Holy hot!

It's a hot one out there. Not hot like most of the country has been this summer, but darn hot for this far north, pushing 90 today. I was thinking of doing one of those "remove stuff" tasks (the chrome/stainless or flatbed screws), but I'd rather not work outside in the heat. There's a reason I live "up north."

So, here are a few pictures I've found the last few days of other KB-6's out there. It seems clear to me that the truck looks best in the "and black" color scheme, rather than monochromatic. I briefly entertained painting Big Red green, since that's my favorite color, but aren't all IHC's supposed to be red? Not to mention that I'd have to change the truck's name again...

Green and black is a nice combo

All green is okay

Another red and black - the selected color combo for "Big Red"

All red? a bit much...

No post yesterday? What?!?!

Well, it finally happened. I missed a day on this blog. If you read often, be prepared for that to happen quite a bit more often in the future, as things are going to start getting more busy the next few weeks. School is starting back up and that means I start driving school bus every day; High School sports start, so I broadcast games on the radio; not to mention everything my family gets involved with...

So, with that said, I did actually get something Big Red related done. I had a box of the stainless grille ribs in the living room that my wife told me needed to be put away. I have a work bench in the basement where I'll be working on the chrome and stainless parts over the winter, so took the box there. I happened to have some Nevr Dull from another project, so decided I'd give it a try on one of the dented grille ribs. Wow -  what a difference! It was a quick job with a small amount of the wadding, so I can imagine that putting in some real time and effort will provide a very nice result. plus, the price (less than $5 a can) sounds better than getting it professionally done.

The left side, as removed from Big Red - the right, dented side, as cleaned with Nevr Dull

Wood, steel: gone! Seats: out! Brakes: working on it

It was a great day, with a lot gotten done on Big Red! Billy came over this morning, and we got to work on the rest of the wood on the flatbed. Some came off easy, some was stubborn, but in the end, it finally came all off. Next, we hauled the grain box steel off to Billy's trailer. We also started work on the master cylinder, by adding brake fluid - hoping that letting new fluid sit inside for a few days will free up any stuck parts. Hopefully, it's just been sitting so long that simple addition of fluid will work things free. We also removed the bench seats, which will need to be reupholstered since some animal got at them while it sat the last 8 years. We also did one last thing, but I'll save that for a surprise photo at the end of the blog post.

Billy and I working on the last of the wood

All gone!

Also, my service manual came today from Binder Books, along with a couple bonus Triple Diamond keychains!

Finally, the surprise - we were able to push Big Red all the way into the garage!

Where's Big Red?!?!

After a couple weeks, it kinda looks weird having the door closed again... Next up, wait for the brake fluid to, hopefully, work the master cylinder loose, remove chrome and stainless pieces to have cleaned up over the winter, start looking into upholstery options and remove the screws that stayed in the flatbed.

It does? We don't do chrome...

The chrome and stainless steel accent pieces on Big Red are going to all come off before winter hits, and some need to be seriously cleaned or at worst, re-plated. With that in mind, I was surfing the web last night looking for chrome plating shops in Minnesota - and found a local body shop that had chrome plating listed as a service on their website. Since I am working essentially a double shift today, and I'm not planning to do anything on the truck, I stopped at the shop to ask about their services. When I told the man at the main desk why I was there and how I found them (the chrome listing on their website), he just looked at me and said, "it does? We don't do chrome." Sigh...

At least he was able to give me a lead to a local metal worker who may be able to help. I've left a message with him, so we'll see what comes of that.

I'm also excited about a big day planned tomorrow. Billy is coming over early and we're going to haul the grain box steel to the scrapper, remove the rest of the wood from the flatbed with his Sawzall and get started on the brakes. If there's time, we may hit a junk yard north of us and near the scrap metal place that supposedly has a couple KB series trucks that may produce a spare part (hopefully a straight hood?) or two.

Since I don't like to put up blog posts without a picture or video, here's one my Father sent me on the chroming process from RidesWithChuck - a car restoration YouTuber from the Chicago area. It's long, but if you have any interest in the process, it's very interesting:

1/3 gone

I went to work on more of the wood on the flatbed today. The good news is that about 1/3 of it is off. The bad news is that a good percentage of it turned to sawdust as soon as I started, or it easily cracked, meaning that the wood will have to be replaced. Further bad news, is that the water damage went all the way through the wood and produced rust in some places on the frame of the flatbed. I don't think the structure has been compromised  but at least it's good to find out about it now, rather than later, when I would have thought I was done.

First board is off

I pulled the first board off the flatbed, and discovered that it's tongue and groove. Some of the screws were solid, while some were near rusted clean off. The wood is questionable at best, and I'm not sure it can be salvaged.

