Schematics, Blueprints, etc.

People think Iam nutts because I would rather work on a truck than drive it .. I love driving but the level of stupid I find you have to deal with on the road is more than I care for anymore .. I find it relaxing to walk in the shop and start wrenching on a truck but I love electrical work it makes you think

 

I applaud your initiative, I kind of did the same thing. I bought a '82 Western Star as my 1st O/O truck, it was a good old horse, but I "rebuilt" it as I went. Everything, except the drivetrain went bad. The only thing that saved me, was it was all little stuff I could do myself. I really don't think you would have to take a R model completely apart, aside from normal wear items, you shouldn't have to do that. They aren't near as complicated as newer stuff. Remember, you won't get any resale out of an old Mack, so be advised, you'll have to get your use out of it, rather than sell it and make any money down the line. If going with an older truck, don't rule out a Ford LTL 9000, old A-car, if you were to redo a truck, I'd do an old W900 KW. Modernize it with a 500hp motor, 8 bag rear, be a sweet truck and someone will always want a nice W9. Good luck, if you have FB, there's a lot of older iron showing up on the Marketplace.

 

I've seen those red Fords before. Some grocery store chain used those day cab LTL's, SuperValu maybe? It's spec'd like a company truck. My advice, stay away from a Freightshaker. They are great trucks, but don't "wear" well, and old Freightliners are nothing but problems. You'll be restoring one whether you want to or not. Besides, if you're going to do it, do something cool.