today we start working on this truck i bought a while ago. it is set up wrong in my opinion. i am going to do some repairs as well as putting on a more fitting body.
Dear J.C. Smith projects family. 👍👌👏 I just finished watching this video again, it's still great. I can't believe why the factory didn't put the rear axle more to the back of the truck. In this configuration it is not really useable. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health.
JC, it is actually refreshing to watch someone with your skill level work on these trucks, who regularly thinks of his return on investment - rather than the mechanics who rebuild vehicles primarily for the entertainment value. Since your motivation is always toward the bottom line, it is much more realistic than the channels who spend time on cosmetics or popular 'gimmicks' which only appeal to certain types of viewers. I am a subscriber who always goes thumbs up on your posts, and feel that your only weakness is being a bit over-sensitive to what is in the comments section. 90% of the remarks are by people who could never duplicate your work - and you know it! 😉
i may not do it the best way out there but i do it the best way i know how. im sure if you took as much time as i do filming, transferring video to computer, loading into editing software, spending hours of editing so you can take 8 hours of video down to under and hour, publish for people to watch and then have some less than desirable character say some of the things they do.....you would take offense too. it is a complete lack of respect. the majority have never made a video for the public to see. i am not looking for people to agree with everything i do or say. however, there is a respectful way to get ones point across.. you have to realize that i see thousands of comments in a short amount of time.....if only 10% are offensive or degrading with foul language....that is iover a 100! evern the thickest skinned person would grow tired of that nonsense.
J.C. love the videos. Getting ready to take 26' box off int 7600 shorten frame to install dump bed. Before I saw your videos it would have been cut the frame twice then weld together adding plates. Story pole is a great idea. Thanks for the info.
Of course, you know your local market. That is a skill. I've known many skilled craftsmen in many different trades, but they didn't learn the business end of their livelihood. They barely scraped by or more often than not work for less than wages. I see in your business a multitude of trades. First of all your location and the demand for trucks in your local area. The availability of used vehicles to work your magic on. The fabrication and mechanical skills, the ability to recognize what will or won't work in your area. In a small business venture as the owner, you must be able to wear a multitude of hats and use other supporting businesses to take up the slack. Thanks for the entertainment while waiting out this Corona Virus quartine.
boy, i wish i was half as intelligent as you make it seem! the reality is, this isnt a hard industry to be in. it is a niche for sure. a niche that not many people in my area dabble in. i dont want to do what every tom, dick and harry is doing. they are competing with themselves and suck all the profit out. i want to do good work, sell good reliable trucks and have a good reputation.....so far so good. lets hope i can keep it going.
I'm for the service body 100%, replace all the brake lines, seat, paint the frame, and ship it! Great video, mastered with voice-over narration, jump cuts, speed up and delay, fantastic camera angles, and great sound quality. 5 stars from here. Congratulations on getting rid of the dump body and hitch plate, let the "spring cleaning" begin! Work safe, stay warm, see ya on the next adventure. Talk soon. Doug@ the "ranch"
It’s amazing how much better the frame looked just by wire brushing it! I would have to defer to you on what to put on the truck for resale because I don’t have a clue of what sells good. Take care Mr and Mrs JC!!
Sir, I’m loving the voiceovers! This new style you’ve taken on is awesome. Please please please don’t ever turn into a westen champlin where you’re just playing games. Some of us just like trucks and want to relax watching truck videos! Side note, I know you like to stay private but I for one am super interested in hour business. It would be awesome if you showed/talked about more of the business aspect of what you do. The reason people like you is because you’re normal and relatable. Please stay that way!
i have been getting a pretty positive response toward the new videos. im glad people like it as it requires so much more work and time to do them this way. as we age we change. im not a young man. i like to focus on the work....i typically dont mix the business side of things with youtube.
Another great video! I really enjoy watching and seeing your way of thinking about things. I would go with the service body or a rollback bed if you had one.
I like that truck. That has allot of potential. Many guys would want a truck with 4 wheel drive, auto trans and not a ton of miles on it. I'd paint that frame up nice, complete fluid change, put a good service bed on it and that will sell in a couple of hours. GOOD LUCK, YOU DO GOOD WORK‼️👍👍. Vinny 🇺🇸 PS, Enjoy Your Channel
i say just do what you need to do to pay the bills but a service body is the way to go thanks for the videos they are very informitive and great to watch
I used to do a lot of wire wheeling and that dust made my guts go crazy. It was a lot better when I started useing a furnace blower (that really cranks the air speed) and have it blow past the cloud and then me and out the door.
G'day from Australia, great videos, just a tip in relation to removing sticker glue from surfaces. Use Eucalyptus Oil, does not damage the finished surfaces at all. And it's a natural product that has any harmful fumes or fire ignition risks.
