What Blackjack Express Spec'd Into Its Custom Peterbilt 589

What engine and transmission did Blackjack Express choose for the 589?

Blackjack Express spec'd a 605-hp Cummins X15 engine paired with an 18-speed manual transmission in its custom 2025 Peterbilt 589. Veteran driver Ingrid Brown, who operates the truck, detailed the configuration in a walkaround video published by Heavy Duty Trucking.

The 589 pulls a Great Dane spread-axle refrigerated trailer. Brown explained the decisions behind the powertrain, sleeper layout, APU selection, and custom lighting package.

Why the 605-hp rating matters for refrigerated work

The 605-hp X15 sits in the middle of Cummins' heavy-haul range. For a refrigerated trailer operation, the rating balances pulling power on grades with fuel economy on flat highway runs. The X15 platform has been in production since 2016, with aftertreatment updates in 2021 and 2024 to meet EPA NOx standards.

Blackjack's choice of an 18-speed manual transmission gives the driver granular control over engine RPM, which matters when managing reefer load and fuel burn on long hauls. Manual transmissions also cost less to maintain than automated manuals over the first 500,000 miles, though they require driver skill to extract the fuel-economy benefit.

Custom sleeper and APU configuration

Brown's tour covered the sleeper layout and APU installation. The APU allows the driver to run climate control and electrical loads without idling the main engine, cutting fuel cost during mandatory rest periods. For a refrigerated operation, the APU also reduces wear on the X15 during overnight stops in states with anti-idling laws.

The sleeper configuration includes custom details Brown did not specify in the video, but the walkaround emphasized choices made for long-haul comfort and practicality rather than showroom appeal.

Lighting and exterior details

Blackjack spec'd custom lighting on the 589. Brown highlighted the lighting package as part of the truck's distinctive appearance, though she did not break out individual components or suppliers in the video.

The 589 is Peterbilt's traditional long-hood model, introduced in 2024 as a successor to the 389. The model uses the same cab and sleeper options as the 579 aerodynamic tractor but pairs them with a longer hood to accommodate larger-displacement engines and a classic aesthetic. Peterbilt has positioned the 589 for owner-operators and small fleets that prioritize driver retention and resale value over maximum fuel economy.

What the 589 costs to spec this way

Peterbilt has not published base pricing for the 589, but industry estimates place a comparably spec'd 579 with a 605-hp X15 and 18-speed manual in the $180,000 to $200,000 range before options. The 589's longer hood and classic styling typically add $5,000 to $8,000 to the build cost. Custom sleeper layouts, APU installation, and lighting packages can push the final price above $210,000.

Blackjack's decision to order a 589 instead of a 579 reflects a bet that driver satisfaction and truck resale value will offset the fuel-economy penalty of the longer hood. The 589's non-aerodynamic front end costs roughly 0.3 to 0.5 MPG compared to the 579 in highway cruise, based on third-party wind-tunnel testing published when the model launched.

For refrigerated work, where the reefer unit's fuel burn often exceeds the tractor's, the MPG delta matters less than in dry-van operations. The APU choice mitigates some of that gap by eliminating idle fuel burn during rest periods.

Interior cab tour coming

Brown's video promises a follow-up tour of the cab interior. That segment will likely cover dash layout, seat configuration, and driver-facing controls for the X15 and 18-speed.

The 589 shares the 579's cab architecture, which Peterbilt updated in 2023 with a redesigned instrument cluster and improved HVAC controls. The manual transmission requires a floor-mounted shifter, which takes up space in the cab but gives the driver direct mechanical feedback during shifts.

For fleets considering the 589, the key question is whether the driver-retention benefit of the classic styling justifies the fuel-economy trade-off. Blackjack's spec choices suggest the company believes it does, at least for refrigerated work where fuel cost is split between tractor and reefer.