Tweet
When does a guy give up on a trusty (and rusty) good reliable old truck? I know there are all sorts of formulas, and some limits created by one's tolerance for exasperation. But I am caught by the good ability to weld, the conflict with time available, the aging (my body) process that makes sliding under the truck difficult, and the pain of rust particles (stones) falling into my eyes everytime I do go under the good old Dodge.
So to the specifics.... This is my 86 W250 with original sno-fighter package with the 360 727 205 setup with a Spicer 60 FA. It has been used most of its life as a farm truck by me and as a snow plow truck since it was new. It has 62,000 original miles (all of them "working miles"). I have owned it since '89.
As I was adjusting rear brakes last weekend, I looked around and saw the rust blisters on the frame, driveshaft, and everywhere to be the size of barnicles on an old boat. With screwdriver already in hand to adjust the rear brakes, I poked around a bit on the frame, and just below the front edge of the 8 ft box, the screwdriver went right through the side of the frame rail, and then I see a crack down through the bottom flange of the frame at that same spot. OMG, there is a snowstorm predicted and I need it to plow on Tuesday morning. Well the snow did come, and I plowed with the crack in the frame, and the frame metal so thin that welding it would be fruitless. On one of the plowing accounts, the ice was quite bad, and I had to plow on the steep uphill to get into the place, and the truck was jumping up and down. The snow was heavy and wet, not coming off the blade easily, so when I ran out of traction, I'd have to back out and take a run at the spoils left by the blade from the last attempt. Repeat about 6 times before getting into easier snow. The old Dodge was giving its "all" to get a real nasty job done. When I finally got to the top of this 1/4 mile "goat trail", I could then plow downhill after clearing a large enough area at the top to turn around.
I am suprised the frame rail did not split completely. It has earned another fix, I just can't give up on this hard working old gal. But it won't be an easy fix, as there is so little good metal to weld to.
Dang Rust!!
Paul in MN
So to the specifics.... This is my 86 W250 with original sno-fighter package with the 360 727 205 setup with a Spicer 60 FA. It has been used most of its life as a farm truck by me and as a snow plow truck since it was new. It has 62,000 original miles (all of them "working miles"). I have owned it since '89.
As I was adjusting rear brakes last weekend, I looked around and saw the rust blisters on the frame, driveshaft, and everywhere to be the size of barnicles on an old boat. With screwdriver already in hand to adjust the rear brakes, I poked around a bit on the frame, and just below the front edge of the 8 ft box, the screwdriver went right through the side of the frame rail, and then I see a crack down through the bottom flange of the frame at that same spot. OMG, there is a snowstorm predicted and I need it to plow on Tuesday morning. Well the snow did come, and I plowed with the crack in the frame, and the frame metal so thin that welding it would be fruitless. On one of the plowing accounts, the ice was quite bad, and I had to plow on the steep uphill to get into the place, and the truck was jumping up and down. The snow was heavy and wet, not coming off the blade easily, so when I ran out of traction, I'd have to back out and take a run at the spoils left by the blade from the last attempt. Repeat about 6 times before getting into easier snow. The old Dodge was giving its "all" to get a real nasty job done. When I finally got to the top of this 1/4 mile "goat trail", I could then plow downhill after clearing a large enough area at the top to turn around.
I am suprised the frame rail did not split completely. It has earned another fix, I just can't give up on this hard working old gal. But it won't be an easy fix, as there is so little good metal to weld to.
Dang Rust!!
Paul in MN
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
Comment