Good afternoon. It is a good truck. I think service bed is a cost effective option. You have a logical approach to fixing the trucks minimal time & investment. Once again another job well done. This new video format is spectacular. Have a good day
I like your videos . I'm a car mechanic in NZ. I didn't notice the axle position problem but as soon as you pointed it out It was obvious. It would only be the weight of the front axle that would make it stable, especially if it got loaded was to the rear. That's a good idea putting a service body on it. Being a larger 4wd it should sell fast as there are usually less 4wd service trucks in the market to start with and that should command a higher price than a 2wd.
Service body for sure like you said the right appropriate wrecker body would only make sense if you had a totaled wrecker with a good bed but seems how you dont service body love the channel and the content keep up the great work and builds
If the return was there I would say a wrecker, but I agree with you it doesnt make you the most profit , it makes zero sense to do it. If you had a shorter dump bed for it it would make a good dump truck or if you felt like doing your thing to the frame etc but considering you just took the dump body bed off and you could use that on something else or flip it and sell it alone, I think you go with your service body idea. If you think about it a 4x4 with a service body would be great for a mobile mechanic or a company who has construction or services equipment that needs to get into construction sites or off road areas to fix or service something this would be handy and the 4x4 would be an asset on a truck like that, I think that is an awesome idea. As long as it doesnt cost you too much for the service body, I could see a good profit there.... and if you sell the dump bed, well that is some extra cash in your pocket or you hang on to the dump bed if you have another truck that would make a good dump truck candidate and maybe throw it on there and sell a dump truck... either way.... I like the service body idea.... and you have to go with what makes the most cost effective use of your money while bring you in the most profit. Now dont get me that I am going all safety police here on you JC but when you guys are using the wire wheel may want to throw onj some dust masks if you have them, wont help a ton but that fine dust is just terrible, you end up inhaling it no matter how hard you try, I know I am more than guilty of doing wire wheeling to knock down rust to paint a frame, but lately I have started to use the dust mask more, I know some will say wear a respirator...and they could be right but I throw on a dust mask to help not inhale that in... may want to consider it... and no I dont mean to get all safety on ya, just that fine dust is just terrible...lol...
oh I forgot to ad, huge fan of the flap discs, I dont know who invented them but genius! I buy them in the multi packs because I use them a lot and man they do such a great job and they arent hugely expensive which is the best part not to mention the fantastic job they do and you can get a lot of use out of one disc...I havent checked out the prices on amazon, but I will look into it now because you have a good nose for deals.. and if they are cheaper there than where I buy and it leaves more dollars in my pocket, I am all in
Hey J.C.,my names Mike I’m a new subscriber, I’ve been watching some of your video’s and just saw the red 4x4 kodiak video; it’s probably sold by now and you probably know this, but I heard you said it needs a seat; the drivers seat, both door panels, and steering wheel fit from 96 up Chevy/GMC van, like I said you probably already knew that, but I figured maybe other subscribers would be interested! The van parts are way cheaper and easier to find. Keep up the good work!!!
welcome michael! hope you find some videos you like. yes i am aware that some of the express van parts working on these trucks. i am not a duramax fan but i am a fan of making money and these trucks sell easy.....that is why i buy them.
Good call on removing that dump box. A service body is a good idea. Your video production is just as it should be. It matches who you are, and you get the job done. If you have not already, show your wife how a wire wheel can kick. Good to see her wearing heavy sleeves and full face protection.
i like to focus on the work. i may be wrong but i think there is a large majority of viewers who want to see the work and not the video editing do dads....
I can’t tell you if they were an upfitter 4x4 but they were sold as factory 4x4 with warranty I worked at a Chevy dealer that sold several of these trucks
I have to agree... a person looking for a dump truck will know that axle is way too far forward to be safe and effective as a dump truck. And if the GVW is what you said, they'll also be doing the math to figure out you can't haul much more than a 1ton pickup with it. Service body would be ideal in my opinion. A 4X4 service truck that can get out to where the broken equipment is at is worth some pretty good money! I think a wrecker would also benefit from a farther axle. Those compression fittings!!!! Holy crap! And your new videos are fantastic! (not saying your old ones were crap, just really like the new format) I know how much work you're putting into these videos, and I'm very impressed and really appreciate all the extra work! Is your email address still the same? I have something from an auction you might be interested in.
anyone that can do math would have scoffed at that set up. it was all wrong for a dump truck. thanks. i hoped all the extra work was worth it. j.c.smithporjects@gmail.com
I've rented a 26ft uhaul c4500 with a 8.1, we maxed that truck out, it was fully loaded front to back, side to side and top to bottom. Plus it was towing our car (also loaded) on a trailer. It proformed well for being a gasjob on our 3,103 KMS journey. Hills the trucks weakness and fuel mileage was horrible.
