Jump to content

vanscottbuilders

Pedigreed Bulldog
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    921

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. vanscottbuilders
    A while back I stumbled on a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee tractor for sale by the side of the road.
    You can guess what happened next ....
    Anyway - the tractor turns out to have a Sherman three speed auxiliary transmission, which was a dealer installed
    aftermarket option. Pretty handy.
    My brother has my grandfather's original Jubilee. It has been used and abused by all of us for most of our lives.
    As kids we all learned to drive on it. Some of us did our level headed best to make it go much faster than it was ever meant to go.
    Now it's getting tired. So, we have decided to bring the tractor into the shop over the winter for a major restoration.
    The plan is to split the tractor, rebuild the engine, put in a new clutch, pressure plate & throw-out bearing, radiator, belts and hoses.
    The tires are pretty new, but the brakes need help. And there is a lot of other work to do.
    When it's all ready, we will prep it and paint it in original colors.
    Using these two tractors, and an Oliver HG42 crawler that I have, in the woods for firewood has been a blast.
    These are a real tribute to American ingenuity and engineering. The amount of work these little tractors will do is fantastic.
    With the rebuild complete, the Jubilee should last for the rest of our lives.
    Pretty amazing in a throw away world.
  2. vanscottbuilders
    OK - 1st day of summer - Everybody look quick!!
    Actually it's been really nice here since April, if a bit
    unusual.
    I should be finishing up in Pennsylvania this week, and
    back home to continue the B-67 progress next week.
    There is a man with an early R model Mack single axle dump
    truck that I have posted about before near Beach Lake, Pa.
    Goes by every day empty one way and loaded with dirt the other.
    Great fun listening for the old girl, as the property we are working on is
    in the middle of nowhere.
    That truck sounds like it runs like a clock. And it sure does get a lot
    of exercise.
    I'd like to catch up with the owner just to say Hi.
    Anyway - hope everyone is doing well.
    Have a good week.
  3. vanscottbuilders
    OK we're about in the middle of summer, that is
    if we get the usual three or four weeks of good weather.
    Finished in Pennsylvania last week. Now back to the Mack shop.
    And - Tom, I did check out Beach Lake on Google Earth.
    You can see the farm perfectly. It's impressive -
    but, kind of scary actually.
    Checked in on the B-67 today. Looks like I will spend the next couple
    of weekends removing dents and grinding welds smooth in preparation
    for painting. After the trouble with getting any work out of the welder,
    the project finally looks really good.
    Everybody have a good week.
  4. vanscottbuilders
    Looks like I am going to be able to acquire a B61 diesel tractor to add to the fleet soon.
    This truck is interesting to me in that, like my R600, I know the entire history of the truck from new.
    The unit belonged to Louis Johnson Trucking based nearby in East Palmyra, NY. It spent its life in service to New York City
    and Milton, Pa. I'm kind of excited about this one as the Louis Johnson B-Macks were my 1st exposure to big trucks as a kid.
    I've also found a fifties vintage Fruehauf tandem axle stainless round nose trailer to put behind the new B61, or my B67.
    Things are looking up!
  5. vanscottbuilders
    I've been out to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin EAA air show this week.
    Although I try to go each year - it never ceases to amaze me. What
    a fantastic event. Anything and everything that has to do with aviation
    at all is represented there. There are fighters, antiques, big jets, small jets,
    homebuilt airplanes, custom airplanes, fast ones, slow ones and helicopters.
    Plus all of the parts, supplies and electronics manufacturers.
    Kept looking for Herb's (HK Trucking) Macks in Appleton, but didn't see him.
    It was kind of a strange trip this year -
    Last Wednesday we left in a downpour. About 2 miles down the road I looked
    back at the camping trailer and noticed the window blinds were blowing around.
    Kind of odd since they are inside the trailer. So we stopped. The front window of
    the trailer wasn't there anymore! And to make it more interesting - it looked like it
    was shot out!! No way a stone or road debris could get to it, and no way we could
    have hit anything. So we delayed leaving for a day to fix the window.
    Thursday we left - still in the rain - and noticed that the trailer seemed to be pulling
    hard. The truck was downshifting from 4th directly to 2nd at any little hill or grade.
    (2007 Chevrolet Avalanche) But we went on, thinking it was our error and our
    imagination.
    Got about seven hours into a twelve ride and launched the transmission in a
    spectacular fashion!!
    Got it off the Indiana Toll Road at LaGrange, Ind. Found a hotel, and found a fantastic
    Chevrolet dealer in Sturgis, Michigan. (Kool Chevrolet)
    Got in on Friday morning early, and were told that no parts would be received until Monday.
    We explained our situation - and the service people drove to two different area Chevy dealers
    to gather the parts. The mechanic offered to stay Friday night as long as it took to get us on the road.
    Very nice - and very unusual.
    Unfortunately, at 8:00 PM, the truck was started and backed off the lift, only to find that the shifting
    could not be controlled. Now definitely no more parts until at least the following Monday.
    So we were stuck in Sturgis for the weekend it seemed.
    Meanwhile, the service guys put our trailer inside and empty building to protect it, and licked our
    truck inside for security - and gave us a car for the duration.
    We went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo museum - really nice.
    On Saturday we got the bright idea to rent a car and continue on to Oshkosh.
    So we got to see at least three days of the show.
    Decided to pick up our truck on Thursday so we would be travelling on a weekday,
    just in case we needed another repair along the way.
    We didn't, fortunately.
    Now for the rest of the story -
    Apparently GM has no readily available engine, rear axle or transmission exchange program.
    And they have definitely lost sight of the customer.
    There is no program in place to get a vehicle back on the road, and nobody cares.
    The dealer in this case was fabulous, but his hands were tied by GM warranty policy.
    There was one full day lost to diagnosis and parts locating. A second day spent rebuilding the
    unit. Then the 2nd problem of shift control reared up. A total of a week was lost.
    Meanwhile, we learned from another Chevy dealer that it is common for these repairs to be unsuccessful!!
    And our Ford dealer friend tells us that Ford policy is exactly the same!!
    All in all, if a transmission could have been shipped from a rebuild center to the dealer,
    and the core sent back, we could have been back on the road in 24 hrs. or less. And the dealer
    has said that the combined cost of the repairs was on the order of $5,000.00. Way more than a
    rebuilt transmission replacement might have cost.
    Instead, our vehicle, with just 25,000 miles on the odometer, was down for a week. And no one at GM ever
    acknowledged that two good, loyal customers were very inconvenienced - out of a vehicle, out of state.
    No wonder they are on the verge of bankruptcy. They deserve it.
    They forgot how important the customer is.
    To make it worse - we reserved a full size SUV at Enterprise in Goshen, Ind. through the national
    reservation system. Upon arriving, we found that the Goshen Enterprise rental location doesn't even have
    full size SUV's. We took a Kia Rondo as a last resort. It's a little Korean 4wd SUV.
    By the time we got to Chicago, Dennis said to me "I'm trying really hard not to like this car - but
    I can't". I felt the same way. It was comfortable, powerful, economical, quiet and roomy.
