Finally got the truck...with a lot of headaches... - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

MilitaryRestoration · 12-21-2007, 03:14

So we finally got the truck from French Camp:
Sun 1000 - We left Vancouver, Wa the start of our journey
2000 - We arrived at our hotel.
Mon 0800 - Arrived at the Sharpe Depot
*After arriving we checked in and were shown where the truck was at. We started from the rear moving our way forward. First filling the differentials, transfer case, transmission. Then moved onto checking brake fluid and finding any and every grease zerk. Replaced the broken passenger side tail light. Then as we were moving to the motor compartment, we started to check for leaks etc. Noticed the the engine stop cable was snapped but other than that everything pretty much seemed to check out ok...UNTIL...my father was checking the belts and at that point I noticed that the fan blades were very close to the radiator core and didn't look like the fan was bent, so I jumped down to find that GL had drained the radiator in a very specific lazy and very pointless with no respect way!!! Leave it to GL employees. Then with no further motivation, we pushed on as my father finished prepping the truck and I started calling around to find a radiator.
1500 - We left Sharpe depot without truck like planned and a broken radiator in back of truck in search of a radiator shop. But because of the way that the radiator had been hit, two radiator shops with great experience both stated it would be days to fix, as it was an impossible 'quick fix'.
Tue 0800 - The search was still on. Arnold of Ca. said that he had to come my way anyway and that he more than likely had one for me but ended up being 5 ton radiators. We found one at the ever more famous 'Saturn Surplus' but all we received was the typical horrible customer service and ever so high prices and I mean high. They wanted 1100 for a radiator at first then down to 950 which was still too much in my opinion. Our next available option was to drive 6hrs one way to boyce for 350.00 or even further to Antelope Valley for 850.00. None of which sounded good to me. So after all this I decided that no matter what we had to get the truck off the depot otherwise we lose it. So we went at about 1000 to the depot in plan of finishing the truck as far as prepping goes and then to tow it off the depot using the tow bar to some unknown location.

Truck stop if we had to. 1100 we got the truck off the depot and ran into Arnold who was ever so nice enough to let us tow it to one of his lots so that we could store until we found a radiator. Then the call came...Jon from Nevada called and said he would take one out of his truck to give to me for 250 and was only 3.5 hours away. So it was a done deal, we left the truck at Arnolds outside the gate with the plan to drive to Nevada get the radiator drive back, install radiator, then leave for Vancouver, Wa so that I could get back in time for my 1930 Fire Department Graduation.
1300 - We realized we were going to be a while. As a storm rolled through California the mountains received an instant 2 foot of snow making our one way trip into about 7 or so. But did finally get the ever so earned radiator then turned around and headed back for California. With no traffic or anyone at all on pass and with my driving experience in the snow I managed to get us back to California in a unbelievable 3hours in worse weather conditions than before! lol 'mans gotta do, what mans gotta do'

1030 - we reached our destination and started installing the new radiator. Did one last check of everything and hit the start switch....instant start, good oil pressure, no leaks of any kind, good air pressure, good volts, everything was checking out thank god. Then for the lights which scared me to be honest...At first when tried turning them on...nothing...but then with another try they came on and the only thing that did not work was the turn signals, they just came on solid so I just decided to manually rock the lever to make it look like they are blinking instead of trying to fix on spot and taking the risk of losing other lights.
Wed - 0000 - We were all ready for the trip back but very tired!!! Took off out of the lot and instantly realized something was wrong. When into 4th and 5th gear the clutch really slipped. We proceeded onto the first truck stop but by then it had gotten a little bit better, figuring that oil must have gotten onto/into clutch assembly. Top her fuel off and started the journey again. Not much later I still new we had problems, now with noises coming from down below the cab. So we took off at another truck stop and I crawled under as my father drove forward a bit and back a bit, and I realized that the front differential was locked in even though the switch was off. So to quick fix it we just disconnected the front driveline retightened the jack shaft and regreased it and took off again. Then when pulling the siskyou's it was a pain had to only drive upgrades in third but it made it. Also when hit 30mph that clanking noise would begin in the clutch area and still cant figure out what it is.
Wed - 1900 (half hour till my graduation and still 3hours away) Realized I was definitely going to miss it and that I just had to live with the fact that the most important part was that we got the truck home safe and in one piece, powering it self. We had been up for 36hours and of those 36hours we had been driving for an unremarkable 32hours. Learned much on this trip and I thank everyone for their help.

rosco · 12-21-2007, 03:32

"Sometime you take the Trip & sometimes, the Trip takes you".

You did it right! You had a swell Outfit. You'll have a swell truck too, when you have a chance to tinker with it some.

Lee in Alaska

DanMartin · 12-21-2007, 03:49

Awesome guys! Great write-up and pictures.

I can't wait to see this new one! When can I come over and see?

(oh..and 100th post! w00t!)

MilitaryRestoration · 12-21-2007, 04:08

DanMartin-whenever you'd like I'll actually be in town through tue then gone for a few days and then back for four days again so let me know. i've actually got the truck up for sale as well so let anyone know that is interested in one. Thanks

emmado22 · 12-21-2007, 08:51

Did you preview the truck before bidding?

Congrats on your new machine!

BKubu · 12-21-2007, 08:58

With regard to the radiator, it might not have been the GL guys. The DRMO guys have been doing this stuff for years. I once saw an M52A2 at Lakehurst, NJ that had been shoved sideways about 20 feet by a forklift. I know it was shoved by the crushed fuel tank and the skid marks the tires made. As Mark said (EMMADO22), did you inspect it first? That might tell you who damaged the truck. Once it is GL's property, the DRMO guys don't mess with stuff (at least that has been my experience).

Floyd · 12-21-2007, 11:21

Wow! What an adventure, talk about bonding with your truck.

Floyd

pa.rich · 12-21-2007, 11:36

That sounded like a nitemare. At least you and Dad were a good team and got it home. The damage stuff you mentioned is a reason I am afraid of dealing with them. They possibly damaged it after you looked at it? Hope it all works out for you.

MilitaryRestoration · 12-21-2007, 12:45

I didn't get a chance myself to inspect it due to all the local fires that we were having at the time and everything else going on and as far as preinspection I really didn't think I was going to win it so didn't think much of it. As to whether or not it was done before or after bidding I'm not sure. I had others inspect and they easily could have looked over it just as I did when we were there. Took a while for me to even notice it so I'm not sure. it was quite the adventure though to say the least

DanMartin · 12-21-2007, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilitaryRestoration

i've actually got the truck up for sale as well so let anyone know that is interested in one. Thanks

Is that the fire truck you posted earlier?