Just be patient and keep your eyes open, sign up for Craigslist alerts, etc. and you should find something.
Within a few weeks I found 3 non-running trucks to choose from priced at $500, $800 and $1000.
The $800 one wasn't bad but the $500 one was in better shape. The $1000 one was probably the cleanest, but not by enough to justify double the price.
Keep looking, you'll trip over one!

 

Sure could. The expense of a 4 inch tail pipe expander would be cost prohibitive, as you could probably buy a whole new exhaust for its cost.

 

I have been running old OEM aluminized exhaust pipes and stainless band clamps on my truck since I got it. Everything is holding up well with very little corrosion.....but having said that I do remove the exhaust system every couple years and use SOS pads to clean everything up again and re-install.

 

Do they salt the roads up there, where you live? Curious.

 

 

Have a line on two RR steering set ups. Hopefully one of them pans out and cheap. Then I can start accumulating the rest of the pieces for a swap. If I get the stuff this will likely happen next winterish. Give me time to get a rebuilt box from redhead or other reputable builder.

 

 

Reverse rotation steering is from W series from W300 down from 1972-1976ish

 

It is Reverse rotation steering that was used on certain older dodge trucks that doesn't put the strain of steering on the steering box mount because it moves the rotation from side to side to front to back. I am not an expert on it and that is a simplified explanation, because it came from my simple mind. They were a pretty good band also ...Mark

 

Mark: How are you liking the weather in my old stomping grounds there in Oklahoma? Have you driven around much of the countryside? I grew up in Coffeyville. Have you been up there yet?

Edwin

 

I received the new VR plug in the mail today so I installed it. I went for a drive but I don't know if it fixed anything yet. When I first start the truck the voltage will go up to 16-17 volts but then quickly settles down to 14.4 volts and pretty much stays there. Does this sound normal?

I dissected the old plug but I didn't see any evidence of arcing like a bad connection.

Edwin

 

 

Yeah much better than the three leged plate. It changes the forces from pulling and pushing the vertical to rotational. It also improves handling.

 

That's specifically the reason why I chose to replace my existing steering to the older "RR" style. By eliminating that adapter plate, that cracks, and has been DISCONTINUED, I have the older / less susceptible to breakage system which should have never been changed.

Originally, it was changed to allow a better turning radius as the tire doesn't hit the draglink as you make a hard right hand turn, but then they realized that instead of having a "4x4" steering gear and a "2x4" steering gear listed and having to be produced, they could use one box for both designs. Penny pinching (IMO) was the primary factor. Terry Elders confirmed this over at cummins forum.


I would NEVER go back to the conventional / steering plate setup again.




And I don't ever have to...