Hi, I own a 1991 RD888 Tandem Axel Dump Truck with a Mack E7 400hp engine that I bought from Coal Country in Kentucky.
I had it hauled on a lowboy to my yard in New Orleans, Louisiana.
When I bought it, it was working but its a 32 year old truck and somewhat rundown. It runs, dumps, etc. My plan is to remove the 48 CY dump body and replace it with a new elliptical 20CY steel dump body for use on my own jobsites. Well that's what I keep telling myself but I'm also doing this because I like the truck as it is very unique in our area of the country. Until I bought this one, I had never seen one in person other than in photos.
Here are some of my questions/concerns:
1.) Does anyone know where I can get replacement steel fenders and maybe other body parts? Mine have some rust and could be fixed but would be better replaced.
2.) The truck has the factory equipped 8LL transmission. I am contemplating changing it to a 2-stick 6 speed. There isn't anything wrong with the 8LL but I like the old 6 speeds and the ones I used to own were bullet-proof. Would anyone lie to share their opinion on changing the 8LL to the 6 speed?
Thanks,
Louis B.
