The Driller
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
  • EDUCATION
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
  • SUBMIT
  • ABOUT
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Water
  • Geothermal
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Mining
  • All Industry News
  • EQUIPMENT
  • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
  • Consumables
  • Pumps
  • Featured Products
  • VIDEOS
  • Newscast
  • Drill Talks
  • Ask Brock
  • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
  • Drilling Business Insights
  • Reference Desk
  • Sponsored Insights
  • EVENTS
  • Conferences & Demo Days
  • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
  • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Advertise
The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Remounting Your Rig

By Wayne Nash
December 19, 2000
Unless you are one of the lucky folks who can by a new rig and a new mess of payments every few years, you have probably realized rigs generally last longer than trucks they're mounted on. At some point it dawns on you that ol' truck just isn't going to make it to the next job. The rig is fine, you've done your maintenance, and probably upgraded it just the way you want it, but the truck is DOA. Time to re-mount the rig and get another life out of it. Before you grab your cutting torch and start whacking away, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.

First, should I go with a new truck, or a good used truck? If you work several states, and run a lot of miles between jobs, a new truck might be justified. But, if you mostly work within 50 or so miles, a good used truck might be a better investment. How many miles per year do you drive? Since most of us are probably going to end up re-mounting on a used truck, I'll limit this discussion to them.

Next, a serious consideration should be, gas or diesel. They both have their pros and cons. A gasoline unit will probably be cheaper, and easier to repair, to start out with, but it will probably need more maintenance and use more fuel. Also some gas-powered trucks are quite a bit lighter than their diesel counterparts, and may be too light duty. A diesel truck of the same size is usually heavier, and is probably heavier built, too. Larger axles, springs, frame, brakes, that kind of thing. They are generally longer lasting, but more expensive to work on. Fuel mileage might be quite a bit better.

One thing to watch if you are converting a gas-powered rig to diesel: Diesel engines usually make a lot more torque for a given horsepower rating. Torque is what you need to pull out of a bad spot, but you can overdo it. Check the torque rating of the power divider between the truck and the rig. It may not be heavy enough. If you don't have the book, look at the through-shaft on the divider. If it is a lot smaller than your driveline, you may have problems. Is the wheel base the same as the truck you have now? It's been my luck over the years to NEVER find the right length truck when I get ready to re-mount a rig.

Seems like rigs all come from the factory on a truck that's a different length than anything in the known universe. I've shortened and lengthened trucks to fit rigs and I can tell you for sure shortening is easier. I know, the factory guys tell you not to cut or weld on a frame, but it can be done. If it's a double-frame truck, stagger the cuts, and fishplate the welds. If it's a single-frame, go to a salvage yard and buy a piece of frame from a double-frame truck of the same type. Scab it into the inside of your new frame, overlapping the welds.

One note on frame modifications. It will make them somewhat weaker. Usually this is not a problem, except in the most severe duty.

There is one type of rig on which I would not consider cutting the frame. A rig that has the front leveling jacks on the front bumper stands a good chance of cracking even a factory frame, let alone a cut-and-welded one.

A better design is to have front jacks under the front of the rig, rather than the front of the truck. This minimizes frame stress during drilling.

Re-mount time is also a good time to look at some of the smaller things, you've been wishing for over the years. Tired of those old mechanical jacks? This is the perfect time to go to hydraulic jacks, and maybe a bigger hydraulic system. How about an auxiliary winch, or a winch on the front to pull you out of that mudhole. This is the time to rig it up.

Remounting isn't usually too difficult if you are going to a truck of the same size. The rig frame usually lines up pretty well with the truck frame, and the only custom parts will probably be the drive shaft(s). Tail lights usually need to be moved, don't forget to 'armor' them or they'll be knocked off by the third job.

A 'truck transplant' isn't as big a job as you might think, and you sure can breathe new life into an old rig with a little work.

-Wayne

For comments, or questions, you can e-mail me at ROCKBIT@compuserve.com.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Wayne nash 200px
Wayne Nash is a regular contributor to The Driller. He can be reached at rockbit8@hotmail.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • geotechnical drilling rig

    6 Onsite Phrases Environmental Drillers Hate

    Here are six phrases that highlight common frustrations...
    Markets
    By: Jeff Garby
  • Wayne Nash

    Pipe Stuck? Common Causes and Solutions for Drillers

    If you have drilled for any length of time, sooner or...
    Water Wells
    By: Wayne Nash
  • submersible pumps, water well pumps

    Selecting and Sizing Submersible Pump Cable

    This article helps pump installers and servicers decide...
    Pumps
    By: Bob Pelikan
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The Driller audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The Driller or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit
    Sponsored byGeoprobe

    Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

Popular Stories

MainPhotoTwoBrothers.jpg

Two Brothers' Journey Through the Drilling Industry

Tariffs

Tariffs Shake Up the Drilling Industry

AI and Drought Concerns

AI’s Growing Thirst for Water and Power

The Driller Classifieds

COMPRESSORS

EAST WEST MACHINERY & DRILLING IS BUYING AND SELLING AIR COMPRESSORS, AIR BOOSTERS, AIR ENDS & PARTS
Company: East West Machinery

DRILL RIGS

LOOKING FOR LATE MODEL TOPHEADS & DRILLTECH D25'S
Company: Spikes’s Rig Sales

DRILL RIG PARTS

MEETING DRILLERS NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD
Company: East West Machinery

ELEVATORS

SEMCO INC. PIPE ELEVATORS
Company: Semco Inc.

GROUTERS

GROUTING EQUIPMENT - GROUT PUMPS & GROUT HOSE REELS
Company: Geo-Loop Inc.

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO INC. - BASIC PUMP HOISTS
Company: Semco Inc.

WELL PACKERS

LANSAS PRODUCTS - INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS
Company: Vanderlans Lansas Products

WELL SCREENS

WELL SCREENS & SLOTTED PIPE
Company: Alloy Screen Works

Products

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

By carefully explaining both the underlying theory and the underlying mathematics, this text enables readers to fully grasp the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment processes for water and wastewater.

See More Products

Subscribe to The Driller Newscast

Related Articles

  • The World According to Wayne: Considerations When Remounting a Drilling Rig

    See More
  • Wayne Nash

    Tips to Ready Your Mud Pump for Peak Season

    See More
  • Where to Take Your Mining Rig

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\ND\new site\a-builders-guide-to-wells-a.gif

    A Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Second Edition

  • 1119083621.jpg

    Formulas and Calculations for Drilling Operations, 2nd Edition

See More Products

Related Directories

  • SEMCO Inc.

    SEMCO Pump Hoists now has 10 sizes available S4,000-S35,000. SEMCO Hydrorench S14H, S110H, & S112H, Pipe Elevators Standard 1-6 inch and Heavy Duty 6-16 inch, 3 Sizes of Fishing Tools. We even carry Kwik Klamps and PVC Elevators. We also have NEW or REBUILT VHS Motors for your irrigation needs.
×

Dig deeper into the drilling and water supply industry!

Build your knowledge with The Driller, covering the people, equipment and technologies across drilling markets.

SIGN UP NOW
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Classifieds
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP