• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Pete modifications

Orchard Ex

Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
1,051
Location
Southern MD
Things have been slow around here so I figured I'd add some of those "little gems" that I've had in the back of my mind for a while now.
(Oh yeah, and I got a new welder so finding reasons to use it may have had a little to do with the motivation.)

The dump body didn't come with front mud guards so I had some made and I attached 'em. Hopefully it will stop those rocks from chipping up the back of the cab and fenders...
DSCN0926 (Small).JPG

I've been kicking this around for a while too. I work alone a lot and have to drop/re hook the trailer in small spots and at funny angles. Pep Boy's had these wireless camera's for $79. I wired the camera power to the backup alarm and fabricated a mount to go up under the apron. The camera is angled to show the pintle at the bottom of the screen. No more being a couple inches off to one side! :D The screen is just sitting in the ashtray for now until I decide where to mount it.
DSCN0893 (Small).JPG

DSCN0895 (Small).JPG

This is my coal chute solution from last year. I welded 3 bolts to the inside of the door, cut a section of genuine NAPA mud flap and cut a piece of 1/8" strap to go over it to hold it in place. Pics show inside closed and outside open. Seems like it'll work, but I'm not sure how long it'll hold up. I rarely use the chute (partly because it's a PITA for clogging up) and it's mostly for decorative stone 3/4" and smaller, sometimes 2". We'll see how well it works soon.:)
DSCN0928 (Small).JPG

DSCN0929 (Small).JPG
 

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
You're a man after my own heart, Orchard Ex. I get called "eccentric" for all those kinds of ideas and modifications, but they all seem to work to my advantage, and I don't see anyone else spending the time OR energy making the extra effort to improve on something like those things you just depicted, in my environment, that is.

The camera's a dynamite idea. The coal chute... I beat you to that 15 yrs. ago on a couple of my aluminum dump trailers, but at least I see finally that I'm not the only one who likes to tinker.:D :scool
 

Jeff D.

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
1,280
Location
MN.
Looks good Orchard!:thumbsup
The dump body didn't come with front mud guards so I had some made and I attached 'em. Hopefully it will stop those rocks from chipping up the back of the cab and fenders...
It's hard to see the fender, being it's black. What kind of design did you go with? Are they steel, or rubber maybe?
The camera is angled to show the pintle at the bottom of the screen. No more being a couple inches off to one side! :D The screen is just sitting in the ashtray for now until I decide where to mount it.
I really like this idea! how's it been for getting road grime on the lense? Does it seem to stay clean?

All in all I'd say "Good job" on the mod's.
 

Orchard Ex

Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
1,051
Location
Southern MD
The coal chute... I beat you to that 15 yrs. ago on a couple of my aluminum dump trailers, but at least I see finally that I'm not the only one who likes to tinker.:D :scool

Dang Lowboy, where were you last year when I was asking about this idea!?
:) Thanks though, I got a double dose of the tinkering gene.:yup
Looks good Orchard!:thumbsup It's hard to see the fender, being it's black. What kind of design did you go with? Are they steel, or rubber maybe?.
The fender is just a typical dump body type. Square of steel with a lip on both sides to stiffen it up. I was thinking of the quarter fenders, but a shop up the road made these for $38.:cool: I painted them with good old tractor gloss black on the front and used spray on truck bed liner on the tire side. Hope it will stand up to the rocks better.:beatsme

I really like this idea! how's it been for getting road grime on the lense? Does it seem to stay clean?

All in all I'd say "Good job" on the mod's.

Ha ha, it takes rain on the road to make road grime. It doesn't seem to rain here anymore.:( Actually, I only need to see about 4 feet back so the crap on the lens doesn't matter that much. It is plastic though so I'm not sure how long it will last. I could replace it in under 10 minutes now so if it lasts a year + I'll be happy.:cool2
Thanks
-K
 

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
The fender is just a typical dump body type. Square of steel with a lip on both sides to stiffen it up. I was thinking of the quarter fenders, but a shop up the road made these for $38.:cool:

Actually, I only need to see about 4 feet back so the crap on the lens doesn't matter that much.


