Rather unique build Longhorn
 

well i got this home today it was set up to pull a large camper. It spent a lot of its life in Arkansas.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

More pics

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And

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

some more

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And the always wanted spid

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Looks good Jim. Hope your trip was uneventful as far as problems.

LockDoc

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Man that is one cool truck!
It's hard to tell but does that hydraulic valve raise and lower the tag axle? I am assuming that the alternator has been relocated so a hydraulic pump can be driven off the crankshaft.
I love the compass and the rest dash goodies.
Is that an 8 track mounted on the front of the seat?
The wiring looks a little sketchy to me but that can be taken care of with some elbow grease.
Congratulations! It certainly looks like you got a good deal.
6 wheel braking?

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

You stole that thing! Looks amazing. What are your plans for it?

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Nice! Looks clean.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

;) Plan is to get ruing and check it out

Trip went well and plan a 3rd more to get

yes hydraulic vale to raise and lower tag excel is run off the power steering
guessing 2nd alt is for more power for camper
8 track and cassette deck interchange
yes 6 wheel braking

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Man, if trucks could talk(!)

Even the hand fabricated rear bumper is great, obviously has some specific purposes.

That truck shows some serious love in its condition and modifications.......

If you have a 30 or 40 foot vintage airstream you are set!

I dare you, just one time, put this truck back on the road for its intended purpose and document it for us!

I know a lot of people would fall into the camp of blasphemy and butchery for opinion. That guy put some serious time and thought AND labor to make his vision happen. There are some good stories behind the miles in that truck! I’m holding my glass up here at the breakfast table to him, “ cheers buddy, I hope it was a good life, and you left something behind to smile about......

Enjoy your new rig :)

Steve weim55 Colorado

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Tell us about the OD unit, is it a worm drive setup mounted on back of the trans?
I have one on my 87 BBC Suburban, and it really works great, Makes the 4:10 into about a 3:30 ratio.
Greg

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

That is set up to haul some serious weight.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Interesting truck. If it’s from Arkansas, other Larry may have built and used that in his excavation business

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I sure hope you leave it as was built by the original owner.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

I would be willing to bet there's a connection with the early 1970s Born Free truck campers made in Humboldt, Iowa, not far from where you bought the truck. The company was founded by John Dodgen, and the campers featured a tag axle referred to as the Dodgen tag axle. Perhaps your truck was a prototype for another idea he had.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...print/true.cfm

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

About all I've got to say...is WOW!!!

I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, that rear most tire looked like you leaned up against the fender to play games with us!!!.......Not!!!

I grew up n Iowa. I have only remembered seeing those Ziebart decals when I lived in Iowa....

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

El Camino with a tag

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Very tough looking Work-Horse.

I like the back bumper the most.

And the extra rear axle and the 8 track and the whole truck ;)

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Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Got ruining drove it around some drives nice but still have a fuel starving problem. going to pull the line out of the tank tomorrow.
Engine has been rebuilt and and a journal on the 1st cupped years

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Was bought in Iowa and moved to Arkansas thin back to Iowa

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Some info on the over drive

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

With that many miles it's obviously a well engineered system
From some of the photos it appears that he rolled the edges of the rear wheel cutouts. In the original Craigslist ad they looked unrolled.
I remember those stereo slide mounts from back in the day. One of the first anti theft devices. Pretty clever way to till be able to play both.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Man, I'm kicking myself for not going to check it out. Looks like it was well worth it.

Re: Rather unique build Longhorn
 

Nice score! Looks like the original owner spent some time and money getting that truck exactly the way he wanted it. Not to mention by the looks of things, a well-maintained work truck.