Old Dump Truck

[ToadHill]

At that age you should investigate antique insurance for it. They have a limit on miles per year but if you only use it once in a while it should work for you.

 

[machmeter62]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1966 Chevy 1 ton Dump Truck. The truck itself ran a couple of years ago, but has been parked in the barn for the past 2 years. Went to try to start it, but no luck, also no brakes.
Apparently there was gas getting to the carb, cause it was running down the carb, but never fired. I was told the dump hydraulics worked well.

My questions are.(1) I think we could get it running, but not sure what could be damaged by sitting so long. (2) on Older vehicles, can you get parts w/out too much trouble or at a reasonable price? (3) Is non leaded gas a problem with the older engine? (4) Although this seems to be cheap on the front end, I see a lot of work, Anyone with similar experience want to offer some advice..

Thanks for any ideas...

If it isn't a rust bucket, beat up interior/exterior, dump box in reasonable shape, and working, tires should be in reasonable shape stored in a barn, unless dry-rotted. If the purchase price is good; you can afford to put a few bucks into it, and still have a good truck, and be money ahead? One ton dumps are popular and easy to sell. I think it's his responsibility to get it running; unless he wants to sell it "dirt cheap!?" Did he quote a firm price, or a "WAG?" As mentioned by another; it could be a classic, and parade ready with a little TLC?

I purchased a '78 Ford F-350 dump truck with a hydraulic lift in good shape with a Cleveland 351 cu. in. V-8 engine for $3500 with a 10.000 GVW; I did replace all the tires however. My purchase was made in '88. I would check the GVW rating posted on the door post. I think Chev's of that vintage were 9,000#?

Depending upon your mechanical skills; my top offer without seeing it, would be $1500< as a tow-away? Good luck!

I restored mine over the years, and everytime I go to a material yard or quarry it draws a crowd, and is only 30 yrs old?

 

[ctjstr]

I had a not too different deal fall into my lap about 6 months ago, and I'm now the proud owner of a '63 GMC dump truck. The initial cost was zero..gift. I've got about 4-500 in it total so far, not including operating costs and insurance.

The hydraulics on the box didn't work, so I tied the box to a tree branch and drove forward to raise the box up. Blocked it up and added a ton on hydraulic oil to the cylinder. Works fine ever since. Had to replace the master cylinder, which is a dual cylinder thing, used for both the clutch and brakes. Also had to replace the slave cylinder on the clutch. Plugs, wires and a carb and its a real hot rod now.

Biggest headache is the thing does not have a two speed rear end, so top speed in high gear is about 50 mph and you can **** near watch the gas guage go down. I probably get 5 mpg or so, on a good day.

But, as mentioned before, the thing puts me way high on the "cool meter", so its worth having.

I found it was less headache to just insure it for liability year round. Costs me about 300 for the year. I could have insured it on a call in basis, but after a few trips in a year, the costs would even out, and knowing me, I'd forget to call.

So far, all the stuff had been easy to find and relatively in-expensive. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Have fun with the new toy.

 

[machmeter62]

I believe the one ton trucks of that vintage probably had the same gear ratio as the 70's generation with 4:10 to 1. Mine averages 10 miles per gallon with a four speed manual gear box.

I also have a '78 Chevrolet one ton dually, but not a dump truck; with the last year of the 400 cubic inch small bloc V-8, four barrel carb, three speed auto transmission, and it came standard with the 4:10 gears too. It also gets the same 10 MPG on fuel. I have a tachometer in it, and it turns 3000 RPM +/- at 55 MPH.

 

[JESSE1]

Check out my "Old Iron" thread on page 4. There's a lot of satisfaction in getting a veteran vehicle running. They're generally easy to work on but that doesn't mean low cost. You should have a pretty easy time finding parts for a Chevy. The biggest problem driving an older truck is people tend to swerve when they go by you. They either don't know what it is or they used to drive one and haven't seen one in a long time.