Put it on ebay you might break the bank,those things are popular with a goose neck or western hauler beds to .They have quite a following and I have seen them bringing way more than they are worth.
Hey it's really nice to see somebody who actually gives a s*** on what they sell amazing keep it up like to know where you're out of I'm in Seattle Washington
I would put a service body on it almost looks like it was originally set up for one. I wouldn't put a wrecker body on it for 1 you would have to move the axle back because the way it's set up it wouldn't have any weight on the steers. And 2nd putting a tow body wouldn't be cost effective by the time you invest in the PTO and some of those transmission need a gear added to run the PTO. And then you have hydraulic lines and everything to run it. So I think your right with the service body and being 4wd is a bonus.
i have a century wrecker bed. i have the pto for this trans. i have the pump. the gear is in the trans......even with all that, i dont think it is the most profitable option. the rear fuel tank would have to be removed and a different tank put inside the frame in front of the axle. then cut the frame close to the leaft spring shackles.
I think your use of the voice-over is going to be something that you're going to be using more and more to really good advantage, and I'm glad to see you using it. So many times in your job noise alone gets in the way of you being able to get your point understood without having to tell it 40 times in order for the act being seen to match up with what you're explaining what's going on. A lot of times , there wouldn't be any good way to talk over an engine running, or a compressor coming on, or even a phone ringing, and I know how aggravating all that can be. I don't foresee a lot of negative responses from your use of it, anyone that understands mechanics at all will give you a plus for this. I really like seeing notifications of new J.C. Smith Projects videos.
if you have dead batteries, thats why the put a boost point under the hood. the sliding tray is the cats ass. boost point is uder that red cover by the fuse block thats where your suppose to attach jump start cables.
that is a terrible jump spot on this truck. too small of posts and cables when batteries are dead. takes forever to get dead batteries up enough to crank. they could have put actual jumping posts outside the battery box like other medium duty trucks with batteries that are not easily accessed.
JC, the brake line material is NiCu or nickel copper. It's stronger than steel line. Ever seen a foreign car with rotted brake lines? You won't as it's required by the EU for brake lines. Same for bubble flairs verses a SAE double flair.
Service body sounds good/makes sense to me...that hoist setup looked questionable to me but l liked the box - looked like an easy reach for the skid steer
😂😂 it just pains you to work on a GM. Great job though! Everyone needs a reliable truck to get out to repair broke down equipment, good choice on the Duramax Service truck! lol
I'd say service body..or even a service box truck body..my service vehicle is a 16 foot box van..but i wish it was 4wd not to mention heavier duty..all tools stay dry in a toolbox and when you are done for the day..everything remains in the truck .
I have heard you and Jonathan say yall didnt like those compression fittings,Id like to see one put under extreme pressure to see if it would fail, Ive never seen one fail,And im convinced unless i see different that the line would burst before the brass failed. I bet the flare would fail on a normal brakeline before the comp fitting would. IDK.
The dump bed was obviously too much for that chassis A service body or similar would be a great set up and desirable for many applications. This chassis would also make for a cool Offroad/ Expedition RV.
Those 4500 4x4’s never made much sense to me, especially as a dump. They’re extremely heavy for how low the gvwr is, I think they’re around 18,000 lbs if I recall correctly and the ones we had with an 8’ x9’ Godwin bed with live pto hoist weight almost 12k, meaning you could only haul 3 ton on it. We can get over 4 ton on our 1990 f-super duty legally and it’s way more compact.
The f super duty's are great trucks. I have 2 1989s, both the same wheelbase engine and trans. They both have PTOs, one has a 8' x 11'4" flatbed with a PTO operated air compressor. Other is a 8' x 10' dump truck. They weigh 8500 - 9000 pounds each. Only difference between the two is the dump truck is green, other is white. Dump truck has 5.13 gears, flatbed has 4.63 gears. Other than that they are nearly twins. Almost sold the dump box but informed the buyer his truck wasn't heavy duty enough. Just with the bed on his truck he'd be maxed out for gvwr. Sometimes people don't always think things through.
obs ford diesels inc. many pickup owners don’t pay attention to Weights until they go to a gravel pit or somewhere with a scale. I know a guy with a dump insert in a ram 2500 with a 24v 5.9 Cummins, it weighs 8200 lbs empty and gvwr is 8800, we went to the gravel pit one day me in the super duty him in the dodge, I drove out legal with 3 ton on but the scalehouse made him go back and dump, he ended up leaving with about 3 wheelbarrows worth of crush and run lol. Just wish the ford had that Cummins in it, it’s an e4od and a 460 with 4.63’s right now but I’ve got a 91 f250 im planning on pulling the 7.3 idi out of to put in it, it’ll still be slow as hell but going from 3 mpg to 8 or 10 will help a lot.
