'78 F350 Dually Project

[RivennHewn]

James,

If you want to get a project done, you have to push on all fronts.

I'll have to take the dB meter out and see what the un-insulated cab levels are VS. the insulated. Just one of the benefits of having two trucks

Thanks Glenn.

Flight,
I considered the keg idea, but it's a little too rat-rod for me. There will be plenty of welding projects coming up.


Floor insulation Done! including the ****** cover.

Next sound insulation project- Doors:

There will be a lot of work on the doors. And potentially some big gains on sound remediation. (well, ain't that a big word?)

[ri-mee-dee-ey-shuh n]
Spell Syllables
Word Origin
noun
1.
the correction of something bad or defective.

 

[RivennHewn]

Working on something big......

Reviewing shop drawings:

".......But he could put up with it for a little while
He was workin' on something big"


"He's probably just another clown
Workin' on something big"

Tom Petty - Hard Promises

 

[swharris]

Nice, rainy day to drive out to the sticks, and lay in the wet, squishy, muddy grass out in a pasture to get my new bumper off an old car hauler.

Flat tires sinking into the mud made it hard to get to the bolts, but the owner lent me his Snap On cordless impact. That made the job easier!

Still, even laying on my raincoat I was a mess and had to put cardboard on the seat of my truck to keep the mud off.

Oh man, if that thing were solid, I'd pick it that up. Is it FS?

 

[swharris]

Sometimes the small things can make you happy.

Today I got this 1981 version of the Clymer Ford truck manual, still in the original plastic wrap.

I had this same book back in 1981, when I drove a '79 that was the same truck as the one on the cover. Only mine was a regular bed, and not the step side.

Not sure if I'm going to open the plastic cover, or not.

Leave it sealed. Nothing in a Clymer worth reading anyway. Get a factory manual if you actually need to know anything about your truck.

 

[RivennHewn]

Oh man, if that thing were solid, I'd pick it that up. Is it FS?

It was.

I could inquire if it's still available.

Been awhile since I picked that bumper up.

 

[RivennHewn]

Leave it sealed. Nothing in a Clymer worth reading anyway. Get a factory manual if you actually need to know anything about your truck.

Honestly,

I just liked the cover.

Still haven't unpackaged it.

I have a few others

 

[RivennHewn]

Saturday night's alright for fab'n

working thru the shop drawings, to make sure I can make the tank work like I want.

Looking at mounting it right in front of the back wheels, but this stupid leaf spring and dump bed brackets are in my way.

Thinking about using some old tube I had laying around.

If I cut it right, it should space the mounting bracket off the frame without interfering with the leaf spring.

 

[drivesitfar]

Riv: it's hard for me to keep track of which truck you are working on or is this thread mostly about the first truck you bought?

in any case i think i recall you pulling the seat out and probably re doing the inside of your cab cause you mentioned the gas tank leaked?

in case you need some small pieces of 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch think angle iron or tubing let me know cause I picked up a few and have some just sitting on a shelf waiting for a project.

best of luck with the fab work and the inside of the cab looks awesome. also sounded like Slodat wouldn't mind doing your seat for you if you might have a reason to go to Grand Coulee area. he's got more than a few COOL TOOLS in his shop and from what i've seen plenty of skills too.

HAPPY EASTER!!

 

[RivennHewn]

Drives,

I can see where it might be a tad bit confusing. Maybe if they weren't a year apart, and basically the same truck/color.

So, The 1st truck I brought home runs, drives and stops. I use it a little bit for work, or Home Depot runs. It has terminal cancer. I had hoped to replace the floor pans, but I think it's too far gone for my skill set to bring back. I'm planning on enjoying it 'til it dies, then parting it out.

The 2nd truck is the dump. It's in much better condition, other than it doesn't want to run and the gas tank leaked. Once I get past it's problems, it will be a better truck than no. 1.

Slodat may not know it yet, but at some point I'll be twisting his arm to do me a seat.

Hope that helps, and hope you have a Happy Easter as well.
Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Toolfool]

Let me know when you plan to see Slodat. If you're not taking the wife, I'd like to see his shop.

 

[RivennHewn]

Let me know when you plan to see Slodat. If you're not taking the wife, I'd like to see his shop.

We could invade his shop, have a kegger, make a huge mess, and leave it for him to clean up!

 

[Toolfool]

I vaguely remember keggers.

 

[RivennHewn]

I vaguely remember keggers.

If you remember them, you weren't really there.


Decisions, decisions.....


After a lot of consideration, I just can't justify the price of the cylinder tank.

I placed an order for a new In Cab behind the seat style tank to replace the leaking unit. Cost me about 1/2 of what the other style would have cost me with all the necessary mounting hardware and accessories.

I guess that means I won't be storing a bunch of stuff I don't need behind the seat after all.

Hope to have it here and installed by the end of the week.

 

[RivennHewn]

Weekends are always too short

Saturday was a working day, so I put Connie to work hauling some loads to the transfer station. I had the crew load a bunch of temporary walls onto the truck, but I had to hand unload them at the transfer station. (Really wishing the dump truck was up and running). Made three trips of Clean Green Recycling on Earthday!

Spent a little bit of time on Sunday picking up a cheap foam anti-fatigue mat and cutting it into some padding for under the rubber floor mat. Along with all the sound deadening material, this should add some comfort under my feet. All of the products I've used on the floor pans should hold up well to water if and when they do get wet.

Re-installed the rubber floor mat in preparation for installing the new gas tank, which is scheduled for delivery on Wednesday.

I took Connie out for a ride on the freeway, just to get a dB reading with an app on my iPhone. Without any insulation, rusted through floor pans, and no door seals, I was hitting about 80 decibels. Will be interesting to see how loud the dump truck is when I get it running down the road full speed.

I'd be interested in hearing what kind of decibel levels you all get in your trucks. The app for your phone is free.

Sidenote: I'm loving my new Thoroughgood work boots.

 

[RivennHewn]

Finding good help these days:

Found a new hire.

Driver/ lead mechanic/ fleet manager.

He negotiated a hell of a contract, but you get what you pay for

 

[brewchief]

Is that lil bit of rot in the floor pans the only major rust? I'd fix those in a heartbeat, it's like 90$ for both side from bronco graveyard, door seals are cheap enough as well that I would replace them even if I didn't plan on keeping it forever.

It's a bummer someone hacked those big holes in the doors for speakers when there was a factory hole right above them.

 

[RivennHewn]

Brewchief,

I ordered the pans, but.....

It's the cab mounts, rockers, cab corners, door skins..............

All "easily doable", but I'd rather just go with the one that's solid.

 

[1Garageman]

That's one cute little life time employee!

 

[RivennHewn]

A little disappointed, a little pissed....


I received the new gas tank today.

The Boys in Brown (UPS) managed to dent every corner of the tank.

I just spend a few hundred dollars, shouldn't I get a tank in new condition?

It actually looks worse that the 40 year old tank I pulled out(minus the pin holes)

Why? Why can't UPS(or who ever) just get it right? Or is it the seller, who cheaped out on the packaging? Either way, I have to fix it or decide to send it back.

Either way, I spend time and energy to fix their problem.

 

[C_F]

How was it packaged? Looks like it wasn't packaged very well, judging from the dings. At the very least, I would expect moulded styrofoam at all four corners & a thick cardboard box.

 

[RivennHewn]

Packaging was a little less than it should be.
Handling was a little rougher than it should have been.

I'd feel like a **** head for costing UPS or the supplier any money for some cosmetic damage, so I guess I get to live with a less than perfect tank. As long as it doesn't leak, I'll get over it.

 

[Perrorojo]

I bought a pair of Thorogood boots about two years ago and I love them. The most comfortable shoes I own.

 

[James E]

All but one of the pics seem to be the flange, which is easy enough to straighten out before you install.

If you can get your hand down into the tank, push the sides out a bit. You'll get a little more capacity. Since the seat hides the tank you won't notice the bulges.

 

[RivennHewn]

Perrorojo,
I'd never even heard of them before, but they are becoming my new favorite

James,
Seems I had a case of the whiney boy blues this afternoon

The flanges were an easy fix, there is one dent that is a 'Live with' but oh well.

Also got around to painting the backside of the tank with some rubberized undercoating/sound deadening material.

 

[drivesitfar]

Riv: I'm in your corner thinking if you paid for something you should get it ready to go and not have to deal with shipping issues. while i know the shippers are some of the problem if it was packed better it could have been avoided. that said i'd wish the shippers had a $5-10 upgrade cost for better shipping either built in or offered so we could get our stuff like we sent it.

i'm also with you that it's easier to deal with ourselves than to get a refund or complain. i'd still send a few pictures in an email to the company that sold you the tank so they can maybe get someone in the factory to look into better shipping techniques.

i've been watching (and learning) as you are tearing into your truck that looks like it's still doing it's job when called upon.

also love the pictures of your little guy getting his first driving lesson.

cheers and good luck

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Drives,
Sometimes you just need to get over it and get on with it.
Hoping to start getting the tank installed this afternoon.

Then, back to the business of getting her running!

 

[RivennHewn]

**** Glaucoma

"I couldn't see my *** going to work today"

Today was the day to get the tank installed. 1st problem was the holes in the "Direct replacement" tank weren't even close. I had to relocate the brackets that hold the tank, re-drill the tank flange and tap all the holes.

It was kind of like using a level on a boat. Nothing really good to measure off of to get it located.
A little bit of a challenge, but I got it installed, and sprayed a final coat of rubber sound deadener on it:

Even got the new tank filler neck installed:

I'm thinking a new gas cap is in order.

 

[RivennHewn]

It must have been the seat cover.....

I installed the seat cover that my son bought me for Christmas(After the new tank/ fuel line/ filter and reinstalling the seat).

Cranked it over for about 20 seconds, and it fired right up.

To my pleasant surprise, it did not die a minute later.

I got brave and put it in gear, and drove around the block. Emboldened with my success, I drove about 30 blocks and all was good. I turned it toward the free way, and let it rip.

Tonight was the 1st time since I bought it(the second truck) that I've actually gotten to drive it. Ran it up to 70 MPH and it runs, drives, shifts so much better than truck no. 1.

I've yet to put a timing light on it, it runs out pretty dang well as is

Needless to say, I'm pretty dang happy tonight!!!!!!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

RIV: i was just reading about your Oysters and now this. i'd say you did have a great couple days. maybe you'll need to buy another seat cover for the other truck.

what do you think was keeping this truck from running? fuel line? or ??

cheers, congrats and a big WELL DONE!!

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Drives,

We did eat well this weekend.

And getting the dump truck running?

Best couple O days I've had in some time......

 

[Toolfool]

Perseverance

 

[RivennHewn]

Tool,

Sometimes(always) it's better to be lucky than good.

I'm feeling pretty lucky today.

 

[C_F]

Yay, the magic seat cover!

That's great that you are finally able to drive it, nice work!

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks CF.

Just being able to move it around my yard is a huge milestone. It has been blocking my boat/carport and taking up my wife's parking space for too long.


Came home a little early today, to work on the PTO controls. With the floor mat and seat back in, it was time to remount the control bracket and get it hooked up.
One of those "fiddly" little task that takes a lot longer than you'd ever expect.

Everything takes a little longer in the dark and rain, but now the bed goes up and down like it should

 

[Toolfool]

Oh man, cookin' with gas now !

 

[RivennHewn]

Oh man, cookin' with gas now !

Next, I need to repair/replace the mirrors and I'll be road ready.

 

[Strouty]

Looking good, will be really nice to have that dump!

 

[RivennHewn]

Feel my pain.....

Seems small leaks don't always stay small

Thanks Strouty,
I needed to get the mirrors on to be legal. The holes were stripped out and the moss/pollen was a tad unsightly. Figured it would be easier to clean it up before re-installing the mirrors.

I had to deburr the holes, then I coated them with POR15 to keep the bad rust away. Cleaned up the frames, and bought new mirrors!

Maybe I should wash the whole truck!

 

[drivesitfar]

Riv: sorry about the leak or broken part, but it's running and your mirror looks AWESOME.

FYI. i had to sell my big truck cause my wife wouldn't let me park it on our property so you are doing well getting to park 2 trucks at home.

I THINK.

good luck!!

 

[RivennHewn]

Leaking is what hydraulics do best!

Drives, the old mirrors were in pretty sorry shape, so shiny new chrome really stands out.
As far as the wife? She's pretty understanding. Well, so far anyway.........