Buying my first cab over semi truck! 1987 Freightliner BIG CAM Cummins

Buying my first big truck 1987 freightliner cabover semi tractor with a big cam cummins 4 eaton transmission Rockwell axles and having it towed home with a 2011 f450 6.7L diesel ‪@NOT_FOR_HIRE‬

[@andrabailey5276]

Jolly green giant

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Yes you are correct!

[@joeyz5577]

Perfect name for a beautiful truck can't wait to see where you go with this 👍

[@j.c.smithprojects]

the nut is out on the 5th wheel because the jaws are open. the left side of the passenger seat is worn off from when it was the driver seat. getting in and out chewed the edge off. 350hp big cam. couldnt read the rear axle ratings. you want to make the trip, i can hook you up with some good used tires or new ones. overall it looks like it had bee cared for. dont crank it until you check the air filter for a mouse nest. i wouldnt do anything with that starter until i was sure the batteries were good. one bad battery can kill the others. i have a great supplier for batteries as well.only down fall for me was it looks to be spring ride rear. let me know if you need any help. congrats young man! great score!

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Thank you sir I always appreciate your insight!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

How cool.....I get to see two channels I enjoy talking to each other.

[@marknewell7355]

Listen to JC you wont go wrong I've subbed going to be a good project and never be afraid to ask watching from the UK makings of a good series

[@donbullock8790]

Hello; You must like a challenge. #1. What popped out to me was the oil pressure sending unit hanging down next to the front spring. #2. Bar the engine over before using the starter. This way you know it will turn over without "clunky" surprises. #3. Remove the air tube at the turbo before starting. This way nothing foreign will go into engine. #4. Check ALL fluids for moisture to include the trans. If it sat for a long time condensation will have made it possible for things to get rusty. #5. Go over ALL wiring looking for bad spots where the "critters" might have chewed into. Look at the relay connections for problems. #6. With the engine serial number you can get the CPL number. This gives all the data needed to work on that engine. #7. Check all air valves. Creepy crawlers like to lay their eggs etc. in any shall orifice they can find. Denatured alcohol will dissolve them. That should keep you busy for a while. I'll check back later to see how you're doing. I've had projects this many years ago with the same model trucks.

[@thardyryll]

Don, excellent advice - and, from the perspective of a retired newspaper editor - impeccably written. I am bringing back my 1961 International R-190 from the dead after letting it sit idle for too long, and what you have posted applies to it as well.

[@ejerez359]

I'd love to see that truck original style!! Welcome to the restoration club, I'm enjoying Twinsticks, EZRider, JC Smith, and many more!! Now this one 😎

[@turbogrin]

I bought A 1988 freightliner single rear axle with a 350 big cam last year that had been sitting for over 16 years I got it home and running

[@bennetfox]

I grew up in the cab of a late '70s Kenworth K100. Seeing this truck brought back a lot of memories! Imagine a family of four seeing the USA in that cab!

[@JamesPretty]

Love cab overs. I have a couple k100’s

[@putskison2164]

Nice addition to the fleet, every channel has that one purchase that blows their channel up and I think this is the one

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

I think your right! Thank you!

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

*DUDE!* 😀👍 That's awesome!! Glad it made the trip without any problems. Your buddys F450 was putting in the work! 😂 I really like that cab over body style. Reminds me of the wrecker from Terminator 2 😎

[@sbellamy49]

When the going gets Tuff. Buy you a FORD🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@qualifierone8899]

I've never seen anything like it .. cool!

[@Mack-wn2we]

BIG CAM que motor ! era una roca! 👍 🇵🇦

[@blueonblack3971]

Gentry and son on youtube as a few of these. This is one of the nicest finds I've seen. I love the look and ride of a old cab over. Good luck buddy, I look forward to the series of videos getting this road ready.

