Wow, What a great forum! I am novice mechanic. I am excited because I am working with a relative who is an excellent engineer/mechanic, 2nd generation that has worked on these trucks. HE can fabricate ANYTHING, including doing brakes/linings..etc.. I am still absorbing your posts..
From what I have read from your replies so far, I would go with option a- keep it original, check it for safety, etc.. make sure drivetrain doesnt leave me on the side of the road and slowly upgrade what doent work .. again after listening to all of your advice.. I will edit this post or add as I go - reading this thread.
Wayne - "
Your split rims will accommodate radials. You will need tubes and liners. I ditched my split rims because I only had 1 truck tire shop near me. A normal tire store won't touch the split rims."
Jerry - "
If it's got 22" wheels, that's also been changed from the 20" wheels it probably came with when it was new, probably looking for more road speed at the expense of performance on hills without downshifting." Wow I did not know that.. Now I have to figure out whether to get 20" or keep it like it is.. Options: I would have to figure out where to get 20" at a reasonable price and ideally not split rim or 22" inch or keep it as is.. got a truck place here that is great.(PA) from the pic you can see they look awesome..
K - I have the 131" wheelbase.. I dont know how I found this truck,, it is exactly what I wanted and hard to find..
H- I wont be driving in traffic. I would only take back roads until I can get time and money to upgrade if I hate driving it the way it is. "
Unless you're an expert at adjusting the oil clearance on Babbit connecting rods, your daily driving is going to end up with a noisy engine pretty quickly, followed by serious rod knocks. " I will ask my brother in law if he knows how to do this. Is the adjustment every so many miles?
"
Then there's the "crash box" transmission- - - -how good are you at shifting up and down in a traffic situation with a non-synchronized transmission?" I am a really good driver but still learning. I saw a video on this, I will have no problem. I havent driven it yet until I check I it all out.. Apparently the engine, trans, (closed) driveline and read ALL GO TOGETHER (wow) . so does this wear out or if its been greased - last forever? How do you know when its bad? They drove it up on the trailer and it sounded GREAT! and quiet lol...
KJ - "
Am I correct in assuming you have not yet driven this truck out in traffic or on any public access road?" Yes I have not yet. Yes, I want to get to know the truck as is first - I agree.
People were stopping us on the road. Three people wanted to buy it and on the highway, cars were slowing.. lol
