which truck series is the best/most reliable

[mudguppy]

Travis, where would the 5th wheel height be after the modifications? Kenny already mentioned that it may end up too high, requiring trailer mods as well.

Rick

i dunno. i've seen some pics of a custom flatbed on here before with the GN hitchball 'pocketed' down into the frame rails; something like that is what i had envisioned. but, yes, you and Kenny are correct in the fact that the upper limit of a GN w/ an adjustable tongue post would need to be considered when designing such a bed.

You forgot "waterproof" the cab as you'll get mold/rust/etc like crazy if you do not with the added insulation.

there're a lot of details not on that list. but why would you make a point to highlight this? what's different about adding A/C to an MV that is different from adding A/C to any other vehicle? has a modern vehicle been 'waterproofed' to combat mold/rust/etc ? i don't see what's different...? that is, of course, unless you're assuming that the cab would not be receiving appropriate priming/painting/rust-proofing.

and, btw, i 'bedline' all of my project vehicle cabs (inside), even if it will receive insulation/carpet. so i took for granted pointing out that detail.

 

[dittle]

Take it easy bud, wasn't mean to criticize your list. Was thinking more along the lines of sealing the front windows and door jambs so that water didn't get in and sit in the insulation if you happen to get caught in a rain storm. Jeez some people have their panties in a wad anymore.

 

[91W350]

Not far into this video I run into some rain and took a little clip of it bubbling through the windshield frame. I am sure my window seals are not the best, but when it rains outside, it rains inside... I can see where the floor would soon be in trouble if that water was trapped in insulation. I usually leave my cell phone sitting on the windshield frame and it was that day. It took about three weeks for it to dry out enough that the ear speaker worked again. I had to have all my conversations on speaker phone. I never hear it ring when running down the road, but if it is up there, I can see the flashing green light telling me I have a message.

Glen

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLwBpYdCQg[/media]

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Awesome video. Can't wait the 3 weeks til we get ours.
I've read alot about alternators crapping out would a 22si work in a pinch on an a3 in specific(because that 's what we will be retrieving) but will it work on a2 as well..
Again not permanantly , but in a pinch. I only ask because I have a new one in the garage and planned to take it on our trip.

 

[mudguppy]

... Jeez some people have their panties in a wad anymore.

um... no, not really. i wasn't taking it as criticism; i just didn't understand why you would mention the mold issue. it seemed to be A/C related the way it was worded and didn't understand the need for 'water-proofing'.

 

[73m819]

um... no, not really. i wasn't taking it as criticism; i just didn't understand why you would mention the mold issue. it seemed to be A/C related the way it was worded and didn't understand the need for 'water-proofing'.

This is why RAIN GEAR is part of the BII for the driver

 

[Chief_919]

My .02, as someone who has been in the surplus game a long, long time.

Buy your trucks to resell.

Buy a reliable civilian truck to move them with.

Hobby is hobby, business is business. Don't try and mix them, you won't like the results.

I have seen a whole lot of people who try and take this old OD iron and make it work like a modern truck- and it simply won't cut it. You will end up spending more money and still have a less relaible truck, no matter what you do to it.

A few folks have made it work, yes. But they are the exception to the rule. And even they would likely tell you they could have done it cheaper buying the right rig to begin with when all was said and done.

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Chief, this seems to be sound advice. i guess now upon reading pages and pages of posts that this is the overwhelming consensus . I am going to heed the warnings, drive mine for fun, and get something else for work.
Thanks to all

 

[mudguppy]

you could still do that 'all-out A3' for fun...!!!!!

i'd like to see you do it.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Not far into this video I run into some rain and took a little clip of it bubbling through the windshield frame. I am sure my window seals are not the best, but when it rains outside, it rains inside... I can see where the floor would soon be in trouble if that water was trapped in insulation. I usually leave my cell phone sitting on the windshield frame and it was that day. It took about three weeks for it to dry out enough that the ear speaker worked again. I had to have all my conversations on speaker phone. I never hear it ring when running down the road, but if it is up there, I can see the flashing green light telling me I have a message.

Glen]

I've said it before and I'll say it again! Deuces need wipers on the inside too!

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Well, I will probably "all out " an A2 for asthetic reasons, but will build a couple(my dad wants one(a2) and my brother wants on(a3) I.
I will build the only crewcab for myself , but they are paying me to build theitrs , so should cover a lot of costs on mine. I need to find 2 trucks for mine plann to try to take suspension out of one, weld 2 m200a1 back to back and put suspension from deuce under( reaer) and make a tandem axle trailer with a deuce bed on it Preferably a dropside.
Got lots of ideas of cool stuff to build out of parts left over after conversions and such, will post any and all and get feedback.

