New Here 1941 Fire Truck

Ken T

Ken T

Member
My name is Ken and have been reading the forum for a while. A lot of knowledgeable people and informative stuff.

This is my 41' Fire truck. It was primarily a parade vehicle the Fire department in the desert for 30+ years and has sat for 10+. I believe the Fire department bought it at a Military auction in 72'. There's a brass plate on the dash that says that it was the property of the Military. The Fire department maintained it while using it, but not so much while sitting. It's in good shape, but unfortunately the desert air has made the wiring brittle while sitting. That's dust on the engine that most can brush off

To get it started, I'm going to need to rewire under the hood and dash. I'm a rookie with 6 Volt. The brakes need to be redone also.

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Ken T said:
My name is Ken and have been reading the forum for a while. A lot of knowledgeable people and informative stuff.

This is my 41' Fire truck. It was primarily a parade vehicle the Fire department in the desert for 30+ years and has sat for 10+. I believe the Fire department bought it at a Military auction in 72'. There's a brass plate on the dash that says that it was the property of the Military. The Fire department maintained it while using it, but not so much while sitting. It's in good shape, but unfortunately the desert air has made the wiring brittle while sitting. That's dust on the engine that most can brush off

To get it started, I'm going to need to rewire under the good and dash. I'm a rookie with 6 Volt. The brakes need to be redone also.
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Most valuable part is the generator tach drive for the pump operators tach. My '40 fire engine had a 95 hp merc from the factory and the 95 hood badge. Military site is G-503.com Huge index and many subjects. Check yours. Newc
 
Very nice example of a '41 Ford! Hurry up and get your ten posts in so we can exchange information, as I plan to be visiting San Diego next month. I wonder if my 'start 'em in the field' kit would pass the TSA checkpoint. Bosch blue coil, clip wires, the usual stuff. I'm afraid you're gonna have to furnish the 6 gallon outboard motor gas tank.
 
GB SISSON said:
Very nice example of a '41 Ford! Hurry up and get your ten posts in so we can exchange information, as I plan to be visiting San Diego next month. I wonder if my 'start 'em in the field' kit would pass the TSA checkpoint. Bosch blue coil, clip wires, the usual stuff. I'm afraid you're gonna have to furnish the 6 gallon outboard motor gas tank.
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Sure thing! It's in the desert at Borrego Springs where I'm storing it. That's about an hour and a half drive from where I live. I've just started working on it last weekend. I changed the oil, removed the plugs and squirted oil in the cylinders. This weekend I'll hand turn the motor before putting in the new plugs. I bought a new battery, but the wires under the hood need to be replaced.
 
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My 1935 was converted at some point into a fire engine and if yours is anything like mine was, there is a rat's nest of wiring, some original in poor shape and lots of splices and added wires. Your truck is so original, I recommend replacing the wiring with good quality original type wiring. You can purchase good quality original color cloth wire harnesses from several suppliers. One is Tyree Harris in Virginia but there are others. It's not too hard to replace the harnesses. There's one for under the dash which includes some that go through the firewall. You can also replace the spark plug wires with original type wires. One source is Third Gen in Tennessee. You may have good parts vendors on the West Coast, I'm most familiar with the East Coast folks, but it really doesn't matter where they are as long as you are getting good quality parts.

Good luck with your truck and keep the posts and pictures coming.
 
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Here's a picture of myself and Cathy's previous boss standing next to Northwest bank's armored truck. Has a 59 A-B in it. There was an article in the V8 times about it as I recall. Truck is kept in Warren, PA. and loaned out to the branches.
 
Ken T said:
There are Fire engines and there are Fire trucks. There is a difference.
This truck lacks a water tank and has bench seats for riders in the bed.
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I thought the difference has to do with/without a pump.
A pumper is a "fire engine". (from horse pulled fire pump wagons, pump driven by a steam engine)
Ladder/hose/equipment wagons now are "fire trucks".
 
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Ken, there's a great V-8 Club regional group in San Diego. If you are not a member it might help you to join. Lots of knowledgeable guys in that group.
 
JayChicago said:
I thought the difference has to do with/without a pump.
A pumper is a "fire engine". (from horse pulled fire pump wagons, pump driven by a steam engine)
Ladder/hose/equipment wagons now are "fire trucks".
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This is true, but an engine has a tank. Trucks do carry equipment and some also carry personnel. Some trucks do have a pump, but get the water from an auxiliary source only. This truck has the pump, but no tank and has bench seats in the back for personnel. The paperwork for it does state it's a fire truck. This is why I referred to it as a truck.
 
there is a website for these army fire trucks, google it and it has a lot of info,pictures. I wish my 41 500 gallon pumper was as nice of yours but body was real bad
 

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