    If that's our competition - GM, Ford and Chrysler have a hell of a long way to go!!
    And - I'll bet Kia hasn't forgotten about the customer, either.
    We, as a country, complain bitterly that Toyota, Honda, Nissan and the other Japanese imports are
    eating our lunch. As I see it - we are giving them our lunch on a silver platter every time we put up with
    an inferior product or poor service.
    Wake up America!! Wake up while there's still time!
  6. vanscottbuilders
    Well, Huntsville is over, and I'm low on excuses for not working.
    Jimmy has the B-67 frame coming along nicely, and the air suspension is fitted
    and ready for me to pre-paint before final assembly. The clutch linkage is all rebuilt and
    re-bushed and new bearings installed. (Like the rest of the truck - it's way overbuilt and
    almost indestructable, if cared for properly. But, you do have to take care of it!)
    The body work is progressing nicely. A lot more welding and straightening than I thought,
    but still coming along really well.
    Got a nice idea for an A/C condenser mounting from a really nice B-53 in Huntsville.
    And learned a new trick involving heat resistant expanding foam insulation for the cab.
    If all goes fairly well, we should be putting the cab back on the frame in early July.
    I'm sandblasting and painting a lot of parts this week. (The steering box, column and linkage,
    the clutch linkage pieces, radiator frame and support etc., etc.)
    And taking the 711 engine out of the old R-600 as the donor. It will get cleaned up and painted,
    then it gets new hoses, filters etc. for service in the B-67.
    Moving along good.
    Indidentally - I do have a lot of early R model parts that I would sell, if someone needed.
    All of the hardware, instruments, glass, doors, seats, duplex TRD-72 transmission, rear-end and
    front axle, etc. This was a very complete and good running truck.
    The cab and the double frame are pretty badly rusted, but if someone needed, they are available too.
  7. vanscottbuilders
    I think everyone, everywhere is starting to be
    affected by the rising cost of fuel and petro-products.
    For quite a while I really didn't notice any great difference -
    now, however, it's a different tune.
    We are getting letters from our vendors daily, notifying us
    of building materials price increases. And I believe that the
    price of a new home in our market now costs the builder
    about 5% to 7% more money than six months ago.
    That's huge, when you consider that the average new home
    in our area is well over $250,000.00 with many topping $500,000.00,
    and quite a few over a million dollars.
    The house that cost 250,000.00 on Jan. 1st now costs 262,500.00
    Consider that roof shingles have risen more than 35% since the 1st of
    the year. Copper has gone out of sight. Aluminum has skyrocketed.
    Lumber has remained fairly steady, but the quality is at an all time low.
    Concrete is at an all time high.
    Factor in the slow sales of new homes and we have the recipe for a
    really tough time in the building business.
    But - we aren't alone. Not by a long shot.
    Every business, and every person is being affected by the cost of fuel.
    A major adjustment is in the wind - More people are starting to do something about it.
    I don't believe that the government should step in. I think the easy government
    bail-outs and easy hand-out money and liberal government borrowing from other countries will
    actually going to be far more damaging to us than the cost of fuel will ever be.
    No - I don't believe that Americans will give up their life styles. We will work harder.
    We'll work longer. But we won't give up our life styles.
    We might take a while. And we might complain loudly. But we are a very resiliant
    society. We will adjust.
    We did it in the thirties. We did it during the World War periods. To some extent, we did
    it in the seventies. We will adjust. We can do what it takes.
    Just my two cents for today.
  8. vanscottbuilders

