New Plow Truck

[MadTripper]

In my ongoing quest to beat the hell out of myself and wallet, I decided on purchasing a plow truck. I stumbled on a vehicle I had never even heard of but fell in love with when I saw it. I'll post an image and see if anyone can guess what it is for a little while.

http://www.madtripper.com/gallery/d/8335-1/im001985.jpg


So, in the last month, we sold the Talon and Mustang. The Jeep is at a friends lot for sale now. We picked up the 97 Land Cruiser and I have started bringing my 74 Cruiser over to the garage for the slow rebuild process. And now, I found this which I pick up Sunday. My poor wife.

Tripper

[msta999]

That is a cool truck. Looks like one of those old brittish army trucks.

[MadTripper]

Here are a few hints:

1963
Not British
Only about 2500 in the US


Tripper

[Naughty_Pines]

Could it be an International Harvester conversion?

[msta999]

Its not one of the first army jeeps? I thought that at first, but then the front fenders don't look right.

[MadTripper]

Nope! Lets see if I can add some more hints

Japanese Manufacturer
Engine model is also used in fork lifts

[MadTripper]

Well, I guess I'll just let you all know.

This is a 1963 Nissan Patrol. They are pretty rare but very capable. They were produced a number of years since about 1950 and are still available in certain countries. (Not the US) Here is a link to my gallery in case you are intrigued.

http://www.madtripper.com/gallery/v/Various/63Patrol/


Tripper

[msta999]

Yep! Never would have guessed that one.

[MadTripper]

I picked her up yesterday. There are some electrical issues and I'm going to swap the carb but overall, real neat truck. Should be fun getting it up and going. It does run but the current carb is very finicky so we'll see. I almost took the day off to play however it is cool and raining so I figured it was a good day to be at work.

Tripper

[MadTripper]

I put a new set of plugs in her last night and she fired right up. My son and I took it out and ran through some mud and the fields. The engine is running great and it pretty much goes anywhere you want.

Tripper

[msta999]

A real cool find. Have fun.

[MadTripper]

I grabbed some new pictures at our home.

http://www.madtripper.com/gallery/d/8479-2/63pat_brakecyl+001.jpg

http://www.madtripper.com/gallery/d/8482-2/63pat_brakecyl+002.jpg

Over the weekend I started to replace the rear brake lines. I made it to where I was starting to bleed them and a bleeder was stripped out. I managed to drill and rethread it today so if I get time, I'll try and get it all back together this evening, more likely tomorrow though.

Tripper

[msta999]

Yep! looks like a real fun toy.

[MadTripper]

I've been working over the electric for the past few weeks. I think I finally have everything straightened out. The previous owner had a rats nest in the dash. Fortunately, I had a wiring diagram....in Spanish. All is well though. I have to finish the drivers front parking light and that mess should be buttoned up.

My son and I took it out for a few hours yesterday. We ran around on dirt roads and up into some fields and through a few woods trails. We are really enjoying ramming around in it.

Tripper

[MadTripper]

Here is a shot of the family and I doing a little tour. I have the tub off of it now and had to put it on the back burner until I fixed the lawn mower and got the motorcycle road worthy. I should get back to working on it tomorrow evening. Anyway, here is the shot and enjoy!


http://www.madtripper.com/gallery/d/8596-1/May+2008+001.jpg

[MadTripper]

I have quite a bit accomplished and about ready for plow season. Over the weekend, I adjusted the drivers side body mounts, pulled the heater motor and cleaned it (wasn't working well and one of the brushes was stuck), and started getting an idea for a soft top frame I'm going to build.

During the summer, I relocated the battery (formerly under the drivers seat) and the plow hydraulic reservoir/motor to an under hood setup. I then mounted a button via starter solenoid on the dash and a choke cable to replace the lever. All works quite well!

The steel should be in next week so I can start piecing the soft top frame together and then manufacture a canvas top. I'll hopefully be done before we get any major snow however I'm used to plowing on a tractor with back blade so this is still a step up even without a top. I should say my neighbor plowed with the tractor most of the time but niether here nor there.

Tripper