Rob

Give Dean a PM over on the ATHS site. He purchased all of his linkage and shifters new through Blumenthals in OKC, (they are a huge rebuilder) and I think they can still get the stuff. Rob

Hard to plead the 5th when you provide the proof. Rob

My first thought was the "chain pocket" you mention. They have been in serious contention as I'm not settled. The "D" rings I have access to are 1" diameter shank. I have the new white oak decking for the upper deck and the lower will be finished in a couple more. I'm friends with the sawmill owner and he is kiln drying my lumber next week. Rob

What do you guys think of the welded "D" rings recessed into the floor of a trailer? This thing of mine will get a new deck and I'm considering installing 10 down the length of the deck to tie trucks to when hauling. I'm thinking I may bury them under "trap doors" so the deck remains level for sliding loads on the deck. I always used the keyhole slots to anchor to via chains and used the winch to bring up the tension on the rollbacks. Then of course a chain and binder for security during the tow. Rob

Worse can and will happen. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Rob

The "Trusty, yet Crusty" Dodge seldom comes home any longer. Usually is inside the shop to prolong it's longevity. Right now it's still up on the center lift as I've not received all the parts to reassemble the front end from the pole interaction last December. I drive a lt. green, (and ugly) Jeep Cherokee since "Double Nuts" died on me due to rust. Rob

I don't really do the "socializing thing" via the internet with the exception of here. Don't really have former friends or acquaintences I care to maintain contact with I don't now. As a young man I was always a "valued" friend to have around; until I tired of the friendship being based on my abilities to support others' functions. Early on I discovered there was "money to be made" for my efforts, and my high school buddies seemed to "trickle" away. Of course I married my "best buddy" at 17 and she is still sleeping in the other room. You know her as "Momma". Rob

Charred scrapings make for some excellent chilli seasoning. Rob

We all knew you'd be on it like "stink on shit" so really no worries. You done well. The ability to access new posts was dead all day but is cleared now. Rob

I figgered he might have snow to plow. As far as drinking that refrigerated fresh strained and sweetened "piss water" they call Mountain Dew, well that's a new one on me. I don't do Facebook so haven't heard from him. Rob

He, (HK Trucking) hasn't joined us much lately. Wondering if anyone speaks with him on another board? Wondering how he's getting along. I'll call him if nobody has heard anything. Rob

Be gone shortly. Rob

I've done a few rails over the years. On "Huckbolts" you don't take those loose, just zip through them with a 5" grinder and a .045", (3/32nds) disc. Knock the slug out with a punch. On this job I'd look at vertically splitting and peeling off the outer rail about 18" each direction of the crack. Then I'd split and peel the center rail about 12" each side of the crack. Then "deep vee" both sides of the inner rail and using a flux cored, gas shielded wire and after a vertical down root pass, I'd vertical up weave a double pass on both sides, stress relieve the area, and grind it smooth on the surface that will mate against anything. I would then do the same on a replacement section for the center rail, (of course only on the outside), and once again the same on the final outer rail. As mentioned, you need a crossmember in there which is lacking. Color indicating crayons are a valuable tool when post treating weldments for proper metalurgical properties. A rosebud tip is a great tool to use for this. The cooling rate is controlled by tip distance. Practice makes perfect. Rob

I usually replace all the fasteners that are under the mat with 316L series. I also tighten them down by hand so they don't gall. Rob

Every time I pull a floor, I have to replace about 1/2 dozen captive fasteners!! Rob

Yesterday I sent over a brand new, (NOS) 8VBB series pump and eight injectors to the fuel shop. I've had the pump many years and it never has been installed onto an engine. Seems like it was calibrated for the 1975 model year ENDT865 engine, yet I'm uncertain about the year. I sent a note of the stampings, and a photo of the 1974 ENDT866B engine pump tag to recalibrate this new pump to. Hoping this runs out alright when done. I plan to replace the system on the RL with this new stuff in the next "go round" when playing with this truck. The engine doesn't quite idle as smooth as it should although it pulls like a mad mule when on the fuel. I'll then send these original parts over and have them gone through. I'm thinking it's fuel related as the compression is very close in all cylinders. Rob

Happy birthday to both 57BCR, and Oldmacktrucks!! Rob

Doghouse, (under dash) and concave rear cab on my B67ST. Rob

I fix them daily on other equipments. Damned hard to isolate when everything appears to be working!! Rob

Finally found the source of the intermittent lamps on the dash of the winch truck. The main contactor relay under the dash is bad. The truck never has a problem starting, running, charging or anything of the like. The problem is sometimes the "aux brake on", and low air lamps would work, sometimes they would not. Sometimes I would cycle the ignition switch three to four times before the lamps would light up. The contactor clunked 100% of the time. When the lamps were on and the rt. dash panel was removed exposing the contactor, a slight "rap" on the left terminal, (large one) and the lights promptly went out. They never will come back on even with repeat rapping on the contactor. Cycling the ignition switch repeatedly will bring them back on. Think I have one of those contactors around here someplace. I'll have to look later when back at the shop. Rob

If it's not in my pocket, it's either smashed by a semi tractor, or buried in a snow bank. Rob

One of my customers hauled some head down there yesterday I think. Rob

Ya know there are a few things I remember my grandpa talking about not going; one was Odessa, MO. He would route trucks so they didn't have to deal with those "horses asses", (his words). I remember him telling me there would not be a damned thing wrong with your truck but they would hang you up over an hour sometimes. Rob

That is the former Hanna City Radar Station. After the military pulled out, FAA took over the radar installation and the state took the balance to make an incarceration facilty. It closed in 2002. I've had my own "private prison" since. The radome, (golf ball) is where I work. I was there most of the day. Depending on the time you pass through there are a couple of decent places to eat in the area. You would have driven right past my house if on rt. 116, (Farmington Road) as live on that in the middle of Farmington. Give me a call when in the area, (309) 219-2070. It's always on. Rob

Thank you and yes I would be interested in any alternative method(s). I know the factory "proceedure" is not always the best in practicality and sometimes experience is best. I did get a look at this thing from the bottom tonight. I was able to get the jaws to close using a porta power and piece of pipe and it was hard to get the jaws to release. I loosened the nut on the threaded stud sticking out of the front and it is much easier to release now. Regarding the hardened grease: While under the truck I could see all the workings of the mechinisims and how they operate. I think rather than try to remove the 5th wheel from the truck I'll just wait for Jaime to really piss me off good and I'll have him degrease it with the pressure washer while laying under the truck on the floor!! LOL!! Rob