[@the.porter.productions]

Radical truck! Cabovers rule! 🥰 Get that baby cleaned from top to bottom. Got severl tips for ya: 1st This truck has a 12/24 volt system...DON’T rebuild the starter before you make sure that you have enough batteries and have them hooked up properly! You could tell that it was just dragging due to the lack of power. 2nd The fuel should be fine unless you suspect that water has accessed the tanks. Replace the filters and just add some fresh fuel to what you have. Use #2 fuel for now. That’s what they ran on back in the day. Take a pint of fuel out and check for water! 3:73 is a good ratio. Chances are it was serviced before he parked it. I would keep the rear tires until you’re ready to replace them...should be good to just roll around the yard. Go over ALL the air lines, electrical and brakes. It seems that the brakes might be fine, but you do have one maxi that definitely needs replaced. Word of wisdom...use BOTH grab bars when climbing up/down from that beast. Gives great exercise! The bar on the 5th wheel is the adjusting bar for the locking mechanism...You really shouldn’t have to mess with that. You won’t know until you connect it to a trailer. Hope this info helps. I bet that the mileage is correct and the pedals show the true wear or could even be from another truck (probably not). Feel free to ask anything. Bring it on, dude! Looking forward to more on this rig. Porter Dude of Ohio. 🤩🇺🇸

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Thanks for your words of wisdom! I wanna believe its correct also because it has a millionth spot on the odometer and I'm sure it doesn't have over 100 million miles 😆

[@corysherman6087]

Can’t wait to see that paint cleaned up. Lovin’ that beautiful green!!

[@Jammer.1]

Listen to J.C. Smith he knows his stuff & i already see he offered his help ! It does look well cared for & nothing leaking but the tanks might be caroded on the insides !

[@stevemcnally7655]

I love seeing old trucks rescued. Well done, will be watching your progress.

[@jailnurse]

I have one of these (88) It's my pride and joy.

[@gmcjimmy3580]

That mileage seems to be right because for being a 80s truck She's in very nice shape, even the interior is in very good condition, excellent score.

[@willb3018]

Those old cabovers were cool. Looking forward to this.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Man that's awesome! I'd clean it up, make sure it's mechanically good and put it right back to work. That shade of green is really cool too!

[@tomfillmore9710]

congratulations that is awesome old freightliner love the old cabovers enjoyed watching I will be following along take care

[@pjp80s]

I can’t believe how clean the frame is!

[@kevinrichards3288]

I bet back in the day when cabovers were common use here in the USA, a lot of cabover drivers would forget to secure their loose stuff inside the cabs before taking their semis into the shop for service. Then when the mechanic tilts up the cab to get access to the motor, all of the driver's loose stuff would get tossed around & land on the windshield & break it. Lol

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that was awesome seeing how you bought jolly green and got it home. It's in really good shape. Just some TLC is all it needs. Man I love saying this truck it remembers my truck when I had it. My truck was a company truck. I wish I bought it from the owner cuz she would not take care of the truck after a certain point and that's what make me stop driving for her. But I wish I would have rescued the truck cuz I know it went down fast. Good video buddy.

[@icerazar713]

I'm a retired truck driver. I remember driving one of these cab overs.

[@thekleptonater]

Sweet now you need to make a restoration series so I can follow along with my old Freightliner.

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Thats the plan but more of a keep it as original as possible instead of a full restro

[@geofflewis4815]

Hello, The Jolly Green is starting to look a little bit better. Have been watching the other 2 videos and will be looking out for part 4, I know you are going through the Truck with filters, oil, fuel, and checking it all over. Watch the grease points, perhaps before pumping fresh grease through, if you are not sure, remove the grease nippell, and pump fresh grease through it. Best of luck 👍👍👍. Geoff Lewis Wales UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@vaughnhill3437]

Not a bad looking old cab over. One of my favorite old cab overs. We jad a 1987 with a 425 hp. Cat in it with a13 speed double over wih six inch straits and jake brakes. We pulled a 7 car trailer and hauled cars and trucks all over texas louisiana and oklahoma. You could load that trailer as full as possible and it would 90 plus mph if you really wanted to ..it was damn sure a highway wagon for sure

[@maxpuppy96]

Had an 88 just like it, ran it up to 2019 and sold it still hauls cattle today. sold it for 7000 and there was not a thing wrong with it. I know all about that truck, I did a ton of work to mine, I had a Neway air ride on mine. The shifter goes out of whack when you raise the cab just shift it in gear couple times and it will sync right it in they are designed to do that. Get it running get some heat in the engine and get it moving around to get oil moving through all the running gears the more you run it the better they are. My guess it is a 350 Cummins. excellent engine.

[@abelpadilla7789]

Oh fuck yeah bro! Get it started let’s see it run

[@a_new_leaf_eric5828]

Nice find bud. Look forward to videos on this rig!

[@rogerdecosta6170]

If I were you it would be my daylight driver😎

[@robertbradford7892]

This thing is clean that frame looks nice she ain't been in the salt...👌

[@montgotoygarage2020]

Great video! Appreciate it for all the details!!!

