Produced at both Portland, Oregon and Cleveland, North Carolina. Being succeeded by the 47X but continues in production.
5700XE — On-Highway
Discontinued 2022Western Star’s first purpose-built aerodynamic on-highway truck. Produced 2015–2021. Replaced by the 57X.
Western Star 5700XE
The Western Star 5700XE was Western Star’s first aerodynamic on-highway truck, launched for the 2015 model year after being announced in late 2014. Produced at the Cleveland, North Carolina plant. The 5700XE was claimed to be the second most aerodynamic Class 8 truck in North America at launch — behind only the Freightliner Cascadia. Powered by the Detroit DD15 as standard with the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission. Available in day cab, 52-inch mid-roof sleeper, and 72-inch high-roof sleeper configurations. Targeted at owner-operators and small fleets wanting Western Star’s traditional toughness with modern highway aerodynamics. Discontinued at the end of 2021 to make way for the 57X. Replaced by the 57X in 2022.
Western Star 5800
The Western Star 5800 was produced from the 1990s through the 2001 model year as a set-back axle highway tractor — giving it more aerodynamic proportions than the traditional 4900 series. Configured exclusively with a set-back front axle for improved highway fuel economy and maneuverability. Available with Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit diesel engines. The 5800 was one of the shortest-lived Western Star models in North America, discontinued in 2001 when Western Star production moved to Portland. Less common in the used market than the 4900 but actively purchased in any condition.
6900 — Extreme Duty
In ProductionWestern Star’s most extreme heavy duty platform — built for quarry, mining, logging, and off-highway operations where no other truck will do.
Western Star 6900XD
The Western Star 6900XD is the most extreme production truck Western Star builds — designed for the most demanding off-highway applications including quarry work, mining, logging roads, and extreme construction. Built with up to quad-channel frame rails, drive axles rated up to 110,000 lbs, and tandem steer axles up to 61,600 lbs — far beyond anything in the standard Class 8 segment. Powered by Detroit DD15, DD16, and Cummins X15 engines. The 6900 platform has been part of the Western Star lineup since the early 1980s in various forms. Produced at the Portland, Oregon facility. Uncommon in the used market but actively purchased in any condition — contact us for any 6900 of any configuration.
Western Star 6900TS (Twin Steer)
The Western Star 6900TS is the twin-steer variant of the 6900 — featuring dual front steer axles for extreme payload and load distribution capabilities beyond what a single steer axle can handle. Twin-steer configurations are used in the heaviest haul applications including mining haul roads, oilfield operations, and specialized heavy transport. The twin-steer setup allows for significantly increased front axle capacity. Available with Detroit and Cummins engines. One of the rarest Western Star configurations in the used market. We purchase all 6900TS trucks in any condition.
About Western Star Trucks
Western Star Trucks was founded in 1967 by White Motor Company under the name White Western Star, with an initial manufacturing facility in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The brand was created specifically for the demanding logging and oilfield industries of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada — markets where maximum durability, driver comfort, and the ability to custom-configure trucks for specific applications mattered more than any other consideration. Western Star quickly developed a reputation for building exactly what operators asked for, including custom modifications performed on the factory floor.
When White Motor Company went insolvent in 1981, Western Star’s Canadian assets were sold. The brand changed hands again in 1990 before Daimler Trucks North America (then DaimlerChrysler) acquired Western Star in 2000 — moving production to Portland, Oregon and later adding the Cleveland, North Carolina facility shared with Freightliner. Today Western Star is a wholly owned Daimler Trucks North America brand, sharing engineering resources and Detroit Diesel powertrains with Freightliner while maintaining its own distinct identity, cab design, and customer focus.
Western Star Model Naming System
- 4-digit numbers (4700, 4800, 4900, 5700, 6900) — The legacy naming system where the first two digits indicate the BBC length class and the second two digits indicate the series. 4900 = 4-series, 900 configuration. 6900 = 6-series extreme duty.
- Letter suffixes on 4900 — SF = Set-Forward axle, SB = Set-Back axle, XD = Extreme Duty, EXS = Extended hood (132″ BBC), TS = Twin Steer. These describe axle position and frame configuration.
- X-Series (47X, 49X, 57X) — The new generation naming. The number indicates the BBC class (47 = 112″ BBC, 49 = 122″ BBC, 57 = highway). “X” indicates the new generation platform.
- 5700XE — 5700 series, XE = Xtreme Efficiency. Western Star’s aerodynamic on-highway variant, now replaced by the 57X.
- 6900XD — 6900 series, XD = Extreme Duty. The most capable off-highway Western Star configuration.
Western Star & Detroit Diesel
When Daimler Trucks North America acquired Western Star in 2000, it also owned Detroit Diesel — creating a natural pairing that has defined modern Western Star trucks. The Detroit DD13, DD15, and DD16 are the primary engine options across the Western Star lineup, with the Cummins X15 offered as an alternative for operators who prefer or require it. The DD16 is Detroit’s most powerful on-highway diesel engine ever built and is the preferred powertrain for the heaviest 4900 and 6900 configurations. Detroit Assurance collision mitigation and driver assistance technology is also standard on current X-Series trucks — technology that Western Star previously did not offer.
Western Star’s Customer Profile
Western Star’s customer base is concentrated in logging, oilfield, mining, construction, and municipal applications in the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and increasingly across the broader North American market. The brand’s strength is in customers who need a heavily customized, extremely durable truck and are willing to pay a premium for it. Western Star has historically had the highest level of customer loyalty of any commercial truck brand in North America — operators who buy Western Star tend to buy Western Star again. The brand holds approximately 3–4% of the North American Class 8 market — small in volume terms but with an outsized presence in severe-duty vocational segments.
Western Star Timeline
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