The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts The Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department 1951 fire truck restoration

No BOLT like a working BOLT I figure I will never get to retire so my bolts don't get to either.
Will be looking forward to seeing the rainbow maid by your little pot of gold.

I agree! While the fire truck might never fight a fire but it will working hard on the road.

Now I need some advise. How do you all recommend I put the hosebed wood together? i've stained and finished it but haven't hooked it together yet. I placed it (as it fits on the truck)on my garage floor, but I don't want to hook it(screws/nails or glue) together where somebody can see the screw heads or attachment points. Any recommendations or comments?

Pictures from today of the hosebed wood as it sits on my garage floor: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2406230570080243953DPDkqq

Today's update: Sanded again, second coat of primer and glazed spots:

Pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2488448940080243953ujyMtJ

Virginiafiretruck:

Very nice. I want that paint booth. I can't wait to see it in "fire engine" red. Maybe just in time for July 4th or Labor Day parades. Good luck.

Tony

Thanks. It is to be painted "fire engine red" on Wednesday afternoon!!!! The date to be completely finished and off to the lettering shop is currrently projected to be 1 June 2007...

We'll see if we make it. I think we just might!


BTW: I am tired of sanding... It is exciting at first, but quickly gets old.

Today I added 29 pictures of the progress to the web site. We have a red fire truck(mostly)!!! Anyway, the new pictures are here:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2254884560080243953npuFeh

your wood decking looks beautiful. what i did for my wood work on my rescue was to buy a one step drill bit and countersink for the #8 wood screws. figure out the length and drill up from the bottom just to the point of it coming through the hose slats. youll have to clamp the wood together so that all your holes will line up perfectly after drilling. practice on some junk wood of the same size for practice or you might end up with a bunch of fire wood like i did.

i lay out, drill it and screw everything together then sand and coat then install unmarred

Thanks. The problem I have right now is the rig is custom made and isn't square. That creates a problem because I had to custom fit the decking to fit the truck bed. Now it only goes in one way or it doesn't fit.

As I wrote before, I've never done wood finishing so I learned a lot along the way and made mistakes. I'm going to try your method this weekend on a couple of scrap boards before I screw up the finished decking. Thanks for the recommendation.

Today: I added some chrome, wood decking and started lights and other stuff. I'm tired and going to take the Memorial Day Weekend off with family(wife asked me to do so) to relax. I'm no fool!!! Anyway, I'll pick up next week where I left off. Thanks again for all your assistance with this truck. I hope you all have a great and safe Memorial weekend!!!

Bill

New pictures from today: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2441827110080243953NDnMOc

Today's update: Added fire tool parts, undercoated front wheel wells, assembled chrome grille, painted front rims and collected more missing parts.

Pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2028906780080243953JzWGUY

Well I had hoped to be finished today but that didn't happen. Seems we had a little setback as one of the guys forgot to etch prime before priming the fenders and doors so we had to strip them all again and start over before painting. I guess these things happen...

Anyway, I painted front lug nuts today, removed rear wheels for painting, installed the spotlight and added parking lights to the grille. 18 new pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2745335280080243953WokrXW

More sanding to follow...

VaFireTruck,
Your truck is looking awesome! Lot of money, lot of work, and I'm sure there is going to be a lot of pride! Hope I can see it someday.

Cannonball: Thanks. I have said it many times, "if it were not for the Stovebolt web site and the help of the members, I would never have tried to restore the fire truck." I am very proud of the truck.

Thanks to all of you for making it possible.

I hope everyone gets to see it if they visit Virginia Beach!

Updated pictures for today: Painted rear rims and lots of other parts including the grille horizonals from white to red. Oren (the folks who built my firetruck), always painted the grille horizonals red, so I made the change. Also undercoated the rear tank, running boards and underbody. It was a long day...

New update pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2885993890080243953ZQUaOa

I'll be back in "V" Beach next weekend. I need to look you up, sometimes, while I'm there. I bet I've been there 10 to 15 times, since you started on this truck.

Spanky, I do not have access to the firetruck on weekends as the shop is closed. In a week or two, I'll have access 24/7/365 as it will be done and back in the fire station!!!

My number is: 757-288-5761 call me.

Update today: Added Oren axe holders to both sides, painted underside of hood, added second coat of red to many parts, added brackets to hold nozzles and hose, ladders. Painted brake drums and finished undercoating rear of rig.

Pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2594636390080243953oDgJgO

I've posted the new updated pictures from today below. Today: put the grille back together after it was painted red, then added hard suction hose and ladder brackets to both sides. Next added teakwood hose rollers to both sides of the truck with the Hardie nozzles and brackets, painted both doors hood and both fenders as well as other firetruck parts.

Two rear rims needed to be repainted but they got done also. It was 96 degrees today and it seemed like 400. It will all be given until Tuesday to dry. Then hopefully we'll try to install them next week!!!

Picture link: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2563939110080243953BYfqhN

Today's update: Rear rims/wheels put back on, front fenders, splash panel and chrome grille bolted on.

12 new Pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2171197620080243953fJmKag

Beautiful project and super pix. Thanks for posting the updates.

Don

Thanks. It has been a long project that started on 25 January 2005. I never thought it would take this long or cost this much but it has been fun. I'm begining to start loking for a new stovebolt to rebuild. Maybe even another fire truck.

I can't say thanks enough to the Stovebolt members for all the assistance along the way. I'm not done yet. Still things to be done on this one before I get too far down a new road.