[@alanparker3624]

Hi there, the bolt on the Holland hitch is an adjustable nut for the kingpin lock. When you hook up a trailer you want to see a small gap of 1/8 inch or so between the washer and 5th wheel plate. If pulling a variety of trailers, if you will pull your own trailer then tighten the adjustment nut/washer until it comes into contact with the plate. No need to over tighten! The clutch pedal is worn from double clutching, it is a good sign! Even with the best "easy clutch " in your truck is a daily workout. The power train will be in much better condition internally! 1987 Cummins is probably the old high speed rpm engine, 1800-2200 rpms is the operating range. That doesn't mean 2200 is the red line. You will need to look up the specs of that paticular engine. I started in the 90s with Detroit 60 series low rpm high torque engine.

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Thanks for all the info! I do plan on owning my own trailers so I'll keep that in mind. I will be replacing all the breathers I have them ordered already.

[@tracya3310]

those crocks will get you HURT, trucker up!! nice project.

[@dennymarreesr6187]

That shifter should open with hydraulics as you jack the cab up. That’s the way mine did. Good luck with the truck.

[@kizerbread]

Cool rig. Cummins Big cam 4 👍

[@mischef18]

Nice one bro I am looking forward to see it back on the road. Safe travels

[@ernestzamparelli5873]

I bet with that blue interior and spring suspension that was once an old North American Van Lines truck. It got the green paint when they leased on to Mayflower. And if that was true he may have just ran it regionally not 48 states which could explain the low mileage, but wore out pedals.

[@biglarry7937]

I pulled a 74 super camper special out of there property for some parts, I saw that cabover and was like hmmm..love those old cabovers...

[@jimmypopp2695]

Part of the OG 5K. Hoping to see 1,000 subs a day for this content!!

[@skipstein744]

The '87 Freight Liner will be a fine project and great truck for your fleet. Onward!

[@kenreddick6420]

A beauty from the past... I love seeing the older trucks given lots of TLC And then back on the highway again...✌️🤙

[@1_2_Many_Projects]

My granddad ran an 81 freightliner cabover almost exactly like that. Cummins with a 13 speed. I’d love to see this thing going down the road in some videos.

[@kennyfordham6208]

Sooo coool! 👍You've got to paint it red and put an 'Autobot' decal on it. Everybody will love you!

[@kennyfordham6208]

Optimous was a Freightliner 🤗

[@israelfontanez615]

good project semi tractor it looks clean man cleaner up . i drove 13spd spltiter.1980.

[@dougevans6389]

You got a new subscriber I can’t wait to watch you fix this truck up it is truly so awesome!! That truck brought back so many memories for me. My daddy had a trucking business he hauled logs, lumber, shoes from the shoe factory with a dry box and he had like 11 Cabovers trucks he had a few long nose as we used to call them but I always loved those cabovers when I drove for daddy I always drove a cabover and I drove a Freightliner same color same engine and transmission. I hauled logs with it starting in around 1992 drove it for about four years then we used it to haul trusses to Arkansas I always loved that truck everybody raged me about the color of it. One guy always told me it was frog shit green! Hahaha After that I drove a international cabover I hauled lumber with the flatbed trailer I haul a few loads of the shoes to Florida and I hauled logs I hauled everything with that international it was an international Eagle it was a really nice truck and I drove it till I got hurt and and couldn’t do nothing no more! Now I’m a old man crippled up I sit around and lay around and think about the good old days and seeing this truck just brought back so many good memories of times I spent with my daddy and would give anything to go back and do it all again! So God bless you can’t wait to watch this truck come back to life!!!

[@joeschlotthauer840]

I love it, but I don't know much about them. I always wanted to find just the cab to make a ridiculous pickup truck out of it...

[@billarends2244]

I think you have gem here. Please get the engine and drive train 100% before making it pretty. Power wash and vacuum, get rid of dorky visor, and make road ready. Just subscribed to watch this “ Hulk” come to life.

[@johnhansen5162]

I'm currently restoring a 85. We stretched it and have touched almost everything. I don't have a youtube page but definitely look me up if you're needing pointers.

