NY-B61 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Found this iron soldier when I was out today. Anything can be restored if you have the time and money. Or money and time.Other BMT'rs and I often ask "How restorable is it?" about Mack's and other makes of older heavy trucks. I apologize in advance for the picture quality, but I wanted to throw two questions out there and see the education that results from people who would know. The answers might be helpful to both soon-to-be and first-time owners like myself.A.) Is this REO, in the condition shown, worth restoring to plain old, road-driveable condition?B.) What do you think it would cost to put it back in to plain old, road-driveable condition?That's it. No hooks or gimmicks except personal labor doesn't count, because how do you assign a value? What's the cost of a labor of love? Etc., etc. I think it's a fair stipulation. Other than that, the gate's open! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ditchkus Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I have a 1965 REO Model D-630. It is a long wheelbase tandem V-8 440 cu.in. REO engine,5X3 trans. Sheet metal is decent. Although I like the Lansing Cab REO'S they do not have a lot of $$$ value. Some of the later REO gas engines had liners.They were good trucks in their day. My REO is worth more in scrap than in resale. Just my opinion. Joe D. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274639 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY-B61 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Opinions is all I'm looking for. The price of scrap can fluctuate though. That's why I took labor of love out of the original equation. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274645 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Actually for what it is it looks pretty solid. Glass is all flat so it's cheap. Make a good hot rod. Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274655 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Just my .02,but that truck looks too far gone to me to restore,unless it had some sentimental/family history probably not worth doing. And like most restorations,you could put upwards of $50K in it,and still end up with something worth $5.............just sayin' Mark Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274657 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 don't know how save able it is but I know I driven worse! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274662 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post grayhair Posted January 17, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 17, 2015 Reminds me of my B20. Brakes probably shot, wiring definitely shot, every rubber item petrified, snow on the dash so it is likely the gauges no good, switches no good, engine seized, and on and on. Could invest a fortune and risk losing interest along the way. With apologies to the purists amongst us, I'd rather see that body dropped onto a running chassis, school bus, or even say a Chevy C65 or C70. To me, that would be preferable to scrapping it. Wouldn't please everyone, but at least it could be made roadworthy and alive once again. I'd love to see that baby cruising down the interstate at 80 mph no matter what the drivetrain. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274670 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 To me if you think about it as I already have one and it will be for spares or I would like to get and restore one and it would be ideal for spares I dont think you could go wrong if the price is right Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274673 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY-B61 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 "Reminds me of my B20. Brakes probably shot, wiring definitely shot, every rubber item petrified, snow on the dash so it is likely the gauges no good, switches no good, engine seized, and on and on. Could invest a fortune and risk losing interest along the way...."That is a great answer. How many first-timers, all with good intentions, have lost interest along the way once they realized the corresponding investment in time and money? Or money and time? I have a partially completed FC-170 in the garage left over from when I was deciding whether to make the leap to a real truck. I have no interest in completing it, but it's kept the garage full for four years! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274682 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchhopper Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I have gone this way restoring pre war packards by the time you bring it back from the dead you will have enough into it you could have bought one with minimal cash and achieved the same result unless you want the satisfaction of bringing something back from the dead. I have done it both ways and now that Im quite a bit older and somewhat wiser I choose the way of least resistance but its your money and time so choose whatever way you wish good luck. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274697 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I hate to say it but usually the off brands don't have much reasale value , the Macks, Brockways, Whites seem to hold their value and while you'll never get out what you put into one, you will get some of your money back. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Basically it is how much a fan of a brand a person is.. A dedicated REO person would go further and spend more than the average Joe. Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274714 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 i like it....drove a 1960 reo when i was 20,,had a gas job,,,and a 4x3 2 stick,for a short while nice memory,s,,,,personally i think thier cool..... if your interested in the truck ,,,go for it,,,who cares about $$$$$$$ have a ball...bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274752 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I have gone this way restoring pre war packards by the time you bring it back from the dead you will have enough into it you could have bought one with minimal cash and achieved the same result unless you want the satisfaction of bringing something back from the dead. I have done it both ways and now that Im quite a bit older and somewhat wiser I choose the way of least resistance but its your money and time so choose whatever way you wish good luck.Your not the gentleman who bought my pair of 1939 Packard / Henney limos about 10 years ago? They went to the Chicago area. They were complete but all the wood was gone. Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-274772 Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Binder Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 IS IT WORTH IT? That's up to you. This would not be a tough one if you go into the project with the understanding that you're going to have to touch every nut, bolt, and screw on the truck. I think you have to ask yourself, do I have the time? This one will take some time. Do I have the space and tools to do it with? What part of the restoration are you going to pay someone else to do? Can you do it all? From metal fabrication to paint to mechanical repairs. Is the truck complete? How many parts are you going to have to find? And probably most important, to what level of restoration are you considering? Like new original or get it running and put a little paint on it. The big out of pocket cost is having to pay someone else to do the work. As a good friend used to say," If it will cast a shadow it can be restored". Hope to see it running in a couple of years. This one would be a labor of love on your part. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-275490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I'm with Dan. If you WANT to do it, do it. Just for the labor of love if that is what makes you tick. If you have the cash, the place and the time it is all up to you.Granted, like any restoration it is always cheaper to just buy something running from someone that got "tired of it".By the looks, the body will be the worst part(like finding headlight buckets), beside getting the engine running. Other then moss, the frame looks pretty clean. 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38480-restorable-rusting-reo/#findComment-275496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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