I just want to drive it for several months and enjoy the effort. Again thanks for the advice, parts, suggestions and experiance. I couldn't do it without the stovebolt membership.

NO NO by all means thank you for the inspiration that is one awesome looking BOLT can’t wait to see your next one start.

That is one GORGEOUS looking truck!! Can't wait to see it completely finished!!

I know it seems like a long project, but actually you got a lot done in an amazingly short time- especially considering the amount of detail you went to. Again, NICE job!!

Thanks.

Today added door "hold open hardware" to both door hinges and made decision to repaint the interior. I didn't lke to "flat look" and decided to use a gloss version. I took dash apart, taped up interior and moved truck outside and then into the paint booth for repainting.

Ten new pictures from today: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2939310600080243953GNKSWO

And the update for today is all about getting the right interior finish. I asked for it to be repainted and more gloss added. I put the dash back together today. I like the interior finish and color now and I hope not to ever do that again. Also started to figure out how to wire the lights in the rear.

Pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2883135880080243953HLPkMg

Ten update pictures for today: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2503821490080243953lPpUtL

Added wire loom to lights, hooked up front parking lights and painted the rest of the truck parts red. I liked to pulled my hair out with the turn signals...they still don't work but there is always tomorrow.

Today added the suction hose trays, booster reels installed and added hard suction hose & strainer to the fire truck. Worked on the lights again but I still can't get the tail lights or turn signals to work. I'm going to have to read more to get the lights working.

Anyway I added eight more pictures for your review: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2605171760080243953WaozlI

No new pictures from today as I spent the day running and chasing grounds and wires around the truck. No glamour in that chore. Man I hate that worse than block sanding...

Off to Georgia to visit one of my kids for a few days so I'll pick it up again next week. Just want to continue to say "thank you" to the stovebolt members for all of the assistance.

Today's update: Doors and hood mostly on. Still have to install vent windows and glass. I've got a question about the hood mounting but I'll put that in the body thread.

Pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2530372090080243953LSpAnn

Update for today: Windshield is in, floor mat and headliner going in. Also started adding weather seal around the doors, adjusted valves, timing and spark plugs to ensure it runs smooth and reliably. It is really starting to look finished!

Newest pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2807427720080243953rFAOCO

i missed the 4th of July deadline I wanted to meet. Missed the parade...

Making progress but not done. New pictures here:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2811043940080243953wCoxgM

A window broke on drivers side and has to replaced. But most other things are going smooth. Just not enough time in the work day...

Happy 4th!!!!

Sorry but no new pictures today as it was a tail/brake/turn signal day with nothing good to share... I just can not seem to figure it out. I've got two bight lights in the rear but can't get it to light properly. Back to searching the old posts for details. Have a great weekend!

That is a great looking firetruck, Virginiafiretruck! I've enjoyed following the resto. Electrical problems can be a real pain, can't they? I'm sure you'll get a handle on it soon.

Well thank you. I'm using 12 volt 1176 bulbs in a duel filiment socket. I think I'm figuring it out(the wiring) but I not sure yet. I think the problem is the four wires going to the rear. There should only be three: One for parking/tail lights, one for left turn/brake light and one for right turn/brake light. Does that sound correct? I think my fourth wire adds power/ground where I do not want it to be. In Monday, I'm going back to the shop to work on the lights/wiring until I get it working. Frankly, a beautiful truck without tail/brake/turn signals is useless. I want to drive it!!! As I said many times before, I couldn't do this without your help, advice and knowleadge(searched old posts) from past and present. Thank you all very much for your help with the firetruck.

Wow that is one nice truck hope my 56 dump turns out that good. I think you should come west and help me with mine yours looks pro built.

Thanks. Some parts are pro built. I always say, "I'm a fireman, I drive to peoples homes with red lights flashing and break things. I don't fix much of anything!" BTW: that is just a joke. I really am pretty good at fixing things except for plumbing.

Honestly, I have been lucky enough to have friends who own body and mechanical businesses. They have allowed me to bring the fire truck into their businesses to work on it. They also work on it between jobs or when they have spare time. I do pay them. I think the guys in the shops enjoy working on the firetruck more than they do the regular vehicles. Sometimes they have even gone the extra step to address an issue or provide extra attension to detail because they are very proud to have helped restore the old stovebolt to better than new!

About one more week(if the wiring thing comes to pass) and the truck will go to the sign shop to be lettered as it was in 1951.

BTW: nothing new today as I'm still working on the rear lights! I thnk I've finally got it figured out. We'll try again in the morning...

Today I got lights!!!! And added mirrors, door glass on driver side, red flashing lights, interior doors completed, 2 ton rear end decal added and replaced all the leather ladder and axe support pads. Total of 14 new pictures added today: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2221813030080243953WtVcSj

Thanks for all the assistance with the lights. and everything else for that matter. Question is the long mirror arm on my right side properly installed? I reversed the arm because I could not see much of the mirror face when I first installed it. Any comments about that right side mirror?

Today's update: Finished installing headliner, door weather striping-inside cab and around doors. Adjusted lisense plate light lens so they were weather sealed. Some new pictures are here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2564306490080243953QfAJpD

Now that it has all the windows installed, I'm planning to clean it all up on Friday and see what details need to be finished before I take it to the sign shop for lettering.

BTW: I lost two parts in the last few years of rebuilding. Recommenation: Save EVERYTHING until you are finished!!!!