The Government Mule - 62 c20 with service bed

[jcramsey]

Welded in the notches this weekend and cut the frame. Still have to cap the notches and do some final welding on them. Need to cut out inside the boxes so my tires can fully tuck.

Also need to come up with a track bar that will work. The stock one hits the axle when the truck is lowered.

[rusty76]

So cool to see this thing getting done.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So cool to see this thing getting done.

Thanks rusty....I'm ready to drive it!

[RDrancher]

Nice progress! You know that service bed is calling for a wood floor...

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by RDrancher

Nice progress! You know that service bed is calling for a wood floor...

Funny you should say that...my dad was saying the same thing to me. I've never seen a service bed with a wood floor, but I like the sound of it. It would be nice to hide the notches under the bed floor anyway. My brother's got a couple of old rickety barns with a lot of good oak boards....

[RDrancher]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

Funny you should say that...my dad was saying the same thing to me. I've never seen a service bed with a wood floor, but I like the sound of it. It would be nice to hide the notches under the bed floor anyway. My brother's got a couple of old rickety barns with a lot of good oak boards....

I need to know your brother...and live closer. I'd be making siding for my house, wainscoting for my barn and shop, and a whole lot more out of that aged wood.

It would look pretty cool in the back of the Mule with strips of galvanized/patina'd strips between.

[aggie91]

I like the way this one it coming along. Where did you get those notches from?

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by RDrancher

I need to know your brother...and live closer. I'd be making siding for my house, wainscoting for my barn and shop, and a whole lot more out of that aged wood.

It would look pretty cool in the back of the Mule with strips of galvanized/patina'd strips between.

He's putting the wood to good use so far. Completely redid a 1930's farmhouse himself and made some faux beams out of them for his dining room ceiling. Turned out nice. I think his plan is to tear down the 5 crusty barns, build one nice one and skin it with the old wood.

I'll have to get him to save me a few pieces. I want a wood bed now.

Originally Posted by aggie91

I like the way this one it coming along. Where did you get those notches from?

Thanks! Notches are from Welder Series. https://www.welderseries.com/Step-Notch-Kit-p50202433
Would definitely do business with them again. You can weld them yourself or they will weld them for $25-30 more depending on which width you get.

[jcramsey]

Trimmed the inner fenders to help clear these tall tires....

[rusty76]

This thing is going to be a monster. I’m ready to see you cruising.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by rusty76

This thing is going to be a monster. I’m ready to see you cruising.

Thanks rusty! That makes two of us ready to see this thing on the road!

[jcramsey]

These showed up yesterday. Going to see how the rears do in the stock location first since that should be the easiest place to mount. Working on some lowering blocks to offset the bag thickness. Hopefully it will be low enough for me. Still have to get some plates To mount the fronts.

[rusty76]

Nice

[jcramsey]

Never could find time to do any serious work on the truck so I posted it up on CL and Facebook a couple months ago. Ended up selling the truck on the 14th. Guy and his wife drove up from Jacksonville, FL to pick it up. I think he won Valentines Day His plans are to put in an LS, air ride and use it for his mobile detailing business.

I used the money from this truck to pick up an 89 Dodge D350 flatbed truck with the 5.9 cummins and 5 speed trans. I'll use it to go pick up a well used 72 (I think) stepside farm truck that my dad is giving me. He bought it for the motor that was original to the 66 he's got (the Egg Hauler). He got the whole truck for practically nothing so I dont feel too guilty about taking it. I kept the 250 and T5 from the 62 so hoping to drop that in, shorten the driveshaft, make sure the brakes are good and get it driving. I'm not out of the game yet!

[rusty76]

Hate you sold it but new things arrive around the corner.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Hate you sold it but new things arrive around the corner.

I really hated to see it go, but I just wasn't able to work on it like I wanted to. Gonna try and keep the next truck simple so I can get it on the road a lot quicker.

[RDrancher]

Too bad it had to go, but...in the scheme of life it's just another thang. I've discovered that I've reached the age that I just can't get out there and git r done like I used to so my projects just sit. Fun to look at them and dream though.

Looking forward to watching your next project!

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by RDrancher

Too bad it had to go, but...in the scheme of life it's just another thang. I've discovered that I've reached the age that I just can't get out there and git r done like I used to so my projects just sit. Fun to look at them and dream though.

Looking forward to watching your next project!

I agree, its just another thing, and it was fun to work on and dream about. I hear ya on getting it done though, I've got an almost 3 year old girl and a 6 month old boy so free time is hard to come by these days.

On the up side, the Dodge is a driver, so my daughter can take a ride in it with me now...she always asked when we were going to ride in the 62 and the only thing I could tell her was "someday".

[namloc]

Just read the Mule is gone. That is a cool build. Hope new owner takes off where you left off and do's it justice. Thanks for sharing your build.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by namloc

Just read the Mule is gone. That is a cool build. Hope new owner takes off where you left off and do's it justice. Thanks for sharing your build.

Thanks for tagging along! I think the Mule is in good hands with the new owner. He just texted me yesterday asking a few questions so he could buy the right parts for it.

One final parting shot from the CL ad....

[Palf70Step]

Glad it went to a good home. Good luck and have fun with the replacement!

[jcramsey]

Been keeping up with the Mule. New owner is doing it right. Z'ed the front and big notch in the back with a 4 link. Said he dropped off the motor this week and should have it up and running in a few weeks. Planning to have it done in time for Daytona at Thanksgiving.

[rusty76]

Good to see the ole truck moving along.

[jcramsey]

I think the new owner's just about got the suspension done. He said he just needs to wrap up some wiring for the LS and get the driveshaft built and he'll be ready to drive it. He's doing it right.

[jcramsey]

The Mule is officially on the road. New owner just sent me this pic last night.