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78 Ford L9000 w 6V92 ( Been Sitting )

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
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Hey Guys,

I'm looking for some feedback... After failing to find local small dump trucks in MN area...

OK... If I want an old rust bucket, Then I hit the Jackpot...

Anywho, a relative I worked with years ago... Said he'd GIVE ME his 78 Ford L9000 w/ 6V92

He normally kept his equipment maintained , As he's getting older... He'll just have his Excavator

Delivered to the Job.... ( He's pushing 72 )

I'm going to buy his Trail-eze 20 ton trailer... Drive my Ranger down there ( Arizona ) and load it

on the trailer... Bringing Oil and tools with me...

The Truck has been "Sitting" for a few years... I will buy 4 fresh Batteries...

I'm not really worried about the Engine coming back to life...

My concern is more with the Tires... The Truck is a 10 wheeler ( Tandem )

I figure if I lose a tire or two... I don't need all the tires in place running "Empty"...

I could actually run it on 6 tires... Or 4 tires on the Trail-eze...

What my question is...

Air Pressure and traveling speed...

I'm thinking 10 psi less in the tires...(110 psi ) and try to keep the speed 70 or under...

and hope for the best... All the way to Upper Minnesota
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I'm not really sure How long it sat... Or... How UV may have weakened the rubber...

But we're talking AZ...

On a good note... This truck has NEVER seen salt....and never will if I can help it...
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Feed back welcome, Sorry for the Loooooong post.
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Gotta Fly...
Mike & "Jaz" the Flying Dogz
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denver m farms

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
226
Location
Ava missouri
Occupation
Farmer/cattle buyer/ construction/excavating
Sounds like something we would do. What transimission and suspension does the truck have? If it was me I would run the tires at 100psi and stay at about 60mph. I like a 6v92 and most all detroits myself, I bet it's a good truck for you. I just about bought a 1976 9000 with a 6v82 a couple years ago but it was to far gone to be on the road.
 

06Pete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
174
Location
MD
You might not need all the tires but the DOT will for sure think you do and the fine will probably be more than all new tires. I would think running empty 7 or 8 year old tires would make it but I bet shipping it would be cheeper in the long run. By the time you figure fuel your time and even one road service call I bet it would be at your door for the same $. That is not even considering your hearing loss sitting behind that screaming jimmy for that long.
 

Old Doug

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
4,573
Location
Mo
I dont think you will have to worry about going to fast. If i had any doubts about the steer tires i would replace them. Even if one gos and you dont crash haveing one replaced out on the side of the road will cost more than at a shop.I did what your about to do alot years ago. My dad and his buddys bought and sold old trucks to make extra money.
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Yeah, I'll be looking at the Front tires with more care...

One of the reasons "I" was thinking of not going TOO low on tire pressure was because I was concerned with

Rubber rubbing Rubber... Plus... Lower pressure and the tire would have more foot... Which is bending the rubber more...?

The Truck has a 10 speed.... I'm not positive, But I think it's Hendrick suspension.. Or is that just a walking beam ?

Glad to hear youz guyz agree a little... I was born at Night... But it wasn't LAST NIGHT..... HA !
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Gotta Fly...
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PS I'll probably head out later this week... Semi retired... Nothing else to do right now...

I'm gonna try to get a small excavating co together once the Truck and trailer can transport my Backhoe & Skid Loader.
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But... I have plenty of work on the property to use everything... Trenches , 1/2 mile Driveway , Runway for the Airplane.

Need a lot of gravel runs... and let's not forget snow removal...
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JDOFMEMI

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
3,074
Location
SoCal
All that and no picture of the truck?

I would do it, just check it over good and seriously consider new steer tires. That will make for 2 spares for the trip home. Also, before you get started, check what permits you will need for the states you will have to travel to get home. Trip permits are expensive. Sometimes you can save some money buying them in advance.

Sounds like an adventure.
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Trip Permit ?

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I don't get it... Why would I need a permit to travel empty... Not for Hire...?
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Yeah... I haven't seen the truck in years... But I know the guy always takes care of his stuff.
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I asked him to send a picture... No Joy.
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Gotta Fly...


All that and no picture of the truck?

I would do it, just check it over good and seriously consider new steer tires. That will make for 2 spares for the trip home. Also, before you get started, check what permits you will need for the states you will have to travel to get home. Trip permits are expensive. Sometimes you can save some money buying them in advance.

