The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Got a BIG Bolt this time.

I bought this 1954 GMC 470 truck this past summer at auction. The truck was used as a Fire Truck in the town North of us in Michigan. Nice original truck minus the fire equipment that was replaced with a grain bed. The owner had used it as a grain truck and over the years only put on 17K miles. The truck took 30 minutes of tinkering to get to run and when she was running before the fuel pump gave out ran well. I plan on using it around the farm to haul hay. It needs a fuel pump and brakes to be gone through.

Awesome. Hope you put it to work. Its itching todo so.

That is a beautiful 470 series 3 1/2 ton GMC truck, you have there. That chrome grille, chrome grille surround, and chrome bumper, are Awesome. All you need to do is lose that siren, and beacon light, and replace those fire truck running boards, with a pair of original big truck running boards, and it will be perfect. Is it air brakes, or hydraulic brakes ? There should be a "GMC Parts Identification " plate on the back of the glove box lid, listing the trucks specifications. I'm digging those Dayton wheels also. I own a 1952 GMC 470 series, 3 1/2 ton, Cabover engine truck. Yours should have the same 302 GMC 6 cylinder engine, as mine does.

Looks like you got a dandy there! Congratulations!
I was going to ask if that siren still works!

Thanks gentlemen. The plan is to track down original running boards and battery holder and eliminate the miles of wires for all the emergency equipment. It still has the emergency panel that controls all the lights and sirens. The siren is LOUD!!! It is the 302 motor and had hydraulic brakes (gotta fix those). It has a two speed rear end and the tires are in great shape. They are old but no cracking or weather checking yet.

Spanky, I really wanted a COE to be my farm truck but couldn’t find one in decent shape.

Good deal, I'd love to see some interior shots, when you have the chance. I know of a 54 model, GMC 450 series COE, Farm truck in Kansas, if you're interested ?

wow that truck is awesome. I hope that you post some more photos when you get time. Congratulations!

I will get more pictures once I return home for Thanksgiving.

PM sent Spanky.

Very nice truck!! Glad you are going to put it to work!

Thats a good looking truck! Surprised to see the previous owner still left the lights and siren on it.

When you are doing rewiring, be careful, fire engines have everything hot all the time.

Ed

Thanks for the tip! I will getting rid of that huge alternator and go back to a generator and update it to 12 volt.

Ed,
I’m curious as to why they would have everything hot all the time?

Normal truck stuff should be (SHOULD BE) normal. Added electrics are often unfused and dangerous on fire trucks because firefighters often do their own wiring. As often as fire trucks burn and sometimes take the fire house with them, you'd think they would learn how to do wiring safely. ("There is no money in the budget for this new gizmo but the civic group has bought us one and Fire Fighter Fredy can install it free, he wired the doorbell at his house so he's good with electricity.")

Brand new fire trucks often have terrible wiring in them too. There are almost certainly large battery cables to a foot switch and the siren that are hot all the time, even if there is a "master" disconnect switch.

Mac is right. Both of my fire trucks came with cobbed up wiring.

Don

I figured I would buy a stock wiring harness and take the remaining stuff out. I don't need all the accessories for what I'm doing.

They don't have time to look for switches, fuses, look for keys, etc. However, they often have time as mentioned above while not at a fire, to try and learn how wires might go somewhere

Ed