only $300!!!!
Posted By Jim Hadfield on January 15, 2008
Sometimes, you just can’t pass up a good deal.
Several years ago, I was doing a part time gig delivering parts for NAPA in Elk River, MN
The owner of a shop that I frequently delivered to was an IH tractor and truck kinda guy. (ok a lot like us). I kept seeing this truck in his yard. Finally one day, I decided to ask him about. Some guy had bought it on eBay. This person then had to move, and left the truck on the lot to be sold. I offered him $300, and the truck was mine. We got it hauled home, took it off the trailer and opened the hood. Chris and I putzed around with it for a few minutes. Then Chris was wondering if it would run. Yeh, right.. It’s been sitting for three years. What are the chances of it starting?
I put the battery charger on it. We checked the wiring out, fluid levels, etc. Then got the ether can, and shot some into the carb.. Ha!! I am a disbeliever. The old girl sputered a few times. Another shot of ether and another sputter. One more shot for old times sake, crank it, it started… Need I say more?
The truck is really in pretty good shape. I started with a complete cleaning with the pressure washer, then started working on the body. There were only a few minor things that needed work on the fenders and hood. The main cab had to get the doors sanded and the mirror holes filled (still to be done). The old mirrors were ok, but not what I want.
So, here we are, the working end of the Loadstar. As you can see from the picture, I only had to clean up the rust a bit, shoot it with some rust killer, paint it, then coat it with epoxy. This makes for a nice hard finish. This spring, I’ll shoot it with some frame paint.
hmm, we need new seat covers… and some toys inside…
what else can I get, hmm. For anyone that wants to get me neat Christmas presents: electric winch, ramps, LED tail and side lites, chromed lug nut covers, mud flaps. that should be enough for starters.
I have a day job, but just love working on websites when I get home at night. I have a tendency to live and breath this stuff.
Comments