@@J.R.in_WV I'm currently trying to get the dump truck roadworthy. The alternator (which is new, and the voltage regulator) isn't charging. Also the brake lights don't work, or the rear turn signals. All the running lights work and the front turn signals. Also replaced the water pump and new traction bar bushings. It was a plow truck with a tailgate salt spreader. The dump box has been replaced so it's not too rusty. Frame is amazingly still solid. For what I got the truck for I can't complain about any of it's problems. Eventually it's going to need a cab and fenders and doors. Before that I want to fix the wiring problems.
It seems odd to me that GM rates these at 17,500 and the 5500 at 19,500. Ford has the more pickup oriented design instead of medium duty truck design. What's interesting is that the F-550 covers both of these GVW, since the 450 tops out at 16k.
I agree there is No reason you need 3 batteries in a duramax. As for the electric/hydraulic, the duramax has provisions for dual alternators which would have been 105 amps each but the 145 amp fits in its place. You need charging, not capacity.
a box is the leat valuable option. if by roll off, you mean "dumpster roll of" again the weight of the equipment leaves nothing for capacity. if you meant rollback...it would need to be at least a 19' bed. i would need to add several feet of frame to the rear and move the axle back. then the value of the 4wd isnt being utilized.
Unless there's something in the yard, stick with the direction you're going. Your videos are fine. Just glad that you share with us. Thanks, J C
Dear J.C. Smith projects family.
👍👌👏 I just finished watching this video again, it's still great. I can't believe why the factory didn't
put the rear axle more to the back of the truck. In this configuration it is not really useable.
Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and health.
You know best as your doing the work , voice over excellent. Trucks pay bills you tube doesn't . Thanks for sharing
Mate, every video is more than entertaining , I’m in my 60’s and still learning! Great work always. Thanks mate 😃🤗👍👍👍🎼🎸
service body makes more sense plus you get more for it. nice video's
Or wrecker body
It is nice that you and your wife can work together on these jobs.
you and ur wife do very nice work you do every thing the right way not many people do things like you do any more good job guys
You are good as it is, vote for service truck!
I like to watch your videos to learn tips and tricks. Working on pickup trucks, trailers and such is my hobby and I appreciate your videos.
JC, it is actually refreshing to watch someone with your skill level work on these trucks, who regularly thinks of his return on investment - rather than the mechanics who rebuild vehicles primarily for the entertainment value. Since your motivation is always toward the bottom line, it is much more realistic than the channels who spend time on cosmetics or popular 'gimmicks' which only appeal to certain types of viewers. I am a subscriber who always goes thumbs up on your posts, and feel that your only weakness is being a bit over-sensitive to what is in the comments section. 90% of the remarks are by people who could never duplicate your work - and you know it! 😉
i may not do it the best way out there but i do it the best way i know how. im sure if you took as much time as i do filming, transferring video to computer, loading into editing software, spending hours of editing so you can take 8 hours of video down to under and hour, publish for people to watch and then have some less than desirable character say some of the things they do.....you would take offense too. it is a complete lack of respect. the majority have never made a video for the public to see. i am not looking for people to agree with everything i do or say. however, there is a respectful way to get ones point across.. you have to realize that i see thousands of comments in a short amount of time.....if only 10% are offensive or degrading with foul language....that is iover a 100! evern the thickest skinned person would grow tired of that nonsense.
You make a lot of sense with putting the service body on this truck.
if it dont make dollars....it dont make sense!
J.C. love the videos. Getting ready to take 26' box off int 7600 shorten frame to install dump bed. Before I saw your videos it would have been cut the frame twice then weld together adding plates. Story pole is a great idea. Thanks for the info.
Of course, you know your local market. That is a skill. I've known many skilled craftsmen in many different trades, but they didn't learn the business end of their livelihood. They barely scraped by or more often than not work for less than wages. I see in your business a multitude of trades. First of all your location and the demand for trucks in your local area. The availability of used vehicles to work your magic on. The fabrication and mechanical skills, the ability to recognize what will or won't work in your area.
In a small business venture as the owner, you must be able to wear a multitude of hats and use other supporting businesses to take up the slack. Thanks for the entertainment while waiting out this Corona Virus quartine.
boy, i wish i was half as intelligent as you make it seem! the reality is, this isnt a hard industry to be in. it is a niche for sure. a niche that not many people in my area dabble in. i dont want to do what every tom, dick and harry is doing. they are competing with themselves and suck all the profit out. i want to do good work, sell good reliable trucks and have a good reputation.....so far so good. lets hope i can keep it going.