    Better Days

    By vanscottbuilders,

    So - Spring is upon us and it feels really good.
    Although I did stand on top of a six foot pile of old snow in
    Star Lake last week to photograph the roof of a building!
    Probably the last one of those for a while.
    Without counting any unhatched chickens - our building business is looking better by the day.
    We have done what we had to do to cut the expenses and get the ovehead down.
    And we have gotten very aggressive with finding new work, and leasing our unused properties
    to get some cash flowing.
    Interesting unexpected twist unfolding right now....
    A friend of mine called a couple of months ago inquiring for a friend of his, about buying an old Mack.
    (gotta love these "friend of a friend of a friend" stories)
    The buyer lives in Florida. I told him to look around Florida.
    There are several pretty nice B models that I know of in Florida. So I sent them searching.
    The story goes quiet for a couple of months.
    Anyway, my friend called last week to ask about buying my B-67 project as a completed truck.
    Now, I'm not usually speechless. But I was close there for a minute.
    Seems his Florida buddy wants a finished truck. (Smart Fella) And, he thinks he wants mine.
    Supposedly flying here on Sunday. We'll see..... could be a whole new venture.
    Ah the webs we weave.
  9. vanscottbuilders
    I stopped in to the truck shop today. I was pretty well prepared to see the roof of my B-67 cab cut apart,
    having gotten a phone message from my welder/body man the other day.
    But - what I found was my old cab with no roof at all, no cab back panel and no windshield posts!
    Holy smokes - the shock set in big time.
    Even though I got a really good donor cab roof and concave back panel from Kevin All. And I've known this had to happen.
    I took some pictures for posting ASAP.
    Anyway, after my heart rate went back down a little, I looked it all over and thought about it.
    This was the right thing to do, if I wanted to correct the old jacknife damage and get rid of the rusty roof corner and
    back window opening. All of the cuts are at the factory seams, and should not show at all when we're done.
    The cuts are all done with Zip-wheels so they are real neat and straight. And the welder's work is excellent.
    It sure does look pretty serious when you look at it from behind with no back or roof. Just the doors, cowl and
    floorboards all bolted down to the rolling cart. By far the most serious body surgery I've ever been through on
    one of my projects. And I'm sure the end result will be fine. (I hope)
    I'm just way too old for this kind of excitement!
  10. vanscottbuilders
    I've been working on a project in Honey Harbour,
    Ontario, Cananda (A couple hours north of Toronto),
    and I have driven back and forth a couple of times.
    Just some observations:
    Boy, do they ever use a lot of axles.
    And axle spreads of all different sizes.
    I'm guessing that is for the health of the highways.
    I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of Mack
    cement mixers and dump trucks.
    A lot of the mixers have tandem steering axles,
    again, I'm assuming for the per axle weight.
    The multiple trailer combinations intrigue me also.
    Nice to see new stuff.
  11. vanscottbuilders
    I'm leaving in the morning for the Spring Carlisle car show.
    The opportunity came up to go with a couple of friends,
    and I haven't been in ten years or so.
    Mostly looking for colors for the B-67, and just
    checking on current pricing of different older cars and pick-ups.
  12. vanscottbuilders

    Catch-up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Been a few days since I was here last -
    Funny how time goes by and so much happens that we take for granted.
    I'm another year older. My puppy became a national champion last week. And last, but not least, I got my new gearset from "Thermodyne diesel" in Minnesota. That's got me very interested. The rest of the stuff is just stuff - it happens all the time, then you die.
    It's a bit unknown to me how the engine/transmission combination will react to the new ratio. Going from a 5.46 gear to 4.28. Wondering what will happen to my pulling power with the 673P diesel. The direct drive duplex transmission has been replaced with a .86 overgear triplex, which should help with the bottom end, and help with road speed at normal cruise.
    Very few people understand - but this has been a very entertaining project.
  13. vanscottbuilders

    Catching Up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Just an update -
    I listed my 1959 Willys for sale on E-Bay this week. 1st time for me trying E-Bay.
    Nice experience. What a great way to advertise your stuff.
    The truck did not sell, but I think it was my fault. I put the reserve too much above the starting bid.
    In the end, though, I think the truck will sell to one of the two high bidders with a negotiated sale.
    And if it doesn't sell - I will use it as ground transportation at the truck shows next summer.
    Got my prize package from Barry today - free stuff is always good.
  14. vanscottbuilders