All the sides are gone - but the screws are screwey

Heavy persuasion popped off the front and last piece of the grain box this afternoon. I have this 6' long heavy duty "persuader" pry bar that we typically use only to break up ice in the spring time... Well today, it got a work out prying the front piece off the flatbed. Again, I'm not convinced that it was welded, but darn was it ever stuck! In fact, the metal sleeve that the bolts went through were pulled off with the front piece!

Just the flatbed left!

Now, it's on to the flatbed wood. Here, I hit another obstacle. The first screw I tried to remove burrowed deeper into the wood no matter which direction I tried to turn it. The next two ended up rusted and could just be picked out with my fingers. So, what to do? After talking with my former wood shop teacher father, the solution is to either sawzall the screws from below, or pry the wood off from below. That'll be a project for another day.

Planning for the weekend

Well, I've got a plan for this week, leading up to Saturday, when Billy comes over to help haul off the grain box sides to the scrapper. He's also going to help my take off the master cylinder, which is stuck. One of my main projects before I put Big Red away for the winter is to try to get the brakes working. I've read online that these old master cylinders are pretty simple, so I'd like to try to rebuild mine before resorting to buying a new one.

So, up until Saturday, I'm going to try to remove the front panel of the grain box, which remains stubborn. Also, I've decided to remove the wood from the flatbed. The hope is to salvage the wood by flipping it over since the under side is in better shape than the exposed top side.

I also wanted to post this video of a nice KB-6 that I found on YouTube. It's a 1947, but that doesn't matter - it's the same as mine. Another image to chalk up as "the plan."

They do come off!

Long story short, the sides came off the grain box today. Dad-gum-it, they were heavy! I mean, really heavy! The front is all that remains, and while I won't say it's welded to the bed (since I thought the sides were welded to the front), it is a solid connection between the two.

I do have to say - I love the look without the grain box on there, and just the flatbed left behind. I still want to add the stake side, but man, what an improvement!

Back to plan "A"

The farmer called today. He changed his mind about coming up to take a look at the grain box on Monday. So... I guess it's back to cutting it off and selling the sides and hoist for scrap. I think that the flatbed can be salvaged - especially since it has a nice wood floor - to use for my stake side. Maybe it can be shortened up just a bit and lowered, though.

I've been feeling a bit under the weather (darn summer colds), so here's another pic that Anna took. This time of me looking at the hoist under the flatbed:

Spending more money

The first of what I'm sure will be many orders went out today - orders for parts, manuals, and what-not. Today it was two of the four missing chrome pieces and the main service manual for International K and KB Series trucks. While IHC is no where near as popular a brand as say, Ford or Dodge or GMC, there are specialty web sites that stock parts for vintage International trucks. I'm sure I'll make friends with the folks that run these sites, as I'll be in need of more parts before all is said and done.

Also, Billy and I have come up with a game-plan for attacking the renovation. Aside from the already started task of removal of the grain box, getting the brakes working will be the next item on the to-do list. The master cylinder is stuck, so it either needs to be re-built or replaced.

I've also decided I don't like blog posts without photos, so here's one my daughter Anna took of the turn signal. Kind of unique, and the shape got them the nickname, "soup can signals."

The Plan

I've been continuing to look up info on the internet, and came across this photo of a 1948 KB-6 out in Oregon. I've saved it and sent it off to Billy to to put up as "the plan." Hopefully, when all is said and done, my truck will look a little something like this:

"The Plan"

Hold your horses!

Well, removal of the grain box hit that sudden snag yesterday, but now it's a full stop. I got a call from a farmer (the box has been advertised on Craigslist) who wants to come to take a look at it to possibly buy whole. So... no cutting it off for now. There's a good chance that I can completely recover the cost of the truck purchase just by selling the grain box, so I'm more than willing to wait a couple days to see if this sells.

My wife came out to check up on any progress that I've made

Progress... and a setback

I decided to start removing the grain box today. Lots of rusted bolts, and a couple rounded off that had to get a visit from the hacksaw. The back section was the easy part. The grain dump just lifted out, leaving the two sections next to it. Those had two bolts each between them and the flatbed and the sides. The three rear sections came out fairly quickly. Next, I attacked the bolts holding the sides and front to the flatbed. Most of those were designed with "quick-release" handle/bolts. Unfortunately, after 40 years (the box is supposedly from the 1970's), the handles had softened and couldn't be used to remove them. Vice grips to the rescue - but that was a timely and frustrating task. The last four bolts were those holding the sides to the front piece. I climbed into the box to try to break them free and - the setback. The sides are welded to the front! I had thought that one side would be the upper limit of my lift-able weight, but two sides plus a front all together? No way. Time to have Billy break out the Sawzall Friday and cut it into pieces.

Felt good, if nothing else, to start working on Big Red...

Research

I spent most of yesterday on my Honey-do list, but when I wasn't working on that, I was researching 6 volt group 2 batteries, floor jacks and jack stands and air compressors. As I said when I started, this is most definitely a learning experience, and since I haven't done work like this before, I don't have all the tools necessary.

