I sometimes think the old man has a hand in the truck's life yet.
It's weird because when I decided to do the 235 conversion and I bought an engine .... I needed to find a T5 trans and soon after I got the engine, I found a trans for sale a few miles from where I work.
Then I needed a rear axle and soon found one locally from a '46 3/4-ton and then another one with 3:90 gears from a '55 truck. I bought both. The first rear had 4:56 gears and the second had 3:90. The first has a good housing but the second one the housing is in bad shape. Just so odd to find what I need so quickly and so close to home.
When I first went to put money down on the truck, I talked with the man. He was telling me stories of him and his Father logging on the mountain near where I live. He was just a little boy then. He said how they had the logs on a trailer and pulled by a team of horses. Coming down the mountain was scary dangerous as the trailer was skidding and pushing the horses.
He remembered those days like it was yesterday but about every two minutes, he's ask my name and where I was from. I'd tell him every time but his disease wouldn't let him remember. Sad that this man who had so much history in his head couldn't even remember how to feed himself.
The fella that was caring for him asked what my plans were for the truck. I said possibly restore it but not hot rod or chop it up. He liked that idea.
After having it so long, I decided to keep it looking as it is. It's still very solid but dented and worn. The engine and trans upgrade is just so I can enjoy it more and not blow the 216 apart ... LOL