I must admit, the stainless, shiny quarter fender idea would have been my choice on such a nice little truck like that. Would dress it up nicer.They aren't severely expensive either, ranging from a hundred bucks for the lower end kind up to a couple hundred for the smooth look with no outside hardware showing. They sell the mounting kit for them which is just two "studs", as they're called...a solid piece of 1 1/2" O.D.(or whatever the I.D. of the fender mounting pipe is,) that's threaded inside with a long bolt. Just drill the frame and stick the bolt through and thread it into the stud, and VOILA!, shine city.:)
I wonder, if a piece of saran wrap with a rubber band over the camera lens, tight enough so no wrinkles, would help prolong the life of that item?:beatsme I saw a video camera in a race car last weekend at the dirt track mounted inside the cockpit with a ziplock bag over it...kind of crude but when he came back into the pits it was obvious the sandwich bag saved the life of the camera, given the amount of mud and dirt on it.
As for the monitor screen mounting...I found Velcro comes in all shapes, sizes and amounts at Wallyworld, or your favorite travel plaza. just cut to size, peel & stick in the location of your choice, and you'll be impressing every bystander that watches you "hit the pin" on that tag-a-long every time!:cool2

Nice work.
 

cat320

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Messages
913
Location
Stoneham,MA
I like the modifications you did . the camera is the best one even when your backing into tight spots you will better be able to see. The mud flap is a good idea especially with that extra protection your sprayed on.
The scuttle door looks good too I bet you have no problem
 

KW Kat

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
13
Location
Ventura County California
Quarter Fenders

Orchard Ex,
Nice modifications :notworthy - I'm heading over to Pep Boys for that camera now.


Low Boy,
I think these are the quarter fenders you were talking about.
 

Attachments

  • QTR Fender 1e.jpg
    QTR Fender 1e.jpg
    56.4 KB · Views: 646
  • Quarter Fender 2e.jpg
    Quarter Fender 2e.jpg
    46.7 KB · Views: 639

sbrem

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
128
Location
Guilford Vermont
The camera is angled to show the pintle at the bottom of the screen. No more being a couple inches off to one side!

I bet that will work really well. Good idea. A lot of times hooking up to the pintle I'll get it perfect in one shot, but other times it seems like it takes forever to get it right and I feel like a fool!
 

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
Orchard Ex,
Nice modifications :notworthy - I'm heading over to Pep Boys for that camera now.Low Boy,
I think these are the quarter fenders you were talking about.


Yes, Kat...that's one of the few styles I'd consider. Nice setup, by the way.:drinkup
 

Orchard Ex

Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
1,051
Location
Southern MD
That's cheating!!! :stirthepot :D

Yep!:D
Crappy cell phone picture but you can see the hook at the bottom of the screen just before it goes under the pintle ring. The screen actually looks much better, but it does get some interference sometimes, not enough to bother much though.
camera.jpg
 

nedly05

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
1,801
Location
Adk. Mtns, NY
Orchard,
I love your truck!!! I've always had a soft spot for the pete 330, and now the 335's. I would love to have one. How do you like yours? What do you have for power? Does the exhaust brake hold back well? Is it geared low enough? how does it ride/handle? How is the turning radius? I would love to have one with a black box/red cab!
 

Orchard Ex

Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 6, 2005
Messages
1,051
Location
Southern MD
Orchard,
I love your truck!!! I've always had a soft spot for the pete 330, and now the 335's. I would love to have one. How do you like yours? What do you have for power? Does the exhaust brake hold back well? Is it geared low enough? how does it ride/handle? How is the turning radius? I would love to have one with a black box/red cab!

Thanks nedly. I really like it a lot. 300 hp ISC. The exhaust brake does OK, it's not as powerful as a compression brake but it keeps me from needing the service brakes as much. It's geared fine, rides a little rough empty but not bad (spring suspension) but fine with a few tons or more in the box, turn radius is probably a little better than my ex-cab silverado. Red/Black = UGA Bulldogs colors:thumbsup
 
Top