1982 Cabover

I recently opened a repair business and scrapping along with it and basically got a 1982 Cabover EX Consolidated Freightways single screw for free. Was wondering if they are worth anything or would it be viable to use for scrapping trailers within about a 50 miles radius of my home. Its got a Cummins VT903 V8 with a 6 speed Spicer and needs some work, has air start and center point steering

 

Freightliner, day cab, Tacoma WA..... I think its the 350hp model, atleast according to my grandfather who orginally worked on and bought the truck (any many others) from Consolidated Freightways

 

Just needs brake shoes and a good cleaning for the most part, im looking at replacing the rear pintle hook crossmember with a steel one (all steel frame with aluminum crossmember) and plumbing it for equipment trailer and light recepticle, also looking for a better transmission like a 10 speed or maybe even a 2 speed rearend. CF liked the 6 speed spicers with the really low rearend gear ratios for hauling doubles and triples and it tops out under 55-60. Also looking at possibly converting to power steering and electric start if I can keep the costs down with used parts. Does anyone know if adding power steering to a center point system is dangerous in anyway? I know the way it sits now, it suppost to be different the manual steering geometry wise and don't know if adding power will screw it up somehow?

 

Theres a tandem axle ex CF truck at one of the local wrecking yards here in Spanaway that apparently has a VT903 with power steering and electric start thats been sitting there for years so im going to press my luck and see what they want for the parts to convert everything, I cant seem to find the axle tag on the rear to verify the gear ratio so ill have to scrounge around for it.