The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Holmes 460 Wrecker and a 52 Chevy 6400

My neighbor has the 52 and stumbled across the Holmes 460. Now he wants to build a tow truck. Not a problem, but I'm hunting for the installation manual so we know the correct mounting scheme. The GMC I drove years ago, there was an I beam under the mast that was in turn, bolted to the frame. IT was a GMC 9500 with a 750 Holmes.
Can anyone offer any help? A copy of the manual or a place to get one?
Thanks.

Most all of the installation, & parts info., I have is for Holmes model 515, 525, W35, & W45 units. I've got a little info. on the 460 Holmes units, but no parts break down, or installation info. Call the International Towing and Recovery Museum (423)267-3132. Tell them what you have, & i'll bet they will make you some photo copies of what you need. They have done this for me in the past. Send me a email address, & I'll take you some photos of what I have. Does the 460 Wrecker have the original Holmes "Chariot" Style service body ?

No body at all. We're hunting for a chariot style body. I've seen a thread somewhere a guy is building one from scratch. May be we'll have to do the same.
I tried to send you a PM but it says your inbox is full.
My email: [email protected]
I would guess that most of the mountings were pretty close to the same, maybe some differences for the larger units. I'm mostly concerned about the distance from the center of the mast to the rear axle centerline and then the frame length past that. ANY help you can send my way would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
If you know anyone looking for a Holmes 220, we have one of those for sale or trade too.

What's the wheel base of the 6400. Normally a 6400 would be too long of a chassis for a shorter 460 service body. 460's were usually mounted on dual wheel 3800, 4100, & sometimes 6100 series chassis (my Holmes Wrecker Catalogs recommend mounting the 460's on 1 ton, or 1 1/2 ton chassis). You guys may be better suited to find a 515, or 525 Holmes unit, which will have the longer service body for the 6400 chassis. Holmes recommends mounting these two Wrecker units on a 2 ton chassis, which your 6400 is. Mike B on this site, knows of a 525 unit with original service body (just like the one on his '56 Chevy ) For Sale.

460 Holmes service bodies need a cab to rear axle measurement of 60"in. 515, & 525 Holmes service bodies need a cab to rear axle measurement of 84"in.

Thanks for the info!! I thought the 460 just looked a little small for the 2 ton, but for the price he got it for it's going to be hard to beat. ( traded a 110v wire welder for it- the guy that got the welder was thrilled!)
I'd like to find the old wrecker I drove from 75 to 78- 72 Western Star with a 750. At the time, it was the heaviest daily used wrecker in KC. There was an old B Model Mack with an 850, but it never moved.
Last time I saw the Western Star, the owner had taken the 5x4 trans out and put a 13 speed in. Be a little big to park in the backyard, but it would still be nice to find.
Thanks for the pictures. I'm planning on calling the Museum next week.

I have a catalog I bought for mounting a 460 but I will have to get it when I get back to town. I am in Missouri right now at the convention.
Thanks
Brad

That would be great!! I'm in Michigan working. My neighbor/partner in this thing is on his way to Springfield in the morning for the truck show.
Let me know when you get back and I can send you address and cover any costs.

TimAT, search the Craigslist for Kalamazoo. Theres a salvage yard in that area had a COE wrecker that looked pretty decent in Picture. Never could get to see it because of all the snow when I was there. It was near PawPaw. Phone for the guy was 269-364-3421. Good luck. Jim