Freightrain

Back in '96 I bought a new F350 Supercab dually XLT/460/auto/loaded for $22K(A plan), the truck was $27 sticker (if I recall). That same basic truck is north of $50K now with all the crap they put on them. My daily driver is a '89 F150 and it's perfect. Don't need no stink'n back up cameras or heated seats! Yes, the Ranger is small inside and if you want elbow room it's NOT the truck for you. I agree, with the fuel mileage of the new trucks, who wants a little truck anymore? Of course everyone wants a 4dr stretched out whatever to just go to the market anymore. Of course now they offer 4-5ft beds because no one uses them for more then a couple bags of groceries anyway. The market dictated the dropping of the Ranger, nothing else. Ford wants to make money and if the Ranger doesn't sell? Why make it? Simple economics. Remember, they didn't take any hand outs from Obuma.

That's a bargin. Just had a fellow from our local ATHS chapter move outta town and gave me a pass. door and inner fender panels. Nice pieces and free! I have a pair of NOS door shells, but my rust bucket isn't worthy of all that. I bought them 10 yrs ago and if I don't fnd a use for them I'll sell them someday.

Congrats!

I don't think I actually changed it when I had it apart 10 yrs ago? Just wrote the number down. I did the king pins, cleaned everything up, freed up the frozen brakes(been unhooked for years) and cleaned bearings. Don't really recall what I did with seals? Been a long time.

I remember a few years back a fellow built a 1/2 scale bobcat that was radio control. Pretty neat piece.

http://www2.chicago-rawhide.com/PDF/Part%20Numbering%20System%20and%20Intro_21A.pdf C/R Chicago Rawhide.

The difference between dime/dozen and just a few left in decent, running condition.

Oh crap.........now they know I'm a grey haired hippie!!! That's Pat Mackin with his back to the camera. Tom, the mirrors are "just" wide enough to see around the bunk okay. If you look at the picture with me in it, you'll notice the drivers mirror is just outside the bunk. The picture was at Wellington, Ohio. The Lagrange engine show is at the fairgrounds every fall. Our local ATHS chapter gets together and has a meeting there. Some guys stay all weekend as they also have tractors and pull too. Neat show, lots of stuff to look at. Our club has been there for many years and take up the back corner of the property. Bob, had thoughts of getting complete truck, but the township would likely linch me if I had some junk semi sitting in the driveway LOL! (or at least give me grief about it). Been there, dealt with them already with my truck. I suppose the more power the better, but I'd be happy with even a 250hp ENDT673C right now. I'm not greedy. Buddy wants me to ditch the triplex for a 13 spd. I just don't want to give it up yet. Plus since I just put that little aux box I don't think it would put up with a BUNCH of torque. We'll see............don't have extra money now anyway LOL!

Here is what I have: FA517 front axle number: 3qhf 414bp 3qh4 6 lug with 5/8" studs 16 1/2" x 4" brakes bearing spacing 3.000 outer race #522 (od 4.000) outer bearing #526 (id 1.625) inner race #552 (od 4.875) inner bearing #559 (id 2.500) Seal number c/r 503295 brake drum number 17qj3162b g630-2 b206 brake drum secured with 5/8" bolts on 12 3/4" bolt circle

Looks kinda familiar? Did that one have a drop deck on it for sale at one time? Or am I thinking of another faded red truck?

Good to see ya back!

As long as you have a chain saw in your toolbox to cut the tree down growing up through the frame LOL!!

I picked a bad day to start taking Amphetamines............LOL!! The jet plane that sounds like a DC9 LOL!!! "Ok guys get some pictures"........and they steal them off the walls. "Surely you must be kidding?" "No I'm not and stop calling me Shirley". "We have clearance, Clarence", "roger, Roger, what's our vector Victor". Classic stuff. Ok, back to our previously scheduled show.......... (sorry)

I get antsy myself if I have to fly out West. I start to think about who maintains the equipment LOL!! I wonder if he maybe left a Twinkie wrapper stuck in a contactor LMAO!!!!! I get thoughts of the movie "Airplane", where the goofy guy in the tower unplugs the orange cord and the field goes dark!! Then says....."just kidding".

Yup............goes along with my stretch job posted here.... http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/16282-adding-air-ridestretching-frame/page__pid__93725__st__60#entry93725

$51 LOL!!! Put it down in the "for sale" section and see if it rattles any cages. Maybe even Craigslist? With enough networking, I'm sure someone will tell someone that knows someone that needs one! Save yourself the overbloated fees of Ebay. I wonder how versatile that cab is? How far back would it work? What's different(if there is).

Just my trailer will kill my truck. It's only as tall as the truck and only 15K lbs, but sure does knock the wind outta sails! 180HP only goes so far! Any kinda of short steep grade leaves you flail'n your hands around trying to find a gear to keep your speed. Now that I got 4 more gears, I'd like to see how far I can run it on level ground(if I can find enough level ground LOL). Gearing should get me 85 mph, but not thinking it will get there with a trailer too. Of course NOT getting a ticket running 85 mph would be a good thing too. Extra handle added........

Glad I too live in a county that allows some "smoke". Just a few minutes north(and where I work) you have to have your annual inspection. There too, if you don't pass by the third (?) try, you just write a check and you're good to go. Hmmmm, guess that just pays the sun to burn your CO2 off better?? right?? can't be a payoff?? Naw, couldn't be. I don't have extra spot mirrors on my B model to look check for low flying aircraft LOL!!!! I remember the dyno nightmares where these idiots would run your vehicle up to 65mph.........and forget to shift outta 1st gear!!!! DOH!!!

Thinkin I would see a snow plow..........cool way to turn some dirt though.

There is a "for sale" section, but this will surely catch some eyes. Welcome aboard. Got any B model cabs???? LOL!

I'm thinking too it's been modified by the crane people, as I don't think anyone in their right mind would go through all that for no real reason. It even states the back of the cab is grafted on.

Tom, I was just thinking paint it red and put Sanford and Son on the doors!

Back around highschool days, buddy and I were playing with balloons filled with a nice acetylene/oxygen mix. Piece of masking tape and BAM!!! We were having plenty of fun when a neighbor told us about his days at work with a trashbag full and blowing a hole in the parking lot. Well, come July 4th that certain neighbor was having a big party with guys from work. They were all out eating in the back yard and buddy and I were filling a trash bag(with just compressed air), attached a piece of masking tape. We lit the tape and through it over the bushes and watched all the guys run for cover while the woman were standing in a daze. We laughed our asses off after the tape quit burning and the bag went "puff".

I watched the tire guys do my B earlier this fall. Had this gimzo thing that was effortless and had the tires off in just moments. It wasn't the Esco version. Single tool, popped bead, knocked it loose, flip the tire and it pulls tire off the rim. Wayy too easy. With all the fighting I did Thursday night doing my pickup tires by hand............sure wished I had something like it.

That's the Greg I remember more LMAO!!!!