New (used) IH 7500 Dump Truck purchase, modification & fix up

[Hay Dude]

I think the body will have to wait a year for paint. Money getting tight for mounting body, PTO, hydraulic tank, cab controls, etc.

 

[Hay Dude]

The frame shop is threatening to replace my outer frames this week !!!!

Maybe some real progress is coming!

 

[mrmikey]

I was just wondering what was currently taking place, be sure to keep us updated, with pics preferably if you can

 

[Hay Dude]

I was just wondering what was currently taking place, be sure to keep us updated, with pics preferably if you can

I want to get pics, but we are so busy, I have little time to stop by.
On second thought with all the rain, maybe I will have some time.

Hopefully it gets done, then we can discuss mounting the dump body.
Like where to get best deal on PTO and pump, tank, accessories, etc.

Still don’t know if I should run air lines to the rear….might be an option to axe to help with the budget since I’m planning on an electric braked trailer anyway.

 

[mrmikey]

Still don’t know if I should run air lines to the rear….might be an option to axe to help with the budget since I’m planning on an electric braked trailer anyway.

Question...why electric brakes instead of air? I'd think air would be less trouble, isn't it?

If it's doable in your budget I would. Far site easier to do it now with nothing in the way that to work around everything later.
When I was working, the engineer we had, spec'd out the hydraulic system. At that time, it was a conventional open center tandem pump setup, one system for the salt spreading gear that consisted of a clock valve for the spinner and a clock valve for the actual spread rate in the same valve body. This was in the cab with the hydraulics running directly to it, yeah I know, oil in the cab but it's what it was.
The other valve was an air over, 5 section valve for the wing, plow and dump. We, (worker bee, dumb a$$es on the floor) heard they were toying around with a hydraulic operated wing extension so we suggested for the extra cost, why not put a 5th section in the valve bank and just cap it off...in case.
"Nahhh, total waste of money" yup, next year they went with the extension on new the builds, it was so well received the older trucks had to be retrofitted at a considerable cost, so....just sayin .

 

[Hay Dude]

Reason for electric brakes is so both my Ram 5500 and the dump truck can pull the trailer.

I would definitely prefer air brakes, but it’s an additional cost for the dump truck project. I would guess $2,000 more??
I may still do it, but an electric brake trailer seems more sensible. Especially since it won’t see heavy usage.

If i could find an electric over hydraulic brake system on a trailer, that might work pretty good, too.

 

[mrmikey]

I would guess $2,000 more??

Crap, I didn't realize it'd be that much more, easy for me to say do it when it's not my money LOL. I can see your point for going electric, makes total sense.

 

[groundcover]

Was looking at a friends ten wheeler yesterday. He replaced the frame rails over the winter and fixed up some issues on the dump bed. The bed was up and he showed me where he drilled and tapped for a grease fitting in the outer frame rail every foot. Thought being once a year or so go along and give it a shot to keep grease between them instead of rust, pretty clever.

 

[Hay Dude]

Crap, I didn't realize it'd be that much more, easy for me to say do it when it's not my money LOL. I can see your point for going electric, makes total sense.

Its ok. I appreciate most suggestions. Might still run air to the back. It makes complete sense.

 

[Hay Dude]

BIG BIG day today.
Drivers side frame(s) removed.

Passenger side being removed.

Here you can see the new outer frame on the left, freshly painted and the existing inner frame, repainted on the right.

The inner frame was used as a template to drill the outer frame, as you can imagine.

If all goes as planned, the new outer frames will make the truck look new & smooth.
Not sure if the juice will be worth the squeeze, but if I can keep total project cost below 60, my goals have been achieved.

New truck of this power with 4WD and a dump body would be $140K today.