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06-26-2010, 07:51 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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Older (1980's?) Chevy Bruin 4000 gal jet fuel tanker with ~1800 hours/31,000 miles fueling jets at the airport. Cat 3208 installed in 2002, Eaton Fuller 10 speed, two rear axles, total length of truck about 27-29', spring suspension (rusty ubolts). Truck is free, a friend who runs the avgas/jet fuel business is getting rid of it.
Can I do something with this, or is it not worth the hassle and cost? Based on what I've read, the cost is really buried in all the little stuff, and the conversion - not necessarily the truck. I'd really be doing the build for fun, as I really don't "NEED" a toter at this point. I can do a fair bit of the fabrication once I'm finished building my new shop.
Bottom line question... is this truck an okay platform to start from? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
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06-26-2010, 07:53 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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Oh, I forgot, GVW is about 45k based on my review of the last DOT inspection from a couple years ago. The wheels are dayton hubs and I'd like to switch to budd's so I can run alcoa's, but that will be a cost/hassle consideration.
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06-27-2010, 02:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Rockford
Posts: 490
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truck is plenty heave enough. but its built for hauling heavy loads at slow speeds. i would try driving to check top speed before going to far. also these trucks get a lot of running hours but low miles. they don't make that engine any more and i don't know about finding parts any more.
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07-05-2010, 09:52 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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Thanks volvoman. Appreciate the input. I didn't think about gear ratios, as I was assuming it would be easy enough to change gears, but never having worked on big trucks I might be assuming too much.
In thinking more about it, I might actually just convert this to a regular tractor with small sleeper, and then try to mount the tank on a separate trailer chassis. Then, I might get a bigger full size race trailer with living quarters. That way, I can get more use out of the truck, and in the future maybe get a dump trailer and lowboy to move equipment, in addition to the tanker.
Where can I find information about how the trucks are rated, as far as GVW?
Thanks for any help.
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07-07-2010, 05:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
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Sounds kind of neat. I like seeing all different kinds of campers. There is some guy running around with a airport fire engine that he converted into a crazy cool camper. Anybody know that guy's web site? I wonder if it's anything like your possible truck.
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'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
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07-07-2010, 06:03 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1,819
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Oh my gosh, I just found it: http://www.steelwheels4x4.info/-/steelwheels4x4/
Wow, the guy got divorced and he sounds like she took everything. Sold the camper. There are still some pics of it under the gallery section. I also found this about it: http://www.gizmag.com/go/3708/
Guess he should update that to note Ross' departure and where is that camper now?
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'03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio
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07-17-2010, 05:08 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
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Bob,
Thanks for posting the links to that camper... it's pretty neat! It's a cool machine.
Mine is just a run-of-the mill older jet fuel tanker, not a fire truck. The more I read about the costs on here, the more I think I'll just have to try and convert it to a road tractor. Right now I don't have the time and money to get into another big project.
Still neat to check out all the rigs, though!
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