In addition to the above 460's can take a ton of punishment and also get much better mileage than the 390's. I had a 90 F250 460 5 speed 4x4 that still remains my favorite truck. I had a radiator go bad in it and overheated the motor to the point it has some piston slap on cold startups. Put another 50k on it that way without power loss until I loaned it to my mother and she somehow managed to set the thing on fire in a pasture. (Tall grass + hot exhaust = bad time)
edizzle89 wrote:Crackers wrote: Personally, I'd look for a 90's F350 with a 460 and just do a body swap. They can be had for <$2k pretty often around here.if you did this would a idi 7.3 be an option? they dont carry the premium like the powerstrokes and although slow they would get you were you want to go and get better mileage then the 460 could ever dream of.
I haven't owned either 7.3l but it's my understanding the IDI isn't worth the savings over the Powerstroke. Plus, with the newer Powerstroke's getting more affordable the 7.3's aren't demanding the premium they used to.
Diesels are a lot more expensive to maintain. Enough to be worth the sacrifice in fuel milage unless you need to haul a ton of weight.
I never searched diesel box truck or 4x4 box truck in search tempest/craigslist/ebay before. You get some interesting results from that.
I wouldn't be hauling a ton of weight which is why I'm considering a big gas engine. The lower maintenance costs and potential pitfalls balance out the mileage.
I think the smart route to go would be to buy a mid 90s Ford F350 Uhaul box truck, and then build out the box how I want it. Then I could know if I like the size and layout, and also evaluate the 460 to see if I wanted to take the plunge and go 4WD with long travel. Or, I could swap the box to a 4WD Ford F550 or Dodge 5500 with a similar wheelbase.
Sounds like you should just find yourself a bus and convert it.
A friend of mine had a 60's vintage 24' bus with a Dodge 318 and a 2 speed axle he converted into a toy hauler. He has less than 10k in the whole project. I've dreamed of the idea of getting one to convert into a car hauler/weekender RV.
Although, if you're just gonna swap a 550 chassis you might as well get yourself a military 6X6 box truck and remove the center axle. Probably be less work and cheaper.
Crackers wrote: Sounds like you should just find yourself a bus and convert it. A friend of mine had a 60's vintage 24' bus with a Dodge 318 and a 2 speed axle he converted into a toy hauler. He has less than 10k in the whole project. I've dreamed of the idea of getting one to convert into a car hauler/weekender RV. Although, if you're just gonna swap a 550 chassis you might as well get yourself a military 6X6 box truck and remove the center axle. Probably be less work and cheaper.
I don't want to go with a bus because of the curved walls, existing windows, and lower height plus the lack of a great big door in the back. I'd go with an International box truck with a Dt466 and Allison trans if I wanted to go really big and stay with 2WD and stock suspension.
I've considered the Stewart&Stevenson as a candidate for a box swap.
I'm going to really evaluate the roads I go on and the places I camp this winter in Baja to see what kind of suspension and drive train I could get away with.
How big of a floor space do you need? I could make that 10' box work easy if it was just me and my wife.
Im heading the same route....
In reply to java230:
That's because you're not hauling multiple dirtbikes internally. I want the toyhauler layout with the garage in the back. With the bikes unloaded I can set up a beerpong table in the back too!
In reply to Petrolburner:
Yeah I know that, but are you wanting them inside all the time? Two stacked sideways can fit in 4' deep ish
I can put eyes on that truck if you want. Might save you a drive.
java230 wrote: In reply to Petrolburner: Yeah I know that, but are you wanting them inside all the time? Two stacked sideways can fit in 4' deep ish
I want to be able to function with them inside all the time. Room to cook, eat and sleep while they're inside. If I have to shower I don't mind moving them out. I also would consider having them stacked sideways, and maybe even a door on the curb side to drop down and use as a ramp.
if you want 35's dont forget how tall that will be with a box. iirc you will have issues with bridges and stuff and if you want SRW that will get really tippy really fast.
thatsnowinnebago wrote: I can put eyes on that truck if you want. Might save you a drive.
Thanks, but as much as I think that would be a cool platform to start with, I just can't go with the 390 and 3 speed. It'll be awhile before I could really start doing anything with it, so I may as well leave the money in the bank.
Petrolburner wrote:java230 wrote: In reply to Petrolburner: Yeah I know that, but are you wanting them inside all the time? Two stacked sideways can fit in 4' deep ishI want to be able to function with them inside all the time. Room to cook, eat and sleep while they're inside. If I have to shower I don't mind moving them out. I also would consider having them stacked sideways, and maybe even a door on the curb side to drop down and use as a ramp.
OK I see, that will require a bit more room! I am trying to get as small as possible. Bikes can go on the bumper when they come along for me.
I think sideways makes sense IMO, unless you give up a lot of off roar worthyness. Getting long enough to have garage and living space gets long in a hurry. A drop down bed above the bikes may work.
In reply to Petrolburner:
No worries. I know a guy who builds Earthcruisers if you want to spend a little bit more than $20k 
so with no concern about 4wd, here in N.ga. U-Haul is Dumping there LOW Deck 26 foot w/overcab space moving vans. A drop door on a slide top to bottom makes a ramp then raise it up for a cover,car and family inside for the ride.there are a few Jacked up 450-650 4WD trucks up here and as kool as they look they are 'bout Useless' Heck I would need a ladder to look into the bed. but really these u-haul's would make great hualer's.
thatsnowinnebago wrote: In reply to Petrolburner: No worries. I know a guy who builds Earthcruisers if you want to spend a little bit more than $20k
Want? Yes. Able? No.
Right here in my backyard too.
In reply to java230:
Off-road is really a misnomer. I just want dirt/rocky road ability at a speed higher than 10 mph.
In reply to Petrolburner:
Yes I have the same desires. thats "off road" to many people 
I try to remember to say "Off-pavement"
In reply to Petrolburner:
what about something like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-KAISER-M109A-2-5-TON-COMMAND-POST-TRUCK-PREPPER-BUGOUT-VEHICLE-/262617953760?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3d253ff5e0:g:WF0AAOSwawpXv69w&item=262617953760
Great if you don't have to "bug-out" very far. Those don't get miles per gallon... more like gallons per mile.
MrChaos wrote: In reply to Petrolburner: what about something like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-KAISER-M109A-2-5-TON-COMMAND-POST-TRUCK-PREPPER-BUGOUT-VEHICLE-/262617953760?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3d253ff5e0:g:WF0AAOSwawpXv69w&item=262617953760
I just get the feeling those would be so fatigue inducing to drive from Central Oregon to Baja and back.
The Deuce and half you posted next is actually saved to my phone, LOL.
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