 

[ihscoutsniper]

If I do start parting out trucks, which part are just scrap, which are gold and whats worth sitting on.I've read that wheel bearings for a3's pretty pricey is it worth my time to part out an axle or better to sell complete?

 

[73m819]

I would do BOTH, do the fun one to show off your SKILL, to others it will say "this is what I can do FOR FUN for me, just think what I CAN DO on a CUSTOM job for you" even in your advertising say that. this way the better fun truck, the better custom job

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Ron, thats kinda the plan, I live in farm country, as does my brother, every teenage boy around here has a dodge /cummins turned up, turbo's singing and black smoke rolling.They are also big 4 wheel drive nuts , so we figure build 'em , drive'em ,show 'em off free advertising. I also pm'd 100dollarman and like his idea of just selling a basic bobbed deuce for relativly cheap then having them see yours and want more custom stuff done to it, that's smart.
I did find out recently, that one of the high school kids' dad has an a2 unaltered (seen it a million times on way home) and lets him drive it to school on occasion, all the kids think it's way cool . so that may get a few more in the hobby.
Also , the 819 in your avatar, are those pretty rare?I'd never heard of/seen one before. That thing is beyond megacool as is, love to get my hands on one, do they still come up on govliq or super rare?

 

[ihscoutsniper]

One thing I've noticed in the last day or so this thred has run, is that now that I have removed my control unit from my caboose about the hot shot, I seem to be getting encouragement in my proposed venture.
So again , thanks to all who helped put me on the "path to enlightenment"
Still haven't nailed down a name for my business yet, kicking around Brown's Green Iron sales.
Opinions..ideas?

 

[73m819]

IT was the way you went about things at first and the ATTITUDE, we were giving you the truth from a combined knowledge of many years of mistakes, trial and error, ect.,, as you see once you SAW THE LIGHT about the way you went about things, things GOT a LOT better, we are out there to help,

It seems This ATTITUDE thing is a NEWBE thing lately, sorta like the reason behind " quick hire a teenager while still know everything"

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Attitude was honestly just the way i normally type. I hate to type , so i was cutting things short etc. If you met me you would know there is no attitude here nor am I a smart alec. Sorry I came across that way,unintentional.

 

[Chief_919]

Another .02 from someone who has been in the business.

You need to sit down and lay everything out on paper before you starting buying trucks with the idea of cuistomizing them and making money. There is a whole lot involved that most folks don't consider.

Since you already purchased a truck, sit down and total all the costs involved once you recover it.

Purchase.
Tax.
Buyer Premium
Fuel to go get it, and haul it back.
SF-97 fees
Tax and title when you register it in your state
All the 87 little things that are wrong with a surplus truck when you buy it.
All the little stuff you have to buy as you do the bob job.
All the big stuff you have to buy.
The costs for a dealers license once you buy and sell several trucks that year and the state comes after you for dealing without a license (I have seen it happen many times)
Business license for your county/city
Sales tax compliance
Insurance


Now keep in mind that the days of the cheap M35 are all but over. 100Dollarman and most of the guys doing bobs bought their trucks when prices were bottomed out- they are 2-3x what they were now. Guys that bought a few dozen back when they could be had under $1500 and often under 1k can sell a bobber cheaper than you can buying at todays prices.


Further keep in mind that there won't be very many M-35's coming through the pipeline after this year, and supply is already slowing. There never were many A3's, so the supply of them is going to quickly dry up as well.

You have a whole, whole lot of work to do just in research and planning before you can start even trying to make money in this business. Do you have any business experience or training?

I suggest starting small, with trailers. If you can buy them and sell them and make a profit when all is said and done, then move up to big stuff. You will learn a whole lot of stuff doing the trailers that will be less costly mistakes with trailers than they are with trucks.

 

[ihscoutsniper]

Chief, we're almost at a nickle now. ha ha. Most everything on the list has been either checked out or at least discussed, the major variables will be purchase price, "the 87 little things" and retrieval costs.
As for previous business experience, a littleI had my own diesel repair shop in Columbus for a few years until the economy took a turn and couldn't afford to stay competitive and still keep the doors open, but my dad has a degree in business so he will actually run the show. I have local access to about 30-40 a2s from a dealer with very low prices( almost current auction price) so it won't last forever , you are right.
I am going to have to respectfully ignore starting on trailers, like you said the well is drying need to get in while getting still good.
But i do appreciate your advice. thanks much
jim

 

[Oldfart]

Another .02 from someone who has been in the business.


The costs for a dealers license once you buy and sell several trucks that year and the state comes after you for dealing without a license (I have seen it happen many times)


.

Believe Chief on this one. Happened to me in 1979 and I have been a licensed Dealer ever since. They get their pound of flesh and then some!