    Catching Up

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Finally ordered my new wiring harness for the B-67.
    Working on my shopping list of plumbing and air valves for the brakes.
    Hopefully I will be underway with frame plumbing and wiring in the next week or so.
    Still waiting for my rear axle to come back with the higher gear ratio. That's what I get for telling
    the mechanic that "I'm not in any real hurry"!
    I guess that what I'm going to do is fit everything on the primed frame, then disassemble it for painting.
    Hopefully it will look pretty good that way.
    The concave back window opening is a pretty rusty and dog earred, and the cab corner where the exhaust bolts
    is pretty well shot from rust and the vibration. So, after more time thinking about, I have gotten a really nice concave
    cab back panel and a nice roof for a transplant. Given my lack of welding skills and the high visibility of the repair -
    I won't be doing this myself. I know better!
    Going with a frame mounted exhaust stack, so the cab corner will really show.
    Paul VS
  15. vanscottbuilders
    Moving along on my B-67 project. Ready for new wheels and tires, and then it will roll again -
    for the first time in about three years!
    Nobody ever said I was fast.
    Anyway, I'm real happy with the way the frame and running gear are coming together.
    And I'm very appreciative of my uncle, Jimmy's, work to keep the project moving forward.
    The cab also is coming along really well. Although I'm not doing that part of the work at all.
    The body man is doing a great job and is priming this weekend, after a month of more welding
    and dent pounding. That was after I thought it was ready to paint!! It really looks nice.
    I am disassembling the green R-600 for the donor engine. Being real careful with the dismantling
    so as many parts as possible are salvaged for future use. This was the truck with the double frame
    rails that had pretty bad rust jacking and rail separation. It still breaks my heart to take it apart.
    The old girl did everything an old truck should do, and did it all very well. The rust got the cab and frame.
    But, I will have a perfect R model hood, all interior parts for the early series, wheels, tires and axles,
    radiator and perfect shutters, doors, latches and all operating window hardware, headliner, instruments,
    dash panels, glove box door and anything else except the old frame available for anyone who might
    need early R-600 parts.
    Looking forward to taking delivery of two long wheelbase Macks for a near future project I've got in mind.
    One is a B-73, the other is a B-75. I'm planning a B-73 with Cummins power for myself. The B-73 has the
    original 220 Cummins in it, and we'll wait and see if that will work or if more power is needed. The B-75 has
    the straight frame rails that will allow a fairly easy rear air ride conversion.
    This project won't start until the B-67 is delivered, but I'm gathering ideas now.
    The learning curve of the B-67 total restoration has been fantastic. Now I would like to kick it up a notch,
    and use what I have learned to get through a project with fewer distractions and fewer "wrong turns".
    Still thinking of a complete disassembly, total restoration and updating. But with a much better upfront plan
    and a better understanding of what is needed as far as parts, pieces and costs are concerned.
    Kevin All had a beauty of a B-73 or B-75 a few years back. Black with red frame I think. That's kind of
    what I'm thinking of. Something that can pull any of our trailers, anytime and dependably.
    New company slogan: "OLD, SLOW TRUCKS..... SLOWER, OLDER DRIVERS"
  16. vanscottbuilders

    Cecil, Pa.