I'm for the service body 100%, replace all the brake lines, seat, paint the frame, and ship it!
Great video, mastered with voice-over narration, jump cuts, speed up and delay, fantastic camera angles, and great sound quality. 5 stars from here. Congratulations on getting rid of the dump body and hitch plate, let the "spring cleaning" begin! Work safe, stay warm, see ya on the next adventure. Talk soon.
Doug@ the "ranch"
Hi J.C. I love the teamwork between you and your wife!!
we do ok. she would rather help me than be stuck in an office somewhere.
Service bed is the ticket. 4x4 service truck would be a choice
I agree on the service bed.
It’s amazing how much better the frame looked just by wire brushing it! I would have to defer to you on what to put on the truck for resale because I don’t have a clue of what sells good. Take care Mr and Mrs JC!!
little clean up goes a long way....we will see what it gets put on it.
Thanks for sharing! I enjoy watching your adventures!
Hey you folks are doing great keep it up the discussion of what others think but, not written in stone. I enjoy the content and ideas
Sir, I’m loving the voiceovers! This new style you’ve taken on is awesome. Please please please don’t ever turn into a westen champlin where you’re just playing games. Some of us just like trucks and want to relax watching truck videos!
Side note, I know you like to stay private but I for one am super interested in hour business. It would be awesome if you showed/talked about more of the business aspect of what you do. The reason people like you is because you’re normal and relatable. Please stay that way!
i have been getting a pretty positive response toward the new videos. im glad people like it as it requires so much more work and time to do them this way. as we age we change. im not a young man. i like to focus on the work....i typically dont mix the business side of things with youtube.
Almost need the needle scaler on some of these.... you guys do awesome work, love watching you videos
That's a nice 4500 , I'm looking for the rear center gas tank it's like 15 gal for the dual tank set up . Keep the truck videos coming
Another great video! I really enjoy watching and seeing your way of thinking about things. I would go with the service body or a rollback bed if you had one.
I like that truck. That has allot of potential. Many guys would want a truck with 4 wheel drive, auto trans and not a ton of miles on it. I'd paint that frame up nice, complete fluid change, put a good service bed on it and that will sell in a couple of hours. GOOD LUCK, YOU DO GOOD WORK‼️👍👍. Vinny 🇺🇸 PS, Enjoy Your Channel
You did a great job with that torch!
Another great video. Have a wonderful day!
Service bed would be great with that truck bein a 4x4.
I like what you do...and how you do it....no worries
Just got to the end of the vid and have to say you guys are awesome for using TH-cam earnings to help others!
help others when you can...you never know when it is you tat might need the help.
i say just do what you need to do to pay the bills but a service body is the way to go thanks for the videos they are very informitive and great to watch
thanks for watching.
I used to do a lot of wire wheeling and that dust made my guts go crazy. It was a lot better when I started useing a furnace blower (that really cranks the air speed) and have it blow past the cloud and then me and out the door.
Looks better already with out the bed! You will get it right and it will sell fast! Thanks JC
if it doesnt sell fast....i know another c4500 that might be steeling a few key parts from this one.
totally agree with your thought process mate, continued success and good health. Thumbs Up
If I were voting for Bernie I would say I think you should donate that truck to the Kopplin family LOL! Keep up the good work and videos!
G'day from Australia, great videos, just a tip in relation to removing sticker glue from surfaces. Use Eucalyptus Oil, does not damage the finished surfaces at all. And it's a natural product that has any harmful fumes or fire ignition risks.
service bed with crane would be perfect for that truck and some LED work Lights For night Service work. and your videos Are perfect very informative.
Man am amazed how strong that impact is wow
Good afternoon. It is a good truck. I think service bed is a cost effective option. You have a logical approach to fixing the trucks minimal time & investment. Once again another job well done. This new video format is spectacular. Have a good day
im glad you like it. it seems like it is worth the extra investment of time.
@@j.c.smithprojects I do. Thank you sir.
yes...........she did a LOT OF WORK.....cleaning the frame! Really LIKE the video.....keep them coming....more and more.....
i do what i can. i dont always have time to grab the camera...videoing a project make it take about twice as long.
I like your videos . I'm a car mechanic in NZ. I didn't notice the axle position problem but as soon as you pointed it out It was obvious. It would only be the weight of the front axle that would make it stable, especially if it got loaded was to the rear. That's a good idea putting a service body on it. Being a larger 4wd it should sell fast as there are usually less 4wd service trucks in the market to start with and that should command a higher price than a 2wd.
if it sticks around too long....it may not be 4wd anymore.........hmmmmmm. could that lead to another video?????
Big fan of the service body option, especially if it has a crane. Would be a real handy rig.
i have a 12,000lb knuckle boom crane but i think it is too big for this truck.....an 3000-4000 lb auto crane is more fitting.
