1978 Zeli

[HarryT]

Does anyone know anything about a ZELI? It has an International 466 diesel, 10 speed transmission, divorced transfer case, 3 Rockwell axles (10 ton?), and 2 hydraulic winches. It was used as a line truck by a local utility company (63,000 miles on the working odometer). It drives and stops good, the equipment on the back doesn't work. I'm planning on making it a flatbed and maybe parking a little camper on it. It weighs 29,000 pounds as it sits, I think I can scrap around 10,000 pounds off it.http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/HarryThames/P1010012.jpg

[ntsqd]

How deaf would you be at the end of an 8 hour day of driving it? Seems like most of that type of older truck is mostly lacking in sound proofing though I've no knowledge of any sort of that particular mfg.
If not well sound proofed, could it be done easily?

Another thot, depending on how heavy of a camper you probably don't want or need the second rear drive axle. Remove one and convert the remaining to the same wheels & tires used on the front.

[adrenaline503]

Any more pics? That thing looks bad. I know some of the mog guys here might be able some soundproofing advice.

[Joaquin Suave]

I got a few questions for you...

First off, are you a glutton for punishment? I'm saying this half jokingly & half not.

My guess Zeli was a company that bought "rollers" (chassis, motor, drive-line, & brakes) and fab'd their specific hardware onto to it. There are still a few companys out there that do this kind of manufacturing for cranes, drilling, fire-rescue, etc; but most of them have gone belly-up. you'll notice that most utility companies are buying turn-key 4x4 or 6x6 trucks (cab-chassic from IH or FrieghtLiner.)

I've had the experience (I won't go as far as saying pleasure) of purchasing a couple of class 8 4x4 utility trucks of a big auction house. The one think that can be guarenteed about buying a truck from an auction house...They will be able to the leave the auction companies lot under they're one power!

HOW FAR PAST THE LOTS GATE is a WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY!

Do you have experience working on large trucks?

...Or were you planning the have mechanics work on it at a local shop?

Trucks that size usually don't live a happy life! In most cases they came from a fleet and were driven by several different drivers. Several not-caring, on the clock blue coller drivers. Thus, they are ALL (99.9%) beat to SH*T!

There are those .1 % er's out there...But from your picture, the Zeli isn't it.

The next HUGE issue with reviving trucks like that is...LOT ROT!

Vehicle are designed to be constantly driven, most of the repairs that I've had to do on Casa Azul were because she sat for 8 years un-used. And, she was a new vehicle, think about how lot rot would effect a well used vehicle...YUCK!

Next is the driveline components...

Do you know the cost of replacing the transfer-case in that truck???

If you answered no...THEN GOOD! You don't want too!

the front drive axles, t-cases, and other large 4x4 truck stuff is OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPENSIVE!!!!

Don't buy it unless YOU have driven it in ALL gears! Especially low-range

The next item you should be aware of...

Have you looked into insurance & registration for a commercial vehicle that size??

I don't mean to rain on your potental perade, it just been my experience that when I had found a large 4x4 on my junkyard expeditions, it was usually because it was C_R_A_P.

My guess is that dollar for dollar...you could find a smaller 4x4 truck (like a Top-kick or F700) that would be much fresher & less costly to "use"...for less then you'd be putting into the Zeli to make her road worthy.

[HarryT]

I bought this truck a couple of months ago for $1800 and drove it home. It came with a driver's suspension seat, 4 kw Onan generator, oxy/acetylene torch, 100 foot air hose, and a few tools. I've been driving it around the property (pulling tractors out of bogs, crushing old cars, and have winched a few stumps out of the ground). I knew the crane didn't work before I bought it.
I can work on vehicles this size and doubt that I will break any of the drive train. I have it registered as a farm truck right now but will change the tags to RV if I drive it out of state. My next move will be to remove the crane, oil tank, and outriggers. Clean it up and take my dog for a ride.

[Mobryan]

Mind over matter. If you don't mind, It don't matter :D

I'd take it for a good day long drive before I went too far with the project, it would be $200 well spent, IMHO. It would be a good way to both prioritize the upgrades, and decide if it was worth while doing at all. Maybe a cleanup day at a local OHV area? You've sure got the equipment to make a difference, if you can get in there :)

Though NOT cheap to rebuild, per Senor Suave, the DT466 is VERY durable, esp in the low output tuning I suspect your rig has. If it has top loader Rockwells, I doubt that it is a IH chassis, but I suspect it's actually a Severe Service chassis with custom bodywork. IH did make various military spec trucks of approximetly the same age and flavor, though :shrug: More pics might help ;)

More pics, please, and remember: Sometimes you just have to paint the tree purple :shakin:


Matt

[adrenaline503]

and remember: Sometimes you just have to paint the tree purple :shakin:

What does that mean exactly?

[ntsqd]

Had a further thot on this & figured I'd toss it out for consideration. It might be easier to put a later model cab & hood on the truck than to try to insulate + dust & water seal that cab.
FFT anyway......

[Mobryan]

What does that mean exactly?

I got that saying from my wife- her way of saying "dare to be different", "Think outside the box", "Be your own man" and a dozen other overused cliches about doing things your own way :D


Matt

[alaskantinbender]

Great looking platform, looking foreward to seeing it progress.
And as always dont forget the pics.....:roost:


Regards,

Jim