Another Chip Box Project

[Mr. Sir]

So I bought this new chassis to replace my aging 95 F-700. We're going to switch the tool boxes, dump bed and hydraulics over to the new chassis. The old one is a gas engine, hydraulic brakes and manual transmission. The new one is a 97 F-800 with air brakes, diesel, Allison automatic, air conditioning, and only 10,000 miles. We started today by moving one of the air tanks, the dryer, and the battery box to make room on the frame. We also had to move the muffler back to make room for the hydraulic tank. Tomorrow we'll hook up the new PTO, etc. and cut about 18" off the back end of the frame. Here's a few pics of today's work:

 

[MasterBlaster]

 

[Mr. Sir]

 

[SkwerI]

the Phoenix.
That's a sharp looking truck, Brett. Thanks for documenting the transformation for us.

 

[sotc]

cool, be fun to watch

 

[JIML]

Good lord I didn't know anyone still used those big old heavy frame drills. New mag drills are a ton better.

 

[Mr. Sir]

Better? Maybe, maybe not. That drill is older than you, sonny boy, and will probably still be working when you retire. The new ones may be "better", but I'm quite sure they are engineered with a much shorter "working" life these days. Besides, that's neither here nor there, we use what we have. It took about 5 minutes to drill four holes through that double-thick frame. And it sure beats the heck out of a hand-held drill.

 

[MasterBlaster]

"Sonny boy?"

Hahaha.

 

[sotc]

haha! i saw the magnet id love one of those

 

[stehansen]

Me too. That's going to be a nice rig.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Magnet?

 

[Al Smith]

Magnet?

If you look at the one picture ,that drill appears to be a version of a magnetic based drill .The magnet in essense acts like a small portable drill press . They've been around for years .

 

[sotc]

and they help ensure you drill a 90 degree hole

 

[Al Smith]

I might also add to the comment of "old fashion " so what .That mag drill surely is easier than using a big old 3/4" drill motor .Trust me .I've drilled a lot frames using that method and it ain't pretty .

 

[squisher]

I drilled a 1 ton frame the other day with just a tiny little normal drill and those fancy new 'stepped' drill bits. It was easy peasy although I'm sure not the same as drilling through a medium duty truck frame.

Keep us posted on the progress Mr. Sir.

 

[JIML]

Better? Maybe, maybe not. That drill is older than you, sonny boy, and will probably still be working when you retire. The new ones may be "better", but I'm quite sure they are engineered with a much shorter "working" life these days. Besides, that's neither here nor there, we use what we have. It took about 5 minutes to drill four holes through that double-thick frame. And it sure beats the heck out of a hand-held drill.

I have one of these, 22 pounds, and fits in alot more places than that great big monster would. Plus the cutters work alot faster than a regular drill. More expensive but they leave a nice burr free hole that is ROUND.

 

[Mr. Sir]

That's cool, but I'm not going to go out and buy one just to drill four holes in a truck frame. As you can see in the pics, space wasn't an issue in this case. Like I said, we use what we have and that's what we had. It's like chainsaws; I've got two Stihl 660's, a Husky 3120, and the biggest saw Jonsered makes (I forgot the number). I'm not going to go buy an 880 just because it has a few more cc's or a bit more torque. For the few times that one needs such an animal, I'll use what I already have.

 

[SkwerI]

Nice drill, JIm. Looks like the shiznit for specialty work.

But yeah, for a one-time job ya use what ya got.

 

[brendonv]

Looks like a fun project, are you putting the chip box on it that's parked next to it? Didn't that one have rust or something?

 

[Mr. Sir]

It's got some rust issues, but I can't afford to go new right now, so it will do for the time being. I looked into having a box built (or building it myself) on the flatbed and adding a lift/hydraulics, etc. and it was not cost effective. This seemed to be the most effective for now.

 

[Jonseredbred]

So I can't buy that chip box huh??

 

[Mr. Sir]

Didn't get a whole lot done today, just a bunch of little pain in the neck stuff. Finished rerouting the air lines to the new tank and dryer locations. Installed the PTO switch and wiring. Bolted on the brand new PTO (had to fabricate a new transmissino dipstick tube because the old one ran right in front of the side cover on the tranny; talk about poor engineering). And ran some of the hydraulic lines from the new solenoid valve down to the PTO.

First pic shows the transmission side cover removed. The dipstick tube ran right across the front of that about 1" from the tranny, leaving no room for the PTO.

Second pic is the new switch under the dash.

Third is the new PTO mounted in place.

Fourth is the view from the back showing the new PTO and the new dipstick tube coming out under and around the PTO. It's almost 5 feet long. We did a great job bending that tube on the bench, just a few minor tweaks and she fit right in.

 

[Mr. Sir]

So I can't buy that chip box huh??

Sorry, man. I decided to use it rather than build a new one.

 

[sotc]

al had one for sale a while back, with a hoist

 

[JIML]

That's cool, but I'm not going to go out and buy one just to drill four holes in a truck frame. As you can see in the pics, space wasn't an issue in this case. Like I said, we use what we have and that's what we had. It's like chainsaws; I've got two Stihl 660's, a Husky 3120, and the biggest saw Jonsered makes (I forgot the number). I'm not going to go buy an 880 just because it has a few more cc's or a bit more torque. For the few times that one needs such an animal, I'll use what I already have.

Didn't realize it was YOUR drill, might as well use it. Truck shops around here have ones similar sitting over in the corner. Don't get used much anymore.

I live and die by mine. Great tool.