Modifications of this sort are usually done for one of three reasons:
1. Owner may not be aware that the proper replacement parts are available.
2. Owner may not be concerned about originality.
3. Cost. These old farm trucks are only used for a few weeks a year, mostly during harvest. The primary goal is to keep it running when it is needed, without sticking a lot into it. So if a gauge quits working, find one someplace and stick it in there. If you need a saddle tank, rig up a barrel. Not the ideal solution, but that's how it was done. It didn't matter what it looked like as long as it worked.
My own truck is an example of this. It also was a farm truck. The engine blew up. The guy's son in law had this V8 lying in his garage. His buddy had a welder and a torch. Viola! They were back in the field hauling corn! It ain't pretty, but it works.
Last edited by Rich'sToys; 05/25/2013 9:20 AM.
