Bucketlist & DIY

[Trinityz1]

since 1987, I've wanted a pickup that was setup like a semi in the cab

originally I would've put in a tall block 454...BUT...have switched since
to wanting a diesel since it's to be a work truck

I actually want a small sleeper on it, not just for me, but for a dog or 2
to travel with me ....1 for long trips, a couple 3 on short trips like to town
or to get feed, etc

and gives them some place to be while I'm driving
Basically I want a mini-semi....I do NOT want a F*CKING computer in it
I want more power than I need and a real Jacobs Brake
I want to be able to haul hay when I need to and the power to do it
or if I need some steel, or RR ties, or whatever and I get a deal
of buy something at an auction, so I can save on freight

and I want a Flip FWD hood like a conventional
so I can flip the hood Fwd and just step in to work on it
I'm totally sick and tired of leaning over a hood or fender....

After watching Phantom Works enough times and other projects on
Motor Trend -MT- channel, I was inspired to bring this project back
to my to do list...I want 4x4, a BIG fuel tank....enough to go 1000-1200 miles
without stopping

I want a drive train tough enough for the power but set up
and geared for some bad ass economy
Depending on the motor I get put in
I might even go for air ride and train horn on top
I want gauges for everything
the tranny, the rear axle,, the front axle, for temp
Pyrometer, oil pressure, Tach, water temp....air pressure....
there's some good stuff on that bus I just bought

Front seat might even be usable....and I want tilt wheel and cruise control
I want the top of the cab raised.......taller than norm like in a Kodiak
power window on the R side and manual on the left
I want big ass side mirrors and a serious backup light
for assholes that ride your ass at night with brights on
or maybe even a spotlight

I figured out how to do it in '87....with a tall block 454
scavenging what I needed from a used Ryder truck

I actually built a short block 454 that could run with a 350 Cummins
loaded at 80,000....while I was loaded at 40,000.....
I got 7 mpg loaded and 9 mpg empty....it was not too shabby
had a rear axle from a motor home under it with a 10' flatbed
and used an inverted smaller 5th wheel.......with a 40' gooseneck trailer
I had special built, but had to rebuild since Sundowner did a shitty job
had to redo the roof and double the rivits , had a 10' deck and inside
was 10' from floor to ceiling with vacuum over hydraulic brakes
with vacuum hoses that ran to a 2nd booster on the trailer.....

one big downside was the bench seat....I added a reefer tank
on the flatbed that held like 120 gallons plus the tanks with the truck

I don't need schnazzy.....I want the ultimate work truck
that is comfortable...but with rocker switches like I had in may last KW
and room to add as many as I want.....
a kick ass stereo and speakers and my badass old CB with a linear

and a minimum 2000-2500 watt power inverter that I can run 120 off of
and make my own coffee, have a small micromave....
I want to be comfortable on a road trip......

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/221220/item/DF8193/2000-Orion-Transit_Vehicles-Bus-Colorado

I had 3 minutes to pull the trigger on the bus....
quick looked up the weight and all I could find was one of the engines
for sale with the weight listed at 400 lbs....

guess what.....WRONG.....try over 2100 lbs....
so might just be selling that motor....unsure about the Allison tranny
not having to shift...might be nicer than having a 7 speed spicer with overdrive
you need 7...NOT 6 gears in a truck
you need a really low 1st on the bottom and an OD on top
with 5 in between

ok so that's my current bucket list item that has my boss in a fit....

that bus.....it's cool.