1991 V3500 Project Heavy Hauler

[jdb_us1]

Took a few days to read through the entire thread, very nice work, that thing should be rock solid by the time you are all said and done. Any idea on total costs to this point?My CC build is based on the premise that I would rather spend $20k over the life of the project than to shell it out all at once on a newer truck. By the time all is said and done you are left with a reliable, good looking truck that you know the intimate workings of. Awesome job.

[MTCK]

Thanks I appreciate the compliments. Same premise here. New truck is 50k. My dad got his '13 in '15 with about 15k miles on it for 30k, which is a good deal, but I can't work on it and not exactly what I want. Oh and it gets 10-12 mpg too.

I have 15-20 in it now. 5-7 of that was rebuilding and installing the new motor. I replaced a lot of parts that I didn't necessarily "need" but wanted like new reliability. AC was a couple grand, stereo, tires, springs, all the interior work. It adds up quickly. Initial purchase of the truck was the cheapest part at $3500 and that was with a solid trans transfer case running gear and completely rust free body.

Before it is "done" I need to address the paint and suspension. Working on putting that budget together now for CFO approval. Best advise I can give is make a realistic budget and timeline, add 20% to each and plug away. Good luck with your project.

[ryanroo]

I always tell people to double the amount they plan to spend and triple the time. 20% seems so optimistic!

[MTCK]

Hahaha that's a lot safer bet! I guess it depends on the level of detail you start with. I usually try to make a parts and fluids list down to the hardware before I embankment on something major. If I was working off my favorite bar napkin, double the money would be low!

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

I always tell people to double the amount they plan to spend and triple the time. 20% seems so optimistic!

Originally Posted by MTCK

Hahaha that's a lot safer bet! I guess it depends on the level of detail you start with. I usually try to make a parts and fluids list down to the hardware before I embankment on something major. If I was working off my favorite bar napkin, double the money would be low!

So true on both accounts. I do my worst planning when a bar napkin is involved.

I like the "CFO Approval". LOL, I have to cook the books once in a while and she always catches me. Mine is like the IRS!

[MTCK]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Mine is like the IRS!

This is never going to make it through audit! Hahahaha

[MTCK]

Grinding out the winterization install this weekend. Radiator is back for another leak repair, 195 thermostat is back in, both trickle chargers installed, circulating heater installed and all the 110v power run. Trains and oil pan heaters were installed previously and are now wired. Hope I don't trip the breaker... Oil pressure sending unit is leaking again so I need to tackle that and maybe clean up the wiring for the driving light and install my dog and backup lights. We will see how motivated I am and how much of a pass I can get.

['63GENIII]

Sounds like you're busy Marcus! Forgive my ignorance but what's a circulating heater! Is it something to do with the block heater?

I thought my "winterization" was bad... Trying to find and seal a couple of water leaks in the cab. Man, I got it easy compared.

Gotta say, your truck build is one of my favorites.

[MTCK]

Appreciate it! Yours is one of my favorites. You and Larry and Steve with your proper trucks with a pedal left of the brake...

Circulating heater is instead of a block heater. I had two different crappy Chinese block heaters puke out the side of the block this summer so I put a freeze plug in and bought this heater. Bung screws into the bottom drain on the side of the block, then the circulating heater, and it feeds into a "y" in the lower heater hose. 1500 watts vs a block heater that is normally 600-800 and the heater blows hot right when you crank it up.

I'm hoping santa brings me a remote start. If that happens buy oil futures. My Tacoma gets down to 10 mpg in the winter if I hit the button a lot. I can only imagine how bad this could get!

[MTCK]

Defrost saga update: 195 degree thermostat helps a lot. It is much more pleasant to drive at sub zero temps. I checked the compressor earlier this winter and it WAS cycling but that was when I pulled it out of the garage and everything was warm. Checked it today after I had been driving a while and it was not cycling. I'm scheduled to get my custom cold front installed next week which will bring the under hood temperatures up considerable. I'm also going to check my refrigerant pressure when it's cold to see if that could be keeping the pressure switch from letting the compressor cycle?

