On the Road Again - Finally
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 12:08 amAfter 61 long months, the weather-beaten static display in my driveway is no longer just for show. Unofficially it has made a few clandestine shake-down runs through the neighborhood over the past year, though nothing that would draw too much attention. But as of yesterday it is legally fit for service, at least as far as the state of Utah is concerned.
Just a quick re-cap: Back in September of 2014 I bought my '52 L-110 from the local newspaper classifieds for $900 and had it towed home for $85, coming in just short of my self-imposed $1000 limit for a truck. It came on the heels of a 1955 Chevy 3200 that I'd bought but quickly decided I was better off not messing with as it was completely shot. Literally everything was worn out. Not even kidding. I sold it and waited for something better to come along.
An IHC wasn't my first choice (though I've come to admire it). But really I just wanted an old truck - any old truck. One that was good, but not too good. Something to help clean up the yard, all those dozens of bags of leaves every fall. Something I could haul heavy things with. Something to take out in the sagebrush. Truck stuff.
When I checked this one out it was sturdy and the price was right. It had last been on the road in 1993. It was sold several times thereafter but the title was never transferred. Originally from near Preston, Idaho, it eventually ended up in Logan, Utah, where it was used until the brakes stopped working, then parked, then sold, sold again, and trailered to West Jordan where I found it. Engine free but not running. Well used but never abused. Regularly maintained by evidence of the grease blobs near every chassis joint. A little rust but nothing to worry about. Bad electrical, bad fuel system, bad brakes. The usual ripped seat, rotten tires, and Grateful Dead stickers. Nothing that couldn't be fixed.
I thought it would take two years. Three at most. But with work, kids, and no garage (or air compressor or welder or anything besides hand tools) it took much longer. I considered quitting several times but decided it was better to just walk away for a few months and approach it later with a clear mind. I did things wrong, undid them, and did them over. I fell into silly rabbit holes over things that didn't matter but ended up wasting valuable time. At every opportunity I made things more complicated than they needed to be. In the end it was a month-long mad dash to beat one more season of snow and ice. Tires, rubber parts, shocks, spring bushings, new battery, steering adjustment, and a water pump that decided to puke immediately after putting the cooling system back together. I just made it. Temperature dropping rapidly tonight. Possible snow in the forecast for tomorrow.
However, today I got in maybe 15 solid miles without any issues - except for that brief moment of panic as the cab filled with smoke after heading out on the main road. That's the last time I'll forget to release the parking brake... But other than that, it was good. It's already doing real work, hauling recycling to the local collection bin. I had to justify those 61 months somehow.
Just a quick re-cap: Back in September of 2014 I bought my '52 L-110 from the local newspaper classifieds for $900 and had it towed home for $85, coming in just short of my self-imposed $1000 limit for a truck. It came on the heels of a 1955 Chevy 3200 that I'd bought but quickly decided I was better off not messing with as it was completely shot. Literally everything was worn out. Not even kidding. I sold it and waited for something better to come along.
An IHC wasn't my first choice (though I've come to admire it). But really I just wanted an old truck - any old truck. One that was good, but not too good. Something to help clean up the yard, all those dozens of bags of leaves every fall. Something I could haul heavy things with. Something to take out in the sagebrush. Truck stuff.
When I checked this one out it was sturdy and the price was right. It had last been on the road in 1993. It was sold several times thereafter but the title was never transferred. Originally from near Preston, Idaho, it eventually ended up in Logan, Utah, where it was used until the brakes stopped working, then parked, then sold, sold again, and trailered to West Jordan where I found it. Engine free but not running. Well used but never abused. Regularly maintained by evidence of the grease blobs near every chassis joint. A little rust but nothing to worry about. Bad electrical, bad fuel system, bad brakes. The usual ripped seat, rotten tires, and Grateful Dead stickers. Nothing that couldn't be fixed.
I thought it would take two years. Three at most. But with work, kids, and no garage (or air compressor or welder or anything besides hand tools) it took much longer. I considered quitting several times but decided it was better to just walk away for a few months and approach it later with a clear mind. I did things wrong, undid them, and did them over. I fell into silly rabbit holes over things that didn't matter but ended up wasting valuable time. At every opportunity I made things more complicated than they needed to be. In the end it was a month-long mad dash to beat one more season of snow and ice. Tires, rubber parts, shocks, spring bushings, new battery, steering adjustment, and a water pump that decided to puke immediately after putting the cooling system back together. I just made it. Temperature dropping rapidly tonight. Possible snow in the forecast for tomorrow.
However, today I got in maybe 15 solid miles without any issues - except for that brief moment of panic as the cab filled with smoke after heading out on the main road. That's the last time I'll forget to release the parking brake... But other than that, it was good. It's already doing real work, hauling recycling to the local collection bin. I had to justify those 61 months somehow.