Joe Ditchkus

The Ih sleeper would be a nice toy hauler but the 549 was a thirsty engine.Would be nice with a Dt 466. Joe D.

The reason I was told by a Dodge Truck Dealer int he 70's for the high mount cab was to be able to put an inline Cummins 855 with a turbo and the 8V-71 Detroit and 903 V-8 Cummins would not fit without raising the cab. Joe D.

Like the song "Ridge Route" by Johnny Bond says filler up with diesel fuel this old baby is a jewel shove the throttle down and listen to her roar. Joe D.

I ordered a new Western Star late 2004 it is a 2005 model. It has Detroit 515 Series 60 engine, 16908LL trans,46,000 4.56 Rockwell Rears full lockers steerable lift axle 18' hi-tensile dump body. I have 307,000 miles on it and about 15,000 hours on engine with hardly any problems which is good for me as dealer support is about non existant for Western Star in my area. Sales and parts are good but you cannot get near shop without about 5 day wait. I was in shop only once or twice and work completed was good, but with all the Freightliner's sold to fleets it is hard to get service. I do my own maintaince but cannot do any computer diaganosis.Overall I am well pleased with the truck. If I was to buy a new one I would do what Bullhusk does and get a powered glider.I am near retirement so my dispatch is about over but I feel for all the younger guys with all the new equipment and rules. Sorry for the long post. Joe D.

Part of the problem. Second chances for the offenders. Give them another chance the bleeding hearts say.Joe D.

Jim Rayjoe and I worked together over 25 years.We met at the Landfill in Kearny,Newark NJ. and worked there a few years then down to Atlantic City, Philly,Harrisburg. WE went to Florida to work the tri-axles about 15 years in the winter.Sometimes we made a few bucks but other times we lost our A$$. Quite the adventure we had.As you knew him he was one of a kind.Did you drive the R-700 for J+R. ? As for stories its like Vegas when you work out of town it stays out of town. LOL. Joe D.

Jocko Theakerstwo will know for sure. If you are going to work the 676 and Quadbox its not such a good idea as the Quadbox is not heavy enough for the torque of the 676. If you do put an egg under throttle. Joe D.

High Binder that one looks like an old Haliburton Truck I saw pictures of in the IH Truck Book. I think some were 12 Bangers. Nice truck different to say the least. Ernie the Brockway is probably 8V-71 with the Farr air cleaner and 2 stacks. Looks like original pit fenders from factory. Joe D.

If your from Scranton try Chuck's on Race Street next to Heavy Duty Parts. He did get some PAI parts for me a few years ago. Joe D.

A good friend of mine passed away 3 weeks ago,he had a R-700 3406-400 HP Cat 8LL 44 rears doubleframe and 17' aluminum body. Exporters bought it and now on its way to the other side.No way of saving them all. Joe D.

Good job and nice looking truck.Where do you keep ladder to climb up into it? Joe D.

Nice find on the C-Model Dodge. Joe D.

I did not think the steel dash was used in 1973. Joe D.

Good looking H-Model. Best of luck. Joe D.

22" rubber is getting hard to find. good thing is though the 22" hubs will take the 24.5 rims as it is just a tubeless 22".I think you are better off with the 22" hubs verses 24" as 24" are getting hard to find. Joe D.

James Sorry for your loss. Joe D.

I tried to stay out of this topic because there is no reasoning with most liberals,their way or the highway. I rode a Harley up until a few years ago I had a bad accident on one. I went to Daytona Bike Week most years and I never heard anyone say Harley's arte to big or heavy for them anymore. I am 63 years old and a disabled (Agent Orange) Vietnam Vet that still works by choice.All they want to do is mooch off the working man. I do not know why they hate big business either without big business most people would not have a job.gearheadgrll gets warning notices or banned from a few sites I know of if she or anyone else does not like them why go on them? I do not go on liberal sites and antagonize them. Joe D.

Suspension looks like Page+Page Huskey. I have that setup on a Kw with drop in 44,000 Rockwell Srdd I think is the model # Rockwell. Joe D.

As of a few months ago it was still for sale. Bob Miller Excavating and Paving was the owner last I knew.Joe D.

Nice job and truck. What is empty weight on truck? Thanks Joe D.

Jim George and Eddie have another garage in Throop,Pa. with a few more trucks in it A nice restored what I think is a 155 and a restored 361 single axle 6-71,13 speed, another 361 long wb. tandem 290 Cummins 9 or 10 speed in nice shape.Joe D.

You might get away with an 8 speed but since this is not a high torque rise engine RPM spreads in trans with less gears would cause lugging a no no in 673 Thermodyne.Joe D.

vwjunkie no wood in A-Models floors or anywhere else. Joe D.

Sorry Mike I put Ernie's name down.

Ernie good answer. If it has the air shutoff it will not shutoff either until 20 lbs. of air. Thats the way it works on my Freightliner with 6V-92. Joe D.