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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9681
Location: So. Cal | This wrecker is pretty cool and looks to have been mostly gone through. Would make a fun way to pick up parts cars. Instead of replacing the rear axle, he should have just put a divorced style gear vendor overdrive on it. But it should be fine as it is.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132483991338?ul_noapp=true
1959 Dodge D700, wrecker, hemi 354, air brakes, ex air force tractor, 22936 miles, 95 % rebuilt, all that is needed is a color sand and buff, and an air compressor rebuild. All 6 rims have been powder coated with mixed newer 22.5 radial tires. Winch has some new bearings and seals. I have never used the wrecker , I didn't want to scratch it. I have tried the winch it will pull a house down.
FRAME- sandblasted , epoxy primered, chassis paint, no parts of the frame had any deep rust or rot
FRONT BUMPER- I custom built it out of I think it was 3/16 plate
ENGINE- motor was totally taken apart and cleaned and inspected, the only thing that was needed was all new seals and gaskets, the cylinders , rings, pistons, were like brand new, the only big item I replaced but wasn't needed was the timing chain. Had custom power giant 354 decals made up for it and painted engine to as much original color as I could find. I rebuilt the 2 barrel carburetor .
TRANSMISSION- the transmission needed nothing except for cleaning and reseal, and paint, it is a 5 speed NP 540
CLUTCH, PRESSURE, PLATE, THROW OUT BEARING- all original, like new, I did replace the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder
DRIVESHAFT- driveshaft , u joints, center bearing all original in mint condition
REAR END- rear axle is not original, the original rear axle was replaced because it would not go over 45 mph and the higher ring and pinion was not available, so I put a late 80s early 90s rear axle from a Ford F600. the gear ratio is perfect for 55-60 mph. It is a 2 speed rear. the ford rear had hydraulic brakes so I had to adapt the ford rear to air brakes that were on the original rear, it works great, but the shoes are a little wider for the drums , it looks odd but it is totally safe.
BRAKES- the air brake lines are part plastic and copper, I replaced what was needed. I replaced all four brake can rubbers. the air compressor works good , but I am getting oil in air tanks after a few hundred miles, so the air compressor should be rebuilt
INTERIOR- I had the seat rebuilt, that was actually 400. dollars, I made custom headliner and door panels.
CAB and NOSE- the cab and nose body parts were all sandblasted repaired minor rust on floors, right front fender had a dent, roof had a few dents, rust on lower rear center outside cab, epoxy primed, painted, under cab and under hood and under fenders and floor all coated with bed liner.
WRECKER BODY- this truck was originally a tractor for air force so it had a fifth wheel on it , I removed and restored a Holmes 480 wrecker body and winch setup from another truck I had. I installed a newly rebuilt pto and custom pto shaft to run the winch.
WHEELS-TIRES- 6 newer 10r-22.5 tires, powder coated all 6 wheels.
Steering - this truck originally had power steering but I removed because I could not get it to stop leaking. It drives fine with standard steering , I thought it would be tough, but no problem.
(59 Wrecker Frt(s).jpg)
(59 Wrecker Rear.jpg)
(59 Wrecker Hemi(s).jpg)
Attachments ---------------- 59 Wrecker Frt(s).jpg (227KB - 112 downloads) 59 Wrecker Rear.jpg (241KB - 103 downloads) 59 Wrecker Hemi(s).jpg (233KB - 109 downloads)
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 977
Location: Sydney, Australia | That is pretty cool.
Looks like it should be in a highway thriller movie.
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Expert
Posts: 1886
| I would give anything if this thing had a flat bed on it | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Hilltown, PA | Mike McCandless - 2018-01-27 8:33 PM
I would give anything if this thing had a flat bed on it
Money and time, just money and time . . . .
Gregg | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 943
| Super cool! Workmanship is beautiful!
Edited by FINS! 2018-01-31 1:20 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | That engine is a Chrysler based 354, right? Interesting that the fuel pump is on the driver side. Looks like the whole water pump and timing cover arrangement is unique to the trucks. | |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9681
Location: So. Cal | Yes, the motor is a Chrysler and the trucks have a unique timing cover with the water pump centerline sitting up near the intake manifold height. The intake manifold is also unique to the trucks with the water port pointing straight up. The heads were similar to the marine & industrial heads with extra mounting bosses on the sides of them. I gathered a couple of those pieces to possibly build a Chrysler hemi for my truck, but the weight of all those things is really obnoxious. Makes me re-think any plans in that direction. | |
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | Looks like the truck sold for $9,100. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Lubbock, TX | Reserve Not Met... | |
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