Great video. Thanks
Service body for sure like you said the right appropriate wrecker body would only make sense if you had a totaled wrecker with a good bed but seems how you dont service body love the channel and the content keep up the great work and builds
Go with the service body. The videos are fine, I learn a lot from what you do , and even how to value my time better 👍
you cant build wealth by stepping over dollars to pick up nickels. best thing i ever did was stop trading hours for dollars.
Looks like your wife has spent a lot of time in the shop. Appears she pays attention and knows a lot of details.
A service body would be sweet on that truck! Can’t wait to see it finished
i have been staring at this 4wd and then staring at another truck i have that is 2wd.....then back at this one....see where i am going here?
If the return was there I would say a wrecker, but I agree with you it doesnt make you the most profit , it makes zero sense to do it. If you had a shorter dump bed for it it would make a good dump truck or if you felt like doing your thing to the frame etc but considering you just took the dump body bed off and you could use that on something else or flip it and sell it alone, I think you go with your service body idea. If you think about it a 4x4 with a service body would be great for a mobile mechanic or a company who has construction or services equipment that needs to get into construction sites or off road areas to fix or service something this would be handy and the 4x4 would be an asset on a truck like that, I think that is an awesome idea. As long as it doesnt cost you too much for the service body, I could see a good profit there.... and if you sell the dump bed, well that is some extra cash in your pocket or you hang on to the dump bed if you have another truck that would make a good dump truck candidate and maybe throw it on there and sell a dump truck... either way.... I like the service body idea.... and you have to go with what makes the most cost effective use of your money while bring you in the most profit.
Now dont get me that I am going all safety police here on you JC but when you guys are using the wire wheel may want to throw onj some dust masks if you have them, wont help a ton but that fine dust is just terrible, you end up inhaling it no matter how hard you try, I know I am more than guilty of doing wire wheeling to knock down rust to paint a frame, but lately I have started to use the dust mask more, I know some will say wear a respirator...and they could be right but I throw on a dust mask to help not inhale that in... may want to consider it... and no I dont mean to get all safety on ya, just that fine dust is just terrible...lol...
oh I forgot to ad, huge fan of the flap discs, I dont know who invented them but genius! I buy them in the multi packs because I use them a lot and man they do such a great job and they arent hugely expensive which is the best part not to mention the fantastic job they do and you can get a lot of use out of one disc...I havent checked out the prices on amazon, but I will look into it now because you have a good nose for deals.. and if they are cheaper there than where I buy and it leaves more dollars in my pocket, I am all in
Service Body would be best. I like your videos you keep it real! Thank you....
Hey J.C.,my names Mike I’m a new subscriber, I’ve been watching some of your video’s and just saw the red 4x4 kodiak video; it’s probably sold by now and you probably know this, but I heard you said it needs a seat; the drivers seat, both door panels, and steering wheel fit from 96 up Chevy/GMC van, like I said you probably already knew that, but I figured maybe other subscribers would be interested! The van parts are way cheaper and easier to find. Keep up the good work!!!
welcome michael! hope you find some videos you like. yes i am aware that some of the express van parts working on these trucks. i am not a duramax fan but i am a fan of making money and these trucks sell easy.....that is why i buy them.
Good call on removing that dump box. A service body is a good idea. Your video production is just as it should be. It matches who you are, and you get the job done. If you have not already, show your wife how a wire wheel can kick. Good to see her wearing heavy sleeves and full face protection.
i like to focus on the work. i may be wrong but i think there is a large majority of viewers who want to see the work and not the video editing do dads....
J.C. SMITH PROJECTS The editing do-dads you used in this one were good. But yeah, some people get carried away.
I can’t tell you if they were an upfitter 4x4 but they were sold as factory 4x4 with warranty I worked at a Chevy dealer that sold several of these trucks
they were contracted through conversion companies. they supplied gm with warranties, parts list, and manufacturers info.
I have to agree... a person looking for a dump truck will know that axle is way too far forward to be safe and effective as a dump truck. And if the GVW is what you said, they'll also be doing the math to figure out you can't haul much more than a 1ton pickup with it. Service body would be ideal in my opinion. A 4X4 service truck that can get out to where the broken equipment is at is worth some pretty good money! I think a wrecker would also benefit from a farther axle. Those compression fittings!!!! Holy crap!
And your new videos are fantastic! (not saying your old ones were crap, just really like the new format) I know how much work you're putting into these videos, and I'm very impressed and really appreciate all the extra work!
Is your email address still the same? I have something from an auction you might be interested in.
anyone that can do math would have scoffed at that set up. it was all wrong for a dump truck. thanks. i hoped all the extra work was worth it. j.c.smithporjects@gmail.com
Smart move getting rid the dump bed i'd say go with service bed first !
