New guy with an original 1986 C-10 LWB 98k miles

[larrystone]

I bought this truck back last December from an older woman who is a lawn care customer of mine. This truck was sitting by her home and the state inspection and registration had expired.

She had said her brother had bought this truck brand new. It came with an old school aluminum cap that does not match the roof line and most likely fits a Ford. We agreed on a price of $200 cash and $300 "on account" in future lawn mowing services.

To get this machine running I threw in some Aldor spark plugs and new park plug wires. The garage would not pass the front rotors not because they were to thin but for they were too RUSTY (if you live in PA you know of our inspection BS). The wheel bearings on the drivers side were gone to so I had to replace all the rotors, bearings, and brake pads.

I have just few more issues to resolve and this baby will be 100%.

1. Change over the ac to R134
2. Replace the engine oil (not trans oil for this truck has a cooler on both radiator side tanks) lines that have a little more than a slight leak.
3. Replace the dash pad, front dash speakers, and radio.
4. Install a set of rear overload shocks with the built in springs.
5. In the last fall I am going to buy a new set of steel wagon wheels and a new set of 225 wide mud and snow suv type tires.

This truck is going to be a combo personal and business vehicle. This week I am going to build removable side, front, and back boards for that huge bed in order to haul off leaves, grass clippings, and thatch in my lawn care business.

[454HO]

Welcome aboard. Nice score with that truck.

[Walts_restoration]

looks like a great find for that price, i have some wooden sides i could take pics off if you need some motivation, bought them with my truck and am keeping em around if i ever need them, even thought i put a weatherguard box on.

[larrystone]

I am going to make my sides from composite decking lumber and stainless steel fasteners.

In the last three days I have drove 167 miles (about 1/3 city, 1/3 two lane secondary roads, and 1/3 I-80)
and used 9.4 gallons of fuel for a net fuel mileage of 17.8.

I can't imagine how much better fuel mileage I would get with the four speed overdrive transmission with the 2.73 gear set. Frankly I don't think it would be a real improvement when you take into consideration the mountains I need to climb in Northeast Pennsylvania.

One other issue is my timing is too far advanced for 87 octane 10% ethanol fuel. It has spark knock during acceleration from a dead stop and when climbing hills. Time to brush the dust off the old timing light.

[larrystone]

Update:

I though some might like to see what my truck looks like a year later. What you can't see is a front sway bar that also has been added.

From 4/08 to 12/08 I put 9K miles on this truck.

The military front end guard ($30) is no macho thing it's to keep the deer from taking out the grille, radiator and ac condenser.

[N2TRUX]

Nice progress on a solid work truck. Glad to see it's getting it's use.

[SBTork]

it looks a lot better with the wagon wheels on it. The best addition is one I can't see, it's the extra 9K on the odometer

[AceX]

Looks like a solid truck still. Gotta love a daily driven work horse

[Driveway Dreams]

Truck is coming along nice from what I can tell. And a great buy by the way!