On my way to look at at 1957 with 6900 original miles today.

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

On my way to look at at 1957 with 6900 original miles today.

69-Tin Indian · Guru

I would totally believe this is the correct mileage for an old fire truck for sure. Pretty much most small towns and villages have their own trucks, so it's entirely possible the area this one had to cover was fairly small. Even if it did have to respond to a neighbouring community's assistance, 69,000 is NOT all that many miles. Just my three and a half cents worth. If ya want it, GET IT! Wouldn't matter if it's a Ford, Dodge or Chevy either. If all ya want it for is a hauler and the price is right, grab it man!

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

my sentiments exactly. Its 6900 not 69000, and the price is very right (IMO)!

Delta Tango · Guru

That's a "smokin deal" biggrin

!LOL. I work at a Detroit Diesel dealer. We've got a fire truck dealership a block away from us. Once in a while we get a trade in to go over a defect or two.
Most are like the above.........low miles, well maintained-that is if they've spent thier lives in a smaller community. The big city ones are usually beat, been scavenged for parts and have huge mileages. Sit, go flat out, idle......sit, go flat out, idle. Not an easy life after 22 years in the big city!
I've dreamed of owning a lightly used pumper for years now. I monitor a web site at
www.firetec.com for dreaming purposes. Most rigs for sale on this web site are down south but the prices are quite reasonable in the "specials" page.

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

Well the deal is done. It'll be in my driveway on Tuesday. Given that the tires are the original and most tread is still there, I am leaning towards believing the listed mileage. It fired right up with an amazing sound out of the stacks, big sound from a little motor. The original hydrolic pto is still there and operates the lift ramp. Everything else works as it should. Its quite an exciting find for me, as it cost no more than a good car trailer. It does have a few cosmetic issues, but nothing worth nixing the deal over. I plan to use it to haul the Beaumont to Ontario, and to give me the option to drag more cars home. The last image is close to what it looked like off of the line.

locomotion · Guru

very cool truck, congrats

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

That is totally sexy. Those years of Ford truck are highly underappreciated in my view.
They had a real nice functional design that actually looked as good or better than the somewhat overwrought Chevy/GMC's of the day.

Its too bad you have to change it actually.

59poncho · Poncho Master!

that is sooo cool!! congrats. What would you say to hauling a car down to the middle of Mexico for me !! LOL

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Has it got a "DP" rear end in it?? [dual pinion] should have a red knob on shifter if it has it??? If not it may be 'pretty heavy' on fuel on high way. Neat buy though & you can retro fit the 2 spd rr. end later if need be!!!!

Delta Tango · Guru

Very nice! You are going to get some good miles out of the rig. The best thing you can do for it now is to use it!

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Cool rig!

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

dualquadpete wrote:

Has it got a "DP" rear end in it?? [dual pinion] should have a red knob on shifter if it has it??? If not it may be 'pretty heavy' on fuel on high way. Neat buy though & you can retro fit the 2 spd rr. end later if need be!!!!

I have no idea yet. I'm looking forward to poking around once it gets here. I was expecting the fuel consumption to be crazy anyway.

Thanks all for the good words. It should be interesting. It was a ladder truck, and the ladder pto works the ramp. I hope I can pretty much leave it and not get obsessed with things if anyone knows what I mean.

Oh yea, the asking price was $4200.00 on kijij

-- Edited by Turn2Stone on Saturday 30th of October 2010 06:09:26 PM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

That's a great find. It's a good thing I don't have room here for such rigs...

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Very nice truck.

455gto · Poncho Master!

You could fill the 3 holes in the front with rocket launchers biggrin

I would get a wheel lift on the back so you can take both cars
Your first trip will tell you if you need a 2 speed rear end to save on fuel and if you can do the speed limit

-- Edited by 455gto on Sunday 31st of October 2010 12:42:42 AM

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

59poncho wrote:

that is sooo cool!! congrats. What would you say to hauling a car down to the middle of Mexico for me !! LOL

Mexico? I would if there was a gem for me to bring back!

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

455gto wrote:

You could fill the 3 holes in the front with rocket launchers

I would get a wheel lift on the back so you can take both cars
Your first trip will tell you if you need a 2 speed rear end to save on fuel and if you can do the speed limit

-- Edited by 455gto on Sunday 31st of October 2010 12:42:42 AM

Rocket launchers! We do stock them here, but I think they would frown on that sort of thing if I used them.

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Way cool grab!!!
A pal o' mine bought a similar mileage big FireTruck a few years back but it was a 65'ish Chevy..
He jumped the super clean cab onto his 1/2 ton, I think kept the SBC and sold the rest..

~

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Nice score!! I see how this could get you into trouble now as it will be way too easy to haul cars home!! biggrin

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

MC wrote:

Nice score!! I see how this could get you into trouble now as it will be way too easy to haul cars home!!

Tks bud. Doesnt sound like trouble to me.......but I bet the wife and neighbors might think differently. I'm going to haul everything that is available that I am interested in, if I can afford it. I think I'll be off of the buying market til spring anyway. I really just got it for hauling the Beaumont when its too far. The 454 4sp isnt the best highway setup. They'll certainly know its me when this snortin' pig pulls in, it is pure badassery IMO. Although if I saw it going by with the Beaumont on top, I wouldnt even notice the truck. It was bought for purely functional reasons, the rest is just a bonus for me.

68 427 · Poncho Master!

MY LOCAL FIRE HALL RAFFLED OFF THEIR 1966(?,CAN'T REMEMBER FOR SURE) 3/4 TON CHEVY HOSE TRUCK A COUPLE YEARS AGO. STEP-SIDE LONG BOX 6CYL. WITH 2,4XX ORIGINAL MILES. THE TRUCK WAS FIRE ENGINE RED (OF COURSE!) WITH LETTERING AND ABSOLUTLEY GOERGEOUS! I BOUGHT MANY TICKETS...AND DID'NT WIN. cry

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Turn2Stone wrote:

MC wrote:

Nice score!! I see how this could get you into trouble now as it will be way too easy to haul cars home!!

Tks bud. Doesnt sound like trouble to me.......but I bet the wife and neighbors might think differently. I'm going to haul everything that is available that I am interested in, if I can afford it. I think I'll be off of the buying market til spring anyway. I really just got it for hauling the Beaumont when its too far. The 454 4sp isnt the best highway setup. They'll certainly know its me when this snortin' pig pulls in, it is pure badassery IMO. Although if I saw it going by with the Beaumont on top, I wouldnt even notice the truck. It was bought for purely functional reasons, the rest is just a bonus for me.

It's nice that you have the functionality of the rig and even nicer that it's a cool vintage truck on top of that!

I'll stay tuned in the spring to see what neat stuff you haul home with it! 'Course I hope to see a pic of the Beau on it as well! smile

57poncho · Uber Guru

Very cool you wont see another one like that.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

You are becoming CAR CRAZY!!!!!!

truck 003.JPG

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

427Carl - Thanks for the pic blow up, they look great. I am planning to drive it home tonight (about 1/2 hour trip). There is one hill that makes me nervous, I half expected to have it towed, but I'm relying on the previous owners faith a little.

As far 'car crazy'.......I resemble that remark! This one doesnt count, as I was just looking for a car hauler, just happens that this one pulls itself. I consider it an accessory for my Beaumont. But in the next few years, I plan on amassing a parts supply as a hobby. I have found out that dismantling is the most fun part for me. I will likely have to paint this truck.

Thanks for all the comments.