2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Green Monster's last ride ? perhaps

[David_VT]

Hello friends,

The Green Monster and I made friends in May of 99 when I picked up the sparkling brand new 2500CTD quad cab 4x4 from the local dealer. I had upgraded from my anemic California restricted 91 suburban after driving it from Washington state to Vermont and being passed by countless CTD Ram's hauling campers...



We had a good run here in Vermont. The CTD fired up at -40F for many winters and supported my volunteer fire and ambulance work for years.



It never worked hard pulling anything but did drag me through many a snowstorm long before plow trucks tried my rural roads.



Well the salt has been killing the beast for the last few years.



Yesterday I lost all the brakes and found two locations where the brake fluid was pouring onto the ground. I foolishly limped it home on the parking brake.



I fear this was the last ride of the Green Monster. I am still 20K miles from my goal of reaching 200K but I am not sure there is enough to work with to invest in the brakes. 3rd syncro is gone, the front end will not pass inspection again without major investment, every body panel is rotten and the doors too..... I guess I will park it for the winter and see how thing look in the spring.



The mighty Cummins is still very strong but soon it may have to pull itself down the road by the fan blade...



Perhaps I need to let it go and so it can cross paths with HVAC (Nowell).



Bummer, sorry old friend... ... ... ... .

 

[HHhuntitall]

Umm, try looking for a body here in the Southwest. I know a guy who has over 500 in his back yard... ... some stacked 3 deep. A 1/2 ton is a good donor for a body.

 

[David_VT]

You know, if someone made moving vehicle bodies around the country as easy and lower risk as a running vehicle, I would jump all over this idea.
But, how does one pick a rust free body from a yard across the country and have any confidence that it will arrive in the shape needed for a makeover?
Thoughts anyone?? seriously.....

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'm not sure what kind of equipment you have available, but a hotshot service could haul it. And if you buy a rolling chassis, it wouldn't be hard at all to load and unload. I think I know where some may be in southern Ok, if you're interested. I'd think you could buy a good rolling 1/2ton chassis for around 1500-2000, with the options you want, pretty clean, but I don't know what the shipping would be..... At 1800+ miles, that's gonna get expensive in a hurry.....

 

[Olmsted]

You could probably ship it cross country for a bit more than a grand. The Southwest USA is littered with good sheetmetal. Lots of work but could be done.....

 

[rrl989]

Rotted out brake lines are normal in the Northeast. It's very easy to run new lines and rid yourself of all those junction blocks. I did my lines last year after having them blow twice. No more concerns now.

 

[jgillott]

You know, if someone made moving vehicle bodies around the country as easy and lower risk as a running vehicle, I would jump all over this idea.

But, how does one pick a rust free body from a yard across the country and have any confidence that it will arrive in the shape needed for a makeover?

Thoughts anyone?? seriously.....

A friend of ours here did this for his '94. He purchased an entire body from a company out of Georgia. If I remember correctly, the company was called "The Chop Shop" The Chop Shop - Stocked Parts. The company shipped the parts up here in a box truck with a lift gate. 4 of us were there to help unload the parts in to the shop. The truck turned out quite well. I can't comment on what the cost was however, but I don't think it was that bad.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Off Topic...

David_VT, Is your ESPAR heater still working?

 

[budnate]

as long as it rolls, a roller can be shipped for about a grand.



B.

 

[David_VT]

Hi HEMI!!
Nope the ESPAR wiring harness rotted out after a couple years... Bummer as I really enjoyed the heat it provided. But the RAM software upgrade for high idle made a MAJOR difference for cold weather!!!

 

[David_VT]

OK, great! I will bite on a rolling chassis if some of you can help me locate some candidates or reliable sources. I see some pointers in the thread above. Others???
As to the brake lines, I will probably try to replace them. Last time I tried I ran into problems with the line ends/terminations. Any suggestions as to best source for these?
I have a spare engine so I really want to stay with this generation if I can.

 

[HHhuntitall]

ON the brake lines, try these guys. I had a custom set of lines made for a mad-scientist project I had a few back, as well as two restoration cars I did, and several NHRA cars Dad and I did. They'll make them in SS, too, pretty reasonable. I believe they made the front to rear lines for the Coyote Interceptor around $100, pre-bent, $40 for the extended SS braided flex line, and around $70 for the rear axle lines. Right Stuff Detailing (800) 405-2000 Pre-Bent Brake Lines, Pre-Bent Fuel Lines| Right Stuff Detailing



If I recall correctly, they didn't list the ext-cab long bed, but they can make them. If nothing else, you can get bulk tubing in SS from them, with the correct fittings... ...

 

[HBarlow]

There are at least two hotshot haulers with gooseneck flatbed trailers among TDR membership - EB and TulsaOkie. You might try pm contacting them to see if either is interested in hauling one for you. My guess is you will pay around $1. 50/mile or more. No one is going to haul a truck body or rolling chassis 1800 miles one way for less than $1000. His costs would exceed that figure.

 

[JMetzger]

This one is for Harvey & I guess I am high jacking the thread but when you were pulling new trailers where did you stay overnight in the colder weather? The reason I ask is it looks like the wife & I will be moving to IN & we probably will have to stay in motels(UGH) as the RV will probably be winterized as it will be in late Oct early Nov when we travel. Any thoughts or helpful tips would be welcomed from Harvey or anyone else. Thanks

 

[HBarlow]

Jack,

I'll be happy to answer your question and provide suggestions but lets not hijack this poster's thread.

Please start a new thread or pm me and I'll respond.

 

[ewcmr2]

. My guess is you will pay around $1. 50/mile or more. No one is going to haul a truck body or rolling chassis 1800 miles one way for less than $1000. His costs would exceed that figure.

I paid 80 cents per mile to have a dually hauled from Flagstaff to SoCal. My friends ship their racecars from SoCal to Lincoln NE every year and end up @ $1200 round trip.



You can't get these prices hauling individual vehicles, you need a auto transport hauling 8-11 cars at once.

 

[HBarlow]

That's true but no car transport company is going to load and haul a truck body or rolling chassis on a nine car hauler.

 

[David_VT]

yep hot shot vs auto transport is what I figured is the problem the last time I considered this idea. However, I do travel around the country quite a bit and who knows if I might find myself near one of these sources mentioned above. I appreciate the ideas everyone! thx much

 

[David_VT]

With the weather getting nice I am going to pull the trigger on new brake lines after all. The monster started every time I tried it all winter. My green crown Vic is ok but I miss driving the green monster!

 

[HHhuntitall]

Ya know, in retrospect, how many Jeeps are running around with holes in the floorboards or diamond-plate aluminum patches over the back wheel well corners?!?! If it runs, has brakes, and a transfer case lever, I'd drive it!!