1943 Federal dump truck

I have a chance to purchase a 1943 Federal dump truck in what I think is in restorable condition (model 2-G 2 1/2 ton). I wonder if any one knows the ins & outs of this truck. I am worried that parts may be hard if not imposable to find, making this a costly restoration vs. finished value. Any comments will be welcome before I take the plunge.

You can't do that. You can't mention a really cool find and not post photos.
Please correct your error immediately!!!

(Insert that big, huge " This thread is worthless without pics" icon here)

Rick

I would buy it. The engine is the popular Hercules JXD, lots of parts around for those. Have the harnesses duplicated by Vintage Wiring of Maine. All the brake components can be stainless relined if shot. A nice handy good looking truck.

Give me a break, I'm still new at this. Ill try to snap a few photos this week if the snow doesn't cover it up first. Besides I don't own it yet and I don't want the price to rise if I show to much interest. The owner says it runs. I saw a lawnmower gas can hooked to the carb with a rubber hose. in the back is a new gas tank and extra wheels. the sheet metal is fare the box and the frame is solid, I'll keep you posted.

Doug

Good find doug and welcome to the site! Go for this if you can, the green disease welcomes you!

Does it sorta look like this? Seems like there's a site dedicated to the company.

http://www.federalmotortrucks.com/images/federal/1943%20model%202G%20%28Rob%20Bell,%20April%202001,%20135%20KB%29.jpg

Thanks for the welcome. The green bug started with a "chance" purchase of a 86 M-1009. I bought it back in 2011 for a beater and daily driver but went too far with it to use as a beater. Added a few extras including antennas, mounts with brush guards, jerry can, body work and plenty of lusterless Marine green paint. Of course I had to purchase a M-101 A2 from Ft Drum to tow behind it. And just recently picked up a MEP-2 mounted in a 1952 M100 trailer at a county surplus auction. The Federal dump truck caught my eye the other day when I saw this big white star on the door of this olive drab blob when I was driving by at 60mph. of course my binders got a good work out and fortunately no one was behind me at the time.

Thanks for the link Steve. I researched it last knight and ran across that same photo. That is the same truck but the one I'm looking at is green with a lot of painted duck tape holding the windshield s in place.

dougco1 said:

Give me a break, I'm still new at this. Ill try to snap a few photos this week if the snow doesn't cover it up first. Besides I don't own it yet and I don't want the price to rise if I show to much interest. The owner says it runs. I saw a lawnmower gas can hooked to the carb with a rubber hose. in the back is a new gas tank and extra wheels. the sheet metal is fare the box and the frame is solid, I'll keep you posted.

Doug

Click to expand...

Did it look something like this?

View attachment 467381

Maybe you don't want that truck that much...

Nice luggage rack; I would buy that one if was green. What is it?

Looks like somebody's WWII wood gasifier project.

steelypip said:

Looks like somebody's WWII wood gasifier project.

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Bingo: gasoline went to the Wehrmacht; civilians around Germany would rig them up towards the end of the war. Funky but it worked.

They are nice trucks, just 35MPH speed. They have a Timken rear and they can be hard to find parts for. They are also a Hydrovac truck- vacuum assisted braking- but that can be dealt with if you are mechanically sound. I spent a few hours of my youth riding in a semi-restored one and if you pick this one up, I can put you in touch with the owner.

Federal also made a Line Maintenance truck on this chassis but I have never seen one before.

Fort Susquehanna said:

They are nice trucks, just 35MPH speed. They have a Timken rear and they can be hard to find parts for. They are also a Hydrovac truck- vacuum assisted braking- but that can be dealt with if you are mechanically sound. I spent a few hours of my youth riding in a semi-restored one and if you pick this one up, I can put you in touch with the owner.

Federal also made a Line Maintenance truck on this chassis but I have never seen one before.

Click to expand...

I still plan on getting a few photos if they still have it for sale. I haven't been by that way since the beginning of winter and the wife is giving me a little resistance. She wants her new kitchen first but she did say I can paint it green.

I finally got some photos of the Federal 2-G Dump truck

NDT said:

I would buy it. The engine is the popular Hercules JXD, lots of parts around for those. Have the harnesses duplicated by Vintage Wiring of Maine. All the brake components can be stainless relined if shot. A nice handy good looking truck.

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Gas, or Diesel?

That a 6 cylinder?

OOPS, meant to say GAS but somehow my fingers typed diesel, this is what happens when you let your fingers do the talken.

73m819 said:

Diesel

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This truck has a gas motor that burns 70 octane min.

I'd be all over that thing like gravy on potatoes. It looks great, especially for its age.