55 semi
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
good stuff on the aire rides. I've been eye balling the F/L myself, mostly because of simplicity. It has one spring per side, and an airbag. Pretty basic to me. Anyhow, I did some more work. I finished hooking up the air lines, and I got the passenger side fuel tank hooked up and plumbed. I broke a brake chamber on the rear axle when I towed in to the shop, but oh well. I can't get some of the photos to load, so I'll try again next weekend. Not much more before I get to bring her home from the property. The big truck will be taking the place of the fire truck in the drive way. I was successful in letting loose the fire truck on eaby, just disappointed that I didn't get what I thought it was worth. Oh well, I guess I can at least be satisfied that I broke even on the truck (lost on the shipping though).
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by wmjoe1953
I was successful in letting loose the fire truck on eaby, just disappointed that I didn't get what I thought it was worth. Oh well, I guess I can at least be satisfied that I broke even on the truck (lost on the shipping though).
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Got some hinges coming for the semi project, and another FTE member is hooking me up with some 56 gauges and electrical items for the 12 volt conversion. Deal died on ebay for the fire truck, but I got an e-mail from a previous interested person and sealed a new deal for more than twice what the ebay deal was. So, I'll be able to get some more stuff for the big truck, and get some other bills taken care of, and tie up some other loose ends.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
The truck can only be used as personal, otherwise I will have to register it as commercial, and then get a DOT inspection, and a CDL, and pay registration by weight. Since I have a problem with DOT, and authority, I will be registering it as a non-commercial personal vehicle. If I go antique or special interest, then I will be forced to conform to the rules of no more than 1200 miles a year, and only for parade and function or show use, and since I have a problem with someone telling me when I can or can't drive my car, no thanks there either.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Duff, Tn.
I understand. go to www.4statetrucks.com, www.atwchrome.com, and www.iowa80.com to request free catalogs. I'm telling you this because you might find items you can add to your semi project. JOE P.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I'll check them out, thanks for the info. I have www.truckchrome saved in my favorites, and they have a bunch of stuff, but I need more resources.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Duff, Tn.
These should be pretty handy. also try www.panelite.com I always get the free catalogs to browse through. JOE P.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I forgot to add that the hydraulic clutch conversion worked perfectly. I used the slave and master off of a 65ish F-800. I had to make a bracket for the frame, and a new rod, but it worked out great.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
It has a Spicer 5 spd main box, with a Spicer 4 speed auxilliary. Priced a bunch of stuff, and have made a final decision as to the finished design. I am going to go with the 63" sleeper, but not the wing. I will be stretching the frame, or replacing the frame rails to obtain a long enough WB for the sleeper. I will be going with 5" (would go six, but it's a little V-8 non-turbo) 9' mitered cut chrome stacks. I will be going with a pair of polished aluminum full tandem fenders. I will be adding a rear stainless bumper/light panel. I will be installing a 1/4" steel deck plate between the rear tires to accomodate the trailer hitches I will be adding (not going with commercial 5th plate, will use travel trailer sized). I may replace the tanks I have, and swap them out for some smaller ones (smaller will fit better with the old Ford body style). Chrome front bumper. I think the final color will be black. The final product should resemble any Pete or KW running around that has been completely tricked out, but it will have an old Ford body.