    By vanscottbuilders,

    There is a dealer in Cecil, Pa. who has several R Macks for sale on E-Bay.
    These trucks look to be fairly priced and pretty decent for anyone who might be interested.
    I still think that there is a fair business to be had for someone who specializes in reconditioning
    and guaranteeing these vehicles on the used truck market.
    We have some inquiries for trucking loads to various parts of the country - so I will post truck
    availability for moving antiques or parts as we get confirmations.
  17. vanscottbuilders
    Took delivery today of the H-63.
    Always nice to get a new toy!
    The only damper on this whole deal was that the engine turned out to have a bad rod bearing, and a pretty blued rod end.
    The transmission is questionable, but we are not too concerned. Kevin All (AllMacks) has been great to deal with, and he assures me that if the transmission is not good, he will exchange it for one of his other ones.
    Not too bad for a truck that was purchased "as is, where is".
    We do have a spare 673 in good running order out of Jaime Samuell's B-61 that was exchanged for bigger power.
    The rest of the truck is really solid and straight and very complete.
    We are still waiting for feedback from the Mack Museum. They apparently have a pretty good backlog, which is encouraging. Must be a lot of projects under way.
    Our ultimate goal for the truck is to go with a red cab and black fenders. Very similer to the Carolina Freight H-63 that you see on the various photo pages and East Coast shows.
  18. vanscottbuilders
    So it has occurred to me that the R-Mack has not been as collectible as some others.
    It seems, I believe because it looked essentially the same from the mid-60's up into the 80's,
    the truck lacks a desireability that might exist with a B model or an L model Mack.
    Perhaps in the next generation, when these trucks actually are considered "old", they will become
    more attractive to the collectors. I wonder which of the power trains will be most sought after?
    The R Mack as a work truck, however, is a very different story. The truck has a lot of good features,
    and a simplicity that lends itself to being a really dependable, tough work vehicle.
    The cab has great visibility out of the windows, plenty of room for us "size challenged" operators and
    good heat and venting.
    The engines were all rock solid - especially the early Maxidyne series (237, 285 etc). The Maxidyne lent
    a new dimension to operating a Mack, with the extremely wide torque band.
    I'm wondering about a new business that specializes in reconditioned and guaranteed R model Macks
    for sale as reliable work trucks. Seems like it might work. Especially if I can guarantee the performance.
    I am looking for info on persistant problems, if any. And what to look for in the cabs as far as rust damage goes.
  19. vanscottbuilders
    Some of the people on this forum say "Volvo Sucks".
    No they don't. Indeed they build really good vehicles.
    Volvo, like so many other foreign manufacturers, are
    simply responding to market conditions that allow them to
    buy our businesses, build and sell their products in our country,
    and to profit from doing so. And then take our money away.
    If we simply continue to do the "same old, same old", we will
    continue to get the exact same results.
    What's the definition of insanity?
    Something about doing the same thing over and over - and expecting
    different results.
    If we don't stop the madness, then the madness will continue.
    It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out.
    Everybody can do their part - no matter how small.
    For instance - stop supporting Mobil, Sunoco, BP and other oil companies
    who buy overseas oil.
    Instead - Use Quik-Fill or companies that use US petroleum only.
    Not sure? Ask them. The good guys are quick to tell you they only buy American oil.
    Stop buying cheap Chinese junk from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, and hundreds
    of others. Check it out before you buy, and buy only US products, whenever possible. It's simple.
    Just think before you get out your wallet. You might not even buy anything, if you stop and think.
    If enough people do it, the problem will solve itself.
    There's nothing wrong with Volvo, Toyota, Honda, or any others. Indeed most of the
    products are darn good. And, they are playing by the rules that we put in place.
    You want change - so Change. Stop complaining and just Change.
    I personally am buying only local groceries. And buying only US made clothes and shoes, if possible.
    And only US made vehicles by American manufacturers. And US gasoline whenever possible.
    My observations are that the groceries are better - a lot better, and a little more money.
    The clothes are definitely more expensive, but generally better made, and better warranted.
    They last longer, so I don't buy as much.
    As for the vehicles - well two out of three isn't bad. Our big three manufacturers are being way overcharged
    for labor, and are far too interested in their shareholders, rather than quality, to really produce a good
    vehicle. But I still support them. I think we have to in order to survive as a country as we know it.
    How many people know that the US government borrowed the money for your latest Economic Stimulus check
    from the Chinese government?
    Shocked? It's 100% true. Hundreds of millions of dollars up in smoke.
    We just sit back and let it happen.
    Then we complain.
    I sound like a broken record - but,
    Wake up America. Wake up while there's still time.
  20. vanscottbuilders
    Checked on the truck shop this morning.
    The cab reconstruction on the B-67 is actually
    progressing nicely, finally.
    The welder is a really talented guy - just hasn't been too
    focused.
    I'm happy with the work, though. And I doubt anyone will be
    able to tell what was repaired.
    So, all in all, it might have been worth the wait.
    Back to Pa. on Monday, and probably done with that project
    in about two weeks, if all goes well.
    Had to cancel out of going to Macungie for fear of divorce court,
    after being gone for two weeks and leaving again in two days.
    Some people just have no understanding.
    Anyway - best to all and have a good week.
  21. vanscottbuilders