[@RHTbluetrokadriver]

Looking forward to seeing more videos man, love cabovers trucks

[@michael8271]

Hold up stop the video you cannot be in an 87 Freightliner Cab Over wear crocs it’s against all school rules😂😂😂😂 video is great love the 87 🔥🔥🔥

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

I know i gotta upgrade! 😆

[@dougevans6389]

That looks like the truck I hauled logs with in the early 1990’s

[@stevej.6229]

Nice find!! That’s a Cummins Big Cam IV. Let me know if you have any questions on it. Literally overhauled 100’s of those when I was with a large fleet and also when I worked for Cummins. Can’t wait to hear her run!! Definitely clean the diesel tanks and run it out of a clean container of fuel and maybe a little Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner on first start up.Good Luck!

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

There's 3 videos on this truck so far. I got it running! Thanks im sure ill have questions at some point. Thanks for stopping by I appreciate it!

[@lloydrobinson7081]

u r videos seam to be enjoyable so far, keep the videos coming

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Yes sir!

[@thomasseifried4445]

For me as a model maker a great source of information and un a well-liked contribution.Many greetings from Germany

[@donmccord]

Get your pressure washer out first thing and clean her up then you can see what your working with especially around the rear mold mildew and moss will cover and hide frame cracks real easy I don’t anticipate it she looks well taken care of other than the grill lol

[@thekleptonater]

Careful with those pedals. I stepped on the gas pedal in mine yesterday and it broke clean in half.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

"That rod" sticking out is used to adjust the slack in the fifth wheel lock. It's sticks out until your pinned up to a trailer and the fifth wheel is locked then its pulled in.

[@derekchauvinisahero2010]

Yup 👍🏻

[@bsiliofernandez754]

I loved your video. I'm a cuminis lover look forward to hear your motors sound.I owned 2 pick ups. 1990 12 valves and 2000 24.

[@chakeithamchenry5826]

Dude you are one of the greats. This is the kind of content I love.

[@jayh4185]

Just found your channel and love the jolly green giant!!!

[@Retired88M]

An old timer Old School owner operator told me one time that the one thing that should be changed on a cab over when restoring is the air and electrical lines at the pivot points where the cab tilts and any air or electric lines that are constantly being flexed

[@matthewpowell5278]

Just found your channel great content

[@MrBeeradb1]

semi truck engines usually last over a million miles before requiring an overhaul or replacement.

[@mistylanham8786]

Really solid find with big gun Cummins. Have a good motor guy u can have fun with them motors. Even still has good mud flaps.

[@colinnapier6662]

Great first video on the big green truck. Looking forward to the restoration

[@goleafsgo8496]

2:15 or so is that the "BOSS" showing up to see what the family fortune is being spent on, 😆 🤣. Or is she the selling "BOSS" thinking I can't believe we finally sold that thing?

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Shes the boss!

[@gosportjamie]

I wouldn't be too worried about the wear on the clutch pedal. That truck seems to have been in use for 9 years, racking up a total of 225,000 miles, so an average of 25,000 miles a year. That's very low mileage for a rig so it almost certainly wasn't used predominantly on major highways. That means it will have been doing a lot more stop-start driving than a lot of rigs get, meaning that the wear on the clutch pedal really isn't surprising. What is more telling that the displayed mileage is likely to be about right is the lack of wear on the brake pedal and the fact that the frame and a lot of the major mechanical components look like they're still wearing their original factory paint rather than having had myriad coats of paint over the years. The lack of wear on the dashboard panels where fingers have flicked and operated the switches over potentially millions of miles is another sign of little use for a rig, and the driver's seat, which appears to be original equipment, though it's a bit hard to tell under the dirt, isn't flattened and the covering isn't worn away and split like they almost always are on a truck with average mileage. Sure, the passenger seat is split, but it looks like that is down to the sun getting on it when it was parked up, cooking the upholstery to the point where it's shrunk back and pulled the stitching apart rather than being down to use. The fifth wheel plate still has nice, sharp edges on the casting, meaning that it has clearly had relatively little use as, even with the heavy coating of grease they usually have on them, the plates do wear with use so the edges get rounded off with use. Something else that suggests the displayed mileage is likely to be correct is the fact that the truck doesn't appear to have really been altered hardly at all from original spec. Trucks evolve as they go through their working lives, so things get added or changed as new equipment or better versions of existing equipment come along, but this one doesn't seem to have had that. Overall, I don't find it too difficult to believe that the mileage shown on the speedo is about right from what's shown in the video...

[@alfonsdeml284]

I think you will find it's been around the clock, but tha doesn't mean it can't be brought back to life. Keep up the good work.

[@dougevans6389]

Man that is just an awesome truck with no miles on it!!! I love it!!

