Patrick Henrys Protege
New member
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- Location
- Cedar Valley, Utah
Okay. So, I have a tendency to ramble a bit. So, I am just gonna lay it out and see what comes out. I am a volunteer fire fighter in my local department. We have had a couple trucks donated recently (thank goodness) so we are getting rid of our older ones. One of those is a 1984 Chevrolet D30. It's an old military truck, it belonged to another department for years, then we bought it and used it for many more years. So, it's uh... Well loved. I told chief I wanted it. He agreed to $500 for it. Which I think is a STEAL of a deal. Am I right on that or did I over pay? Okay. So, I am wanting to rebuild the thing (think along to lines of ground up restore) and put it back to a modern version of it's original glory. SO... Obviously I have a TON of questions. It DOES currently run. Although starting needs a little heptane and ether encouragement (starting fluid). It drives, but definitely shakes rattles and rolls. So, here goes.
-How can I tell what it was used for in the military? If it was an M1008, M1010, etc. (This is because I want to look up all the specs and history I can about them, and do an accurate and complete write up about it and the rebuild. Which I want to put on my website AND on here)
-Along the same lines.. How can I tell what axles, transmission, etc are in it? I want to see what's original and what's been replaced after two departments and countless years.
-Where the heck am I gonna find parts for it? I want to maintain it's "five quarter" or 1-1/4 ton rating and not lose that because I put in a different drive line, springs, etc. (I may want to do a spring over conversion, or something along those lines to give a smidgen more ground clearance)
-The motor has been swapped with a different truck. I THINK it's still a Detroit 6.2 just from a different rig. BUT, the point is, I wanna do a swap with the Cummins 6BT (or similar) and possibly move it over to a manual. Like a 5 and 2, or Allision/Eaton 10 speed. Not sure which (I'm open to suggestions) Any pointers? And would it be worth it? I'm looking for basically a truck I can take ANYWHERE and pull ANYTHING with. I wanna be able to climb the mountain next to me, then come home, hook up a trailer/camper and hit the road. A man's truck. One that will chew up and spit out civilian trucks.
Still kicking around ideas on the paint (I've seen some REALLY cool modern takes on classic military paint schemes. Like a digital woodland, etc), interior, etc. I KNOW I wanna do custom bumpers, winch, Off road lights, etc. The original bench in still inside, but it's more duct tape than upholstery. Custom dash is in the plans. Maybe bucket seats... I may just stick with a bench. I dunno. I'm JUST STARTING down this road. I can really see what I want the end result to be... But my question is... How do I get from here to there?
Anyway... So, I've opened a can of worms... Let your opinions, questions, and suggestions fly. I figured I would ask the Military vehicle Gurus before I got myself into a real Charlie-Foxtrot.
-How can I tell what it was used for in the military? If it was an M1008, M1010, etc. (This is because I want to look up all the specs and history I can about them, and do an accurate and complete write up about it and the rebuild. Which I want to put on my website AND on here)
-Along the same lines.. How can I tell what axles, transmission, etc are in it? I want to see what's original and what's been replaced after two departments and countless years.
-Where the heck am I gonna find parts for it? I want to maintain it's "five quarter" or 1-1/4 ton rating and not lose that because I put in a different drive line, springs, etc. (I may want to do a spring over conversion, or something along those lines to give a smidgen more ground clearance)
-The motor has been swapped with a different truck. I THINK it's still a Detroit 6.2 just from a different rig. BUT, the point is, I wanna do a swap with the Cummins 6BT (or similar) and possibly move it over to a manual. Like a 5 and 2, or Allision/Eaton 10 speed. Not sure which (I'm open to suggestions) Any pointers? And would it be worth it? I'm looking for basically a truck I can take ANYWHERE and pull ANYTHING with. I wanna be able to climb the mountain next to me, then come home, hook up a trailer/camper and hit the road. A man's truck. One that will chew up and spit out civilian trucks.
Still kicking around ideas on the paint (I've seen some REALLY cool modern takes on classic military paint schemes. Like a digital woodland, etc), interior, etc. I KNOW I wanna do custom bumpers, winch, Off road lights, etc. The original bench in still inside, but it's more duct tape than upholstery. Custom dash is in the plans. Maybe bucket seats... I may just stick with a bench. I dunno. I'm JUST STARTING down this road. I can really see what I want the end result to be... But my question is... How do I get from here to there?
Anyway... So, I've opened a can of worms... Let your opinions, questions, and suggestions fly. I figured I would ask the Military vehicle Gurus before I got myself into a real Charlie-Foxtrot.
, check the drivers door may still have military id plate
You mentioned restoring it but wanting to swap a Cummins and manual trans. These two do not go together. You either are going to restore it to original or modify it. Not that it really matters because you do what you want to it but be careful if you are going to take resale value or ease of resale if you begin doing this type of work. Using parts that no one wants or doing shoddy work will lower the value. Adding a Cummins with add value and function but is not a period correct modification. Again, knowing what you want in the end will allow you to plan and most important BUDGET for a build. 
