Rob

All that capacity and no fires to fight. Good looking lineup and sure looks like all had a good time. Rob

Damn, now I'm gettin excited!! Goes right along with "sticks & stones break my bones", but "whips and chains excite me". Rob

Man, that's a lot. It leaves five whole horsepower, (before parasitic losses) to accelerate my bloated carcass down the road. I got to get me one of those things. Rob

Usually unless the truck has been repainted. All that I've seen were of the darker gray color. The serial number of the truck to a Mack dealer will reveal what the truck left the factory wearing. Rob

Not being a trucker myself I can't actually say that I've ever seen a 53' van type trailer completely full to capacity. There is always a lot of room leftover that with careful and coordinated loading the space could be utilized. I've never pulled a 53ft trailer of any type but have several 42, and 48ft and my thought is that the 42ft is much easier to negotiate, (especially city traffic) than the 48ft. Myself I think just about as much freight could be moved with a 36' van as a 48ft van if kept regional. Several times I've seen someone pulling a 53' van in a city have to move fore and aft to jockey into position because the docks or loading/unloading areas were never designed to handle that length of trailer coupled with a long wheelbase tractor. I've had a couple cars through the shop that have had a trailer dragged over the front end also. In both of those instances, (as in so many other cases) the driver of the car was not at fault, (according to them) and readily blamed the trucking operator. I don't think longer length is the answer either. Rob

I am truly touched to the depths of my soul. Rob

Yada, yada, yada, Y'alll just need to remember to be careful that my feelings don't get hurt cause then I might cry..... Rob

You are a true gentleman to be looking after my interests like that. Rob

Another classic edition of trying to "Pass the Buck" by the infamous Other Dog. Rob

Bored? Naw, just one to take advantage of a presented opportunity. Glad you drive one of those things? I guess you can't be held completly at fault; You don't have to pay for it as that would be the "double whammy" leaving you to peer from out from the shadows! Rob

Underdog; Weren't you nominated for president of this great country and declined? That was a pristine opportunity to engage the inherent problems within the laws and governances we must live under, and abide by, to offer a lead to a path of correction for the flaws that are important to you as brought to the forefront. No one has "blamed each other". In this example Other Dog has not blamed me for anything. I just "cut to the chase" and placed blame for the alternate paths some of these threads take where it belongs! This is of course; "The way that I see it". Rob

The blame rests squarly upon the laurels of that Other Dog character. Rob

always appreciated, (as you know). Rob

Well, Momma and I have come to a conclusion. She has decided to become reasonable and see things my way again, (I certainly hope she doesn't see that comment) and let me go ahead with my plans to place one of my "older" trucks on the road to replace the Dodge, rather than purchase a new heavy duty light truck. Other than a bunch of miles, there really is nothing wrong with the Dodge and it will be retained. I'm going to purchase a newer car to use as a "run around" vehicle, keep the Dodge for the horse trailer duties and such, then purchase a large trailer for behind one of the Macks. I can now see heaven in between the storm clouds by the way cause it's always easier when Momma agrees. Last evening I took a new Dodge one ton for a drive and was quite impressed by all but the price. It stickered at $44,283.00 with a $4000.00 rebate available from Chrysler Motors LLC. Now there is no way in this lifetime that I would ever spend that kind of money on a commuter vehicle so that sealed the fate on my end. I reported this to Momma, and it served the same purpose for her. I then went down the street to a horse show at the fairgrounds and spoke with two different parties that had newer Dodges like i was looking at and the economy from both was about 12mpg loaded, and about 18 empty. Both of these trucks were like equipt to what I was looking at; One was a 2007 model, the other a 2008. Both were 4 door, long bed, automatics, 6.7 ltr Cummins engine. Both operators were happy and repeat customers to the Dodge nameplate. It looks like now I may get to purchase a short drop deck trailer and outfit one of my R models for daily operation. Ahhh, Life is good. Thanks for all the advice and guidance. Rob

oooohhhhhh, I'll bet that leaves a red mark!!! American Smackdown begins....... Rob

Try austinhardware.com. They have all types of machinery knobs in many shapes, and sizes. Also try mcmaster.com. I prefer those originals also but don't have any extras that are not allocated. Rob

Looks like the makings of a fine young family there Double L! Rob

Now my grandpa did nothing to deserve this and I'm highly offended by this usage of his likeness without proper compensation applied to my personal bank account citing that I was the executor of his will. Rob

Yup. That danged ole Other Dog is guilty of adding to that dilemma too. I'm sure he hates it as much as you do, but a guy has to make a livin someway; no matter how low they must stoop; Even by driving a Pete. Rob

Try that with a new truck; Say a Pete........ I've never been a thief except one time with a buddy in high school. We were out on our dirt bikes and decided to grab us a couple of watermelons from a local farm field. I had a nice big juicy one as did my friend and we were walking back to our bikes when from the distance somebody yells; "Hey, what the F*%# are you kids doing"!! I suppose the natural progression of things when you are carrying merchandise that you have illegally acquired is to RUN!, (which I did after tossing the melon). Long story short is that I jumped on my bike and hauled ass down the trail, but not before I heard an explosion in the background just as I got moving. I find out later in the day that my buddy has several minor perforation(s) to the back of his legs, and back from a rock salt laden shotgun blast, we both had helmets on. He was in some serious pain once the adrenelin settled down. I remember him laying face up in a creek to wash the salt out. I did not get hit at all because I got moving first. I thought his dad was going to keel over with a heart attack he was laughing so hard when he found out what happened. Rob

Glad to see you did the job right. I'd feel safe operating the truck with that repair. Rob

That's such a welcome relief. I was getting a sore neck from all the moping around due to my sensitive side being picked on again. I think three wraps of ni-chrome wire around the thiefs' testicles with a limited amount of voltage applied to cauterize the wound would be adequate. This could be referred to a proper "severance package" due to the nature of the job performed. I hate thieves and think punishment should fit the crime without regards to reformation. Rob

Whole lot of inbreeding within the populace of Farmington, IL. Don't judge me by them as I'm not from here. Casey's General Stores: I don't patronize those communist bastards. They really scrape the bottom of the barrel for left over sludge to hire for employees. Pizza used to be good. Rob

An A-51 would have originally been a diesel engined truck with a Lanova combustion chamber design probably displacing 510 cubic inches but I'm no expert off the top of my head. This is based solely on what I've seen in the past and know to be original to a 1951 model year truck. Depending upon overall condition the truck could be worth it's weight across the scales, or it could be worth $5000.00 to the right person. A model parts are getting quite difficult to acquire due to age and those that have them want an exhorbitant amount for them. The A model production run was from 1950 through mid 1953 so parts are getting increasingly scarce. Fortunately, the A models predecessor, (E models) shared many of the components and are more available but require rework for fitment. My personal favorites are the A models. If you could post a photo many would enjoy it. Rob

All I got to do is use that "pu..." word and Momma is out to do battle that I can't win. Rob