Page 1 of 1

Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:28 pm
by WAWII
ImageImage

Well today, I tried vacuum bleeding the brakes, but that just never seems to work right, so I'll have to get a helper and do it the old fashion way. I also removed the front skirt that Maxium installed, and, wow, looks much better with out it (it was 1/8" steel!). I also started the Swiss tank removal. I removed the top and baffles. Will likely have to lift the rest of the tank out, so as to not damage the body or frame (after I shovel out the rust that is).

Thanks,
Will

In God we trust, but don't tread on me.

The Essence of Freedom is the Proper Limitation of Government.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:30 am
by Russ
Nice truck, Will. What are your plans for it? Are you going to restore it or remove the fire truck body and put a flat bed or something else on it?
If you wanted to sell that bed on Ebay you would describe that as "surface rust". :lol: :lol:

Amen to your signature lines.

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:43 am
by WAWII
Russ,

Thanks. My plans are to restore it for now. The rust you see is just the tank in the bed, the body is in great shape.

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:49 am
by duke21
The cab area of your truck looks darned near new!!! I always thought the old firetrucks where cool, just never really thought about what i would do with one if i had it. Probably think of some crazy reason to drive around with the lights on!!!!

i agree with the last poster, that looks like typical ebay " light surface rust" and "easy to fix"


I havent looked at a map yet, i have heard of dalton, IL but cant picture where its at. I am in the Terre haute, IN area, just off of I-70 sounds like you have some cool old trucks,, i have always been a sucker for the old flat fender power wagons, never been lucky enough to get one though. I came close once, when i found one converted to a wrecker in the junk yard. At the time i thought it too far gone to be saved. Hindsight tells me how wrong i was. It was crushed just a few weeks later by the salvage yard. our older vehicles are disappearing really quick.

I also must say i think your sign off signatures are great as well.

thanks for sharing,

god bless,

duke21

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:36 am
by Jims68
I might make a suggestion for "later". Get rid of that light bar on the roof and get the bubblegum light. I "think" it would be more period correct.

Nice rust!! :lol: In stead of putting heavy steel back in, look into getting a sheet of aluminum diamond plate (Would you see this area? Do you walk on it? I know that comes in sheets, but not sure how much, OR where to buy it. BUT, I have seen them. IN fact, we used a sheet on a floor of a 71 El Camino. Looked nice too!

Jim

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 7:07 pm
by WAWII
Duke,

Dalton City is just SE of Decatur, I'm south of 36 (about 100 miles from you). The only bad spot on the cab is the lower left fender under floor area. Not sure what I'm doing with a Fire Truck either, but it was a Power Wagon and it just followed me home. Here is a fresh picture of the other three trucks, I had to move things around so I could put the M in the back so I could pull the axle apart, as I broke it (Tracta Joint) yesterday.

Image

You can see other pictures by going to one of the two following links: http://powerwagon.wawii.com/ or http://m37.wawii.com/

It's a shame how many of the old Power Wagon's are discarded, but I'm also amazed at how many still exist as well. Oh tanks on the Signature, everyone loves and supports, it's amazing.


Jim,


Yea it's not bad at all. The truck only has 18,800 miles on it, a few more hours though. The following picture is of it's twin, and has the correct light. My truck had the same light as the hole and markings are still in the roof.

Image

Thanks,
Will

God Family and Guns - Christian Conservative!

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:00 pm
by duke21
damn,

those are sharp firetrucks, they have a stance and swagger of their own. I didnt realize it was a powerwagon as well, guess i would have brought it home if i could. That bubbegum centerlight is a must have.

would love to come visit with you sometime, that old red powerwagon is just way too cool. That is the style that i said the junkyard crushed. i know where another ( very rough one is) but the owner seems to be content letting it make its way back home to mother earth .


thanks for sharing your truck,

god bless,

duke21

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:37 pm
by WAWII
Duke,

Thanks, yes they have a certain appearance that just makes them. If you are going to be up this way let me know and you can see them in person.


All.

Here are a couple of pictures after I shoveled and vacuumed out the tank.

ImageImage

Re: Did a little work on the W500 Fire Truck

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:07 am
by Jims68
That just goes to show you.... how much work can go into a restoration with pieces that people NEVER get to see!! Kudos to you! They wonder... what takes you so long? I thought you just were going to sand it down and paint it; that is what so many people say.

Jim