I also took pictures of the interior and engine compartment:

I checked the oil, and it looks darn near new. Now that could be some settling, with thinner oil towards the top and glop in the oil pan. I want to check the air cleaner today or tomorrow as well.

Also, my Father called and asked several questions about the tires, the box and more. We also emailed back and forth several times about tools. It's pretty neat to see him get excited about my project.

Big Red

"The truck" got a new name today. My old F250 was called "Little Grey," after the character on Grey's Anatomy. Since "the truck" replaced "Little Grey," it makes sense that "the truck" gets a color name. Hence, "Big Red" was born today...

Anyway, I've been driving bus the last couple days since Big Red showed up at our house, and I've been thinking about everything that's good or surprising about the the truck, and everything that is bad, or needs work. I'll definitely say that the good side of the list far outweighs the bad side. I came up with the following:

The pro’s:

·         Unbelievably straight

·         Very complete *

·         Hardly any dents

·         5 speed transmission

·         The engine cranked with just a battery charger connected to it, so I figure that it will get going with just a new battery and plugs

·         The glass is all in good shape, with only a small corner crack on the front passenger side windshield

·          

The con’s

·         Bad master cylinder

·         The grain box is in worse shape than I expected

·         The driver’s side hood cowling is in bad shape **

·         It’s taller than the guy told me it was ***

·         The cab floor – it’s the only “bad” metal on the truck and needs to be patched at best, and replaced at worst

*missing parts:

·         Battery compartment cover below drivers door

·         Four pieces of chrome

o   Two grill ribs

o   Bottom pieces on each side of hood

**For as good a shape as the metal is, the driver’s side cowling has some issues. While I’m sure it’s fixable for a qualified body shop, I wonder if a replacement could be found for less money.

***I asked three times – the first, he said it was 7’ tall, the second, he said it was just under 7’, the last he said that he re-measured at just under 7’. Why does this matter? My garage door is 7’. How tall is the truck? 7’2”.

It's here!

We sold my 1989 F250 this morning, which is good, because it allowed me to pay for the new arrival. Plus, we were back to a two vehicle family for about an hour and a half...

Mike, the guy I bought the International KB6 arrived early today. He was supposed to be here around 11:30 am, but got into town around 9:45 - not that I'm complaining. He said that he could only go around 50 mph the whole way. Once he got here and found my place, we took our time and rolled the one and a half ton truck slowly and safely into my driveway and into the garage. It's a bit taller than I was initially told, so we'll have to figure that out, but it's here, and the real work begins...

"The Truck" arrives

Um, where are we putting this?

Almost there!

We're seriously pushing this 10,000 lb truck?!?!

My wife Betty and Great Dane Mauser enjoy a break

Here's the full album from delivery, since I'm not putting up all 57 photos. The first few items on the list will be to remove the grain box and sell it for scrap, use the proceeds for a new battery, fluids, spark plugs and a new master cylinder. Hopefully that will get her going down the road. If not, we'll figure out what else needs to be done!

A clean garage? What's that?

Quick boring update here, but the garage is clean! First time in years, actually... We've had I don't know how many garage sales over the years, and when they were done, stuff just got shoved to the back. I ended up with four boxes of books that I took to our local used books store to trade in, and got $30 in credit. This place charges 50 cents for paperback books and and $1 for hardcover, and generally gives 10 cents in trade in value for used books. Yeah, that's a lot of books.

An empty space? In the garage? What could possibly go here?

So, anyway, the 24 hour countdown is on. "The truck," as it's become known around the house, arrives tomorrow at 11:30. Can't wait!

The check is in the mail

No turning back now - I mailed off the deposit.

In fact, due to some confusion with the seller (who is going to ship the KB6 for basically his fuel cost), it looks like my truck will be here THIS Saturday rather than next! I'm pretty busy with work the next couple days, but when I'm not there, I guess I'll be finishing cleaning out the garage...

Starting off

The plan here is to document my restoration of a 1949 International KB-6 1.5 ton truck. I'm sending off a deposit tomorrow for the truck, and need to start figuring out how to get it the 2 hours home since it's not currently running. I'm exploring all options, but its large size is proving a problem... The plan to to bring it home next Saturday 8/18/12 and begin the work.

I also want to start with a thanks to my wife, who encouraged me to start this journey on restoring an old truck. She really just wanted me out of her hair, but it's given me a direction, and even though I drive her nuts with all the "check out this truck," or "see, the master cylinder is only going to cost $xxx to replace" emails, she knows that I love her. I also want to thank my new friend, Billy, who will be helping me with the mechanical work on this truck. I have always said that I should have paid more attention when my father restored his '68 Mustang when I was younger. Now I get to learn everything I should have learned back then, and from Billy. Sorry Dad. My Daughter, Anna says she wants to help. Hopefully she ends up more enthusiastic than I was back in the day.

The Craigslist photo