FL80 4x4 service truck build

simonsrplant said: Another story... But here's the failure that got me going Click to expand... Ahh- the perfect service truck is nice, but the truck that can get out and go to work without being perfect? That's the one that's priceless. Glad to see you got the new one up and running. I always have grand ideas of everything I want to do to a rig, and then it goes into service, because I need it. And then all the little things take time, but at least I can make $$ while doing the little things. I'm going to get my own introduction to the 3126 world (kind of) - I think I have something coming with a C7. And I'm thinking its going to get a transplant also. Eventually. Once its made some $.

So it's been a while but the old trusty 3126 is finally being retired this fall. Truck has been great. +/-25k hours on the original block with pretty much everything else replaced. Replacing it is a rebuilt C10 paired to an 8LL. I'll get lower low gears and an overdrive in top to account for the lower rpm limit. Transmission is out of a tandem sourced separately Engine is out of a donor FL112, so I'll have evrything. The frame will need lengthening forward about 7 inches to accomodate the cooler group. I'll use the FL112 fenders and hood. I'll post progress pictures on here as I go.

simonsrplant said: So it's been a while but the old trusty 3126 is finally being retired this fall. Truck has been great. +/-25k hours on the original block with pretty much everything else replaced. Replacing it is a rebuilt C10 paired to an 8LL. I'll get lower low gears and an overdrive in top to account for the lower rpm limit. Transmission is out of a tandem sourced separately Engine is out of a donor FL112, so I'll have evrything. The frame will need lengthening forward about 7 inches to accomodate the cooler group. I'll use the FL112 fenders and hood. I'll post progress pictures on here as I go. Click to expand... We have a C12/13sp. in our 1999 IH 9200 single axle. We use the truck (with a bumper pull deck-over trailer) like a “large pickup” to haul our small equipment (5 ton excavator, skid steer, washplant etc) to various mining claims Really like this engine…burns really clean, starts good in cold weather and gets really good fuel economy (granted we are hauling light…).

My truck is about 36k lbs day to day. Occasionally I'll pull my small equipment trailer. Say for a transmission or final drive job etc.

Had to open up the flywheel housing mounts to 5/8 and bolt up the new mounts. That's roughly where the new front cross member will sit so the frame extension is minimal. Nice progress. Tomorrow I'll finalize the frame and front cross member and add the PTO to the 8LL

Little more effort than anticipated but pleased with the results. Found out yesterday the hole in the cab floor needs to me moved further back. Mildy annoying as my floor liner is discontinued. Extension finished and cross member installed. Almost ready for motor installation.

Did a test fit yesterday. Turns out I accounted for everything except the cab bulkhead. Despite the cab looking identical it's not. I need to cut out the dog house and swap in the dog house from the donor truck. Bit of a set back but is what it is. Let the cutting and welding begin!

Half way through welding in the bulkhead. Went fairly well. I over cut the top a little bit was able to fully weld it together. Engine is now installed. Electrics all finished. Next big job will be fitting the hood and aligning it all correctly

First test fit of the hood Note The cab is not aired up May fit another quarter inch shim....

simonsrplant said: First test fit of the hood Note The cab is not aired up May fit another quarter inch shim.... Click to expand... Looks like it's coming together really well

colson04 said: Looks like it's coming together really well Click to expand... Yes. This week has been a lot slower. Tho I knew it would be the small details that are the most time consuming. PTO and driveline on today and remake the clutch lever. Hopefully a test drive Sunday / Monday.

More slow progress this weekend. Driveline and PTO installed tho I may seek an alternative PTO housing as it's sure close to the front driveshaft. Radiator, hood and front wiring harness bow installed and clamped in place neatly. Exhaust work tomorrow morning and lengthening the coolant lines to my service body. I'll probably mount up the original front bumper (if it fits) just to get back to work. Then I can fab up the new one at my own pace between work. Going for a Sunday afternoon beer now!

Another slow week. New pipework for the PTO, thanks to Lethbridge Finning for building me the pressure hose. Ended up buying a new pump as swapping it around from side six bolt to bottom eight bolt I inadvertently put it on in reverse which didn't do it any favors. New pump fixed that right up. Threw on the original bumper for now to free up down time which actually looks pretty good on it. A morning of tidy up chores tomorrow and then we'll take it out for a spin.

So after a couple of road tests. Found a few teething problems but nothing serious. The neutral switch didn't cross over correctly and bound up the low / high split so I took that out for now. Had to re flash the speedo in ET to match the 3126 spec as the driveline did not match the C10 configuration. I'm really impressed with the conversion. Low end ratios are perfect, without even trying the low range in the transfer case yet. 8th top (overdrive) is also a perfect match to the RPM. 100kph is 1800 rpm. It's now a dream on the highway rather than screaming at 2400rpm. I'm looking forward to using it in the bush now having Jakes will be awesome. As with every job like this there are a few down the road jobs I need to look at but that's me being picky.

We want pictures!

simonsrplant said: So after a couple of road tests. Found a few teething problems but nothing serious. The neutral switch didn't cross over correctly and bound up the low / high split so I took that out for now. Had to re flash the speedo in ET to match the 3126 spec as the driveline did not match the C10 configuration. I'm really impressed with the conversion. Low end ratios are perfect, without even trying the low range in the transfer case yet. 8th top (overdrive) is also a perfect match to the RPM. 100kph is 1800 rpm. It's now a dream on the highway rather than screaming at 2400rpm. I'm looking forward to using it in the bush now having Jakes will be awesome. As with every job like this there are a few down the road jobs I need to look at but that's me being picky. Click to expand... Looks like it's coming along well. I have an fl80 tandem axle boom truck with a 3126 and 8ll in it. I've thought about swapping a c10 or c12 in its place. How bad was the electrical part of the swap?

John Griffin said: Looks like it's coming along well. I have an fl80 tandem axle boom truck with a 3126 and 8ll in it. I've thought about swapping a c10 or c12 in its place. How bad was the electrical part of the swap? Click to expand... Real easy. I had a complete truck (2000 FL112) to take parts from but if you find the correct motor, the ECM pin out will match. Mine was a 70pin J1, all I had to do was add Jake brake returns to the dash. Everything else was a direct connect. I used the factory truck engine to bulkhead harness.

New hood and front end look. Engine is about as stock as I could make it. Unless you know, you wouldn't know it wasn't built like it. I made a neat aluminum trim for the shifter as the hole was further back. The trim covers the cut lines from the floor insulation.

And I had to add my old CAT Diesel Power logos.

Sweet truck. I think I just watched a Youtube video about this?