Perks of a University Job

"Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch" (bman76)
10/27/2015 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

Last week I got a job as a shop tech in the college’s shop. The thing that makes this odd is that the college doesn’t currently have a shop, because we’re in the process of getting a new building.

So then, what are the shop techs doing without a shop?

DEMOLITION!

We’ve been tearing out, and breaking up, all the stuff the college left behind. Today was the last day at the old building, so we collected up all the “good” scrap metal and were thrown the keys to this beauty. Behold the Dodge Ram. It’s a long-bed 318 with a Torqueflite, and it’s wonderful.

It’s about the oldest vehicle the university owns and is in surprisingly good condition (ignoring the paint). The cab is huge, and it has vent windows and a bench seat. I’ve always seen this pickup parked in the alley behind the building and have grown to love it.

We took our metal to the local scrapyard where we found quite a scene.

That’s a semi truck whose load is very much on fire. It smelled terrible and was creating a massive smokescreen. A fire truck eventually showed up and put it out. We ended up selling 156lbs of copper and 238lbs of aluminum, so we have lunch money for quite a while.

It’s been a pretty great day so far, and it should only get better.

DISCUSSION (20)

lone_liberal > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 16:50

It looks like the Dodge my grandfather had that my aunt christened “Big Boy”. The truck he had before Big Boy was a ‘64 or ‘65 Dodge. Both had the 318. He was a Mopar guy from way back who had a number of 30s and 40s era Plymouths in one of his fields and drove a number of Plymouths that I remember including a state patrol car with a 440PI.

shop-teacher > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 16:54

Not bad sir. Not bad at all!

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 16:55

We used to have a truck that looked EXACTLY like that, peeling paint and rust and all.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > lone_liberal
10/27/2015 at 16:59

My grandpa has a flatbed very similar to this pickup. As a kid I thought the loud exhaust that dumped right behind the door was the coolest thing ever.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
10/27/2015 at 17:01

It’s surprisingly straight, I’d lower it an inch or two and daily it otherwise as-is.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > shop-teacher
10/27/2015 at 17:02

It’s just so... truck.

lone_liberal > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 17:06

He did have a couple of flatbeds that had dumpbeds on them that I remember but those were 60s era Internationals, if I’m remembering right. He did have an early 50s Dodge flatbed with a flathead 6 that eventually ended up with my family for a while. Strangely enough the pickup he loved the best was a Toyota Stout. He couldn’t believe that something so small was so tough.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > lone_liberal
10/27/2015 at 17:12

Wow, now I want a Stout which I didn’t even know was a thing until now.

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 17:12

there is something so comforting about bench seats.

lone_liberal > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 17:14

I learned to drive stick on his. Yes, I learned with a “3 on the tree”. My mom taught me!

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/27/2015 at 17:18

The vinyl seats weren’t even ripped, but they were green. A Mexican blanket seat cover would really make it next level awesome.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > lone_liberal
10/27/2015 at 17:21

I’m still trying to acquire a ‘51 Chevy pickup from my other grandpa. It’s a straight six with a column shift 3-speed.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 17:24

I’d be VERY okay with green vinyl seats.

shop-teacher > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 18:02

Well said :)

shop-teacher > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/27/2015 at 18:03

Only thing better would be plaid :)

Ram_Riot_6 > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 18:05

I have an ‘86 Ram and I absolutely love the way it looks and drives!

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Ram_Riot_6
10/27/2015 at 18:06

Which motor?

Ram_Riot_6 > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/27/2015 at 18:10

318, for now, with the Torqueflite as well

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch
10/28/2015 at 02:59

When doing the budget for one of my stations last year, I noticed that the manager had put in a request for a new pickup. The one they’re still using is a 1968 Ford. I haven’t seen pictures of it so I don’t know if it’s a classic to be restored or if it’s a rustbucket ready for the scrapyard. I figure 46 years in Portland OR might have taken their toll.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
10/28/2015 at 08:31

That’s amazing, but yeah the ‘68 is probably suffering from natural weight reduction.