Sounds like an adventure.
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Although... That got me thinking... I "DO" need the transfer title paper for the trip back...
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Gotta Fly...
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old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
How about current DOT inspection and stickers. I often do what you are doing. I travel the secondary highways, stay away from the scales, and take my time. A couple times I ran only at night. Out of site, out of mind. The not for hire sign is a good thing. Good luck with it and keep us posted.
 

monster76

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
526
Location
Miami Fl
Occupation
Contractor
I'd run full pressure an aired up tire usually run cooler Imo keep the speed as low as you can and do it I done this bring junk down from and to Florida and I've had the best luck with aired up tires
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Hey Guys,
I've been figuring out the paper work today... I'll need the Title... I'll register it in MN , get a 90 travel paper

and probably plates... Also, I talked with Butch about WHERE the truck has been sitting...

Sounds like it has been sheltered from direct sunlight... That should help with Tire issues...

I'm agreeing with Monster about Tire pressure... But I was thinking 10 psi low.... 110psi...
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I'll probably head out next week...
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I'll be posting pictures later.
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Gotta Fly...
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PS Yes... I've thought about grabbing an old log book... and documenting travel , just to be on the safe side...
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planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Pictures of the Truck

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Hey Guys,

I wrote Butch and asked for a picture...

Looks like he took them today...

As "Free" trucks go.... This is a pretty good one...

Something I noticed he changed since I drove this truck 25 years ago...

Floatation tires in the rear...

Looks like concrete truck rims...

Usually we had rims without that "Lip"...

The lip would hold pea gravel or dirt... from the Job Site..

Hmmm, I'm guessing this isn't "L" 9000

Got info about it ?
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Comments welcome.

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Gotta Fly...
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PS He had the Bed built with tempered steel... Doesn't dent easy... Also Tailgate is Double Hinged.

and... The sides of the Box... everything slants "down"... So dirt or rocks slide off...
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wilko

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2005
Messages
362
Location
Oregon
I'd take it to a good local shop, tell them what you're doing and have them give it a once over. Grease and inspect everything.Then I'd get it DOT inspected with fresh stickers. Then I'd run around local to see if any gremlins pop up before I hit the road. Don't be surprised if the brake S-Cam bushings are sticky and the brakes want to hang up.
Ditto on getting permits for each state in advance. You don't want to get red tagged in the middle of nowhere. This all applies to the trailer also.
 

wilko

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2005
Messages
362
Location
Oregon
Did I mention change the fuel filter and have half a dozen more under the seat?
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
.
I'll be bringing tools with me... and he mentioned a case of filters... He's gathering the stuff that goes with the truck.

Gotta Fly...
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Did I mention change the fuel filter and have half a dozen more under the seat?
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Almost ready to Go...

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Just about got everything ready to go...

Had a Hell of a time getting a D.O.T. number...

Driving me nuts... Put the wife on that project... SHE DID IT !!!
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I talked with a local State Trooper... he said I didn't need the DOT number yet...

But try explaining THAT to ever scale from AZ to MN
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There were some old Magnetic Signs laying around here...

I pulled the Vinyl lettering off.... except the Phone Number and other Misc...

Put the New Company Name ( Think fast , DOT needs a name )

All the Names with "Mike's" this or that were taken..... Figures

I was mentioning how I was a 3rd generation Excavator...

The Wife mentioned 3G , Good enough.
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Anywho, Doctored up the signs... It'll look better than Duct Tape and Magic Marker...
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Gotta Fly...
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kshansen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,180
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Sound like the wife is going to be asking for a raise:D

She took care of DOT and now she is a graphic artist for coming up with the clever name:cool2

Sounds like a keeper;)
 

planecrazzzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
190
Location
MN
Occupation
Operator , Cert Welder , Class "A" Truck Driver
Adventures

Did you get the truck back? Any adventures?

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No adventure yet...

Well... The Wallet has been on an adventure...

I have a Mechanic that works on it...

He changed the Foot Valve control...

Sort of an Air Manifold area...

and he's been working on a Trailer emergency parking brake air valve...

Plus... some secondary system valve...

Once he finishes these... It should build Air in Primary and Secondary Air...

Then I might have him change all the Brake Diaphragms...

Since it's been sitting... and I hit small mountain at the beginning of the trip...
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Once things are ready... I'll fly out there and the adventure will begin.
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Gotta Fly...
Mike & "Jaz" the Flying Dogz
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