Great video , I like what you're doing , both of you's.
I've rented a 26ft uhaul c4500 with a 8.1, we maxed that truck out, it was fully loaded front to back, side to side and top to bottom. Plus it was towing our car (also loaded) on a trailer. It proformed well for being a gasjob on our 3,103 KMS journey. Hills the trucks weakness and fuel mileage was horrible.
I'd go with service body seems the best option
Put it on ebay you might break the bank,those things are popular with a goose neck or western hauler beds to .They have quite a following and I have seen them bringing way more than they are worth.
Phat Boiz Back Yard KustomZ stupid money if it was a 4 door
No doubt
I watch you for No Nonsense ideas making money is the name of the game...👍 no doubt service body get some attention.
I think the service bed or flat bed are great options .
Hey it's really nice to see somebody who actually gives a s*** on what they sell amazing keep it up like to know where you're out of I'm in Seattle Washington
I'm a new subscriber I really enjoy watching your work and the care you take doing your jobs
welcome! i hope you find something you enjoy.
We love those trucks in the oilfield. Too bad it has the short wheelbase, that truck would be nice with a gin pole bed
Sounds like a plan. There's money in fixing farm or excavation equipment, especially the ones stuck out in a field.
that is why i am considering the service body. the 4wd is what will make this truck most valuable with the service body.
I would put a service body on it almost looks like it was originally set up for one. I wouldn't put a wrecker body on it for 1 you would have to move the axle back because the way it's set up it wouldn't have any weight on the steers. And 2nd putting a tow body wouldn't be cost effective by the time you invest in the PTO and some of those transmission need a gear added to run the PTO. And then you have hydraulic lines and everything to run it. So I think your right with the service body and being 4wd is a bonus.
i have a century wrecker bed. i have the pto for this trans. i have the pump. the gear is in the trans......even with all that, i dont think it is the most profitable option. the rear fuel tank would have to be removed and a different tank put inside the frame in front of the axle. then cut the frame close to the leaft spring shackles.
You do good work and love the videos. If I had the money to buy it, I would have you put a camper body on it. But that is just me.
Service bed i would say would be best be a really nice logging service truck
landscaper truck short wheelbase easier to get around and in town no scales. good videos no editing needed
I think your use of the voice-over is going to be something that you're going to be using more and more to really good advantage, and I'm glad to see you using it. So many times in your job noise alone gets in the way of you being able to get your point understood without having to tell it 40 times in order for the act being seen to match up with what you're explaining what's going on. A lot of times , there wouldn't be any good way to talk over an engine running, or a compressor coming on, or even a phone ringing, and I know how aggravating all that can be. I don't foresee a lot of negative responses from your use of it, anyone that understands mechanics at all will give you a plus for this. I really like seeing notifications of new J.C. Smith Projects videos.
thanks charles....i have been getting a mostly positive response in the comments about it.
I agree the axle was set too far forward and not enough truck for the box that size
The red cab looks nice...
I like your idea of the service body if you can find a decent one. Seems like all the used ones I see are rotted out.
I like a wrecker body idea I'd love to get a 4x4 wrecker to tow cars and start my own wrecker company
My Dump Truck had a Electric over Hydro. and I only had one batt. in it and it worked great for years and I did a lot of work with that truck too.
Keep going what your doing!
I think just removing the dump bed upped the value of the truck. It looked weird with the axle set forward not to mention the danger of over load.
if you have dead batteries, thats why the put a boost point under the hood. the sliding tray is the cats ass. boost point is uder that red cover by the fuse block thats where your suppose to attach jump start cables.
that is a terrible jump spot on this truck. too small of posts and cables when batteries are dead. takes forever to get dead batteries up enough to crank. they could have put actual jumping posts outside the battery box like other medium duty trucks with batteries that are not easily accessed.
I haul gravel with a GMC 7500 but it’s got a Caterpillar engine and a Eaton Fuller 8speed
JC, the brake line material is NiCu or nickel copper. It's stronger than steel line. Ever seen a foreign car with rotted brake lines? You won't as it's required by the EU for brake lines. Same for bubble flairs verses a SAE double flair.
easier to bend, more durable and immune to rust but i cant believe it is "stronger than steel".
Service body sounds good/makes sense to me...that hoist setup looked questionable to me but l liked the box - looked like an easy reach for the skid steer
it was a low side dump. the hoist was ok. nothing weird about it. pretty typical for this size bed and truck.
😂😂 it just pains you to work on a GM. Great job though! Everyone needs a reliable truck to get out to repair broke down equipment, good choice on the Duramax Service truck! lol
Man, that would really make an awesome service truck, wouldn't it!!??
