Fixing old arbortech toolboxes ( L pack style)

C

cercidiphyllum

Location
Boston Suburbs
Hi Friends,

I did in fact finally get an old chip truck with an old arbortech body on it. The boxes have all kinds of issues with the latches so things are held shut by wire/zipties and its a mess.

Anyone know how to find replacement parts for these older toolboxes from early circa early ~90s ? are the T latches not unique I can just find universal ones? Would love to find some kits made up specifically for this but I am striking out.

While we are on the topic, what about replacement parts for the wiring/brake lights on an old arbortech chip body?

Thanks
 
Can you post photos of what you are looking for? That might be helpful, to try to identify the specific parts you need.

For the toolboxes, if your budget would permit, you might be better off to have new boxes made to fit the truck. The Gap Hill Aluminum Shop down near me has great prices on custom built toolboxes. You might reach out to them to see what it would cost to have new boxes made, rather than fighting with old beat up boxes.

Lights and wiring are generally pretty universal, if you can figure out the particular size and shape of light you need. If you can post pictures, maybe with a tape measuring in the picture for reference, I’m sure we can figure out what lights you have.
 
 
thanks guys!

The plot thickens anyhow, I may need to get a whole new chip body for it- Initially I was hoping to hire a welder to help me out with the floor being rotted in the chip body. Turns out I underestimated the cost to redo a steel floor I got quoted 3500$ for a new 1/4" steel floor on the body...Now I am thinking I might as well find a cheap used chip body and swap the entire thing out. Maybe I can find one with the Lpack toolboxes in good shape.

Ah the woes of a rusty starter truck ;)
 
cercidiphyllum said:
thanks guys!

The plot thickens anyhow, I may need to get a whole new chip body for it- Initially I was hoping to hire a welder to help me out with the floor being rotted in the chip body. Turns out I underestimated the cost to redo a steel floor I got quoted 3500$ for a new 1/4" steel floor on the body...Now I am thinking I might as well find a cheap used chip body and swap the entire thing out. Maybe I can find one with the Lpack toolboxes in good shape.

Ah the woes of a rusty starter truck ;)
Click to expand...
You don’t need a 1/4” steel floor in a chip truck, 1/8” is plenty. If you can swing it, aluminum is the way to go for a new body, but it is a bit expensive.
 
If you do end up doing a swap, you might find this interesting:

But I agree with Reach: re-run the quote with thinner plate before going the new box route, seems like a fairly involved process to retrofit and likely expensive if you have to hire it out.
 
joshuarov said:
If you do end up doing a swap, you might find this interesting:

But I agree with Reach: re-run the quote with thinner plate before going the new box route, seems like a fairly involved process to retrofit and likely expensive if you have to hire it out.
Click to expand...
Retrofitting a new bed is going to be expensive, unless you have a fab shop of your own and can do it yourself. We did a bed swap on a truck in our shop recently, from a pickup to a flatbed, and we did everything in house. Still cost 20 labor hours, and we have the shop equipped to do it.

Thinner plate will save you some money, but $3500 is not that much, I’m sure you’ll spend quite a bit more to have a bed swapped even after you buy the bed.
 
its a 1995 international 4700 with an early version of the 12 or 14 ft arbortech body. I was advised to not go thinner than 1/4 inch on the floor. Any tips from you guys here? the "pee pee corners" :) are rusted out so bad you wont even want to stand on it.

I was thinking since I am in the "humble beginnings phase" of my business...what if I just got some 1/4" sheets and drilled/bolted them on myself for patching? I just need to chip into it for some odd months until I can weld it proper.

Thanks guys, cant tell you how much youve all helped me (by the way I have a profitable little operation going now all legit since I started some of my earlier threads :) )

cheers!
 
Quarter inch plate still seems really excessive. Triaxles have quarter inch plate floors, and they haul 25 ton loads of rock. I’ve seen older chip trucks like yours with floors of 1/16” corrugated plate. Maybe ask another fab shop for an opinion, that much quarter inch plate will weigh a ton!

You could bolt plate or even plywood in temporarily, or weld in patches yourself if you can weld, but don’t expect them to last long if the metal under is that far gone.
 
Reach said:
Quarter inch plate still seems really excessive. Triaxles have quarter inch plate floors, and they haul 25 ton loads of rock. I’ve seen older chip trucks like yours with floors of 1/16” corrugated plate. Maybe ask another fab shop for an opinion, that much quarter inch plate will weigh a ton!

You could bolt plate or even plywood in temporarily, or weld in patches yourself if you can weld, but don’t expect them to last long if the metal under is that far gone.
Click to expand...
your a legend man thank you - I had no idea and will now look for thinner steel to get the job done. I never welded but if a cheap welder from harbor freight and some temporary steel squares will do the trick I am very interested in learning.
 
cercidiphyllum said:
your a legend man thank you - I had no idea and will now look for thinner steel to get the job done. I never welded but if a cheap welder from harbor freight and some temporary steel squares will do the trick I am very interested in learning.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure I would call myself a legend, but thank you. Happy to help with whatever I can. Everyone starts out for the first time once. I had some great people to help me get going, want to pass it along if I can.

A cheap welder and some bits of plate might be enough to patch things up for now, but you might want to find someone to show you the basics. Look at the YesWelder brand, I have heard that they make a pretty decent cheap welder. I have not used one myself though, so I can’t speak from experience.
 
Check your local fb marketplace. I've seen steel sheeting on there before for a discount. It may have surface rust, but it's not bad to clean up where you need to weld.

You might find a welder there too for cheaper than list price.

Since you're new to welding, avoid any galvanized steel that you might find. Welding it creates a gas that will make you sick. And never weld without a welding hood, fyi. Sorry if thats obvious, but I've seen people inexperienced at welding try to do it. It will burn your retina.

Last bit of advice that comes to mind right now, check under the bed for electrical or anything else that may be damaged by cutting through the floor or the heat from welding.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom