mattb73lt

Steel spring hangers should directly replace the aluminum ones. My B-73LT had a mix of both types on it when I got it.

On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 4:11 PM, 66dc75 said:

It never fails, at every truck show least 3-4 people stop and try to figure out what the tanks in front of the wheels are.

No, no, no, those are the tanks for the Chem Trail Solution now used by airliners in a secret government program.

It might be for a Fuel tank indicator switch. My B-42 had one in that spot to switch the sender indication from Left, Right and Aux. I left it in place and put new senders in each tank to check them while running, since it was all there and wired for it. I re-plumbed the tanks and deleted the separate floor valve when I converted it to diesel.

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 12:24 PM, Freightrain said:

So what is the wheelbase going to be?  Mine is long even at 206" for a single axle.  Makes it look like a 240ish if it was a tandem.

 

Good guess!! Just threw a tape on it today, looks like right around 249". It's getting a 24' Jerr-Dan rollback equipment body.

That's what I did when I swapped over my B-42 to diesel. I was able to get a B-61SX from behind the cab forward, it had everything but the motor. Everything bolted right in, front cross member, transmission mounts, etc. There's a lot that you'll need that you'll have to scrounge for to get it done right (Shutters, brackets, air lines). The good thing is, the frame is predrilled for both mounts(Gas and Diesel). It was actually a very easy swap to bolt right in. I started off with a 1957 END-673 for ten years and after having a major issue with it a 1973 ENDT-675 (237) since 2011. Miss the bark of the 673, but love the power of the 237. 

1 hour ago, mackdaddy said:

does your backdrop have the fin that seperates 3 cylinders in it? All that I have seen with the fin will say Cummins Diesel on the 2 pieces.

 

Yes, there's a cast divider separating the cylinders. Three upfront and three to the rear. The gasses meet as they enter the exhaust pipe. I've been told that's where the exhaust note comes from.

1 minute ago, Red Horse said:

Great Matt-bringing the B?

Yes, the Flatbed(B-42), progress has been slow over the summer on the B-73. It will pick up this fall, though.

I'll be there!!! One of the few shows that work out on my schedule.

Good for you!! Great to have a brand new place to work in.

Really nice job!!!! Such a clean and meticulous restoration. Certainly better than new. WOW!!

2 hours ago, Freightrain said:

Looks good.  My frame came from a '91 Ford also.  With as much wiggle on the frames, the closest measurement came out near perfect slip fit.    With twelve 5/8" bolts on each side, plus all the other misc stuff bolted through it is not coming apart any time soon.  

I made some careful measurements yesterday and I'm going to forego the shims I was going to make. This is also a Ford donor and a very close slip fit, like about 1/16" difference.

Well, my text disappeared when I posted those pics. But, it's been two months since I touched this, didn't think I would be that busy. Finally got on it this weekend, finished all the welding and primed the frame. Got the donor frame to the sandblaster and into the shop for primer.

The big score was finding a "Back-Drop" exhaust for the Cummins. It's super nice and once its painted and installed I'll post some pictures.

7 minutes ago, h67st said:

Nothing like getting things cleaned up and new paint on them! I notice your floor looks old...when you built your new shop, did you reuse the old foundation and floor?

It's the original floor with 3/4" plywood layed over it as a work surface. I put it down when I did the other B. I'll probably replace it at some point.

Stripped the new rear axle housing completely. I had robbed the gear set out of it for the original axle, after a friend gave it to me years ago. I was going to scrap it until I found some cracks welded up on the axle under the frame now. Lucked out there. It all came apart with some effort, but nothing broke. Some corrosion found on some of the aluminum castings. If they're too far gone, I can rob the other axle.

That is really nice, very well done.

3 minutes ago, Hobert62 said:

I didn't use the mack rear I used the Rockwell from the freightliner air ride cutoff.   It gave me a much better gear ratio.  My last mack crossmember is at the rear of the doubled frames.  It is about 2' of just freightliner frame  before the first freightliner crossmember.  

I've got a 4.62 rear and a double overdrive Triplex going in this one. Nearly the same as I set up in my other B, but with 24.5" rubber going on this one. Cruises nice at 65, with more top end. The Triplex gives good flexibility around town and highway.

14 minutes ago, Red Horse said:

Matt-what was the donor truck?

It was a  Ford L series with a Cat in it that was dead.