I bought something stupid...

"Pixel" (Improbcat) 06/28/2016 at 19:55 • Filed to: bell telephone trailer

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It is a trailer made from the back half of a ‘50s Bell Systems utility truck. Judging by the one hubcap it might be an International chassis.

I paid all of $150 for it, and the guy is delivering it to my house. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it, but if nothing else it’ll be good for annoying !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

It needs new tires, to be rewired, a lot of cleaning, not a small amount of rust repair, and a coat of paint. It might end up painted like a Vault-Tec vehicle, or restored to the original color.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:02

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That is awesome!

To be honest, for $150 delivered, I’d be tempted to buy something silly like that too..

Steve in Manhattan > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:02

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Did I guess International on a previous post?

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:03

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MkI FEV transporter.

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:05

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You bought something stupid awesome. Bonus points for Vault Tech.

Die-Trying > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:05

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now all you gotta do is find a cab for it

Birddog > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:06

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Some “Rat Rod” guy may be willing to take that thing off your hands at a reasonable profit to you. Pissing off crummy neighbors works too.

I see no stupidity here. Carry on!

Urambo Tauro > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:24

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You bought it after all!

(I didn’t notice until now that you updated your earlier post, solving the mystery of its origin.) Are you going to install a tongue jack?

Pixel > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/28/2016 at 20:26

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That is pretty much where I ended up. I have spent more money on dumber stuff. I’m pretty sure I can get $150 worth of entertainment out of it.

Pixel > Die-Trying 06/28/2016 at 20:34

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Something like this maybe?

Pixel > Urambo Tauro 06/28/2016 at 20:36

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Yeah, the price dropped to $150, so I couldn’t resist.

It’ll get a tongue jack, along with a bunch of other work once he drops it off.

Urambo Tauro > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:39

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You know, I was looking at those wheels, thinking “that’s a truck axle; it should be capable of hauling some heavy loads.” Which makes me wonder: does it have brakes?

jhanathan > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:45

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Pixel > Urambo Tauro 06/28/2016 at 20:46

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It has things which at one point where brakes. Currently they are just adding weight(much like the diff itself).

Pie in the sky on this project would be to rip out the original axle and put in a custom width 3000lb trailer axle with electric brakes.

Pixel > jhanathan 06/28/2016 at 20:49

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Yep. Part of me wants to repaint it that color, but I think most people would think it was an army trailer.

Urambo Tauro > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 20:58

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Yeah, that might be overkill. I don’t know if I’ve ever even seen electric brakes on a single-axle trailer. 3000 lbs is a LOT more weight than I would expect to find a small box like that to be carrying.

Die-Trying > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 21:05

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oh hey....... wow..... thats about what? 65-ish harvester?? 4x4??

those are all long beds, so you might have to take about 13 or 14 inches out of the frame behind the cab. then put it back together........ whole lot of measuring bit of welding..... plate the welds. that would be an outstanding project truck.

Pixel > Urambo Tauro 06/28/2016 at 21:19

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I tend to over-engineer in case I decide to do something really dumb later. This is why all the plugs in my house were wires with 12ga wire & 20amp rated plugs.

Urambo Tauro > Pixel 06/28/2016 at 21:29

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I’m a fan of over-engineering too. That kind of braking might actually come in handy if you had an especially heavy load, like sand or something.

TysMagic > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 09:13

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“ but if nothing else it’ll be good for annoying my neighbors .”

This is the kind of thing I like to get behind. I vote overland trailer, but that’s a whole different direction than I think you’re wanting to head

Pixel > TysMagic 06/29/2016 at 09:16

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It would probably make a good overland trailer, but I don’t do any 4-wheeling and don’t have much interest in starting another expensive car hobby. I’ve also pondered making a chuckwagon trailer out of it, but I do very little camping these days.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 09:28

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I must be hungry = first thought = Hot Dog Stand

TysMagic > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 09:28

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fair enough reasoning there. I do like the vault tec idea

64Mali > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 10:20

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I kind of want..... its awesome.

CalzoneGolem > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 10:44

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If you had to plans for it then why would you buy it?

Pixel > CalzoneGolem 06/29/2016 at 11:02

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I assume you mean if I no plans why would I buy it.

Because it was a neat thing I wanted to possess, and it was cheap enough that I could do that without it causing any financial issues. It amuses me to have it, and that was all I needed.

CalzoneGolem > Pixel 06/29/2016 at 11:14

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Haha maybe it’s because I’m a cheap bastard but I wouldn’t drop $150 on a thing solely for the amusement of possessing it.

knewman > CalzoneGolem 06/29/2016 at 11:32

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what is money if not for amusement

Pixel > CalzoneGolem 06/29/2016 at 11:40

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Mostly I am the same, but every once in a while I have to indulge myself.

CalzoneGolem > knewman 06/29/2016 at 11:40

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Well some of it keeps me from starving or dying from exposure.