- 1,925
- 30
- 48
- Location
- Irmo, South Carolina
I have spent the past few days going over my first purchase, restoring every little detail that I see or think of, and have come to some opinions and realizations:
These trucks are not at all like the 416 Unimog. No power steering, 2 tons heavier, an extra axle to swing and a wide body and mirrors all add up to make for some serious driver re-training. I'm using low turning speeds until I get my calibration dialed in for how fast I can spin the wheel to make corners.
I hope I hope I hope I never have to do any drive train work. The assemblies are absolutely enormous, and impossible to muscle. I was checking the under carriage for loose nuts and bolts and never used a wrench under 3/4". I'll need to make a cheater bar for my 3/4" drive socket set ratchet! Shoot, even the tail gate on the bed is dangerous to open with one person if you are not prepared! I think I'll need a fork lift or gantry to raise and lower the drop sides!
I got lucky with a non-inspected auction purchase. Really lucky. It leaks a little oil here and there, and the body has a half dozen patch panels, but the basics are solid. My purchase list to complete the restoration of all systems consists of wiper arms with blades and a hood latch. I'm am also seeking a few items that are not demonstrated in the parts list TM 9-2320-361-24P. Maybe a fellow reader can point me in the right direction on where to obtain these items:
Photo exhibit A: The drop sides and tail gate do not use securing hooks as per the TM. Instead these threaded Tee bars with hand nuts are used. I need 4 new Tee bars as mine are all bent and stretched.
Photo exhibit B) In an effort to improve the instrument illumination, I disassembled the gauge panel and cleaned the gauge windows to let in more light. While it was apart, I scraped off the pealing coat of paint from the gauge panel. I now have two dash colors, but the printed info on the original dash looks more appealing to me.
Photo exhibit C) However, the red dash illumination light lenses as they are do not reflect much light latterly. Most of the light escapes into the cabin. Are there different red lenses made with a reflective surface or is there a cap to reflect more light back in and latterly out into the gauge windows? And, where can I buy more of the gaskets for sealing the caps against the panel?
Thanks guys,
Rick
These trucks are not at all like the 416 Unimog. No power steering, 2 tons heavier, an extra axle to swing and a wide body and mirrors all add up to make for some serious driver re-training. I'm using low turning speeds until I get my calibration dialed in for how fast I can spin the wheel to make corners.
I hope I hope I hope I never have to do any drive train work. The assemblies are absolutely enormous, and impossible to muscle. I was checking the under carriage for loose nuts and bolts and never used a wrench under 3/4". I'll need to make a cheater bar for my 3/4" drive socket set ratchet! Shoot, even the tail gate on the bed is dangerous to open with one person if you are not prepared! I think I'll need a fork lift or gantry to raise and lower the drop sides!
I got lucky with a non-inspected auction purchase. Really lucky. It leaks a little oil here and there, and the body has a half dozen patch panels, but the basics are solid. My purchase list to complete the restoration of all systems consists of wiper arms with blades and a hood latch. I'm am also seeking a few items that are not demonstrated in the parts list TM 9-2320-361-24P. Maybe a fellow reader can point me in the right direction on where to obtain these items:
Photo exhibit A: The drop sides and tail gate do not use securing hooks as per the TM. Instead these threaded Tee bars with hand nuts are used. I need 4 new Tee bars as mine are all bent and stretched.
Photo exhibit B) In an effort to improve the instrument illumination, I disassembled the gauge panel and cleaned the gauge windows to let in more light. While it was apart, I scraped off the pealing coat of paint from the gauge panel. I now have two dash colors, but the printed info on the original dash looks more appealing to me.
Photo exhibit C) However, the red dash illumination light lenses as they are do not reflect much light latterly. Most of the light escapes into the cabin. Are there different red lenses made with a reflective surface or is there a cap to reflect more light back in and latterly out into the gauge windows? And, where can I buy more of the gaskets for sealing the caps against the panel?
Thanks guys,
Rick
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