the joys of owning a BIG truck
-
- Technician 4th Grade
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:59 pm
- Location: Kent Island, Md.
the joys of owning a BIG truck
I have owned my Chevy 1.5 ton for 3 years, and during this time, I come to know where every nut and bolt is during the course of its restoration. I thought that this truck was BIG. Well, I recently took delivery of my 1942 Diamonfd T 969A wrecker, now it is not as big as a Ward LaFrance, but it is BIG.
Now if you are considering the purchase of a truck bigger than a Chevy, there are a few things to consider. You will need bigger wrenches, bigger jacks and of course a bigger shop for your baby.
Ranger has previously mentioned that there is more maintenance with these trucks and he is correct. As I have touched on in a previous post (Messy Messy) under the CCKW,DUKW section, an oil change is 16 quarts, 7 gallons plus of gear oil, 62 zerk fittings at my last count, oil cups for the distributor, and generator, 2 grease cups and 600 feet of 5/8" cable to keep oiled/greased.
The drivers/owners of Chevy's and GMC's wil appreciate their Saginaw steering gear after driving a Diamond T with a ROSS steering gear.
However, after finsihing my PM and smelling like 90wt, I am still grinning.
Now if you are considering the purchase of a truck bigger than a Chevy, there are a few things to consider. You will need bigger wrenches, bigger jacks and of course a bigger shop for your baby.
Ranger has previously mentioned that there is more maintenance with these trucks and he is correct. As I have touched on in a previous post (Messy Messy) under the CCKW,DUKW section, an oil change is 16 quarts, 7 gallons plus of gear oil, 62 zerk fittings at my last count, oil cups for the distributor, and generator, 2 grease cups and 600 feet of 5/8" cable to keep oiled/greased.
The drivers/owners of Chevy's and GMC's wil appreciate their Saginaw steering gear after driving a Diamond T with a ROSS steering gear.
However, after finsihing my PM and smelling like 90wt, I am still grinning.
1940 G-506 1 1/2 ton cargo dump, delivered 12-27-40
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
-
- 1st Sergeant
- Posts: 6510
- Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
- Location: Nearest Motor Pool
The mirrors tend to vibrate more sometimes. It helps to own shoes that will not slip on wet metal, too, as it is a long way to the ground.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
-
- Technician 4th Grade
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:59 pm
- Location: Kent Island, Md.
-
- 1st Sergeant
- Posts: 6510
- Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
- Location: Nearest Motor Pool
We used to mask off a pattern on M-Series truck fenders and on Tracked vehicle hulls, spray matching OD and sprinkle Ottawa Sand Blasting sand on. Any excess will dust off when paint is dry. Letterkenny Army Depot did the same on rebuilt trusks. Textured OD Paint is hard to find and will screw up your favorite spray gun.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
-
- Technical Sergeant
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: Australia
-
- 1st Sergeant
- Posts: 6510
- Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
- Location: Nearest Motor Pool
-
- Technician 4th Grade
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:59 pm
- Location: Kent Island, Md.
I did all the tires on my Chevy, but the Diamond T has 12 tires, 10 plus 2 spares, so I think I will pay $30.00 a piece to have someone else do that job. It also helps when my 18 yo nephew helps me work on the Diamond T.
1940 G-506 1 1/2 ton cargo dump, delivered 12-27-40
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
-
- 1st Sergeant
- Posts: 6510
- Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
- Location: Nearest Motor Pool
I tried to flip an 11.00X20 tire and wheel from a 5 Ton into my pickup while wearing dress shoes and standing on snow. I slipped and landed face first on the wheel. I then picked it up and threw it into the truck. It takes motivation.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
-
- Technician 4th Grade
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:59 pm
- Location: Kent Island, Md.
I acquired 4, 11.00 x 18.00 (DUKW) wheels with tires mounted on them. The wheels had bead locks on them. I managed to break down 1 a day. Worn my butt out. Ah, the joys of dismounting a tire that has been on a wheel 40 plus years, thats when I learned my lesson.
1940 G-506 1 1/2 ton cargo dump, delivered 12-27-40
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
1942 Diamond T 969A, delivered 08-27-42
1944 Clark Airborne dozer
Using VOV and Joel Gopan for the parts, PM by the TM is the only way to go....
-
- Technician 5th Grade
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:56 pm
- Location: ESSEX UK
We have owned one of the largest trucks of WW11. An ALBION CX22 heavy gun tractor. 25ft 9in long 8ft 10in wide .Top speed of 25mph . The main problem is the speed & size in modern day traffic (One good thing you never get in traffic jam .Their all ways behind you) T CORBIN
GTB
GTBS-- M5 TRAILER
IH 2-4
IH2-4
WOT 1CRASH TENDER-
ALBION CX22S
GTBS-- M5 TRAILER
IH 2-4
IH2-4
WOT 1CRASH TENDER-
ALBION CX22S