|
|
Posted by Tom in Indiana [107.224.63.127] on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 01:51:20 :
In Reply to: Buy him a new Power Wagon...just out posted by Jerry in Idaho [24.223.94.244] on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 20:36:26 :
I'm not trying to sound rude, but you're asking the same question twice and expecting a different answer the second time around. TRUST ME- I wanted and contemplated the exact same thing you are when I got my first Power Wagon. These guys here were very supportive and understanding, but try as they might, couldn't penetrate my thick skull on just how difficult, expensive, and unrealistic my goal was. I have around $5000 invested in the parts to install a 360, NP435 transmission, Chelsea PTO, power disc brakes, power steering, and a good wiper setup into my '50. That's about $2000 short of what the final cost will (would) be, should I decide to go through with it, and I am an extreme cheapskate- everything I've bought for it was a deal, or I've made myself. Many of the parts that it takes to do these conversions just simply aren't made anymore, nor available. Many of them, you'd be stuck with fabricating yourself. Dan M's truck is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and almost exactly what I envisioned doing to my truck. What he has invested in it is far, far more than what we'd think, I'm sure. If money is no object, have at it. As has been said, it's not going to be what you anticipated, no matter the direction you start out on. The same thing with a chassis swap- it's been done, but has taken two of the guys I've seen do it YEARS to accomplish it. Shortening the frame is just the first major undertaking when going at it that way. If you want a true daily-driver FFPW, expect to invest, at the absolute minimum, $20,000. You only have to initiate Step #1 to see how fast the cost escalates. I'd love to see another customized truck done, if done right. But I know of three trucks right off of the top of my head that began the transformation just like you're wanting to do that ended up being abandoned at not even a quarter of the way, and attempted to be sold. Two, I know for sure, didn't even sell. The owners were asking less than half of what they'd invested, and couldn't get a single offer close to what they were asking. As far as I know, they're both still rusting away, making two more good trucks nothing but yard ornaments now. I have a '54 yard ornament, but that's what I have it for- parts storage. I've said it previously that I'm having serious second thoughts about my goal for my '50. For $7000, you're more than welcome to buy the parts I've worked my butt off finding, making, and obtaining for mine. Then, you'll STILL be far short of having it all. This isn't a small undertaking, and we've all tried to relay that to you. If you take many of our's advice and fix it up as-designed, you'll eventually be very glad you did, down the road. I agree with the guys now that I should've (and still can, at this point) just fixed the problems on the truck and use it for what it was originally designed for. I've delayed installing the first part of the swap, because I know that once I begin, I have to see it through. I have far too much respect for my truck than to destroy it, then try to shove it off as a failure and a hunk of metal that isn't worth half of what it was when I started. I hope, for both you and your trucks, the best for all; we here all do. The question is, do you?
Follow Ups: