Well I have been contemplating trying to find a decent hi boy to drive/fix up. Right now I am currently into old international pickups. I got two and I am getting rid of em. But what parts on these trucks are pretty much un obtainable? And what are the usual spots for rust and the like? Any typical issues I should watch out for?

Thanks,
Chris

 

I can't think of a part that is IMPOSSIBLE to find. Some of the high end trim packages, west coast mirrors, and factory/dealer options are the hard things to find. There are several parts vendors, from best quality to "best value" in my opinion, Dennis Carpenter (DC), Jeff's Bronco Graveyard (JBG), National Parts Depot (NPD), your local junkyard, or LMC.

You can get most of the high failure parts (starters, calipers, drums, pads, clutches, etc etc) from NAPA but if you live in a sparesly populated area, be prepared for the part having to be shipped to you. JCWhitney also sells parts.

Another place to look for parts would be craigslist. Ebay should be a last resort.

As for rust, check the wheel arches, cab supports, floorboards, cab and bed corners, under the mirrors, bottoms of doors, kickplates, door sills, around windows, bed floor, inner fenderwells, spring perches, sway bar links, and basically anything thats metal if it hasn't been maintained well.

As for common problems, its an almost 40 year old truck. Rubber hoses including vacuum, fuel, brake, and power steering lines can be cracked. The things gonna leak some fluid for sure. Probably oil and power steering fluid. Things might be a little sloppy because odds are the last time that front end got new polyurethane was at the factory.

Other than that, good luck! We're excited to see your future truck, and welcome to FTE!

 

If you recommend LMC, why not recommend BLUE OVAL TRUCK PARTS, the FTE sponsor of this very forum you are typing in.

Other FTE sponsors: AUTO KRAFTERS; CAROLINA CLASSICS; MAR-K; MAC'S ANTIQUE AUTO PARTS.

And, btw...how much does LMC actually reproduce? Not much, despite all the stuff listed in their catalogs.

LMC is a middle-man operation, uses the J. Paul Getty method of making money. When you send in your order, chances are they will use your money to buy the parts elsewhere, then mark the prices up.

A member recently bought a 1975/77 Cruise Control steering wheel/horn pad/switch from LMC for $719.00.

When the parts arrived they were in an LMC box, but when the package was opened, the parts were Dennis Carpenter's.

The member coulda bought these parts direct from Carpenter for $500.00!

And, most of the repro parts, parts bought from mega-chain autoparts stores are Made in China.

 

Sorry ND I totally spaced on BOTP and Autokrafters.com I have a sticky note on my wall for both of these I don't know how I over looked them...

 

Thanks guys. That makes me feel alot better. I should of went with what I always drive (fords) but I wanted some old IH pickups. Brake parts/clutches are un obtainable. Well if you find them your looking at a 500 bucks a piece for a drum. I just didnt want to end up in the same boat again lol. Hopefully I will be posting pics soon of a truck.
Thanks,
Chris

 

I wouldn't call them "unobtainable" but if you plan on keeping the truck factory/stock the power assist steering components on a highboy are very expensive, available but expensive, most have been neglected and worked hard over the years and are now nothing more than a leaky sloppy mess, but when maintained and working properly it's a great system, most just resort to grafting in a later 78/79 steering box, just something to keep in mind if you're dead set on getting a highboy.

 

Thanks Montana. Whenever I look at one,which components of te steering system should I pay close attention to?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Particularly the power cylinder and control valve, just follow the four steering hoses and you'll see the two components i'm referring to, the shaft on the power cylinder is subjected to road debris and is often times pitted/nicked which in turn tears up the seal and the unit leaks, the control valve is sometimes excessively worn due to lack of lubrication over the years causing loose steering, and of course the hoses themselves are prone to leaking at their various connections.