Muck Boots 'n' Slickers - Life of a Livestock Hauler

Ole #12, J.T. Garrard. Green, L195, 450 engine, 5 speed, OD. I had got cut loose unexpectedly in Canton, bused up to Starkville, an taxi out to Garrads. Talked, not encouraged, but you can stay in the bunkhouse and run an extra or two till something opens up. So I hung out. Old 12 was being rebuilt..Engine, trans, rear 5th wheel, all tires. Body good and paint adequate. Actually was fixing it up for a friend of Jimmy's to come work. Day came, man came, went in and they ole buddied each other. Then he was shown his truck to be. Turned cold, he was expecting something a little nicer, like new...He gets cab leaves.

Jimmy Garrard came out to the front of the shop to me. Quote: "If you are not too ###### good to drive that truck, you are hired and it is yours."
I said : When? He replied when they get the tires on. Leave in the morning.
I ran ole #12 (drug) as far west as Nogales, AZ, NW to Beresford, SD, North to Rice Lake WI, Waukesha, NY Thruway to get to CN. All mideast and FL.
Old green truck was a hoss for me. IH came out with the V195's and I drove one / hookup one, and an R195 out of Ft Wayne factory. Got in, Jimmy asked, How do you like that truck. I replied, Liked it fine. He said it is yours. Will have horns, 5th wheel on, and ready this week. 1 year later it has 118K on it, all me except Stk to Natchez when I come in sick from Grand Forks, ND with a load of seed potatoes.

 

I sure do, especially when she gets me through a tight spot. I do the same thing with my old 12 valve. She gets a little bit squirrely sometimes but she has never gotten stuck at the beach no matter what kind of condition the sand is in.

 

. I keep promising mine in the back her day will come again and she laughs at me when I start cussing that pos 3 valve cover that’s blocking her exit. I’m getting almost nothing done for the last 2 months.

 

Thats the thing I've always loved about livestock Relocation the only given is the unknown.. no 2 loads ever load ,pull, or unload the same Every load is a challenge .

 

Look where I'am at Dale .. I haven't done anything on mine for 60 plus days and I've been at this project for 16 mths
I'am starting to get mad at myself cause I've spent more time putting this 379 together for a friend than I have on my own truck .. I tell her everyday I love her & miss her and haven't forgot about her as she quietly sits there in stripped down shame

 

Man, that's nice....

 

Thanks Roger .. I don't have a picture off hand of what it looked like when I started. It got laid over last November trashed the bunk and the right side of the cab ..and hood .. put a different bunk on and reworked the hood and cab .. it ain't a show truck rebuild but it will go to back work for him.

 

Think you posted a shot of the hood and bunk blocked up and painted. Recognized them on this shot. Labor of love on them, you and Dale. No way you could price out doing that custom. Least have to be someone with FUNDS....

 

I did find a few pictures of what it was before I started

 

Kinda defines a for sale condition ad: Ram Shackle.....