Has anyone here restored an old Tractor?

Well put it this way. If you buy something older the best thing that you can do is take your time and really go over it from front to back top to bottom inside out before you put it into service.

If not you may very well be working on it a few days a week.

And If you don't go over everything that you can anticipate that could be a problem things will keep coming up.

It adds up when you work on an older truck. Engine transmission and rears are the most expensive, but if you're looking at $1,500 for a radiator $1,500 for a turbo $2,000 for injectors $1,000 for a clutch $2,000 for drive shafts then you talking about other things like wiper motors air valves blower motors heater core heater lines hoses belts thermostat water pump cab mounts air conditioners air and electric cords door latches Driveline seals fifth wheel steering box airbags bushings tie rods Air Dryer Airlines all new brakes Cams drums air cans paint ... It goes on and on and on.

You may not need all of that you may need more than that you may need it right away it might drive you crazy over time if you don't just tackle it before you start.

So my point is that you can put a lot of money into something older and if it's older you probably will.

But if it's what you want and you have the time and the money you'll have something great.

But whatever you do just don't underestimate the time and money required.

 

Thanks for the insight, you're certainly correct about all of the little crap needing replaced. I have a ton of things to go over and replace or repair. I actually enjoy working on the rig so it's enjoyable so far but I definitely won't feel the same way while doing repairs on the side of the highway! I'm trying to replace belts and hoses at the moment. I had to weld up rub holes in the intercooler already and have a leaking airbag to replace tomorrow. The list of repairs is long but it dwindles down as I go. I need to go through the gauges, pyro changes its reading depending on headlights or marker lights being on and tachometer and speedometer dont function.

 

still about 100k cheaper then a new truck, but I can actually make them run and not get hooked to a wrecker for a sensor that costs as much as an inframe.....

 

Hmm, let's see, 1987, pre-drug testing, might find some treasures under those seats,,

 

I must have missed this. Diamond T cabovers were nice trucks, as nice as a Pete or KW. UPS used these for many years. UPS used Diamond Reo's ( similar) for many years. When they switched to GMC Astros, the drivers refused to give up the Reo's, for a while.
UPS Diamond REO w/logo | Big trucks, Nascar trucks, Classic trucks

 

I found the old original key under the carpet! No yellow zingers or big blues yet...

 

No pile of cash? Lol

 

You might find buried treasure man!

 

Figured I'd take a look at the afc diaphragm to address what I felt was a dead pedal after building 15psi of boost. The off idle response is great but it just hasn't felt like it really wants to run like it ought to. So I pulled the reference line and cover off then the diaphragm out to find a half inch long tear in it. Gonna slap a fresh one in and see how she pulls.

 

1987 Peterbilt 362 with 444XT Cummins and 13 speed, 2 speed axles. Worked on it over the winter and got it on the road this summer. Running great so far considering it hasn't been a commercial unit in 18 years