Will this truck work?

[James2]

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.

 

[James2]

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.

 

[volvoman]

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.

 

[James2]

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.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

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.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

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?

 

[James2]

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!