Rookie
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:00 pm
Location: Hialeah, Florida
KB.5 U.S. Mail truck
I own a 1948 KB.5 that was used as a U.S. mail truck back in the days.
I wanted this truck to be a daily driver. Sort of a business advertising truck ... this would be an awesome idea. I have done restorations before and this truck is very solid compared to the other vehicles I've restored. My problem evolves with the lack of parts and resources. I have restored jeeps and Volkwagens in the past with an ease of resources and parts. This is a bit more challenging if one wanted to do a nice restoration job back to original condition not to mention the funds needed. I do not know the condition of the engine, as i currently removed the plugs and poored Marvel Mystery Oil in the block to loosen things up a bit before trying to turn her over. Tranny seems to be seized. and although I Love the style of the wheels, I know tires wont be cheap and I worry about the safety factor with the split rims. Lets not forget to mention all the other little things involved such as brake job, wiring...etc. All that equates to money! Also, time is of the essence to me. I have lots of projects I need to get done and sold before my lease on my 1200 Sqft. warehouse runs out next March 2014. I would rather not renew the lease and focus on buying a house with some land then later, future projects could have all the time in the world. I am undecided weather to just work with what I got, and painfully wait to find correct parts, and not be able to enjoy the vehicle for years, and watch the big hole burns through my pockets. Probably even get bored of it and let it go for a third of what I had invested in it.... Or.... find a donor vehicle if at all possible. I was thinking maybe an F350-450 4x4 in running condition would make this project go alot smoother. Now keep in mind I just thought of this idea and do not know if the frame would be a good candidate. But, the idea behind this is that for a few thousand upfront coast, I would have the complete drivetrain and modern dually axles with disk brakes and be able to use it as a daily driver. Has anyone ever used an F350-450? I here about S10's being used for KB.1-2's but it seems like this beast is to heavy for that frame... Whats your take on this?
1948 IH KB.5 - U.S. Mail Truck (awaiting restoration)
1953 Plymouth (RatRod)
1944 Ford GPW (Fully Restored to Original WWII Jeep)
1946 Willys Jeep (Awaiting Custom rat rod rebuild)
1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 (Almost complete)