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Cool Trucks

My neighbor bought this Tractor from a friend in British Columbia and bob tailed it back to Ontario. Its been done frame up frame same color as body and newer 600 Cat motor in it. This thing just sits in a climate controlled shop since he bought it back in 14.

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Cool to me means useful, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing (to me; I don't really care what anyone else thinks of it).
I thoroughly disagree with the contention that today's trucks, light and medium ones anyway, will last longer than the older ones. And contrary to popular belief, most of them don't get better fuel mileage unless you are comparing them to an older truck that is not properly tuned.

If it is computerized (whether gas or diesel), it is too new for my tastes. And if it (diesel) requires DEF, it's much too new.
I could point out all the reasons old trucks are better and can last longer, but there's no point in it. Anyone who thinks the designed obsolescence trucks are better should just go ahead and buy one. That leaves more good ones for those of us who appreciate them.

BTW, my old square body K30 Chevy rides better than my much newer F350 SD Ford 4x4, as well as being much more solid and getting better fuel mileage.
I have the same opinion about computerized vehicles. DEF for diesel is total crap(causes even more pollution than older diesels) not to mention that when you run out of the stuff the truck shuts itself off!
You are right, you just can not bit the old square body chevy. I have a 1986 3/4 ton 4x4 4speed manual with a Dana 60 and 14 bolt rear (np205 transfer case). 350 engine built for towing and no emissions of any kind, power nothing, and no am/fm radio (vhf kenwood 7180 and 148GTL(Taiwan). One time the battery died when I was parked in a hill, put in reverse, and started the truck(impossible to do with an electronic truck, has to be towed). In the bush the cool factor is that you can get it going with a wrench and a screwdriver, no laptop needed!
73
 
I have the same opinion about computerized vehicles. DEF for diesel is total crap(causes even more pollution than older diesels) not to mention that when you run out of the stuff the truck shuts itself off!
You are right, you just can not bit the old square body chevy. I have a 1986 3/4 ton 4x4 4speed manual with a Dana 60 and 14 bolt rear (np205 transfer case). 350 engine built for towing and no emissions of any kind, power nothing, and no am/fm radio (vhf kenwood 7180 and 148GTL(Taiwan). One time the battery died when I was parked in a hill, put in reverse, and started the truck(impossible to do with an electronic truck, has to be towed). In the bush the cool factor is that you can get it going with a wrench and a screwdriver, no laptop needed!
73
what about regen?the very thing that supposedly pollutes is used to remove the soot,all a bunch of bs.
fossil fuel made this country not lectric, wind dont blow n sun dont shine at times and on same days. coal,natural gas,lp ,diesel n gasoline are ready at all times on demand for use when needed.
when fuel milage rises pollution goes down.increase compression and air flow n cure engine pollution.
i drive a square body dodge ram 150 with 318 power
 
Nice pictures of a real truck. Today's trucks are the opposite; they are basically cars with a box, very little steel and a lot of plastic, in my opinion junk, and they will never last as long as the older trucks.
The truck also looked like it was in amazing shape(y)(y)(y)
As much money as I had sunk into it...You bet it was in good shape!:D

Got lousy gas mileage tho...I had put a 400 small block in it, with a Holy 650 carb, glass pac mufflers, headers...you could hear me coming down the street a half mile.

Once Gas prices got to be over the $2 mark, I decided it was time to let someone else enjoy it...think it got between 6 and 8 MPG as long as you kept your foot out of it.:whistle:
 
As much money as I had sunk into it...You bet it was in good shape!:D

Got lousy gas mileage tho...I had put a 400 small block in it, with a Holy 650 carb, glass pac mufflers, headers...you could hear me coming down the street a half mile.

Once Gas prices got to be over the $2 mark, I decided it was time to let someone else enjoy it...think it got between 6 and 8 MPG as long as you kept your foot out of it.:whistle:
I wish I could hear that truck running:):):)(y)(y)(y)
I understand about gas mileage and the cost of fuel (in my area, Canada, right now, it's $1.60/litre which is just at $6.00 a U.S. gallon). For a daily driver it's tough when you only get 6-8MPG, however on the flip side, there is also a benefit of doing the work yourself instead of bringing it to the shop. My neighbour bought a brand new 2004 F350 with the 6.0litre diesel back then, and to date he spent just over $29,000 in repairs(plus regular maintenance). As soon as you have to replace something in the rear of the engine, the cab has to be removed and placed on top of the box to gain access, and there goes $5,000. All the money he taught was saving by buying a diesel, compared to my 1986 Chevy with the 350, was lost in repairs and then some. The trick is to find an older reliable truck that can get somewhat decent mileage (keeping in mind that the older ones have more steel and are less aerodynamic than the new ones). Can't really win because they just want our money!
73
 
I wish I could hear that truck running:):):)(y)(y)(y)
I understand about gas mileage and the cost of fuel (in my area, Canada, right now, it's $1.60/litre which is just at $6.00 a U.S. gallon). For a daily driver it's tough when you only get 6-8MPG, however on the flip side, there is also a benefit of doing the work yourself instead of bringing it to the shop. My neighbour bought a brand new 2004 F350 with the 6.0litre diesel back then, and to date he spent just over $29,000 in repairs(plus regular maintenance). As soon as you have to replace something in the rear of the engine, the cab has to be removed and placed on top of the box to gain access, and there goes $5,000. All the money he taught was saving by buying a diesel, compared to my 1986 Chevy with the 350, was lost in repairs and then some. The trick is to find an older reliable truck that can get somewhat decent mileage (keeping in mind that the older ones have more steel and are less aerodynamic than the new ones). Can't really win because they just want our money!
73
This is true...If I had it to do all over again, I would never had sold it...who would have thought at that time, USED cars and trucks would be selling for what NEW ones do nowdays?

I've seen listings for these old trucks rusting away in junk yards, selling for over double what I sold mine for...not running, no motors, all ratted out, and they want a arm and leg for them....go figure.
 
Gas mileage fools people to this day. It’s just under 1/2 of total ownership cost on something new.

On rebuilt used, who cares?

Problem with all vehicles now and going forward is the availability of replacement parts.

Got tires?

I’m going to buy new for pickup and trailer. They need it, but were they half-way thru their life I’d buy new now.

When one wakes up to that we are in a war, this and much else becomes easier to understand.

.
 
This is true...If I had it to do all over again, I would never had sold it...who would have thought at that time, USED cars and trucks would be selling for what NEW ones do nowdays?

I've seen listings for these old trucks rusting away in junk yards, selling for over double what I sold mine for...not running, no motors, all ratted out, and they want a arm and leg for them....go figure.
Don't worry you are not alone! I kicked myself for selling a few things that I shouldn't of, but like you said, who knew?
73
 
As much money as I had sunk into it...You bet it was in good shape!:D

Got lousy gas mileage tho...I had put a 400 small block in it, with a Holy 650 carb, glass pac mufflers, headers...you could hear me coming down the street a half mile.

Once Gas prices got to be over the $2 mark, I decided it was time to let someone else enjoy it...think it got between 6 and 8 MPG as long as you kept your foot out of it.:whistle:
Thing about those old engines is you can tune them to do what you need. The new vehicles have a factory computerized tune that is optimized to meet some arbitrary spec, and you cannot legally change it. And since the fedgov is now going after manufacturers that maker tune kits and shops that install them, it's getting so you cannot change it; legally or not.
Back in the '80s, Hot Rod Magazine set out to prove that you actually can have both performance and fuel economy and do it in a non-aerodynamic vehicle. So they built a small block Chevy V8 with a mild performance cam, 4 barrel carb, etc. and mated it to an automatic transmission; then stuffed it in a 1938 Chevy 4-door sedan. They gave the engine a really good tune and tested it. The result? 25 mpg in normal driving, and it would run the quarter in the 13s in street trim!
 
Thing about those old engines is you can tune them to do what you need. The new vehicles have a factory computerized tune that is optimized to meet some arbitrary spec, and you cannot legally change it. And since the fedgov is now going after manufacturers that maker tune kits and shops that install them, it's getting so you cannot change it; legally or not.
Back in the '80s, Hot Rod Magazine set out to prove that you actually can have both performance and fuel economy and do it in a non-aerodynamic vehicle. So they built a small block Chevy V8 with a mild performance cam, 4 barrel carb, etc. and mated it to an automatic transmission; then stuffed it in a 1938 Chevy 4-door sedan. They gave the engine a really good tune and tested it. The result? 25 mpg in normal driving, and it would run the quarter in the 13s in street trim!


Aluminum beer-can crash protection.
Bad aero. Limited interior space, etc.

Up to 400 cid can just crack 20 hwy (60-mph) in a post-1965 sedan (dual master disc brakes) with an auto. 2.7-2.9 gears (no O/D).

