Rusty crusty wrecker recovery - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

Ferroequinologist · 12-20-2011, 22:58

Hey All!
Went down to take a look at my M62 wrecker today, with BigUgh20 and a friend of mine. I got her cheap, and you will see why!

First off, she isn't a M62. After seeing several distinguishing features, she is a M543, just as others have suspected. Also is an early truck, as she was originally a gasser, and had no fender braces at all.

All winches are there, and complete. Rollers are not frozen, cables look like they could be ok if regreased.

Has the feet and long boom poles, ground spades, and a whiffle tree!!

We got her running without too much trouble. The gauges don't work, probably a ground issue, as there isn't much metal left between them and the frame!

Transmission shifter is stuck- it is out of gear and the oil was water free, so I'm guessing the shifter forks are all that are locked up. Amgeneral has a spare one we will swap out for the recovery. The transfer case linkages are frozen in the low position. All I need it to do is drive up on a trailer, so that's fine.

The in tank pump doesn't work. We got it to suck fuel up, but with steel lines, we already had a leak in the return line, so we think the engine won't stay running because there is a leak in the suction as well.

7 tires are still inflated, the other 3 are flat. They may air up, they may not. I will bring 3 spares when I come to get her.

As of right now, I plan to get her home, and strip off all the sheet metal, as it is all scrap. Take all linkages apart, and rebuild them. At least get her running good enough to use around the yard. If I can find sheet metal, and I don't find anything major, I will put her back together, slowly but surly.

Big thanks to Craig (bigugh20) for driving down and wasting his day messing with my rusty crap!

The true recovery will be done on the 30th.

I have video but I'm having a hard time getting it off the disk and onto the computer.

wsucougarx · 12-20-2011, 23:00

Wow great save...I think

. Looks like a great project!

gimpyrobb · 12-20-2011, 23:14

Why do all these wreckers have that short fuel tank on the pass side?

rosco · 12-21-2011, 00:23

Its great that it still runs. Once all that trash is off her, and take her to a car wash, on the way home, and it will look a hundred times better.

joshuaz223 · 12-21-2011, 00:42

welcome to the wrecker fold.

Motorcar · 12-21-2011, 02:30

Most of that will buff right out.

patracy · 12-21-2011, 06:11

If it's going to be a yard truck, I need a few of those bits laying in the bed.

SPCWarning · 12-21-2011, 06:57

Congratulations! Looks like it'll be a long project just take your time it'll be fun. I'm sure you'll find all the pieces and parts to get 'er back going. It's amazing how these rigs can set up for sometimes years and then fire off with old wiring, old fuel, and moisture that has probably attacked every electrical part. Now THAT'S quality and durability! Keep us posted on the progress.
Jimmy

Recovry4x4 · 12-21-2011, 07:07

Yard crane!

Ferroequinologist · 12-21-2011, 07:25

Yes, I think this will wind up being a yard crane, at least save it from the scrappers (well, not the cab and sheet metal) I will probably restore it one day.

But I need a road-able crane too, so I might just bid on a M936

Then I will have TWO wreckers! Bwhahahahahahha!!!!