[@transitpassenger3948]

7:20 What the fuck? How much dope has this Ford pulling a trailer? This is a pickup truck! A real American FORD! Freddy is cool, I love American trucks without bonnet, they look like diesel locomotives!

[@Shane-Singleton]

I'd name it Pickle Rick!

[@johnpartridge7623]

A beautiful old Truck not like the modern stuff 👍

[@bgd73]

damn clean frame. nice find. drove around in a 350 cummins for years...more than 35 years ago. it went to junk at 2.1mil miles for being nuclear. check your king pins on the steer axle..that is the most complicated repair if it needs it.

[@jeffnagel918]

Us original 5k subs are still here for the new content! Get out that checkbook and lets get it going buddy!

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Your part of the OG 5,000! I appreciate all of you!

[@brutus_inusa]

Congrats to the new family member !!

[@jekylljr-trucker7238]

that ''rod'' on the fifth wheel goes in when the king pin locks inside the fifth wheel , if its loose it needs adjusted

[@tyrankin2767]

I think old red could’ve handled it no problem 👍🏻😂

[@ModernMessiah]

These are so cool. I gotta get one some day. Congrats 🥳

[@motorvaderlapstrake7238]

Nice! That truck is going to clean up real well. Doesn't look abused.

[@bertgrau9246]

one thing to be aware of, those older trucks, need lots of lubrication for the fuel pump and injectors if it has 100 gallon tanks, add at least one quart of oil in each tank when you fill it up. Before you try to start, prime the fuel pump, there is a plug on top towards the front of the pump. If I remember correctly it's a 1/2 inch fill with 10w30 oil or automatic transmission fluid, that will help lubricate the pump and injectors , also you can fill the new fuel filter with the oil or transmission fluid as well Good luck If you want some help on how to increase the RPM or fuel pressure just ask, on those it's pretty simple

[@sdudley11]

I just use 12 oz. of hot shot secrets LX4 LUBRICITY EXTREME in both tanks to get the lubrication back in the diesel fuel and seem to have great luck with it in my 86 Pete 362 with Cat 3406b engine

[@davep9199]

That truck will clean up so we'll. Good on you. Well done

[@robertsickinger2099]

The brakes aren't wet or leaking because they are air.Dont worry til you hear the air leaking.It may need new batteries don't do the starter yet till you get those batteries!

[@freezerburn04]

Muddy boots will grind down the foot pedals... what did the fella haul do you know? Cattle for feed lots or construction materials will get mud on your feet. Super sweet rig, bro.

[@kennyb9127]

New sub, looking forward to the build! Congrats!

[@junkyarddog8277]

Ahh yes, more old semi truck restorations to fuel my addiction.

[@arthurbiringer5676]

Maybe if contact the engine manufacturer they may be able to reproduce the engine ID plate.

[@jonathanwilliams4501]

The rod goes in when you hook up to a trailer, but it’s a slack adjustment for the jaws of your fifth wheel and those tires are recaps not new virgin tires when he put them on..

[@rosshemming1347]

Cab overs are the best trucks you will ever drive. I have a conventional now and miss my cab overs have fon

[@donaldfranklinjr7087]

Awesome video and great cabover truck

[@whitesnake370]

You should get a hold of gentry and sons chanel he may have a grill for you it would be a good idea to talk with him he is a good dude.

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

Yeah I watch his videos! I have the grille for it tho!

[@whitesnake370]

@@NOT_FOR_HIRE ya i Comet before I watch the hole video like I'm talking to my tablet. I saw you have the grill after words that's fuckin cool bro. I hope I get to make a pickup out of one some day. I would love to have a Detroit v12 just because they sound so good. I think I would do a single axel with some fat supper singles and air ride all the way around. Would be sick.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Real cool truck! Looking forward to the build.

[@jasonmonahan6301]

Beautiful ride.I think it will look cool if you painted the rims black...best of luck look forward to seeing it revived.

[@flights47]

Keep us posted on the progress with a little of TLC this will be a awesome freight shaker

[@shreddder999]

2:01 Always engage that lock before you start doing anything under there!

[@sethlaney630]

Tha HULK!

[@GorillaCrewWarGaming]

No matter what, MICE will get into whatever they want, HOWEVER they want.......

[@flights47]

Oldie but a goodie

[@jacemusgrove3073]

It's a squarebody! Not the traditional squarebody, but a squarebody none the less! Nice addition to your fleet.