Highway MPG is about highest relative AVERAGE Mph to a given set speed. (Research MOBIL Fuel Economy Runs of the 1960s. Inside stories).

Spreadbore (PERFECT choke). 195F thermostat and work on ignition mech & vac advance (a lot of work). Cool fuel and hot intake (105F; except at WOT). Fuel injection is superior to a spreadbore pretty much only for cold start and altitude change.

Cam is high vacuum (not highest) and VERY fast opening (back cut valves). Total lift not impressive, it’s what happened at .050. Tight quench. (Reduction of internal friction is the more expensive aid).

Crossover behind Tri-Y headers. Chambered mufflers. 2.5” mandrel-bent aluminuzed to muffler; 1.75” to tailpipe (keep heat highest). Use Chrysler upturn before dump. Angie dumps slightly towards each other.

Tuned for throttle response.the real action is from 30-mph, or, a few MPH after auto-shift to Direct.

Part-throttle knockdown is highly desirable. Can do a lot with that using Second briefly to change the vacuum signal. (Better “holeshot” than T350/400 in a two-laner pass plus used less fuel. (Rod/bell crank control of throttle & trans same advantage. Extra Care in Engineering.

Highway cruise rpm just below peak TQ. Start with tire height & rear gears before figuring stall speed & cam/compression specifics. As 60-Mph Is the fuel economy brick wall, that is the marker.

Not going to be a 14-sec car (fit all your family comfortably), but it won’t run out of breath on the big road. Flatten hills and pass on two-lanes with ease.

Basically, a factory car slanted towards steady-state highway. (Worked the details to emphasize it without losing town-driving pleasure).

MPG 30% above what most folks got back in the 1970s if serious (advantage with radial tires, gas shocks and suspension upgrades has to be foundation; rack & pinion steering would be a HUGE helpful upgrade).

Assume Auto, PDB, Posi, A/C, and some cab comfort electrics. Decent sound insulation. Try to keep TARE close to 4K. All-weather, all-day comfort is king.

Some underbody aero would be a real help.

The OLDSMOBILE Turnpike Cruiser on the 1967 Cutlass Platform is the research model. 1970s model cars of all brands had bulk & weight gain issues.

Got my 4,800-lb ‘71 bigger Chrysler up to near 19 with above and driving skill. (Practice). Aero means more than total weight. Never idle and never stop.

The short version would be to have high cylinder compression. All E-Z after that. As we don’t have but cat-piss for gasoline (it’s not just octane missing) ALL ELSE is a workaround to limit pre-ignition/detonation. Early 1960s big-block Chrysler cars with only a swap to radial tires can hit high teens (all else as-new).

A turboed Slant Six would be king given the right trans gearing. Always in the sweet spot. Wind it up around town and let it loaf at cruise. But computer-control of ignition & fuel would be the best way.

A 63-64 Newport coupe is big inside & small outside with 124” wheelbase. Of the four automakers, it had best suspension/steering/handling already in place. Best drivetrain, as well. Like all others, needs 4-whl disc.

Youngsters who think half-tons ride nice have no idea of what is “comfort”. Ease into a turn and shoot away. No lumbering about. (And you are not speed-limited as in a farm vehicle. The Letter 300 version of this car was stable at 130-mph for as long as you kept it there).

WOT up shift to Direct is at 92-mph (factory). Starts accelerating again and pulls past 110-mph. Ford 390 and Chevy 396 were gasping past 90. (Never let a Mopar catch you, call the race early).

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80% tank capacity highway fuel economy range would be to shoot for 400-miles on 18.5/gl with a built V8-383 4V and no-slop A727. Rock-steady crisp idle. 240-HP my guess (RWHP corrected; cam partly the key and head work most of the rest); still well above 300-TQ.

V8-440 done this way is more 300/400, but it won’t break past 16-mpg. Won’t wind up as fast either. So, needs 3.23 gears and now you’re at 14-mpg most days (60-mph).

IOW, the 440 won’t matter till you’re well past legal highway cruise speed. And that’s the game.

The A38 Dodge Polara Police Pursuit was the T-Rex of the American highway.

Nothing could outrun it . . . except the car I’ve just described. As a savvy driver you just have to out-last his higher fuel burn as no one is going to try a slow pass when both are already at 120-mph. (Moonshiner tactic).

In Texas DPS didn’t use the radio to call ahead. Might not be another unit for 150-miles.,You were man enough . . or you kept your mouth shut.

When the small craft warning buoys are at the harbors entrance, the muscle car kiddies go home. The Big Iron heads out into the night.

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