    Dmm-800

    By vanscottbuilders,

    I just "inherited" a truck that I know absolutely nothing about.
    Somehow, I wish that was unusual, but it's not. I've never even seen it.
    As a compensation for a Mack engine that I bought from a local company that had a cracked block
    which was unknown to me or the former owner, I have been given a Mack DMM-800, less the rear ends.
    The truck has a brand new Mack certified 350 hp engine and an Allison ---750 transmission and a retarder
    (once again - I don't know anything about it).
    So - now with Jimmy retired - he's thinking that this might be a good candidate for his "retirement heavy tractor".
    Doesn't everybody need one of these? And don't you like how he just assumed ownership.
    We have a customer that he has moved buildings for, for thirty years. They have several DM-800's with the rear-ends intact. Those trucks are pretty much shot, but the rears are alright - sooo....
    The building movers are in a little bind with Jimmy threatening to quit for good - can you smell the wheels of creation turning?
    Stay tuned.............
  22. vanscottbuilders
    Had my old R-600 out for a ride yesterday.
    Nice old truck and runs so sweet.
    I just went to the gravel quarry where I keep the old girl to check the anti-freeze
    and I ended up starting and running the truck up to temperature, then driving it around for a while,
    then looking it all over for the hundredth time. Before I knew it, the afternoon was gone.
    Not a bad way to spend a day.
    My old lowboy trailer is loaded full with parts from the shop that I don't need right away, things like old wheels & tires,
    rear end and front axle, air suspension with frame cut-off etc.
    So I couldn't hook it up to take the tour around the pit. Too bad - it would have liked the ride too.
    On another note - I set the B-67 cab on the frame to check for fit, and to make me feel better about a little progress.
    Looks really nice sitting up there!
    Just ordered air line material and brake valves for it, and need to order a wiring harness ASAP.
    The rear end rebuild and ratio change is underway and all the springs are going to a spring shop for repairs
    and modifications. Real glad I cut the rear U-bolts - I found one stack almost completely broken. No sign of any
    damage while the stack was all together. Front springs look brand new. And the front spring rubbers - which look impossible
    to find, and expensive, just happen to look brand new too.
    Sheet metal work should be complete in the next couple of weeks and reassembly is in full swing.
    I have Picasa from Google on my computers for photo management. Does anyone know how to get the photos from there to BMT?
    I, being a computer illiterate person, have not been able to figure it out.
    Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.
  24. vanscottbuilders

    Early Fall

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Well it's another very nice day here in Upstate New York. This is a great time of year for us, as I have said before.
    My experience with E-Bay so far has been excellent. Several people from further away than I would have imagined
    have been here to see and drive the old Willys. And a lot of people have asked good questions on E-Bay about the truck.
    The auction ends tomorrow about noon EST, and I am getting anxious. This money will fund the completion of my B67 and the
    lowboy trailer I intend to use behind it.
    Speaking of the B67 - I have started re-assembly, finally. If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will.
    The frame and all attached parts are sandblasted and primed with epoxy. The cab has new floors and door sills.
    The rear axle was delivered to a friend's shop for conversion to a 4.28 final ratio and a general re-build and check-up.
    I am going with all new shoes and drums, and all new studs in the wheels. New tubeless rims and radials will complete the rolling picture.
    The plan has been to convert to an air suspension, but now, at the eleventh hour, I am thinking of taking out some of the rear leafs
    and staying with springs. It's a whole lot easier than fabricating up new saddles and hanging new, non-stock, brackets and plumbing
    for the air. Reality is setting in - just how much do I really think this is going to be used, anyway?
    The next big purchase will be a wiring harness from Top-O-Hill.
    It's getting exciting.
  25. vanscottbuilders

    Fall Turkey Season

    By vanscottbuilders,

    We are headed for Fall in Upstate New York.
    The leaves are beginning to change. Nights are
    getting a little cooler.
    The politicians are all dressed up and hurling barbs
    at each other.
    So Turkey hunting season can't be far away.
    I'm no sure why - but one always reminds me of the other.

BigMackTrucks.com

BigMackTrucks.com is a support forum for antique, classic and modern Mack Trucks! The forum is owned and maintained by Watt's Truck Center, Inc. an independent, full service Mack dealer. The forums are not affiliated with Mack Trucks, Inc.

Our Vendors and Advertisers

Thank you for your support!

Mack Related Links

Popular links

BMT Forum Logo

HTML tutorial
×
×
  • Create New...