This is the initial post of my project to get an older 6x4/gas back on the road.
First, I've never owned one before, so it may include unnecessary steps and dead ends. Feedback is always welcome, especially if it saves me pain and suffering.
Second, I know very little about it. I bought it from a cattle ranch that bought it last winter to hopefully fix up for ranch use, but the seller said "he ran out of time". That could be secret code for "it's a much bigger mess than I thought". He pointed to the water pump and said it needed a part in that area. Both rear right tires only hold air for an hour or so. All six tires are pretty tired. The front cowling has some fiberglass damage, and the seats are torn.
Third, there's an old "parts estimate" from a JD dealer that includes a water pump, camshaft, and thermostat dated 2013. Don't know how someone deduced that's what it needed, or if those repairs were ever made.
I filled the radiator, and water immediately runs out from the water pump. The actual leak is hidden under the pump, so I don't know if a gasket is bad or if the housing has a hole in it. It's too much leakage for a bad seal to explain. I need to remove the muffler before I can visualize the leak and/or remove the water pump. That will be in the next installment.
My goal is to get the thing running reliably, and to make it into a wildland brush fire unit. 100 gallon water tank, a booster hose reel, and a high pressure pump. I have a 1985 4wd Dodge 1Ton dedicated to this purpose at present, but it's hard to start, and has a terrible turning radius for narrow skid roads. Plus the water tank is too big to remove easily, so it doesn't work for other tasks. Wife would prefer the Gator.
Lastly, I have lots of other projects on my plate, so this one won't get first priority.
First, I've never owned one before, so it may include unnecessary steps and dead ends. Feedback is always welcome, especially if it saves me pain and suffering.
Second, I know very little about it. I bought it from a cattle ranch that bought it last winter to hopefully fix up for ranch use, but the seller said "he ran out of time". That could be secret code for "it's a much bigger mess than I thought". He pointed to the water pump and said it needed a part in that area. Both rear right tires only hold air for an hour or so. All six tires are pretty tired. The front cowling has some fiberglass damage, and the seats are torn.
Third, there's an old "parts estimate" from a JD dealer that includes a water pump, camshaft, and thermostat dated 2013. Don't know how someone deduced that's what it needed, or if those repairs were ever made.
I filled the radiator, and water immediately runs out from the water pump. The actual leak is hidden under the pump, so I don't know if a gasket is bad or if the housing has a hole in it. It's too much leakage for a bad seal to explain. I need to remove the muffler before I can visualize the leak and/or remove the water pump. That will be in the next installment.
My goal is to get the thing running reliably, and to make it into a wildland brush fire unit. 100 gallon water tank, a booster hose reel, and a high pressure pump. I have a 1985 4wd Dodge 1Ton dedicated to this purpose at present, but it's hard to start, and has a terrible turning radius for narrow skid roads. Plus the water tank is too big to remove easily, so it doesn't work for other tasks. Wife would prefer the Gator.
Lastly, I have lots of other projects on my plate, so this one won't get first priority.