BurningDinosaurs yeah, much more reliable than those Fords! lol
Love the comment "trucks pay the bills"
I'd say service body..or even a service box truck body..my service vehicle is a 16 foot box van..but i wish it was 4wd not to mention heavier duty..all tools stay dry in a toolbox and when you are done for the day..everything remains in the truck .
I have heard you and Jonathan say yall didnt like those compression fittings,Id like to see one put under extreme pressure to see if it would fail, Ive never seen one fail,And im convinced unless i see different that the line would burst before the brass failed. I bet the flare would fail on a normal brakeline before the comp fitting would. IDK.
The brass nut is what i have seen fail. it can crack under extreme pressure. then it obviously comes apart.
@@j.c.smithprojects brass is definitely easy to crack....I could see that
The dump bed was obviously too much for that chassis
A service body or similar would be a great set up and desirable for many applications.
This chassis would also make for a cool Offroad/ Expedition RV.
Definately the service body route.....
I think I'm remembering correctly that a compression fitting on air line of a vehicle brake system is illegal. They can blow apart.
Good idea is a service 🚚
A pressurized steam cleaner works good for taking decals off doors
Those 4500 4x4’s never made much sense to me, especially as a dump. They’re extremely heavy for how low the gvwr is, I think they’re around 18,000 lbs if I recall correctly and the ones we had with an 8’ x9’ Godwin bed with live pto hoist weight almost 12k, meaning you could only haul 3 ton on it. We can get over 4 ton on our 1990 f-super duty legally and it’s way more compact.
The f super duty's are great trucks. I have 2 1989s, both the same wheelbase engine and trans. They both have PTOs, one has a 8' x 11'4" flatbed with a PTO operated air compressor. Other is a 8' x 10' dump truck. They weigh 8500 - 9000 pounds each. Only difference between the two is the dump truck is green, other is white. Dump truck has 5.13 gears, flatbed has 4.63 gears. Other than that they are nearly twins. Almost sold the dump box but informed the buyer his truck wasn't heavy duty enough. Just with the bed on his truck he'd be maxed out for gvwr. Sometimes people don't always think things through.
obs ford diesels inc. many pickup owners don’t pay attention to Weights until they go to a gravel pit or somewhere with a scale. I know a guy with a dump insert in a ram 2500 with a 24v 5.9 Cummins, it weighs 8200 lbs empty and gvwr is 8800, we went to the gravel pit one day me in the super duty him in the dodge, I drove out legal with 3 ton on but the scalehouse made him go back and dump, he ended up leaving with about 3 wheelbarrows worth of crush and run lol. Just wish the ford had that Cummins in it, it’s an e4od and a 460 with 4.63’s right now but I’ve got a 91 f250 im planning on pulling the 7.3 idi out of to put in it, it’ll still be slow as hell but going from 3 mpg to 8 or 10 will help a lot.
@@J.R.in_WV I'm currently trying to get the dump truck roadworthy. The alternator (which is new, and the voltage regulator) isn't charging. Also the brake lights don't work, or the rear turn signals. All the running lights work and the front turn signals.
Also replaced the water pump and new traction bar bushings. It was a plow truck with a tailgate salt spreader. The dump box has been replaced so it's not too rusty. Frame is amazingly still solid. For what I got the truck for I can't complain about any of it's problems. Eventually it's going to need a cab and fenders and doors. Before that I want to fix the wiring problems.
Service body for sure.
Thought this was a dirt perfect vid for a second
so did i when i saw the truck lol
Service body sounds good to me
Keep doing what you do You're great at it
thanks for watching.
It seems odd to me that GM rates these at 17,500 and the 5500 at 19,500. Ford has the more pickup oriented design instead of medium duty truck design. What's interesting is that the F-550 covers both of these GVW, since the 450 tops out at 16k.
Got a Ford you might be interested in JC 95 full power truck and absolutely no rust
send me pictures with all the specs as well as location....j.c.smithprojects@gmail.com
I agree there is No reason you need 3 batteries in a duramax. As for the electric/hydraulic, the duramax has provisions for dual alternators which would have been 105 amps each but the 145 amp fits in its place. You need charging, not capacity.
Service does is the way to go
You doing just fine i like videos that you doing thanks
I think the service bed is the best bet for this trk
Hi, I like your videos better with a voice-over. You mentioned several types of beds, except a box or roll-off.
a box is the leat valuable option. if by roll off, you mean "dumpster roll of" again the weight of the equipment leaves nothing for capacity. if you meant rollback...it would need to be at least a 19' bed. i would need to add several feet of frame to the rear and move the axle back. then the value of the 4wd isnt being utilized.
If I needed a truck I'd want one JC had gone over.
Really like those voiceovers explaining stuff JC.