nedly05

how extensive of a restoration does it need? Is it road worthy now or no, do you have any pics of the ramps?

Good to hear you are making progress! What is the wheelbase on the black one?

This is originally what I had planned to do. I was going to try to clean the frame the best I could with an air hammer and sledge then weld up the cracks and grind them smooth. We have the other two tandems, and two single axles so I really don't see it getting run as a dump. I could still make a tractor out of it and look for a small lowboy, like a fixed neck 25 ton or something. I would feel better about doing this if it had a 300/jake but oh well. Ive tried to sell it but no one seems interested but the exporters...

The guy I bought the CH from doubled the rear part of the frame when he was setting the truck up. He said they have a guy that will come out and measure, and when you receive your rails they are all punched out. I haven't taken the time to call around about used rails yet, maybe today.

I have about 94" behind the cab, not sure if its enough, seems like it would be awfully short.

I have about 94" behind the cab, not sure if its enough, seems like it would be awfully short.

I have to measure the good frame today and see how much there is behind the cab. What would I need to be able to mount a single 23K rear axle? I'm thinking of swapping out the rears for 23's and the fronts for 12's and just cutting the bad frame off and just making a little single axle tractor out of it. Boy wouldn't that be a change from the beginning!

Anyone have any experience with pg adams? Theyre about 1.5hrs away. Im going to talk to bruce at global truck traders tomorrow and see what he has available. He's about 45 minutes from my sister, might have to load up the family and go on an overnight parts run!

Ive been tempted to call pg Adams. Ive heard great things about them.

Sounds good. Do the cutoffs usually come with the rears or can the rails be bought srperate? I would trade my rears for smaller ones say a 44 or 46 as i feel a 58 is pretty heavy for what i need.

so would i look at a place like trovei's for a good cut-off? i'd like to get out of it as cheap as possible.

Sort of what I had suspected, but I was hoping it was savable. I really like the truck, and if it had a 300 with a jake I would feel better about re-railing it, now I'm wondering what direction to turn again. I'd like to "patch" it up and run it, but I don't want something that could hurt someone.

Here are a few pics, the passenger side has been welded up before, as well as between the hangers on the drivers side. Its about 9'9" from the end of the frame towards the cab to where the frame is OK. So having seen the damage, whats the best way to repair it? Should I take the box and tires off, and beat on it to get some rust out, weld it and treat it, or is it worse than that? I wouldn't be opposed to re-railing the rear of the truck, but I'd like to have it make me some money first so if I could get it fixed up and run it for a while first that would be great. I'd forgotten about the 5th wheel I have too, maybe that would be better on there than a log body, then I could be much more versatile!!!

Ya just never know!

I will get some up today.

Update on the 74 RD. I've had it parked out behind the shop to make room for snow. Well I got to thinking about either removing the box and adding a log rack, or building some high steel sideboards to haul logs, so I went out back yesterday with the jump box and it didn't roll over 3 times before it started, so after some maneuvering and some fancy driving I was able to get it back out to the front of the shop and clean the snow off. I think I will bring it in and try to de-rust between the rails and get the rails welded up, then see about the log body ideas.

Heres a pic when she rolled in on the lowboy. I haven't gotten her on the road yet, may wait till spring at this point but I'm anxious to haul some material so I might not be able to wait! Last week wasn't really busy so we pulled her in the shop and cleaned her up a little, started painting the box black. I'm leaning toward selling the RD at this point, as I've shelled out more coin than I wanted to at this time of year. Does anyone have an idea of what it's worth? I know I have to much in it to get my money back at this point. I'd like to see it go some place where it can be used, or dolled up and taken to shows, I don't have the drivers or time for either. I know someone from BMT would take good care of her!!!!

The new truck is here, very happy with it so far. It came with the 5th wheel so the option is there to stick that on the RD and keep it set up to be either a dump or tractor. Feed me the suggestions. Either way if I keep it the frame will be patched up. Thanks for all of the input!!!!!

Thanks oilburner. It has a Mack air suspension. I'm pretty ignorant on air rides, but it has mack stamped in numerous places. The owner has it permitted to carry 25 ton. If I were to permit it in NY, I would probably be able to carry 20. As of now I won't permit it, as I figure it I will be able to haul 15-16 ton without a permit. This will allow me to take a decent load across posted bridges. From everyone I've talked to it sounds like the air ride has some pucker factor at first, but after you get used to it, its not that bad. It should be nice on our rough roads around here too. She's supposed to be here tomorrow!!!! Sooooooo, that means the '74 is on the chopping block. If it had a bigger motor I would probably consider the tractor conversion, but its not really my ideal tractor specs. However If I can't sell it, I might still consider it. 1974 RD685 20 Fronts 58 Rears ENDT 675 237 HP 2 stick 6 speed 14' box 94,000 miles pintle plate a/e to rear. Make offer!

its 14'. its got some dents and dings but overall its pretty solid.

If the deal goes through with the CH im thinking of moving the rears forward on the RD and cutting the bad frame out, and mountinga a 5th wheel Only thing is with 58 rears it will probably ride terrible.

I like the trailer in the pic!

Ever sell it?

I wonder how the RD would do with a 25 ton fixed neck ramp trailer? Heaviest machine would be 20 ton, moves of less than 20 miles. Don't really need a Tractor trailer but ive always wanted one...