Here's my current project; 1978 W900A. 3406A PCTA, Fuller RTO 12515, Eaton DS 402's @ 4:33...KW 8 bag air.
Found this truck accidentally through a Facebook friend who knew I was searching for one to run daily. Only 4 hours away in New Jersey, I drove down and looked at it, and a couple weeks later drove it home and ripped into it. The truck was owned by a retired 82 yr. young fellow that bought it in 2003 to just tinker on in his driveway, and make it to a few antique truck shows with. Hadn't ever run north, it was always between NJ and Florida so the frame and everything is mint condition, no corrosion whatsoever. He was the 3rd owner. He gave me a bunch of parts including a brand new headliner, all the interior is like new. Truck only has 742K original miles on it. Originally had torsion bar suspension, the 2nd owner stretched it to 252" and rolled 8 bag KW under it, saving me thousands in work right there. Has a reman Fuller 15 speed with the sticker on the side, still primer colored.
Most guys probably would have kept the 36" bunk I know, call me crazy. I found an Aerodyne II (really wanted a first gen Aerodyne but try finding one in decent shape nowadays,) and I wanted to open up the holes so I can get the seats back further. I bought the Peterbilt Unibilt rings and boot for the big opening and cut the cab and bunk open and installed them. Now I can put the seat back inside the bunk. I'm older now and I put practicality in front of "coolness" in most cases, trying to preserve as much cool as I practically can.
While in the shop I decided to pull the plywood floorboards and redid those in new PT plywood, two 1/2" pieces laminated together cuz 1" is tough to come by around these parts. Screwed them together in a 2" grid as well, they will outlast me that's for sure. While the floor's out and all the crispy 38 year old air lines were accessible, I changed every one of them from medium pressure hose to nylon. Cleaned up all wiring behind the dash by cutting anything that didn't belong out and cleaned up what is supposed to be there.
List of other work includes but not all inclusive is; 8 new air bags. 2 new torque rods on rear housing. Maxi cans, installed suspension dump valve, 5th wheel slider from the rails to the plate is new, exhaust redone and added a small muffler underneath to tone it down, reconfigured fuel tanks and added a right side step box where a tank used to be, added a split fuel/hydro tank for wetline (I run a detachable lowbed/RGN,) so I carry a total of 250 gallons of fuel now.
What else....wheew. Installed PTO/pump for wetline and all new plumbing, and searching/locating/fetching some used A model parts was a big part of the project as much as the actual work. Mocking up the bunk to fit right and look right was a process. The Aerodyne II is really designed for B model cabs, being 3" higher than an A. So we had to dry-fit the bunk multiple times to adjust the height of the mounts on the frame as well as determine the right elevation of the hole for the Unibilt ring. End result is it looks good to me.
The sleeper interior was mouse infested, having sat on a pallet in a guys back yard for well over 8 years. Stunk so bad we had to throw most of the upholstery away, but saved some of the Seattle package on the ceiling, back wall and doors. I then opted to use white fiberglass wallboard on the front and sides as used in milking parlors, kitchens, sanitary places, etc. for the simple reason of keeping it clean, brighter in there, and neat looking in contrast to all upholstery. I dreamed of having a little RV sink in a bunk someday so when I wake up in the morning, I can splash water on my face, brush my teeth, etc...so I got a little sink, 6 gal. tank and a 12V pump and put that in the passenger side corner. Nice little touch that I always wanted.
The bunk is currently in the paint shop, so hope to mount that next week. Got a nice enclosed headache rack with stainless steel locking doors to go behind that too after.
Removed air horns and cab lights and sealed them up so I don't take any water on through them. Put LED inserts in the lights too.
Next big thing to do is, I bought a spare A engine with a Jake, so I'm removing that off that engine, cleaning things up, giving it a tune up kit, and installing that on this one. Also doing exhaust manifold studs and gaskets and a new water pump, belts and hoses. Ain't much left after all this except for tweaking things as I go along.
Should be done and rolling hopefully by the first week in April...