Just brought home a 61 stepside...lots of questions

R

rockstarspeedshop

Member
So I bought this truck because, well, it looks cool. I'm no stranger to old trucks or working on them (it's my job) but am very new to IH stuff. Few questions...

Wheel bolt pattern? The stock split rims are cool but this thing needs new rubber asap.

Diffs/springs/lift? These appear very similar to GM parts, what are some good swaps?

All wheel drive- are these things full time all wheel drive or selectable all wheel drive?

Any info helps guys !

482236_10151310862876384_1192972460_n.jpg


45613_10151310863101384_1194746979_n.jpg


10016_10151310863306384_2027625586_n.jpg


604148_10151310863776384_267744996_n.jpg
 
rockstarspeedshop said:
wheel bolt pattern? The stock split rims are cool but this thing needs new rubber asap.
Click to expand...

Since the rear is a full float axle, my guess is going to be it's a 3/4 ton truck. Since you didn't post up a picture of the wheels, I am going to guess they are 6 lug? If so, the pattern is 6 on 7.25". They are near impossible to find in a non-split rim pattern as it appears only IH and old dodge powerwagons used that pattern. As you can imagine brake drums are also going to be hard to find. Chances are you can come by them used, but I don't know if you'd be able to find new drums if you needed them. Last I heard people with the 6 on 7.25" lug pattern were getting wheel custom made to get rid of the split rims, but I think the shop people preferred went out of business.

rockstarspeedshop said:
diffs/springs/lift? These appear very similar to GM parts, what are some good swaps?
Click to expand...

They are not GM, chances are they are Dana with the exception of the rear, which May be a Dana or a IH corporate axle. The Dana axles IH used are just like the Dana axles every other manufacture's used. You're truck should have a Dana 44 closed knuckle front, and either an ra-15 IH rear or a Dana 60 full float. The IH axle looks similar to, but larger then a 9" with the center section dropping out of the front. There are no "lift kits" available off the shelf for the trucks, but if someone wanted too, you could piece one together by rebuilding the suspension, or getting custom leaves made. I know Jeff (the owner of IH parts American and operator of this site) is working on a d-series lift kit. The d-series of truck is one generation newer then your truck, but the leaf packs maybe the same or similar.

rockstarspeedshop said:
all wheel drive- are these things full time all wheel drive or selectable all wheel drive?
Click to expand...

All wheel drive in this instance mean selectable four wheel driver. It is not full time, and it should have an np-202 transfer case. The options should be 2 high, just driving the rear tires, 4 high, driving the front and rear axles with the hub locked in, but no additional reduction from the transfer case and 4 low, same as 4 high, but reduction added by putting the transfer case in low gear.

Good luck
 
Made a bit of progress. Rebuilt the carb as it was leaking all over the place. New fuel pump, lines, filter, cleaned out the tank and air cleaner to top it off. Tuned her up a bit and got it idling and driving smooth. Also had to replace the water pump as the bearing was completely shot and ended up blowing coolant everywhere. Flushed out the radiator and installed new thermostat for good measure. Took her out for a solid 45 minute drive the other day and was surprised how well she faired for sitting in a barn for so long. Found time to clean out the interior and bed as well. Currently in the process of rattle canning it back to the original antique white color instead of the flat black.


562403_10151337539416384_1462105804_n.jpg

946557_10151356998141384_850487715_n.jpg

922711_10151356998836384_124688516_n.jpg

399854_10151346966441384_1633819016_n.jpg

428689_10151368217051384_1179214779_n.jpg
 
Hi,
nice truck! Wish I could see it sometime. I'm in the process of restoring a IH 62 crew cab version of that truck, only mine was in far worse shape.

Btw where did you get the paint? Here in van nuys I haven't been able to find any cans of paint, other than rustoleum and then only in the basic colors of black, white, red, etc.

Steve
 
Steve- I have been checking out your rig build up as well. I live down in long beach, you are more than welcome to stop by.

For the paint I am running the rust o leum high gloss enamel with wide tip nozzle. Great coverage and if done slowly looks very good unlike 98% of the rattle can paint jobs out there. Ive made some progress this weekend and will post pics in a bit.

294844_10151372099121384_158036705_n.jpg
 
Thought I recognized them trees in the first photo. I grew up in so cali. And was stationed in long beach for a few years till '89.

Cool looken truck. And I agree that the rear bumper isn't much to be desired. Not exactly sure what options would work good for a step side like yours though.
 
The rear bumper is going to get tossed. It's ugly, not put together well and did I mention ugly? Problem is the previous owners snot welded it to the frame. Why do people do that? :icon_stressed:
 
I wasn't going to say it but since you did, I agree that the rear bumper is on the fugly side. Gotta love them booger welds along with a major case of the po virus. I'm dealing with both on my 73 beast.

Next time I'm down in la, I was planning on meeting up with steve. Long beach is a hop skip and a leap from where my family stays. Be cool to check out your rig too
 
rockstarspeedshop said:
the rear bumper is going to get tossed. It's ugly, not put together well and did I mention ugly? Problem is the previous owners snot welded it to the frame. Why do people do that? :icon_stressed:
Click to expand...

I wish I could say. At least my po had the courtesy to remove the bumper and bumper brackets before welding them together. Now they don't even come close to bolting onto the frame. So they continue to sit in the bed of the truck until I can grind away all the welding. But he did put the bumper bracket's frame holes to good use - he ran the wiring for the lights through them...

scooter said:
Next time I'm down in la, I was planning on meeting up with steve. Long beach is a hop skip and a leap from where my family stays. Be cool to check out your rig too
Click to expand...

Perhaps, if it works out with your plans, we could carpool to long beach. I've never rode in a Scout before.

Steve
 
Nice work on the paint job! The bumper is a bit chunky. Could you fab up tube bumper? A bit rounder to match the lines and style of the truck?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top