['63GENIII]

The cold fronts helped me a lot when Id go back to CO through WYO. Ive seen guys make em out of cardboard, plastic ect. Mine was vinyl, snaps around the outside that secured it to the outside edge of the grill and a zipper in the middle that allowed a small triangle of the grill to be exposed. It covered 75% of the grill and allowed the engine to get up to operating temps quicker and maintain them. This was on a diesel. Without it, since it had the huge radiator the truck would never warm up.

Although the temps we had were only +6 F, the cold fronts really helped during those trips. Changing to the higher t stat was a seasonal occurrence.

Im sure we will see pics of the CF. BTW, how is the circ pump working out?

[MTCK]

What you describe is exactly what I'm having made. Pretty low tech but it makes a huge difference. Pic is of the cold front I had made for my '77 daily driver. I think it was $80 about six years ago and now they are $125.

Circulating heater works great. Heater doesn't blow hot right out of the gate but it doesn't take long. 1500 watts is a lot but so is 7 or 9 gallons of coolant (I can't recall the capacity off the top of my head). Fires up like its +50 out.

If I can just get this defrost working and maybe an auto start it'll be a viable winter driver. I need it to be because it is my kid hauler on days when I'm moving the bambino around.

[MTCK]

Whoops here's the picture.

[watahyahknow]

we usually stick a piece of cartboard between the grille and radiator , youre solution looks nicer though

[deejaaa1]

your truck is looking great. your attention to detail is amazing.

[MTCK]

Appreciate it! Cold front is on. Will see how much this helps.

[MTCK]

Little perspective on where all the water off your boots goes. Down to the gap in the weather strip. Makes sense this is where the rust starts.

[watahyahknow]

maibe make a small dent in the floor with a drain hole in the deepest part of the bottom
that should at least concentrate the moisture at one point of the floor
could allso silicone the edge of the rubber mat so the water doesnt reach the metal at all

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Little perspective on where all the water off your boots goes. Down to the gap in the weather strip. Makes sense this is where the rust starts.

Just knowing that would give me anxiety given that your truck is virtually rust free. I hate rust.

Ive been using the floor mats that have the 1/2" deep / raised channels that hold water. They grab a lot of water and mud / dirt too. I think that there is a company that makes custom ones that fit a lot of the newer suvs and trucks. They don't make one for mine but may make them for the square bodies?

[MTCK]

I think the drains are actually working exactly how they are supposed to... at any rate I POR15'd the crap out of the whole region and too coated it. I got the vinyl floor covering because I didn't want matts. Hopefully I'm not regretting this approach later.

In other news, TC lockup clutch is slipping under heavy load in OD and I think it is time for a transmission rebuild. Oh and I have parts to install. Can anyone name what is missing?

[DirtyLarry]

Since you're doing shocks your missing this....



Two steering box braces? One for my favorite 292 truck too?

[MTCK]

I didn't think the braces worked on one ton trucks?!? Good eye, yes the plow truck is getting a brace. That sucker gets loaded up when I stuff it in a ditch with the plow up... still something big you're missing.

Also, when did ORD stop painting their fabricated parts? Last steering brace and shackle flip I got had a nice hammered finish.

[joe231]

I don't see a 2wd steering box and crossover steering.
Oh and no FUSH, no rear shackles, and no front lift springs, and...

[Dieselwrencher]

New leaf springs?

I'm pretty sure they charge for the powder coating now. That's the impression I got the other night as I was shopping for some parts. Kind of a kick in the wallet IMO.

[MTCK]

Originally Posted by joe231

I don't see a 2wd steering box and crossover steering.
Oh and no FUSH, no rear shackles, and no front lift springs, and...

Yeah it can really snowball in a hurry... no crossover steering (not getting bent with this truck to the point of not being able to turn left). Leaf springs for the front are it. They are a few weeks behind the rest of this stuff.

That is kind of a bummer that they don't cost anymore. Rattle can time I guess.